Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist - Medical

Job summary

Join our dedicated Occupational Therapy team at Glangwili General Hospital, Carmarthen, as Clinical Lead for Medical and Frailty Services. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Occupational Therapist to combine advanced clinical practice with leadership, influencing the development of services that make a real difference to patients across acute and community pathways.

You will work with people experiencing a wide range of conditions, including respiratory and cardiac illness, frailty, and traumatic brain injuries as part of the trauma network pathway. Supported by a friendly and collaborative team, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality, person-centred care while championing a "home first" approach.

As Clinical Lead, you will provide professional guidance and support to a skilled team of Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Support Staff. Alongside your clinical expertise, you will contribute to service development, quality improvement initiatives, workforce wellbeing, and professional development, helping the team continue to deliver outstanding care.

Working closely with the wider multidisciplinary team, intermediate care services, community partners and the third sector, you will help ensure patients receive the right support, in the right place, at the right time.

Main duties of the job

As an experienced Occupational Therapist, you will bring a strong clinical background in older people's rehabilitation, complex manual handling, and an understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing acute, intermediate care and community services.

You will be confident working autonomously while also providing clinical and managerial leadership within a supportive multidisciplinary environment. Key responsibilities include:

• Providing clinical leadership, specialist advice and professional supervision to Occupational Therapists, Therapy Assistant Practitioners, Rehabilitation Assistants/Frailty Support Workers and students.

• Supporting service development and continuous improvement through audit, clinical effectiveness initiatives and research activity.

• Building strong relationships with acute, community and partner organisations to help deliver seamless, responsive care across service pathways.

• Promoting excellence in patient care through evidence-based practice, innovation and effective team development.

• Supporting staff wellbeing, professional growth and the ongoing development of the Occupational Therapy service.

We are looking for a motivated and forward-thinking individual with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, strong organisational abilities, and a commitment to delivering high-quality patient-centred care.

About us

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.

We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.

We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.

Our services are provided in:

• Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
• Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
• Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
• 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 99 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
• Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services

Job responsibilities

We are committed to supporting your professional development and offer opportunities to enhance your skills, expand your expertise and progress your career.

Click below to see what it's like to work with us as an Occupational Therapist!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL-3odIDDOc Health-Related Professions Occupational Therapist

Hywel Dda University Health Board recognises that joining our organisation may involve relocation and offers a relocation support package, subject to eligibility and terms and conditions. This may include financial assistance towards relocation expenses and support with settling into the local area. Further details are available on request and can be discussed as part of the recruitment process.

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.

Interviews will be held on 16/09/2026.

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)