Job summary
- Main area
- Occupational Therapy
- Grade
- Band 8b
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 100-AHP160-1225
- Employer
- Hywel Dda University Health Board
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- TBC
- Town
- TBC
- Salary
- £65,424 - £76,021 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 25/01/2026 23:59
- Interview date
- 04/02/2026
Employer heading
Deputy Head of Occupational Therapy
Band 8b
Our Hywel Dda values reflect who we are and how we behave. We continuously work together to be the best we can be as we strive to develop and deliver excellent services, putting people at the heart of everything we do. Throughout our recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you would demonstrate these values in the way that you work with us.
If you are registered Health Care professional considering relocating to the Hywel Dda area in West Wales please don’t hesitate to contact our recruitment campaigns team directly via [email protected]
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Hywel Dda University Health Board reserve the right to close vacancies after 24 hours if a large number of suitable applications are received. We encourage early applications to ensure consideration for a post.
Job overview
Are you ready to take the next step in your leadership journey and make a real difference in people’s lives? This is an exciting opportunity to join Hywel Dda University Health Board as Deputy Head of Occupational Therapy, helping shape the future of our services across the stunning landscapes of West Wales.
As part of our senior leadership team, you’ll play a pivotal role in strategic and operational management, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred occupational therapy services. You’ll lead and inspire teams across a defined portfolio, championing innovation and excellence within the resources available.
What makes this role special?
- Drive service development and influence how occupational therapy supports health and wellbeing across diverse communities.
- Work alongside passionate professionals and service users to create meaningful change.
- Enjoy the unique work-life balance that West Wales offers – from breath taking coastlines to vibrant local culture.
We’re looking for someone who:
- Has exceptional communication and influencing skills.
- Brings experience of working across a variety of NHS services and is able to build strong partnerships.
- Is passionate about occupational therapy and can inspire others.
Main duties of the job
As Deputy Head of Occupational Therapy, you will play a key leadership role in shaping and delivering outstanding services across Hywel Dda University Health Board. Reporting to the Head of Occupational Therapy, you will support the delivery of all operational functions and be accountable for the performance of defined service areas. You will deputise for the Head of Occupational Therapy when required, representing the profession at senior forums and influencing strategic decisions.
You will ensure the delivery of evidence-based, high-quality occupational therapy services, lead service development projects, and identify gaps in provision to champion innovative solutions. Providing operational line management and professional leadership, you will foster a culture of collaboration, learning, and continuous improvement, supporting staff to achieve their full potential.
Working closely with multidisciplinary teams, service users, and stakeholders, you will develop plans that inform the wider occupational therapy strategy and align with organisational priorities. Your ability to influence and contribute to Health Board-wide initiatives will ensure occupational therapy is recognised as a key enabler of health and wellbeing across our communities.
Working for our organisation
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); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
• Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
If you’re ready to lead with vision and make a lasting impact, we’d love to hear from you.
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 04/02/2026.
Person specification
Language Skills
Desirable criteria
- Welsh Speaker (Level 1)
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy.
- HCPC registration.
- Masters level education or evidence of equivalent qualification or experience relevant to role.
- Advanced knowledge in Occupational Therapy with evidence of recent and relevant learning commensurate with the role and HCPC registration requirements
- Knowledge and understanding of Health and Safety legislation
- Knowledge and understanding of clinical governance framework
- Knowledge of current professional priorities and strategy.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation & national and local strategy, policy and its application to Occupational Therapy
Desirable criteria
- Recognised management / leadership training and/or qualification
- Active participation of specialist interest group/clinical network
- Knowledge of services and structures that link across the primary/community/secondary care as well as health/social care/housing/third sector to support integrated care.
- Qualification/training to support Practice Education/ Assessor/ Supervision/ Coaching
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience in senior clinical leadership & management role within the profession
- Experience of human resource management, including recruitment, supervision, appraisal, performance management and staff development
- Experience of working in a variety of settings
- Evidence of multi professional and multi agency collaborative working.
- Experience of managing information, financial processes and report writing.
- Service evaluation. audit and/or research experience.
- Experience of leading and managing change.
- Quality Improvement and Innovation.
- Participation in local/national professional forums
- Patient & Public involvement in service improvement.
- Developing and implementing guidelines and standards
- Experience of assessing and managing risk
Desirable criteria
- Experience working in a variety of organisations.
- Evidence of joint agency (integrated) working
- Contract development and monitoring.
- Experience of investigating and managing professional concerns
- Experience of investigating and responding to complaints.
- Experience of presenting at conferences and/or public facing events.
- Experience of submitting conference posters or articles for publication
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Welsh language skills are desirable
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Jon Adams
- Job title
- Head Occupational Therapy
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 07943653809
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