Specialist Occupational Therapist - Physical Health

NHS; Tooting; On-site; GBP 61,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

The NHS is seeking a Band 8a Physical Health Lead Occupational Therapist to enhance physical health outcomes within mental health services. This pivotal role requires collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to integrate evidence-based health strategies for complex patient needs. Ideal candidates will hold HCPC registration, have substantial experience, and possess strong leadership skills. Join a dynamic team dedicated to improving care and driving service enhancements in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Flexible working

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Significant post-qualification experience in physical health.
• HCPC registration is mandatory.
• Experience in multi-professional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead physical health initiatives across mental health wards.
• Provide expert clinical leadership to the OT team.
• Develop and implement care pathways for service users.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Team-working

Specialist knowledge in physical health

Education

Diploma or degree in Occupational Therapy

Masters degree in relevant subject

Registration to practice in the UK

Job description

Job summary

Are you a dynamic and experienced Occupational Therapist with a passion for improving physical health outcomes within mental health settings? We are seeking a dedicated Band 8a Physical Health Lead OT to join our acute mental health team and lead on delivering, embedding, and championing physical health strategies for patients with complex mental health needs.

This is a pivotal leadership position within our acute inpatient services. You will work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to ensure physical health remains a key focus in mental health care delivery. You will lead on the integration of evidence-based physical health interventions into patient care plans, provide specialist OT input, and drive service improvement initiatives aligned with national guidelines.

We're looking for a highly motivated Occupational Therapist who:

• Holds HCPC registration and has significant post-qualification experience.
• Has specialist knowledge and experience in physical health within mental health settings.
• Demonstrates strong leadership, communication, and team-working skills.
• Is passionate about improving health inequalities for people with severe mental illness.
• Can confidently drive service development and influence practice across disciplines

Main duties of the job

o Leading on physical health initiatives across acute mental health wards and the adult acute service line including home-treatment teams and assessment units.

o Providing expert clinical leadership to the OT team and wider MDT.

o Developing and implementing care pathways that address the physical health needs of service users.

o Supporting the delivery of staff training and education related to physical health.

o Auditing and evaluating interventions to ensure high standards of care and regulatory compliance.

o Collaborating with Trust-wide physical health leads to contribute to strategic planning.

About us

We are Proud to Belong at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust.

We have expert services, a rich history and a clear commitment to providing the best quality care for those with mental ill-health. The Care Quality Commission already rates our services as 'good' - we aspire to be 'outstanding'.

This is a great time to join us. We are transforming the way we care for our communities to support our mission of Making Life Better Together. We have built two brand new mental health facilities at Springfield University Hospital, which are amongst the best in the world. More developments are planned across our sites and services as we invest a further £120m to upgrade and modernise our estate by 2027.

We are inclusive and diverse and strive to be actively anti racist. We want to attract people from all backgrounds and experiences to enrich the work we do together.We are proud to co-produce and involve our local communities in all that we do.

We offer flexible working, career development and a variety ofbenefits to enable a positive, welcoming environment in which our people and their careers can thrive.

Come and join our inclusive teams and help our patients on their recovery journey.

Details Date posted

17 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£61,927 to £68,676 a year Per annum inclusive of Inner London HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

294-AAUC-7283942-FZ

Job locations

Springfield Hospital

Tooting

SW17 7DJ

Job description Job responsibilities

This role has been developed to contribute to timely flow within the acute pathway, focusing on planning and implementation of appropriate assessments, well informed quality care-plans and equipment to best meet the service-users needs contributing to a parity of esteem across the service line. The role is aimed to support admission and patient safety in relation to physical health management. The role will aim to help troubleshoot barriers to discharge that are related to on-going physical health needs and support.

The role includes embedding a standardised process for information sharing and supporting both the Acute care admission teams and Physical health hub. The role will focus on improving standards and processes around acquiring equipment to meet service users need both during their admission and upon discharge. The role includes training and empowering the Occupational therapist to deliver effective care in relation to physical health needs. The post holder will link in with other agencies and share resources as appropriate to best meet individual needs.

There is an expectation that this role will have additional prescribing responsibilities beyond the usual Trusted assessor role, taking a lead in prescribing equipment but also providing follow-up where necessary in the community.

Job description Job responsibilities

This role has been developed to contribute to timely flow within the acute pathway, focusing on planning and implementation of appropriate assessments, well informed quality care-plans and equipment to best meet the service-users needs contributing to a parity of esteem across the service line. The role is aimed to support admission and patient safety in relation to physical health management. The role will aim to help troubleshoot barriers to discharge that are related to on-going physical health needs and support.

The role includes embedding a standardised process for information sharing and supporting both the Acute care admission teams and Physical health hub. The role will focus on improving standards and processes around acquiring equipment to meet service users need both during their admission and upon discharge. The role includes training and empowering the Occupational therapist to deliver effective care in relation to physical health needs. The post holder will link in with other agencies and share resources as appropriate to best meet individual needs.

There is an expectation that this role will have additional prescribing responsibilities beyond the usual Trusted assessor role, taking a lead in prescribing equipment but also providing follow-up where necessary in the community.

Person Specification Education, Training & Qualifications Essential

• Diploma or degree in Occupational Therapy
• Masters degree in subject relevant to clinical post or equivalence of knowledge and skills base attained through further training, short courses, relevant study.
• Registration to practice in the UK (HPC registered)
• Practice placement educators' course within one year of appointment
• Evidence of post registration training or experience relevant to learning disabilities and mental health practice

Desirable

• Evidence of further professional development related to management and leadership
• Trained at Level 3 Sensory Integration Network Training with commitment to working towards being fully qualified in Ayres Sensory Integration at level 5

Experience Essential

• considerable experience in a senior professional role (Band 7 or above)
• Experience of multi-professional collaboration at a senior level including partnership working with other statutory and voluntary organizations.
• Experience of service development.
• Experience of supervision and appraisal and addressing performance issues.
• Experience of working in a range of mental health settings including with learning disabilities and/ or forensic mental health
• Experience of carrying a caseload of service users with complex and diverse needs in a mental health setting
• Post-graduate clinical experience highly related to clinical field
• Experience of working in a multi-cultural context
• Experience of maintaining a written record of continual professional development
• Experience of individual and groupwork
• Experience of being a practice placement educator
• Experience of writing specialist occupational therapy reports
• Experience of clinical audit

Desirable

• Experience of publishing own work
• Post-registration research activity

Person Specification Education, Training & Qualifications Essential

• Diploma or degree in Occupational Therapy
• Masters degree in subject relevant to clinical post or equivalence of knowledge and skills base attained through further training, short courses, relevant study.
• Registration to practice in the UK (HPC registered)
• Practice placement educators' course within one year of appointment
• Evidence of post registration training or experience relevant to learning disabilities and mental health practice

Desirable

• Evidence of further professional development related to management and leadership
• Trained at Level 3 Sensory Integration Network Training with commitment to working towards being fully qualified in Ayres Sensory Integration at level 5

Experience Essential

• considerable experience in a senior professional role (Band 7 or above)
• Experience of multi-professional collaboration at a senior level including partnership working with other statutory and voluntary organizations.
• Experience of service development.
• Experience of supervision and appraisal and addressing performance issues.
• Experience of working in a range of mental health settings including with learning disabilities and/ or forensic mental health
• Experience of carrying a caseload of service users with complex and diverse needs in a mental health setting
• Post-graduate clinical experience highly related to clinical field
• Experience of working in a multi-cultural context
• Experience of maintaining a written record of continual professional development
• Experience of individual and groupwork
• Experience of being a practice placement educator
• Experience of writing specialist occupational therapy reports
• Experience of clinical audit

Desirable

• Experience of publishing own work
• Post-registration research activity

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information 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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details Employer name

South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust

Address

Springfield Hospital

Tooting

SW17 7DJ

Employer's website

https://www.swlstg.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

South West London and St Georges Mental Health NHS Trust

Address

Springfield Hospital

Tooting

SW17 7DJ

Employer's website

https://www.swlstg.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)