Head of Community Therapies

at  Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

Head of Community Therapies (8b post)
A fantastic new opportunity has arisen to join Lewisham Community therapy team as a head of community therapies at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced, motivated and passionate operational manager with a HCPC registration to gain experience in working in a busy and diverse directorate with an opportunity to develop partnership working across community pathways
The community therapy team currently consists of Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech and Language therapy teams with pathways across stroke, neurology, home first (including discharge to assess, supported discharge), bed based rehabilitation, community falls service , community , urgent care response therapy and Bromley stroke rehabilitation.
Please note: Interview date 6th March 2025
We are looking for a kind, compassionate and motivated clinical leader who can bring energy and focus to this exciting new head of community therapies
The focus of this role is to support the lead therapists in their respective services and to represent Community therapies within the Trust and externally to SEL Commissioners and relevant Forums. Support is available as required for this Trust wide role so this post will potentially suit a therapist or HCPC registered individual currently in an 8a post looking to develop their skills further. There is no caseload or set clinical requirement for the post, however the successful candidate will have up to date knowledge of current community therapy practice and have the skills to be able to provide clinical and operational leadership.
The successful applicant will need to demonstrate strong experience in managing and leading teams, interpreting service level data and using it to inform decision making, proactive service improvement, financial management and strong experience in working in partnership with internal and external stakeholders. This strategic and operational role will be responsible for managing the Team Leads, take overall responsibility for the operational performance and financial management of the service, and working with the Clinical Leads will drive service improvement and redesign as indicated.
Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:
Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
Improving the experience of staff with disability
Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
Making equalities mainstream
A strong emphasis is placed on development and learning opportunities. And we are holding our first AHP inspires event this year to showcase what is possible within the remit of being AHP’s.
You will join a friendly, supportive and inclusive working culture motivated to deliver quality patient care in an environment of positive staff welfare and engagement. Reporting to the Head of Nursing, Lewisham Community Services, you will be a key player in promoting these positive values.
Role
To provide senior clinical and operational leadership for the adult community therapy services (Initially OT/PT/SLT) based in Lewisham Community Services as part of Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
To be responsible for the strategic direction and service development of community therapy and integrated pathway initiatives across Lewisham and Greenwich Trust (LGT).
To provide professional and operational leadership to the community therapy services at Lewisham and Greenwich Trust (LGT).
To provide an interface and liaise with system partners including local authority services to address system wide community therapy provision.
The post holder will support the general manager for community services a

JOB SUMMARY

1 To be the head of community therapy for LGT, advising and advocating on community therapy issues, working closely with the head of community nursing. Representing Community Therapies within the Trust and to outside agencies, as required.
2 To take a lead role in the provision of the community therapy services at LGT, using evidence based guidelines, audit and evaluation.
3 To take a lead role in the operational supervision, teaching and appraisal of community service leads.
4 To act as a source of clinical expertise and highly advanced knowledge on community therapy for allied health professionals working in the community.
5 To initiate, facilitate, supervise and present evidence based projects, and audit within the community therapies department, division and to the Trust.
6 To be accountable for the community therapy services across LGT managing budget and resources effectively.
7 To develop strategic vision for community therapies across LGT
8 To promote good communication with other Trust departments, particularly with allied clinical services (ACS) and the heads of professions, to ensure optimal patient care across all pathways.
9 To deputise for the general manager (GM) in community (LMC) in their absence for relevant matters.
10 To work to agreed standards and within the resources available.
11 To demonstrate enhanced budgetary management, showing an innovative approach in achieving financial balance/IURP/income generation, whilst meeting demands of the service upholding quality.
12 To negotiate with external parties and stake holders utilising advanced communication skills supported by advanced practitioner clinical skills.
13 To be the expert resource regarding community therapies from a professional perspective in relation to students; apprenticeships; preceptorship.
14 To collaborate across the division, across the Trust and with partners and stakeholders to ensure optimal patient pathways and optimal use of resources, in conjunction with GM/DDPG/DDO as required.
15 To be the lead community therapist as part of the Lead AHP workforce for LGT.
16 To manage the community therapies service budget, and to be an authorised signatory up to the amount determined by the Trusts finance department

Please refer the Job description for details