Head Occupational Therapist


Company:	NHS Jobs
Salary:	£57,528 to £64,750 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Luton, LU4 0FB
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	23 Oct 2026
Closing date:	1 Nov 2026

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Summary

To manage all elements of the Occupational Therapy Service. To be accountable for equitable service delivery across the services. To foster effective working relationships with Team Manager colleagues. To liaise with professional colleagues in health and social care as appropriate. To lead or take part in the various re-provision projects and service developments within the locality, contributing to the professional and multi-disciplinary design of the new working environments and new models of service delivery. To represent the Occupational Therapy Service at appropriate forums. To maintain effective supervision. To manage staff performance as required in line with Trust policy. To support the establishment of focused treatment programmes by Occupational Therapy staff in all relevant teams within the locality according to the agreed models and specific local needs. To facilitate multi-disciplinary working across the service, liaising with Line Managers and Senior Manager colleagues. To provide clinical intervention for a small number of clients, undertaking assessment, treatment planning and negotiation, and communicating clinical reasoning to clients and carers, as appropriate. To ensure risk management systems are in place in the service area. To apply highly developed communication skills to all situations and staff, including negotiation, persuasion and sensitivity. To ensure good communication is maintained with all team members by the provision of verbal and written reports as appropriate. To develop departmental policies. To analyse information systems data within the service area with respect to Clinical, Financial and Staffing issues in order to meet the service need. To develop and lead on areas of good practice within the designated areas and ensure their dissemination across the Trust. To ensure that treatment offered is based on the best available evidence. To work with other staff in identifying clinical service needs and initiating changes and projects to meet these needs. To implement service changes as agreed with Service Lead and to manage staff during the process of change. To identify training needs for the development of individuals in line with service area needs. To facilitate the continuing professional development of all staff through effective use of appraisal, course attendance, in-service training, undertaking research, etc. To be responsible for Clinical Governance within the designated area, producing and updating standards accordingly, ensuring these are implemented. To be responsible for the management of resources allocated to Occupational Therapy within the designated area. To hold regular meetings with relevant Management Accountant, to ensure accurate monitoring and control of expenditure.

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