At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team of Occupational Therapists in a hospital setting, focusing on patient rehabilitation.
- Company: Join Hywel Dda University Health Board, serving nearly 400,000 people across beautiful Wales.
- Benefits: Enjoy opportunities for professional growth, flexible working options, and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on patients' lives while developing your skills in a collaborative atmosphere.
- Qualifications: Must have a degree in Occupational Therapy and relevant post-graduate experience.
- Other info: Welsh language skills are a plus, but not mandatory; training support is available.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Occupational Therapist to join our medical team in Glangwilli General Hospital, Carmarthen. This can either be a fixed term or a secondment for 12 months. This role provides an opportunity for a band 6 to gain experience and develop for progression in their own self-development. This post is a Fixed Term/ Secondment until 26.06.2026 to cover maternity leave. If you are a Hywel Dda University Health Board employee and are applying for this post as a secondment, agreement for the secondment is needed from your current manager prior to application.
Your role will include clinical lead for the team, but also team lead including service improvement, personal development of the team, and sickness. The team includes band 6s, band 5 and occupational therapy support staff. The wards you will cover include respiratory, cardiac and frailty, as well as patients coming through the trauma network pathway with neurological conditions.
We are an innovative, and proactive team of Occupational Therapists who work closely with the wider acute multidisciplinary team, intermediate care and the community and third sector teams striving to deliver the right support, at the right time with an ethos of home first.
Main duties of the job
As a versatile postgraduate, you will need to have a strong clinical grounding in older people rehabilitation, complex manual handling, and a good understanding of current issues affecting hospitals, intermediate care and community services. You will need the ability and skills to work autonomously and alongside members of the team in a managerial and clinical role. The successful applicant will provide clinical leadership, specialist expertise and supervision to Occupational Therapy staff, Therapy Assistant Practitioners, Rehabilitation Assistants/Frailty Support Workers, and students.
We are looking for an individual with great interpersonal skills to network with acute and community colleagues to co-ordinate a responsive, seamless service across pathways and sectors. You will have organisational ability and a commitment to service development by developing the evidence base for evaluation through audit, clinical effectiveness and research activity.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.
About us
Hywel Dda University Health Board is the planner and provider of NHS healthcare services for people in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and its bordering counties. Our 12,000 members of staff provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services to almost 400,000 people across a quarter of the landmass of Wales. We do this in partnership with our three local authorities and public, private and third sector colleagues, including our volunteers.
Job responsibilities
You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents. The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
We are looking for someone who supports the key values of health board:
- Putting people at the heart of everything we do
- Striving to develop and deliver excellent services
- Working together to be the best we can be
We encourage self-development and opportunities for you to grow as a professional. Interviews will be held on 03/07/2025.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- Degree / Diploma in Occupational Therapy
- Professional registration as recognised by HPC
- Evidence of attendance on relevant short courses and advanced training relevant to specialist area up to Master's level equivalent
Desirable
- MSc & / or postgraduate diploma level in relevant area
- Fieldwork Education Training
- Member of BAOT
- Leadership training
Experience
Essential
- Extensive post-graduate experience
- Managing a complex caseload
- Delivering assessments / interventions via virtual platforms
- Inter-professional and multi-agency team working
- Direct involvement with carers and families
- Negotiation of service development
- Evidence of supporting service compliance with clinical governance requirements
- Therapeutic handling and risk assessments in relation to patient care including severely disabled patients
- Experience in staff development e.g. supervision
- Experience of appropriate delegation and supervision
Desirable
- Evidence of student supervision
- Key worker/Case Manager
- People management / supervision of staff
- Negotiation of multidisciplinary working arrangements
- Leadership of clinical networks / clinical practice groups
- Leading service developments & change
Language Skills
Desirable
- Welsh Speaker (Level 1)
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.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.
Employer details
Employer name: Hywel Dda University Health Board
Address: Glangwilli General Hospital, Dolgwilli Road, Carmarthen, SA31 2AF
Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist - Medical/Frailty employer: Hywel Dda University Health Board
Contact Detail:
Hywel Dda University Health Board Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist - Medical/Frailty
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of older patients and the complexities of rehabilitation in a hospital setting. Understanding the challenges faced by this demographic will help you demonstrate your expertise during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current employees at Hywel Dda University Health Board, especially those in similar roles. This can provide insights into the team dynamics and expectations, which you can leverage in your conversations.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills by discussing any previous experiences where you led a team or project. Highlighting your ability to manage and develop staff will resonate well with the hiring managers.
✨Tip Number 4
If you have any experience with service improvement initiatives, be ready to discuss these examples. The role emphasises service development, so demonstrating your proactive approach will set you apart.
We think you need these skills to ace Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist - Medical/Frailty
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in occupational therapy, particularly in older people rehabilitation and complex manual handling. Use specific examples that demonstrate your clinical skills and leadership abilities.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. Mention how your values align with those of Hywel Dda University Health Board, particularly their commitment to putting people at the heart of everything they do.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly list your qualifications, including your degree in Occupational Therapy and any additional training or certifications. If you have attended relevant short courses or have a postgraduate diploma, make sure to include these as well.
Showcase Interpersonal Skills: Since the role requires great interpersonal skills, provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated with multidisciplinary teams or coordinated services across different sectors. This will demonstrate your ability to network effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hywel Dda University Health Board
✨Showcase Your Clinical Expertise
Make sure to highlight your extensive post-graduate experience, especially in older people rehabilitation and complex manual handling. Be prepared to discuss specific cases where you've successfully managed a complex caseload.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As this role involves clinical leadership, be ready to share examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past. Discuss your experience in staff development and how you've supported colleagues in their professional growth.
✨Emphasise Interpersonal Skills
Given the importance of networking with acute and community colleagues, prepare to talk about your interpersonal skills. Share instances where you've effectively collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to improve patient care.
✨Prepare for Bilingualism Questions
Since the ability to speak Welsh is desirable, be ready to address your language skills. If you're not fluent, consider mentioning your willingness to learn and any steps you've taken towards improving your Welsh language proficiency.