Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist

Job description

Job summary

The Home First Service supports the timely and safe discharge of patients from acute and urgent care settings, in line with national NHS priorities.

Working within a multidisciplinary team, the service provides rapid assessment and short-term, intensive interventions for patients with complex health and social care needs. The focus is on promoting independence, recovery, and person-centred care within the community, enabling patients to remain safely at home wherever possible.

At Band 7 level, clinicians play a key leadership role within the service, providing clinical expertise, supporting operational delivery and contributing to decision-making in complex and fast-paced environments. The service works closely with system partners, including acute trusts, primary care, CLCH community services and local authority social care teams, to deliver integrated, high-quality care and improve patient outcomes.

The service operates 7 days a week, from 8:00am to 8:00pm, including bank holidays. Full-time staff are expected to work flexibly across a 7-day rota, including early, late and long-day shifts, in line with service requirements.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will:

• Act as Team Leader on a rotational basis, taking responsibility for the day-to-day operational management of the service during designated shifts.
• Provide clinical leadership and expert guidance to members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Take lead responsibility for designated areas of operational management and/or clinical practice, supporting service development and quality improvement initiatives.
• Coordinate care and support complex clinical decision-making to ensure safe, effective and timely patient discharge.
• Prioritise and manage their own workload effectively, working with a high degree of autonomy and minimal supervision.
• Work collaboratively with internal and external partners to ensure seamless, patient-centred care pathways and positive outcomes for patients.

About us

We are proud to be one of the largest community healthcare providers in the country, with more than 4,500 colleagues caring for over four million people across London and Hertfordshire. Every day, our teams bring their skill, compassion, and determination to the people who depend on us.

What inspires us is at the heart of who we are: when we work together, we can help people move forward in ways that truly matter. Our teams support children as they take their first steps in life, and they stand beside adults as they rebuild strength, confidence, and independence. From newborn health visiting to community nursing, stroke rehabilitation, and palliative care, we are there for people through some of life's most important moments.

Joining Central London Community Healthcare means becoming part of a community that lifts each other up. It means working in an organisation that values compassion, welcomes new ideas, and believes in the potential of every colleague. Your development matters here. Your wellbeing matters. Your voice helps shape the future of the care we provide.

We offer a competitive employment package because the work you do matters. At Central London Community Healthcare, you will join an inclusive organisation that invests in its people, supports development, and helps you thrive while delivering high-quality care.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Applicants are expected to present clear and relevant evidence of the competencies and responsibilities detailed in the attached Job Description and Person Specification, together with a demonstrated commitment to the Trusts values of Accountability, Inclusion, Compassion, and Empowerment.

Job description
Job responsibilities

Applicants are expected to present clear and relevant evidence of the competencies and responsibilities detailed in the attached Job Description and Person Specification, together with a demonstrated commitment to the Trusts values of Accountability, Inclusion, Compassion, and Empowerment.

Person Specification

Education/Qualification

Essential

• Educated to degree level with appropriate post graduate qualification in relevant clinical area
• HCPC registration
• Evidence of CPD relevant to the treatment of people with physical and cognitive disabilities
• Up to date CPD portfolio

Desirable

• MSC in appropriate clinical area
• Leadership / management training

Experience

Essential

• Substantial post registration experience at band 6 level in a wide range of clinical areas that is, elderly rehabilitation, community rehabilitation and orthopaedics
• Experience of working in a falls team or a sound knowledge of falls
• Experience of Community work
• Postgraduate experience of working in an interprofessional and multiagency team
• Managing complex caseloads
• Good knowledge of the Mental Health Act and other legislation
• Experience in teaching and training
• Leading service and development change
• Experience of minor adaptations and home modifications
• Experience of working as an independent clinician whilst providing a clinical lead for senior and junior staff

Desirable

• Experience of working with social services
• Experience of research and clinical audit
• Experience of successful project management within a clinical area
• Experience representing Occupational Therapy at management/strategic level in Trust meetings and external forums

Key Attributes

Essential

• Subject to Occupational Health Clearance and Criminal Records Bureau Clearance (POCA) Car driver with access to vehicle for work purposes

Desirable

• Knowledge of research and audit processes
• Knowledge of project management including planning, implementation and review

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Advanced skills in the assessment and treatment of people with complex multi-pathologies
• Highly specialist evidence based knowledge of relevant conditions within the speciality, their symptoms and effect on function
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of complex medical conditions and their relation to people who fall
• Ability to apply core OT skills across a range of clinical conditions within a patient centred, goal setting approach
• Knowledge and understanding of National and local frameworks and guidelines for older people.
• Knowledge of outcome measures and evidence based practice associated with people with physical disabilities
• Ability to problem solve, prioritise and demonstrate advanced clinical reasoning
• Advanced communication and report writing skills, in both verbal and written format
• Skills in supervision and appraisal of assistants, junior therapists and students
• Knowledge and understanding of clinical governance

Person Specification
Education/Qualification

Essential

• Educated to degree level with appropriate post graduate qualification in relevant clinical area
• HCPC registration
• Evidence of CPD relevant to the treatment of people with physical and cognitive disabilities
• Up to date CPD portfolio

Desirable

• MSC in appropriate clinical area
• Leadership / management training

Experience

Essential

• Substantial post registration experience at band 6 level in a wide range of clinical areas that is, elderly rehabilitation, community rehabilitation and orthopaedics
• Experience of working in a falls team or a sound knowledge of falls
• Experience of Community work
• Postgraduate experience of working in an interprofessional and multiagency team
• Managing complex caseloads
• Good knowledge of the Mental Health Act and other legislation
• Experience in teaching and training
• Leading service and development change
• Experience of minor adaptations and home modifications
• Experience of working as an independent clinician whilst providing a clinical lead for senior and junior staff

Desirable

• Experience of working with social services
• Experience of research and clinical audit
• Experience of successful project management within a clinical area
• Experience representing Occupational Therapy at management/strategic level in Trust meetings and external forums

Key Attributes

Essential

• Subject to Occupational Health Clearance and Criminal Records Bureau Clearance (POCA) Car driver with access to vehicle for work purposes

Desirable

• Knowledge of research and audit processes
• Knowledge of project management including planning, implementation and review

Skills & Knowledge

Essential

• Advanced skills in the assessment and treatment of people with complex multi-pathologies
• Highly specialist evidence based knowledge of relevant conditions within the speciality, their symptoms and effect on function
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of complex medical conditions and their relation to people who fall
• Ability to apply core OT skills across a range of clinical conditions within a patient centred, goal setting approach
• Knowledge and understanding of National and local frameworks and guidelines for older people.
• Knowledge of outcome measures and evidence based practice associated with people with physical disabilities
• Ability to problem solve, prioritise and demonstrate advanced clinical reasoning
• Advanced communication and report writing skills, in both verbal and written format
• Skills in supervision and appraisal of assistants, junior therapists and students
• Knowledge and understanding of clinical governance

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

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

Employer details

Employer name

Central London Community Health Trust
Address

Sudbury Primary Care Centre

Wembley

HA0 3HG

United Kingdom

Employer's website