Lead Occupational Therapist

Royal Hospital Chelsea Group; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Pension scheme

Wellbeing support

Enhanced sick leave

Social events

Birthday day off

Onsite parking

Onsite gym

Historic environment

Job summary

Royal Hospital Chelsea in London is seeking a Lead Occupational Therapist to provide strategic clinical leadership across the Hospital, supporting Chelsea Pensioners to maintain independence and wellbeing.

You will lead highly specialist assessments, champion evidence-based practice, and drive rehabilitation, reablement, dementia care, and falls prevention within a multidisciplinary team and with external health partners to optimise care and service delivery.

Qualifications

• Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy with HCPC registration.
• Significant experience working with older adults, including rehabilitation and reablement.
• Experience developing services and implementing evidence-based practice.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional leadership and expert clinical practice across the Hospital.
• Lead development of OT services and champion evidence-based practice.
• Drive rehabilitation, reablement, dementia care, falls prevention and healthy ageing initiatives.
• Build partnerships with families and external healthcare providers to optimise care.

Skills

HCPC registration

Leadership

Older adults

Dementia care

Governance

Communication

Teamwork

Education

OT Degree or Diploma

Job description

The Royal Hospital Chelsea is an historic institution and home to the iconic Chelsea Pensioners. Since 1692, we have provided care, comradeship, and support to veterans of the British Army. Today, we are a unique community where heritage, innovation, and excellence come together to make a meaningful difference to the lives of our Pensioners, staff, volunteers, and visitors.

The RHC Way

The RHC Way is at the heart of everything we do. Developed by colleagues from across the Hospital, it brings our values to life through the behaviours that shape our culture and strengthen our community. Guided by Compassionate Approach, Community Spirit, and Courageous Engagement, we foster an inclusive environment where people are treated with dignity and respect, work collaboratively, and are empowered to make a positive difference every day.

About the Role

As Lead Occupational Therapist, you will provide professional leadership and expert clinical practice across the Royal Hospital Chelsea, supporting Army veterans to maintain their independence, wellbeing and quality of life.

Working as part of a multidisciplinary team, you will deliver highly specialist assessment and intervention for Chelsea Pensioners with complex physical, cognitive and psychosocial needs. You will lead the development of Occupational Therapy services, champion evidence-based practice, and drive initiatives in rehabilitation, reablement, dementia care, falls prevention and healthy ageing. You will build strong partnerships with colleagues, families and external healthcare providers, helping Pensioners remain as independent and fulfilled as possible within our vibrant veteran community.

Key Criteria

We are looking for a compassionate and experienced Occupational Therapist who will bring:

• Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy with current HCPC registration and substantial post-registration clinical experience.
• Significant experience working with older adults, including rehabilitation, reablement, dementia care, falls prevention and complex case management.
• Proven ability to develop services and implement evidence-based practice within a health or social care setting.
• Strong understanding of clinical governance, quality improvement, safeguarding and regulatory standards, including HCPC, RCOT and CQC requirements.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with experience working effectively in multidisciplinary teams and with external stakeholders.
• A commitment to person-centred care and the values of the RHC Way, demonstrating compassion, integrity, initiative and respect in all aspects of work.

About You

You will be an experienced Occupational Therapist with a passion for supporting older people to live independently. Combining strong clinical expertise with excellent communication and leadership skills, you will be confident working across multidisciplinary teams and driving improvements in care and service delivery.

With compassionate, proactive and person-centred care, you will build positive relationships with Chelsea Pensioners, colleagues and partners, while demonstrating the values of the RHC Way through everything you do.

If you are passionate about enabling independence, promoting wellbeing and leading high-quality Occupational Therapy practice, we would be delighted to hear from you.

What We Offer

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Pension scheme – Enhanced and competitive pension scheme
• Access to wellbeing support – Access to EAP including confidential counselling and wellbeing support
• Enhanced sick leave
• Several social events throughout the year
• Birthday day off
• Discounts at onsite cafes
• Cycle to work scheme (post probation)
• Season Loan Ticket (post probation)
• Free onsite Parking
• Free onsite gym
• Opportunity to work for a prestigious organisation in a unique and historic environment

Using AI in Your Application

We know that AI tools can be a helpful way to get started or organise your thoughts when preparing an application. If you choose to use them, we simply ask that your application stays true to you and reflects your own voice, experience, and reasons for wanting to join us. We are looking forward to hearing your story and learning more about what you could bring to the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

At the Royal Hospital Chelsea, we value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives and believe that a diverse workforce strengthens our community and enhances the service we provide.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and are committed to ensuring all applicants are treated fairly, with dignity and respect throughout the recruitment process.

Reasonable Adjustments

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, including support with completing your application or attending an interview, please let us know. We will work with you to ensure appropriate arrangements are made and that any barriers to participation are removed wherever possible.

Recruitment Process

The Royal Hospital Chelsea is committed to safer recruitment practices. Offers of employment are subject to references, right to work checks, DBS clearance, and any other relevant pre-employment checks required for the role.

The ethos of the Royal Hospital is one that puts a premium on selflessness and companionship. Our values of nurturing belonging, respect individuals, encourage pride and enjoy life underpin that ethos. We are united in a shared purpose, living and working together and ensuring everyone has a place in our diverse social and military community.

The Royal Hospital Chelsea is dedicated to equality, diversity, and inclusion, where all backgrounds and abilities can reach their full potential. We pride ourselves on attracting a wide range of talent, removing potential barriers, and promoting equal opportunities. We know, the more varied and inclusive our teams are, the better our organisation will be for our community.

We are a Disability Confident employer dedicated to hiring diverse talent and ensuring you are treated with respect throughout the recruitment process and upon joining our community.

The RHC Way shapes how we care and work together: with a compassionate approach, strong community spirit and courageous engagement. We listen with kindness, look out for one another, act when it matters and continually seek better ways to serve Chelsea Pensioners, colleagues and the Hospital.

Our selection process

Should your application be successful you will be invited to a formal interview, where you will be asked questions relating to your experiences and key requirements of the role. If you are successful after the interviews we will:

• Ask for references from those you have listed on your application form
• Check your right to live and work in the UK
• Check any declarations you have made on your application form
• Ask you to complete a medical form
• Carry out an Enhanced DBS application.

This is more than a clinical leadership role. It is a chance to be part of a remarkable community, uphold a proud heritage and help shape care that is personal, dignified and deeply valued.

If you are ready to lead with compassion, stay hands-on and make a meaningful difference every day, we would love to hear from you.