Lead Occupational Therapist

The Methodist Church in Britain; London Borough of Brent; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

HCAS pay supplement

Supervision and leadership programmes

Career development opportunities

Research and professional networks

Job summary

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Lead Occupational Therapist to oversee Brent CMHH and Early Intervention Services. The post holder will supervise OT staff, manage a specialist caseload and lead workforce development to ensure high-quality, recovery-focused practice.

You will work within multidisciplinary teams to promote recovery, independence and social inclusion, while contributing to service development, workforce planning and quality improvement initiatives

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in occupational therapy.
• Practice Placement Educator's Course.
• Mental health workshops and short courses.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional leadership, supervision and operational support to occupational therapy staff across Brent CMHH and Early Intervention Services.
• Maintain a specialist caseload, delivering expert assessment and intervention for people with complex mental health needs.
• Model and promote high-quality, occupation-centred, recovery-focused practice.
• Lead workforce development through supervision, coaching and professional development.
• Support staff wellbeing, retention, recruitment and succession planning.
• Lead quality improvement, service development and transformation projects.
• Provide expert occupational therapy advice within multidisciplinary teams.
• Work with service users, carers, community organisations and partner agencies to promote recovery, independence and social inclusion.

Skills

Leadership

Supervision

Occupational therapy

Communication

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Autonomy

Education

OT Degree/Diploma

Practice Educator Course

Mental health workshops

Job description

This Lead Occupational Therapist post sits across the Brent Community Mental Health Hubs and Early Intervention Services, offered by Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust. The post holder carries a specialist caseload of people with complex mental health needs while leading occupational therapy staff through supervision, coaching and workforce planning. Service development, quality improvement and representing occupational therapy in borough and Trust forums are also part of the job. HCPC registration and substantial mental health experience are needed.

What the job involves

• Provide professional leadership, supervision and operational support to occupational therapy staff across Brent CMHH and Early Intervention Services
• Maintain a specialist caseload, delivering expert assessment and intervention for people with complex mental health needs
• Model and promote high-quality, occupation-centred, recovery-focused practice
• Lead workforce development through supervision, coaching and professional development
• Support staff wellbeing, retention, recruitment and succession planning
• Lead and contribute to quality improvement, service development and transformation projects
• Provide expert occupational therapy advice within multidisciplinary teams
• Work with service users, carers, community organisations and partner agencies to promote recovery, independence and social inclusion
• Develop community partnerships that improve opportunities for service users
• Contribute to borough-wide and Trust-wide initiatives, professional networks and strategic developments
• Support student education, practice placements and workforce development activities
• Foster a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, compassion and partnership

What’s required

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in occupational therapy
• Practice Placement Educator's Course
• Mental health workshops and short courses

Registration & licences

• HCPC registration as an occupational therapist

Experience

• Significant post-qualification experience in mental health services
• Leading or developing a service or part of a service
• Supervising and appraising staff, including recruitment and workforce planning
• Managing a complex caseload
• Partnership working with external providers to promote socially inclusive opportunities
• Trauma-informed service work, risk assessment tools and standardised OT assessments

Skills & knowledge

• Assessing the functional impact of conditions and recommending equipment or adaptations
• Excellent written, verbal and listening communication, and presentation skills
• Leading projects, audits and research
• Dealing with sensitivities and complexities through interpersonal skills
• Working autonomously, self-motivated, flexibly and under pressure, making decisions within set timeframes
• Working in multidisciplinary teams and promoting a culture of sound OT practice

Nice to have

• Postgraduate training specific to clinical specialty
• Management and Leadership Diploma
• PSIRF training
• Community mental health experience
• Managing complex HR issues such as performance and long-term sickness
• Root cause analysis investigations
• Experience supporting young people in CAMHS or paediatric services
• Training in psychological therapies such as DBT or CBT

What’s offered

• Higher cost area supplement (HCAS) included in the pay
• Access to supervision, mentoring and leadership programmes
• Quality improvement training and research opportunities
• Clinical networks and specialist forums
• Career development within the borough
• Professional leadership structure including borough Head OTs and a Trust-wide Professional Head of Occupational Therapy