Location
London

Hours
Full Time (hours not specified)

Salary
£64,156 per annum

About the Role
This is an exciting opportunity for a Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist to join the leadership of the well-established and dynamic Rheumatology and Chronic Pain team at Evelina Children’s Hospital, part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. You will oversee all Occupational Therapy input across these two services, acting as the lead Occupational Therapist for the rheumatology and chronic pain service at Evelina London. This senior role includes operational oversight and responsibility for delivering OT assessments and interventions in this tertiary level service, providing clinical leadership and supporting the development of band 6 Occupational Therapists.

The post holder is responsible for clinical governance and assurance, including management of clinical risk and patient safety, compliance with mandatory training, and adherence to clinical and professional standards. Reporting to the Clinical Lead for Paediatric Occupational Therapy and the Head Occupational Therapist, you will lead workforce planning, training and development, oversee job plans, and ensure governance and operational performance.

The role involves specialist outpatient assessment and intervention for children and young people, working closely with multidisciplinary colleagues in Physiotherapy, Psychology, and the wider MDT. You will also support inpatient acute services for children requiring rehabilitation following acute flare-ups of conditions such as Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), Juvenile Dermatomyositis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), and other multi-system inflammatory disorders causing weakness, joint stiffness, and fatigue.

Occupational Therapists are key members of the multidisciplinary team, promoting recovery in physical, communication, cognitive, and psychosocial abilities. You will provide robust, individualised rehabilitation packages that support skill acquisition for development and independence.

This post requires excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with community colleagues in health, education, and social services. Flexibility and adaptability are essential to meet the individual therapy needs of children within a busy tertiary service. You will be energetic, keen to critically appraise occupational therapy literature, and committed to evidence-based and reflective practice.

You will supervise and support band 6 Occupational Therapists, contribute to service development alongside MDT colleagues, and be professionally managed by the Trust Head OT with operational management by the clinical lead in paediatric occupational therapy.

The role offers opportunities to participate in departmental audits, research projects, and continuing professional development programmes, including supervision of junior staff and students, appraisal, in-service training, and joint working.

Experience
- Substantial clinical experience in paediatrics at a senior/specialist level
- Experience working within paediatric rheumatology and chronic pain services
- Ability to supervise clinical staff and students
- Experience with specialist rheumatological and chronic pain assessment and intervention approaches
- Experience in clinical governance and audit implementation

About you
- Enthusiastic about developing staff within the team
- Able to demonstrate the value of occupational therapy and advocate for OT as a key profession
- Able to work autonomously and provide specialist OT assessments and interventions to children, young people, and their families
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Flexible and adaptable to meet individual therapy needs in a busy tertiary service
- Energetic and committed to evidence-based practice and reflective learning

Qualifications
- Occupational Therapy Degree or equivalent qualification
- Evidence of postgraduate education in relevant clinical area
- Desirable: Leadership training and/or qualification