Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist

Job summary
We're looking for an experienced Band 7 Occupational Therapist to provide clinical leadership across our Doncaster mental health wards.

This role combines a specialist clinical caseload with leadership and support for other occupational therapists, helping to strengthen OT practice and consistency across the wards.

You'll also work beyond Doncaster, contributing to OT development and support across the wider Trust footprint where needed.

Main duties of the job

• Deliver highly specialist OT assessment and intervention for people with complex mental health needs.
• Provide day-to-day clinical leadership, supervision and support to occupational therapists and support staff.
• Work across Doncaster wards, with a key role in connecting and strengthening OT practice across teams.
• Contribute to service development, quality improvement, and embedding evidence-based practice.
• Support workforce development, including student education, supervision, and staff progression.
• Work collaboratively with MDT colleagues to support safe, effective care and discharge planning.

This is a visible leadership role for OT within inpatient services, with scope to influence practice locally and across the Trust.

About us
Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) employ around 4000 talented colleagues who are very much appreciated, valued, and respected.

We have a wide portfolio which includes mental health, physical health, learning disability and drug and alcohol services.

We are passionate about enhancing the quality of our service and we work hard to attract and select the right colleagues for our organisation. Our goal is to employ those who share our passion for providing first class care while remaining committed to our vision and values. Please view our Strategy on our website.

To find out more about working for RDaSH and the fantastic benefits we offer visit our website.

We are committed to inclusive cultures and really value people in our organisation, view our Allyship video on YouTube to find out more.

The main terms and conditions of service can be found on the NHS Employers website.

Job responsibilities
Please view the attached job description and person specification to view the full details about the role.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if there are a high amount of applications.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Registration with Health and Care Professions Council.
• Willingness to undertake post-graduate study relevant to service area
• Diploma / Degree in Occupational Therapy.
• Practice Placement Educator Qualification

Desirable

• Masters degree in subject relevant to the post
• Leadership training

Experience
Essential

• Significant post registration experience with demonstrable experience at senior level in mental health services/ applicable to specialism area.
• Supervisory and / or management responsibility for staff.
• Successful delivery of service improvement / transformation projects
• Documented evidence of continuing professional development.
• Experience of research, service evaluation and audit procedures.

Desirable

• Experience of a range of mental health settings and varied aspects of practice
• Research active

Knowledge
Essential

• Highly specialist knowledge and application of occupational therapy assessments and interventions relevant to client group.
• In depth understanding of occupational therapy outcome measures.
• Detailed knowledge of mental health legislation and current practice.
• Extensive knowledge of principles of recovery, trauma informed practice and person centred approaches to care
• Applied knowledge of mental health legislation including CPA and risk assessment and management.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety legislation.
• Detailed knowledge of clinical governance and its application
• Ability to analyse and draw conclusions about professional and ethical issues.

Skills
Essential

• Extensive demonstrable clinical experience including individual and group work.
• Excellent communication skills - written and verbal
• Ability to organise and respond efficiently to complex information.
• Ability to work autonomously and set own priorities.
• Ability to build effective multidisciplinary/agency working relationships.
• Ability to influence and manage change, including the promotion of evidence based practice.
• Problem solving abilities.
• Supervisory/appraisal skills.
• Leadership skills, including the ability to set strategic direction and demonstrate a transformational approach
• Presentation skills.
• Education, training and facilitation skills.
• Computer literacy.
• Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance

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.

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