Team Lead Occupational Therapist

Main area: Occupational Therapy

Grade: NHS AfC: Band 7

Contract: 9 months (fixed term maternity leave cover)

Hours: Part time - 30 hours per week

Job ref: 213-Division-A-8059119

Employer: King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Site: Princess Royal University Hospital

Town: Orpington

Salary: £55,524 - £62,652 pro rata, per annum, inc HCA

Salary period: Yearly

Closing: 22/07/2026 23:59

King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£2.1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 14,000 staff based across 5 main sites in South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local hospital services across its different sites, and specialist services from King’s College Hospital (KCH) sites at Denmark Hill in Camberwell and at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) site in the London Borough of Bromley.

We encourage all our staff to have a healthy work/life balance. In doing so, you can apply for flexible working from the beginning of your employment. We offer a range of options which are designed to suit different circumstances and priorities in line with service requirements.

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced and dynamic team lead occupational therapy to lead and develop our services within acute respiratory medicine. We are looking for someone with a wide ranging acute medical clinical experience, specifically working in respiratory, good communication and interpersonal skills and a passion for delivering high quality patient centred care. Join our friendly and supportive team of therapists, where continuous professional development and research and audit is encouraged. There is a well-established in service education programme where you can build upon your clinical and managerial skills with support from senior Clinical Leads. There is also a strong emphasis on student education. Attendance at post registration courses is also supported.

Main duties of the job:

• This post holder will have their own caseload of complex medical patients working in speciality areas with a focus of respiratory medicine.
• The clinical aspect of this role is to provide expert input to improve patient outcomes and facilitate discharge planning.
• As team leader you will provide support and day to day leadership to the complex medicine team, providing clinical supervision and line management to some staff members.
• To oversee, coordinate and develop the Occupational Therapy services within the Respiratory team, primarily focusing on the General Medical Wards at The Princess Royal University Hospital in Farnborough.
• This post provides clinical and professional leadership to a team of qualified members of staff and assistants.
• The Post holder will attend relevant meetings as a representative of Occupational Therapy and will advise on service developments in line with government policy development.
• To lead on the implementation of local clinical governance initiatives, EBP and Clinical Audit, as well as organise the local OT programme, facilities and staffing.
• The post requires a flexible approach to working and requires the post holder to undertake weekend commitments as required.
• The post holder will receive regular supervision and peer support as well as having opportunities for study, leadership and training.

Working for our organisation:

The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person‑centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King’s to another level. We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities:

We are looking for an enthusiastic, hardworking and experienced occupational therapist who has significant experience working with people with a variety of medical conditions, including having experience working in respiratory medicine. Applicants must demonstrate a broad knowledge of treatment strategies, have excellent communication skills and demonstrate a flexible and positive approach to working.

• Manage a caseload of complex patients with acute and chronic respiratory conditions, providing highly specialist assessment of cognitive, physical and functional abilities using evidence based/client centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions.
• Undertake full occupational therapy assessments and independently plan individual, specialised, evidence based treatment programmes for patients appropriately depending on the occupational therapist’s assessment findings, using appropriate clinical reasoning.
• Apply a high level of understanding of the effect of illness/disability on occupational performance and provide training and advice on adaptations to technique and the patient’s social and physical environment.
• Be competent in the development and implementation of remedial and preventative treatment programmes addressing motor, sensory, cognitive, perceptual, psychological needs and occupational performance, using evidence‑based principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions.
• Identify risks, complete risk assessments and implement risk management strategies and document this accurately.
• Recognise any change in the condition or deterioration of the patient and alter treatment accordingly or elevate to medical teams as required.
• Make appropriate clinical observations and keep accurate records of assessments and interventions in accordance with local and national guidelines.
• Advise patients and carers on specific aids, equipment and adaptations and recommend provisions as required.
• Liaise with professionals in onward services to ensure continuity of care.
• Compile clear assessment reports and recommendations for future care, for the multi‑disciplinary team and other external agencies.
• Respect the individuality, values, culture and religious diversity of patients and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs, ensuring equity of service provision.
• Comply with all relevant local policies and procedures, national standards and guidelines related to older adults, occupational therapy, condition specific evidence and adhere to the Royal College of Occupational Therapy professional standards and ethics.
• Lead, coach and manage the performance of the team in line with good people management practices. Ensuring excellence is recognised and underperformance is addressed.
• Be aware of the importance of staff wellbeing, accessing trust support as required and raising any concerns.
• Continuously support in improving the morale of the team and implementing a culture of zero tolerance for bullying and harassment.

Person specification:

Knowledge and Experience:

• Experience of working in the NHS
• Specialist knowledge and experience of occupational therapy assessment and interventions
• Detailed knowledge of clinical governance and its application
• Leadership and First Line Management experience
• Experience in the application of health and safety risk management

Skills and Competencies:

• Able to analyse and evaluate the application of Occupational Therapy treatment
• Able to build effective working relationships and work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team
• Able to organise and respond efficiently to complex information.

Education and Qualifications:

• Occupational Therapy Qualification (Dip RCOT or BSc OT)
• HCPC Registration
• Portfolio and evidence of continuing professional development (in gerontology practice)
• Member of Specialist Section or special interest group
• Member of Professional Body (RCOT)