Lead Occupational Therapist

Job description

Job DescriptionJoin Our Team as a Lead Occupational Therapist!

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals facing mental health challenges? Priory Hospital Middleton St George is seeking a dedicated HCPC registered Lead Occupational Therapist to join our passionate team. Located in the beautiful Darlington, County Durham, our specialist inpatient service is designed for adults with complex needs and behaviors that challenge.

Your Role and Responsibilities

As the Lead Occupational Therapist, you will be at the forefront of patient recovery, providing clinical, professional, and operational leadership to our Occupational Therapy (OT) service. Here’s what you’ll be doing:

• Collaborate with the Therapy Services Manager to ensure OT services align with Priory's objectives.
• Deliver advanced OT assessment, treatment, and management tailored to each patient.
• Work closely with multi-disciplinary colleagues to enhance patient care integration.
• Ensure compliance with local and national standards, including COT Standards for Practice.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives and clinical audits.
• Oversee student placements within the OT team.
• Represent the OT department in site meetings, including Clinical Governance and Patient Safety.
• Manage budget responsibilities related to therapy activities.

What You Bring to the Role

We’re looking for someone who is not only qualified but also passionate about making a difference. Here’s what you need:

• HCPC registration and a postgraduate qualification (certificate, diploma, or Master’s degree).
• Experience in team leadership and driving change.
• Supervisory experience with Occupational Therapists, Assistants, and students.
• Knowledge of current national and local healthcare issues.
• Training in relevant models of practice such as MoHO, VdTMoCA, and Sensory Integration.

Working Conditions

This is a full-time position, requiring 37.5 hours per week. Our hospital is easily accessible by public transport, with a local train station just 5 miles away and bus services to Darlington.

What We Offer You

At Priory, we believe in supporting your growth and success. Here’s what you can expect:

• Regular career conversations and full training.
• Pathways into leadership and qualified clinical positions.
• Healthcare benefits and free on-site parking.
• Enhanced maternity pay and a special Birthday Holiday—your birthday as an extra day off!
• Contributory pension scheme and flexible benefits, including gym memberships and private healthcare.
• Access to development opportunities and sponsorship for professional qualifications.
• Leadership and management development programs.
• Long service awards and refer-a-friend bonuses.

About Priory

Priory is the UK’s leading independent provider of mental health and adult social care. With a network of 270 services and 12,000 colleagues, we support over 24,000 people each year, treating more than 70 conditions. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process.

Join us in making a difference! We can’t wait to see how you can contribute to our mission.

Note: All roles are subject to a successful disclosure at an appropriate level from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Access NI, or Disclosure Scotland. Priory will cover the cost of a DBS check.

Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

london (abbey wood)

Type of Contract

Full-time jobs

Published at

03-11-2026

Profession type

Health / Medical

Full UK/EU driving license preferred

No

Car Preferred

No

Must be eligible to work in the EU

No

Cover Letter Required

No

Languages

English