Team Lead Occupational Therapist – Trauma & Orthopaedics

NHS; London; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a passionate Occupational Therapist to lead and enhance a multi-disciplinary service. This role offers a fantastic opportunity to shape the delivery of therapy services in a dynamic environment, focusing on trauma and orthopaedics. The successful candidate will manage a complex caseload while providing clinical leadership and support to team members. With a commitment to professional development and service improvement, this position is perfect for those looking to make a significant impact in patient care. Join a team dedicated to excellence in healthcare and contribute to innovative practices in a supportive setting.

Qualifications

• Significant post-registration experience at Band 6 level in clinical settings.
• Evidence of continued professional development and clinical leadership.

Responsibilities

• Manage a complex caseload of orthopaedic patients delivering high specialist assessment.
• Lead the T&O OT service and develop clinical strategies in line with national guidelines.

Skills

Clinical Leadership

Time Management

Communication Skills

Autonomy

Multi-tasking

Education

Degree in Occupational Therapy

Health Professions Council Registration

Job description

Job summary

A fantastic opportunity for an Occupational Therapist to shape and develop a high quality and efficient multi-disciplinary T&O service at UCLH. Seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual to lead the OT service in a fast-paced environment. Excellent prioritisation and time management skills are essential. The successful candidate will carry a complex trauma & orthopaedic caseload and lead in the delivery, co-ordination and evaluation of the therapy service. Alongside the band 7 Physiotherapy lead, the post holder will manage an inpatient service committed to the principles of Enhanced Recovery, and pre-assessment service. You will be responsible for supervision, education and appraisal of team members including band 5/6 OT's and Therapy Assistants.

Significant post-registration experience and at a Band 6 level in relevant clinical settings is essential. You will be supported to develop clinical and managerial skills by the inpatient therapy lead, T&O General Manager and Matron. OT peer support is available across the trust. The post-holder will be a key senior member of the MDT. You will gain experience in areas of service management including finance, performance, clinical governance, staff management and service improvement / project management.

Main duties of the job

1. To carry a significant complex clinical caseload of orthopaedic patients across both elective and trauma settings delivering high specialist assessment and treatment, whilst providing expert advice and guidance to the MDT, carers, relatives and non-professionals to ensure optimum delivery of care.
2. To develop, clinically and strategically, the T&O OT service with guidance from T&O Inpatient Therapy Lead, working closely with the MDT, relevant ward-based teams and UCLH Therapy Service, in line with national guidelines.
3. To lead joint school clinics for arthroplasty patients including working alongside MSK OP physiotherapy colleagues for the shoulder arthroplasty pathway.
4. To be responsible for providing clinical leadership to the T&O therapy Team.
5. To be responsible for staff induction, appraisals and training.
6. To undertake/lead evidence-based audit and research projects within the directorate, making recommendations to the therapy service management and the directorate including policy changes and service protocols.
7. To be responsible for daily operational activities, planning, evaluation and development of the team.
8. To work closely with the T&O Inpatient Therapy Lead, Surgical Specialties Matron, Orthopaedic General Manager, Senior Therapy Team, Acute Therapies Services Manager and Physiotherapy team leads to implement directorate and trust objectives.

About us

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.

We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:

• University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
• National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
• Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
• University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
• Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
• University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
• The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
• University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street

We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.

We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.

Date posted: 11 April 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 7

Salary: £54,320 to £60,981 a year Per annum inclusive of HCAS

Contract: Fixed term

Duration: 12 months

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 309-UCLH-6000-A

Job locations: Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing, University College London Hospital, 25 Grafton Way, London, WC1E 6DB

Job responsibilities

For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

To lead on rota management to ensure adequate provision of staff cross site.

To participate in weekend working.

Person Specification

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential

• Degree/diploma in Occupational Therapy
• Health Professions Council Registration
• Appraisal training
• Clinical Educator training
• Evidence of continued professional development

Desirable

• Member of relevant special interest group
• Evidence of relevant postgraduate study or equivalent knowledge

Experience

Essential

• Significant post graduate experience
• Clinical experience in Trauma & Orthopaedics at a band 6 level, including the areas of trauma, elective and hand therapy
• Experience of audit procedures
• Previous experience of supervision and clinical education of clinicians and students.
• Experience of service development in design and application

Desirable

• Experience of change management

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Able to work autonomously and use own initiative

Personal and People Development

Essential

• Experience in providing supervision and completing appraisals.
• Ability to recognise in yourself and individuals work related stress and pressures.
• Proven clinical leadership ability and to act as an excellent professional role model to junior staff

Specific Requirements

Essential

• Able to carry out concurrent activities (multi-tasking) and work in an unpredictable working pattern
• Ability to comprehend and work within the Trust's policies including data protection, equal opportunities and Health and Safety to meet the differing needs of the patient
• Physically fit and able to comply with Trust Manual Handling Guidelines
• Ability to exert moderate to intense physical effort on occasions throughout the working day.
• Ability to frequently cope with working in a stressful environment and with intense concentration for frequent periods throughout the day.
• Ability to cope with daily exposure to highly unpleasant working conditions (i.e. sputum, body fluids, fleas, incontinence)
• Ability to participate in weekend working rota
• Demonstrates a clear understanding of multidisciplinary issues and ability to work efficiently and effectively in a multidisciplinary team
• Excellent time management and organisational skills including prioritisation and delegation
• Understanding of aspects of Clinical Governance including previous experience of quality issues, audit and risk management
• Demonstrate commitment to best practice and awareness of national standards and evidence
• Advanced clinical reasoning skills in Trauma & Orthopaedics

Communication

Essential

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal, and can demonstrate a professional fluency in written & oral English

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.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Employer name: University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing, University College London Hospital, 25 Grafton Way, London, WC1E 6DB

Employer's website: https://www.uclh.nhs.uk