Clinical Lead - Community Hospitals

NHS; Tenterden; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading community healthcare provider in Tenterden seeks an experienced Clinical Lead Therapist for community hospitals. The role focuses on supporting NHS teams with expertise in patient care. Candidates should have a health-related degree, relevant postgraduate qualifications, and experience in team leadership. Strong communication skills and the ability to manage change are essential. The position has an annual salary of £47,810 to £54,710, and a full UK driving license is required.

Qualifications

• Registered Therapist with HCPC registration required.
• Evidence of relevant postgraduate development is necessary.
• Experience leading teams and managing change is expected.

Responsibilities

• Support NHS in delivering patient care.
• Provide expertise to clinical teams.
• Manage and lead health-related projects.

Skills

Team leadership

Time management

Effective communication

Negotiation skills

Facilitation skills

Education

Health-related degree

Management or supervisory qualification

Tools

Microsoft Office

e-Pay

e-Roster

Job description

Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust

Clinical Lead - Community Hospitals

The closing date is 12 January 2026

The NHS is changing. More emphasis on community-based care means there's never been a better time to join us.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and organised Clinical Lead Therapist – Community Hospitals to join our professional team. We're a close team but we're never exclusive; if you can bring a professional approach and fresh ideas we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

Could you use your skills and experience to support the NHS to deliver great patient care? Great patient care needs great people to support clinical teams. That's where you come in.

We're always looking for enthusiastic, responsive, and adaptable people to join our outstanding trust. This role is an important one as you'll be using your knowledge, experience and expertise to provide support to our hard‑working frontline NHS teams.

We put patients first and we expect all of our colleagues to do the same, so although NHS experience isn't a requirement for this role you'll need to share our passion for delivering excellent patient care and keep that passion at the forefront of your professional activity at all times.

The challenges come thick and fast in this role but you'll know that your input is contributing to the excellent experience our patients and service users have every day.

Additional Working Pattern: 5 days a week

About us

Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we have a passion for delivering high standards of patient care and excellent services to improve the health of our communities. To do this we need outstanding people who share our values of compassion, aspiration, responsiveness and excellence.

We know a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion leads to better patient care and a happier workforce. We pride ourselves in being diverse and welcome applications from people with varied backgrounds, perspectives and experiences.

We ask for information about your protected characteristics on our application forms. This information is not visible to anyone involved with shortlisting or interviewing you, except where you choose to be considered under the guaranteed interview scheme due to disability.

The data we collect helps us ensure we are attracting a diverse applicant pool, that all colleagues have equitable access to career opportunities and supports us on our journey to being a Great Place to Work.

As a flexible‑working friendly organisation, we want you to be able to work in a way that is best for our patients and for you. We support you to work flexibly in a way that suits us both.

Job responsibilities

Please note: at this stage, the role is open only to colleagues currently employed within Kent and Medway NHS Trusts and the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB). Nursing vacancies are also open to Student Nurses and Newly Qualified Nurses.

As a community trust many of our roles require individuals to be able to drive to perform their duties. As such you will be asked to confirm you have a full UK driving licence where driving is a requirement of the role. We are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities into employment; if you are unable to drive due to a disability, please contact the Recruitment Team at [e-mail] quoting the vacancy reference number so we can support you further.

The job description and person specification give you all the information you need about this role. Please review the criteria in the person specification and tell us what you have done that shows you meet this in your application.

Please let our recruitment team know if you need an application form in an alternative format. All information you supply on your application should, to the best of your knowledge, be true and accurate.

We can get a lot of applications for some roles, so to increase your chances of being shortlisted please apply as soon as possible. The vacancy may close early if there is a lot of interest.

At KCHFT we strongly encourage colleagues in clinical and non‑clinical roles who have direct or social contact with patients to be fully vaccinated.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Registered Therapist (HCPC registration)
• Health‑related degree and evidence of relevant postgraduate development at Level 6
• Evidence of Post‑Graduate Specialist qualifications relevant to area of practice (examples: non‑medical prescribing; mentoring, coaching, clinical expertise)
• Management or supervisory qualification / programme of study
• PTLLS/DTLLS, PGCE or Certificate in Education
• Working towards Master’s level study

Experience

• Demonstratable experience in area of practice
• Experience of leading and managing teams
• Experience of developing policy and service development plans with practical experience of change management
• Practical experience in managing health‑related projects/complex caseloads
• Supporting others (mentor / educator / supervisor) experience
• Experience with the use of Microsoft Office and a variety of IT packages (e‑Pay / e‑Roster / AT‑P / CIS)

Knowledge and Expertise

• Understanding of National Service Frameworks and NICE guidance relevant to care setting and its application across healthcare services
• Evidence of continued relevant professional development and implementation in practice within the last 12 months
• Proven ability to develop effective partnerships to achieve practical outcomes across organisational boundaries, including statutory organisations, external agencies, community and voluntary organisations

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to manage time effectively, prioritise and work under pressure to meet deadlines
• Ability to work effectively with a variety of people at all organisational levels across different sectors, including areas of social deprivation
• Ability to communicate complex, sensitive information to individuals and groups
• Strong influencing and negotiating skills
• Highly developed facilitation skills

Personal Attributes

• Ability to motivate and organise others to ensure best practice
• Ability to manage and lead change

Ability to Manage

• Able to support the implementation of local and national agenda(s) for health under the guidance of the senior practitioner
• Ability to prioritise care delivery in a professional manner, taking into account Trust policies and procedures
• Ability to manage own time effectively

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£47,810 to £54,710 a year (pro rata)