Head Occupational Therapist | East London NHS Foundation Trust

East London NHS Foundation Trust; England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in the UK is seeking an experienced Occupational Therapy Lead to manage the development and operations of Occupational Therapy Services. The role involves providing professional leadership, analyzing service data, and fostering collaboration across teams. Candidates should have relevant qualifications and significant experience in healthcare services, alongside excellent communication and organizational skills.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing and developing Occupational Therapy services.
• Strong understanding of clinical and financial systems within healthcare.
• Ability to implement strategic service plans.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Occupational Therapy Service and manage service resources.
• Analyze data and identify service needs for clinical improvement.
• Ensure effective communication across the multi-disciplinary team.

Skills

Leadership

Multi-disciplinary collaboration

Clinical reasoning

Communication skills

Data analysis

Education

Relevant Occupational Therapy degree

Job description

Overview

The post holder will work with the Lead of Occupational Therapy Service, other Heads OT's in managing and developing the Occupational Therapy Service within their service area and across the Trust. They are expected to provide professional leadership to their services, work alongside MDT members and develop effective working relationships to ensure effective service provision. The post holder will also be required to attend the relevant service meetings, manage data collection with the team\'s specialist OT and implement strategic plans to ensure ongoing service development and an equitable service is maintained. They will ensure up to date supervision is maintained within their service and support the wider service as directed by the Lead OT. The post holder will take responsibility for the designated areas for Occupational Therapy Services.

Management

• To lead on all elements of the Occupational Therapy Service, responsible for planning and delivery in the designated area, including recruitment, appraisals, CPD and disciplinary procedures.
• To be responsible for the management of resources allocated to Occupational Therapy within the designated area.
• To analyse information systems data within the service area with respect to Clinical, Financial and Staffing issues to meet service needs.
• To ensure sickness and absence is managed effectively in accordance with the Trust policy and liaise with staff to discuss absence trends, providing reports as requested.
• To foster effective working relationships with Team Manager colleagues to coordinate service developments and maintain high quality clinical services and professional networks.
• To maintain, action and update strategic plans in line with Trust strategies and local or national guidance.
• To maintain an effective supervision framework for Occupational Therapy staff, undertaking appraisal of staff in line with Trust policies.
• To participate in and develop training of Occupational Therapists and other professionals.

Clinical

• To be responsible for the planning and delivery of Occupational Therapy within the designated area, prioritising clinical needs to provide an effective service.
• To support establishment of focused treatment programmes by Occupational Therapy staff in all relevant teams within the locality according to agreed models and local needs.
• To ensure the MOHOST is implemented and responsive to client needs.
• To ensure knowledge of Occupational Therapy practice is up to date through professional journals, websites, attendance at relevant courses and familiarity with government policies (e.g., NSFs).
• To implement the Modernisation process within the designated area of Occupational Therapy, working with staff to identify barriers and develop clinical strategies to overcome them.
• To develop the role and remit of Occupational Therapy staff, extending the boundaries of the profession as appropriate.
• To facilitate multi-disciplinary working across the service, liaising with Line Managers and Senior Manager Colleagues.
• To provide clinical intervention for a small number of clients.
• To undertake assessment, treatment planning and negotiation, communicating clinical reasoning to clients and carers as appropriate.
• To communicate agreed treatment plans to multi-disciplinary team colleagues.
• To provide a variety of treatment modalities to meet client needs in individual or group formats using clinical reasoning processes.
• To review clients progress, evaluate effectiveness of treatment and amend treatment or discharge as appropriate.
• To ensure risk management systems are in place in the service area.

Administration

• To apply highly developed communication skills to all situations and staff, including negotiation, persuasion and sensitivity.
• To ensure good communication with all team members through verbal and written reports as appropriate.
• To maintain adequate written records and ensure signing and completion of positive returns, sickness returns, statistical information, and annual leave authorisation.
• To ensure a robust system of communication for dissemination of information throughout the designated area.
• To chair a meeting of Occupational Therapists working within the designated locality.
• To maintain record keeping to required standards within the service area.
• To develop departmental policies and analyse information systems data within the service area to meet clinical, financial and staffing needs.
• To advise Occupational Therapy Service Lead on appropriate skill mix for each area.

Performance and Quality

• To develop and lead on areas of good practice within the designated areas and disseminate across the Trust.
• To ensure effective mechanisms for monitoring the standard and quality of clinical care within the designated areas.
• To ensure treatment offered is based on the best available evidence.
• To keep clinical records up to date in line with professional standards and local record keeping policies.
• To adhere to the professional Code of Ethics.
• To provide written or verbal reports as required in line with Occupational Therapy Clinical Governance Standards.
• To work with other staff in identifying clinical service needs and initiating changes and projects to meet these needs.
• To implement service changes as agreed with Head of Service and manage staff during change.
• To contribute to the development of quality initiatives within the Occupational Therapy Service, involving clients and carers where appropriate.
• To identify training needs for the development of individuals in line with service area needs and encourage staff to audit treatment/care against outcomes and standards.
• To facilitate CPD for all staff through appraisal, courses, in-service training and research.
• To be responsible for Clinical Governance within the designated area, updating standards accordingly and ensuring implementation.
• To provide careers advice.

Financial and Physical Resources

• To be responsible for the management of resources allocated to Occupational Therapy within the designated area, with regular meetings with the Management Accountant to monitor and control expenditure.