Lead Occupational Therapist

We are seeking a dynamic and passionate Lead Occupational Therapist to join our esteemed Learning Disabilities and Autism division. As a vital member of our leadership team, you will have the unique opportunity to shape the future of occupational therapy within our organisation while fostering personal and professional growth. We want someone who is focussed on the quality and development of clinical outcomes, as well as the overall management and leadership of the occupational therapy service within the division.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the highly specialist skills they have developed over their career as well as the ability to manage and lead others. The successful candidate will be accountable and responsible for driving the occupational therapy strategy forward; leading on continual quality improvement and service innovation. They will also require the skills to role model and energise the workforce; understanding that the health and wellbeing of our staff is critical to the care and treatment of those using our service.

Our Charity

We are St Andrew's, a mental health Charity which inspires Hope. We working together with a number of organisations to transform the lives of people with complex mental health needs. We provide specialist mental healthcare and deliver a range of inpatient and community mental healthcare services, education and research that helps to improve lives.

Our vision for the future is a society in which everyone living with mental health need is heard, valued and has hope for their future.

The ASD & LD Division

Our aim is to provide high-quality assessment, care and treatment, helping patients to progress to the least restrictive setting by equipping them with the skills required to live as independently as possible, closer to communities of their choosing.

Our teams are multi-disciplinary with extensive knowledge, skills and experience of working with individuals with ASD and learning disability. We include patients in planning their care, valuing and embracing each and every individual's unique qualities.

The Person and Role

As the Lead Occupational Therapist, you will take on a pivotal leadership role, overseeing an established and talented team of OTs. Your expertise will guide our multidisciplinary approach to care, ensuring that our patients receive the highest quality of personalised therapeutic interventions.,

• Leadership and Management: Inspire, mentor, and develop a team of skilled occupational therapists, fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.


• Clinical Expertise: Utilise your advanced clinical skills to assess, plan, and implement comprehensive treatment programs tailored to the unique needs of individuals with learning disabilities and autism.


• Collaboration: Work closely with a multidisciplinary team, including psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, Speech & Language Therapists and Physiotherapists to deliver holistic and patient-centred care.


• Innovation: Lead initiatives to implement cutting-edge therapeutic techniques and interventions, enhancing the overall effectiveness of our services.


• Professional Development: Champion continuous learning and development opportunities, both for yourself and your team, ensuring everyone remains at the forefront of best practices in occupational therapy.
  
  Registered Occupational Therapist with HCPC registration


• Experience in managing and leading a team


• Expertise in working with individuals with learning disabilities and autism


• Knowledge and understanding of Sensory Integration


• Strong clinical and leadership skills, with a passion for innovation and excellence


• Evidence of leading on quality assurance tasks; continuous quality improvement projects, auditing, service development within the unit and division.


• Evidence of independently undertaking tasks related to HR, investigations and safeguarding.


• Evidence of working on divisional level initiatives/ research/ leadership projects.


• Evidence of leading and inspiring others in their career.


• Evidence of participating in central working groups/ external networking groups.


As an employee of St Andrews you will adopt an inclusive and 'can do' attitude in approaching your work. You will demonstrate excellent understanding of occupational therapy within learning disability autism and community services, including an application of risk assessment skills. In sharing your experience of applying the OT process, you should also emphasise how you promote our specialism as a profession.

Continued professional development is encouraged, with access to a range of in-house CPD events, as well as an expectation to support the development and training of others. Further opportunities include networking opportunities with colleagues of the same and different grades within the service and the Charity.

Pension, 30 days of Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays, free parking, sickness policy on par with the NHS, blue light card discounts, salary sacrifice electric car scheme, free use of on-site gym and swimming pool, pension and life assurance plus clinical and leadership development.