Advanced Practitioner Occupational Therapist
The closing date is 17 July 2025
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to work in the Royal Borough of Greenwich Specialist Community Occupational Therapy and Sensory Services.
We are looking for an experienced, autonomous and highly motivated practitioner who can influence practice and is looking for a new challenge in the work place. We require a keen, creative and experienced individual who thrives on developing services, supporting staff, driving innovation and change.
Main duties of the job
- Advanced Occupational Therapy Skills for working with people with a range of complex conditions and will be a resource to advise, train and teach specialist skills to colleagues within the wider therapy services across the Health and Care system.
- Experience of developing therapy pathways for people in the Community setting.
- Experience of managing a team on a day to day basis including skills of deputising for senior managers and leading on an area of expertise.
- Experience of Service development and initiatives / new ways of working
About us
The Royal Borough of Greenwich can offer you professional supervision, good terms and conditions, career development and a welcoming supportive team environment.
Additional Information
Royal Borough of Greenwich values the diversity of its community and aims to have a workforce that reflects this. We therefore encourage applications from all sections of the community.
Royal Borough of Greenwich is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Adults and Older people and expects all staff to share this commitment.
Details
Date posted
27 June 2025
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
£52,584 to £55,620 a year MSA of £3k per year (reviewed annually)
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
F0080-REC2500424
Job locations
The Woolwich Centre
35 Wellington Street
Woolwich
London
SE18 6HQ
Job description
Job responsibilities
JOB SUMMARY
1.
To provide highly specialist Occupational Therapy interventions for Clients with a range of complex conditions and to be a resource to advise, train and teach specialist skills to colleagues within the wider therapy team both Health and Social Care.
2.
To undertake advanced assessment of community Client who may have complex acute or chronic presentations in all community settings. This includes adult and child referrals.
3.
To support the team as required.
4.
To communicate effectively with Clients, relatives, carers, equipment services, social and healthcare professionals to ensure an integrated, holistic approach to Client care.
5.
To take an active role in developing therapy pathways for Clients within RBG and Community settings.
6.
To be a lead officer and manage an allocated number of staff.
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
1.
Other Health and Social Care professionals and support staff.
2.
Direct liaison with Senior Management Team with regards to Service development.
3.
Disability and Home improvement team
4.
Therapy staff at other hospitals / boroughs including, out of borough referrals.
5.
GPs
6.
Community Nursing Team
7.
Continuing Healthcare Staff
8.
Sensory service staff
9.
Nursing / residential and extra care facilities
10.
Day centres and community facilities e.g. Carers Centre
MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Client Care
1.
To work as an autonomous practitioner. To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own work, including the management of Clients in your care.
2.
To gain consent and undertake the comprehensive assessment of Clients with complex and/or multiple pathologies, adults and children.
3.
To be able to prioritise caseload so that urgent cases can be seen in a timely and appropriate manner.
4.
To accept clinical responsibility for a caseload of clients and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.
5.
To provide Occupational Therapy interventions. To utilise a wide range of treatment skills and options (inc. physical, sensory and cognitive) to formulate and carry out a programme of care adapted to non-clinical settings.
6.
To interpret and analyse clinical facts using advanced clinical reasoning and problem solving skills to form accurate diagnoses and prognoses in a wide range of complex conditions from several specialities and develop comprehensive care and support plans.
7.
To interpret non-clinical facts based on complex risk assessment incorporating the constant changes encountered within each individuals home circumstances.
8.
To evaluate the effectiveness of treatment using measurable outcomes.
9.
To maintain notes in line with professional, legal and departmental requirements. To communicate assessment and treatment results clearly and professionally to the appropriate disciplines in the form of reports and letters.
10.
To refer clients to other agencies as their condition dictates.
11.
To ensure appropriate discharge/on-going care as required.
12.
To demonstrate highly developed moving and handling knowledge for use with clients and carers.
13.
To be familiar with, and responsible for, the dissemination of information on new legislation, guidance, and initiatives such as Safeguarding children and adults, mental capacity, deprivation of liberty and continuing health / care.
14.
To ensure the appropriate and timely responses to Safeguarding Children and Adult alerts, assessments and investigations. To guide and advise staff in the service of procedure / processes related to this area.
15.
To participate in and monitor the appropriateness of referrals to the OT & Sensory service via the Triage system and support junior staff with clinical decisions. To prioritise referrals received by the service and pro-actively manage the waiting list in conjunction with management.
16.
To provide specialist assessment and advice for the multidisciplinary team across health and social care.
17.
To provide spontaneous or planned advice, teaching and instruction to clients, relatives, carers and other professionals, including trainees, in response to complex, sensitive or contentious situations. This requires empathy, motivation, persuasion, reassurance and negotiating skills. Developed communication skills will be required where there are barriers to understanding, resistance or compliance issues. E.g. clients who are deaf, blind, dysphasic, cognitively impaired, palliative etc.
18.
To develop, supervise and performance manage staff. This includes both formal and informal supervision and participating in the formal appraisal system. To assist in identifying and implementing appropriate learning opportunities for self and others in the service.
19.
To develop improved care pathways for clients with long term conditions.
20.
To participate in case conferences and meetings as required.
21.
To be responsible for accurately ordering service user equipment and effectively liaising with Stores and Technicians.
22.
To assist the Team Lead in the provision of clinical cover during times of staff annual leave/sickness etc.
Education and Service Development
1.
To utilise advanced communication and teaching skills to educate the diverse and multicultural population in a range of disease specific therapeutic techniques, principals and guidelines.
2.
To provide training and education programmes for allied health care professionals, , and social care staff / other care staff in the form of tutorials and presentations.
3.
To maintain continuing professional development by participating in regular in service training, supervision, reflective practice and attending study days and training, giving feedback to the team where appropriate to disseminate learning.
4.
To organise, lead and participate in the In-service training programme and to take an active role in postgraduate education, including the training and supervision of students and staff
5.
To attend statutory training annually
6.
To maintain competency in the moving and handling of people and therapeutic manual handling
7.
To ensure that quality standards relating to OT are continually improved.
8.
To identify possible areas of development for the service and work with peers to keep abreast of evidence based and best practice
9.
To ensure good working knowledge of national and local standards, and monitor quality through participating in clinical audit and evaluation work as required
Organisational and Professional Development
1.
To assist the team lead in the running of service and to deputise as needed.
2.
To provide senior staff with advice and information to assist with the planning and development of the service.
3.
To assume delegated responsibility in the absence of clinical lead
4.
To suggest and support service improvements in line with commissioning intentions and best practice.
5.
To lead on staff recruitment and selection as directed by the Occupational Therapy Integrated Lead in ensuring that through the effective development and training of staff, there are continuous improvements in the service provided by the team.
6.
To investigate and manage compliments / complaints to the service as directed / delegated by the Occupational Therapy Integrated Lead.
7.
To comply with and contribute to the development of protocols, procedures and guidelines, both clinical and departmental.
8.
To comply with the College of OT and Health Professions Councils standards and codes of practice
9.
To be responsible for the issue and safe use of equipment used in carrying out OT duties.
10.
To undertake clinical and service audit, and research and development as required.
11.
Be aware of and comply with all Policies and Procedures as laid down by the organisation.
PHYSICAL/EMOTIONAL/MENTAL EFFORT
1.
To frequently exercise mental effort on a daily basis during assessment and treatment, using technical equipment as required.
2.
To convey unwelcome or unpleasant news to clients in an empathetic and sensitive manner
3.
To be able to operate as a lone worker in the community setting
4.
To be able to cope with occasional, potential stressful, upsetting or emotional situations in an empathetic manner, such as clients suffering from illnesses or pain states that may lead to anxiety and aggressive behaviour
5.
To comply with the Manual Handling Policy and local moving and handling guidelines using high level manual handling skills when carrying out assessments and treatments, with moderate physical effort throughout the day
6.
To work in an environment where the work patterns may be disrupted by frequent demands from clients, clinical staff, students and administrative support staff and respond to any emergency situations arising
7.
To be exposed to unpleasant working conditions, this may involve frequent exposure to bodily fluids such as vomit, urine, faeces, sputum, saliva and unpleasant smells
8.
The post-holder will be exposed to adverse weather and driving conditions on a frequent basis.
COMMUNICATION
1.
To communicate relevant medical/social information, assessment details, advice and recommendations across agencies following local and professional guidelines for sharing information and consent. This would include Consultants, GPs Social Services, other health care professionals and voluntary agencies
2.
To convey complex and sensitive information relating to clients using skill in situations where there may be barriers to communication i.e. use of interpreters, receptive/cognitive pathologies or excess noise.
3.
To be able to adapt complicated and sensitive information into a simplified form to clients who may be seriously ill or have complex or long-term conditions.
4.
To clearly convey complex information to staff groups during training and education sessions
Job description
Job responsibilities
JOB SUMMARY
1.
To provide highly specialist Occupational Therapy interventions for Clients with a range of complex conditions and to be a resource to advise, train and teach specialist skills to colleagues within the wider therapy team both Health and Social Care.
2.
To undertake advanced assessment of community Client who may have complex acute or chronic presentations in all community settings. This includes adult and child referrals.
3.
To support the team as required.
4.
To communicate effectively with Clients, relatives, carers, equipment services, social and healthcare professionals to ensure an integrated, holistic approach to Client care.
5.
To take an active role in developing therapy pathways for Clients within RBG and Community settings.
6.
To be a lead officer and manage an allocated number of staff.
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
1.
Other Health and Social Care professionals and support staff.
2.
Direct liaison with Senior Management Team with regards to Service development.
3.
Disability and Home improvement team
4.
Therapy staff at other hospitals / boroughs including, out of borough referrals.
5.
GPs
6.
Community Nursing Team
7.
Continuing Healthcare Staff
8.
Sensory service staff
9.
Nursing / residential and extra care facilities
10.
Day centres and community facilities e.g. Carers Centre
MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Client Care
1.
To work as an autonomous practitioner. To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own work, including the management of Clients in your care.
2.
To gain consent and undertake the comprehensive assessment of Clients with complex and/or multiple pathologies, adults and children.
3.
To be able to prioritise caseload so that urgent cases can be seen in a timely and appropriate manner.
4.
To accept clinical responsibility for a caseload of clients and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.
5.
To provide Occupational Therapy interventions. To utilise a wide range of treatment skills and options (inc. physical, sensory and cognitive) to formulate and carry out a programme of care adapted to non-clinical settings.
6.
To interpret and analyse clinical facts using advanced clinical reasoning and problem solving skills to form accurate diagnoses and prognoses in a wide range of complex conditions from several specialities and develop comprehensive care and support plans.
7.
To interpret non-clinical facts based on complex risk assessment incorporating the constant changes encountered within each individuals home circumstances.
8.
To evaluate the effectiveness of treatment using measurable outcomes.
9.
To maintain notes in line with professional, legal and departmental requirements. To communicate assessment and treatment results clearly and professionally to the appropriate disciplines in the form of reports and letters.
10.
To refer clients to other agencies as their condition dictates.
11.
To ensure appropriate discharge/on-going care as required.
12.
To demonstrate highly developed moving and handling knowledge for use with clients and carers.
13.
To be familiar with, and responsible for, the dissemination of information on new legislation, guidance, and initiatives such as Safeguarding children and adults, mental capacity, deprivation of liberty and continuing health / care.
14.
To ensure the appropriate and timely responses to Safeguarding Children and Adult alerts, assessments and investigations. To guide and advise staff in the service of procedure / processes related to this area.
15.
To participate in and monitor the appropriateness of referrals to the OT & Sensory service via the Triage system and support junior staff with clinical decisions. To prioritise referrals received by the service and pro-actively manage the waiting list in conjunction with management.
16.
To provide specialist assessment and advice for the multidisciplinary team across health and social care.
17.
To provide spontaneous or planned advice, teaching and instruction to clients, relatives, carers and other professionals, including trainees, in response to complex, sensitive or contentious situations. This requires empathy, motivation, persuasion, reassurance and negotiating skills. Developed communication skills will be required where there are barriers to understanding, resistance or compliance issues. E.g. clients who are deaf, blind, dysphasic, cognitively impaired, palliative etc.
18.
To develop, supervise and performance manage staff. This includes both formal and informal supervision and participating in the formal appraisal system. To assist in identifying and implementing appropriate learning opportunities for self and others in the service.
19.
To develop improved care pathways for clients with long term conditions.
20.
To participate in case conferences and meetings as required.
21.
To be responsible for accurately ordering service user equipment and effectively liaising with Stores and Technicians.
22.
To assist the Team Lead in the provision of clinical cover during times of staff annual leave/sickness etc.
Education and Service Development
1.
To utilise advanced communication and teaching skills to educate the diverse and multicultural population in a range of disease specific therapeutic techniques, principals and guidelines.
2.
To provide training and education programmes for allied health care professionals, , and social care staff / other care staff in the form of tutorials and presentations.
3.
To maintain continuing professional development by participating in regular in service training, supervision, reflective practice and attending study days and training, giving feedback to the team where appropriate to disseminate learning.
4.
To organise, lead and participate in the In-service training programme and to take an active role in postgraduate education, including the training and supervision of students and staff
5.
To attend statutory training annually
6.
To maintain competency in the moving and handling of people and therapeutic manual handling
7.
To ensure that quality standards relating to OT are continually improved.
8.
To identify possible areas of development for the service and work with peers to keep abreast of evidence based and best practice
9.
To ensure good working knowledge of national and local standards, and monitor quality through participating in clinical audit and evaluation work as required
Organisational and Professional Development
1.
To assist the team lead in the running of service and to deputise as needed.
2.
To provide senior staff with advice and information to assist with the planning and development of the service.
3.
To assume delegated responsibility in the absence of clinical lead
4.
To suggest and support service improvements in line with commissioning intentions and best practice.
5.
To lead on staff recruitment and selection as directed by the Occupational Therapy Integrated Lead in ensuring that through the effective development and training of staff, there are continuous improvements in the service provided by the team.
6.
To investigate and manage compliments / complaints to the service as directed / delegated by the Occupational Therapy Integrated Lead.
7.
To comply with and contribute to the development of protocols, procedures and guidelines, both clinical and departmental.
8.
To comply with the College of OT and Health Professions Councils standards and codes of practice
9.
To be responsible for the issue and safe use of equipment used in carrying out OT duties.
10.
To undertake clinical and service audit, and research and development as required.
11.
Be aware of and comply with all Policies and Procedures as laid down by the organisation.
PHYSICAL/EMOTIONAL/MENTAL EFFORT
1.
To frequently exercise mental effort on a daily basis during assessment and treatment, using technical equipment as required.
2.
To convey unwelcome or unpleasant news to clients in an empathetic and sensitive manner
3.
To be able to operate as a lone worker in the community setting
4.
To be able to cope with occasional, potential stressful, upsetting or emotional situations in an empathetic manner, such as clients suffering from illnesses or pain states that may lead to anxiety and aggressive behaviour
5.
To comply with the Manual Handling Policy and local moving and handling guidelines using high level manual handling skills when carrying out assessments and treatments, with moderate physical effort throughout the day
6.
To work in an environment where the work patterns may be disrupted by frequent demands from clients, clinical staff, students and administrative support staff and respond to any emergency situations arising
7.
To be exposed to unpleasant working conditions, this may involve frequent exposure to bodily fluids such as vomit, urine, faeces, sputum, saliva and unpleasant smells
8.
The post-holder will be exposed to adverse weather and driving conditions on a frequent basis.
COMMUNICATION
1.
To communicate relevant medical/social information, assessment details, advice and recommendations across agencies following local and professional guidelines for sharing information and consent. This would include Consultants, GPs Social Services, other health care professionals and voluntary agencies
2.
To convey complex and sensitive information relating to clients using skill in situations where there may be barriers to communication i.e. use of interpreters, receptive/cognitive pathologies or excess noise.
3.
To be able to adapt complicated and sensitive information into a simplified form to clients who may be seriously ill or have complex or long-term conditions.
4.
To clearly convey complex information to staff groups during training and education sessions
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree/ Diploma in Occupational Therapy
- Health Professions Council (HPC) Registration
Desirable
- Membership of BAOT or equivalent
- Member of a Special Interest Group
Experience
Essential
- Minimum of 4 years post registration experience as an Occupational Therapist
- Minimum of 2 years within a Social Services Occupational Therapy Team
- Evidence of recent Continuing Professional Development
- Attendance at short courses with relevant emphasis
- Multi-disciplinary team working
- Knowledge and skills within experience of a wide range of OT settings
Desirable
- Experience in working in partnership with Health
- Experience of Education/ training/ supervision with qualified and unqualified staff.
- Experience of carrying out appraisal with staff
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree/ Diploma in Occupational Therapy
- Health Professions Council (HPC) Registration
Desirable
- Membership of BAOT or equivalent
- Member of a Special Interest Group
Experience
Essential
- Minimum of 4 years post registration experience as an Occupational Therapist
- Minimum of 2 years within a Social Services Occupational Therapy Team
- Evidence of recent Continuing Professional Development
- Attendance at short courses with relevant emphasis
- Multi-disciplinary team working
- Knowledge and skills within experience of a wide range of OT settings
Desirable
- Experience in working in partnership with Health
- Experience of Education/ training/ supervision with qualified and unqualified staff.
- Experience of carrying out appraisal with staff
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Royal Borough of Greenwich
Address
The Woolwich Centre
35 Wellington Street
Woolwich
London
SE18 6HQ
Employer's website
https://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
Royal Borough of Greenwich
Address
The Woolwich Centre
35 Wellington Street
Woolwich
London
SE18 6HQ
Employer's website
https://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Details
Date posted
27 June 2025
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
£52,584 to £55,620 a year MSA of £3k per year (reviewed annually)
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
F0080-REC2500424
Job locations
The Woolwich Centre
35 Wellington Street
Woolwich
London
SE18 6HQ
Privacy notice
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