Lead Occupational Therapist – Acute Frailty

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Bedford, Luton; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are seeking an experienced Lead Occupational Therapist to lead the Acute Frailty Therapy Team. You will deliver high-quality, patient-centred care for older people with frailty during acute hospital stays and shape the Occupational Therapy service within the team.

You will oversee service development, supervise staff, and drive improvements in discharge planning and pathways, collaborating with medical, nursing, and discharge planning colleagues to

Qualifications

• Significant post-registration experience in acute hospital settings.
• Experience with older adults and frailty.
• Experience with complex discharge planning and integrated working.
• Experience leading service improvement or quality improvement projects.
• Member of specialist interest group relevant to the post.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional leadership and operational oversight for the Occupational Therapy service within the Acute Frailty Team.
• Deliver advanced Occupational Therapy assessments and interventions for patients with frailty, complex multi-morbidity, cognitive impairment, and functional decline.
• Lead on complex discharge planning, risk management, capacity assessments, and clinical decision-making.
• Ensure the delivery of high-quality, person-centred care that promotes independence and supports safe, timely discharge.
• Work collaboratively with medical, nursing, therapy, social care, and discharge planning teams to optimise patient flow and improve outcomes.
• Provide clinical supervision, mentorship, appraisal, and professional support to Occupational Therapists, Therapy Support Workers, and students.
• Support workforce planning, caseload management, and service capacity to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.
• Lead and contribute to service development, quality improvement projects, clinical audits, and research activities.
• Champion evidence-based practice and support the implementation of national and local frailty initiatives.
• Monitor service performance, quality standards, and patient outcomes to drive continuous improvement.
• Act as a professional role model, promoting excellence in clinical practice and multidisciplinary working.
• Represent Occupational Therapy at operational, divisional, and strategic meetings, contributing to the development of integrated frailty services.

Skills

Frailty knowledge

Leadership skills

Clinical decision-making

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor/Degree in Occupational Therapy

HCPC Registration

Practice Educator qualification

Leadership course

Job description

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are seeking an experienced Lead Occupational Therapist to lead the Acute Frailty Therapy Team. You will deliver high-quality, patient-centred care for older people with frailty during acute hospital stays and shape the Occupational Therapy service within the team.

You will oversee service development, supervise staff, and drive improvements in discharge planning and pathways, collaborating with medical, nursing, and discharge planning colleagues to