University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Divisional Therapy Lead for the Therapy Directorate

The closing date is 17 February 2026

Job summary

Our vision is to become a High Quality, High Performing patient-centred organisation which provides timely and compassionate care to patients and a place where the best people come to learn, work and research. To achieve this, we are implementing a clear operating model that is clinically led, operationally delivered, digitally enabled and has devolved accountability with appropriate support infrastructure. This will allow us to better use and build our capacity and capability within the Trust, System and Region, with clear lines of accountability, authority, responsibility, and governance.

Our Divisions, supported by our Directorates and service lines, are the means by which we will lead and deliver this operationally.

The Directorates' triumvirate leadership structure will consist of an accountable Directorate Clinical Director and Director of Clinical Professions. It mirrors the structure at Divisional level in this regard.

This role will be responsible for the provision of safe, excellent care via a group of Clinical Professional Leads / Clinical Matrons in operational clinical services to enable the smooth running of the Directorate under which it sits.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

Divisional leads will represent Therapies across a specific UHP Division, in partnership with the Therapy Heads of Service, provide independent assurance on the effectiveness of patient outcomes and governance as part of the Trusts Quality Management System and Accountability Framework. Gain overall assurance of professional governance, supervision, and clinical impact. Ensure compliance and regulatory readiness from a therapy perspective, reporting to the Trust Board's Quality and Workforce Committees.

In conjunction with the Therapies Directorate Manager and Clinical Lead, and professional Therapy Heads of Service the post holder is responsible for the implementation of national and corresponding local clinical strategies and is clinically accountable for delivery of the Directorate clinical and professional service. Delivering a highly complex agenda as defined by the Trust strategy, the NHS Institute's 'High Impact Actions' and other national/local guidance and policies, adopting a highly visible and accessible approach for patients and staff, leading by example in empowering and developing staff to undertake a greater range of clinical activities in order to modernise and improve patient care. Benchmark AHP impact against national workforce and outcome indicators. Developing a Trust-wide Therapy / AHP Strategy aligned with national frameworks (e.g. NHS England's AHP Strategy).

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment manager for this post who will put you in touch with the recruitment team. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Details

Date posted

03 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£64,455 to £74,896 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

216-AH-DA7706017

Job locations

UHP NHS Trust - Derriford Hospital

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Job description

Job responsibilities

Divisional coordination of relevant major services at Trust and system level.

Accountable for delegated functions held at directorate and service level.

Strategic planning development aligned with trust strategies, policies, procedures and values.

Performance oversight, management and escalation.

Independent validation of outcomes and effectiveness and identification of areas for further investment.

Financial stewardship.

Operational and strategic risk management and mitigation.

Patients experience strategic planning.

Co-production and implementation of a divisional annual plan.

Delivery of contract services with commissioners.

Lead on accreted union relationships

Management of professional standards that may result in HCPC referrals

Effective management of resources

Deliver service improvement programmes to improve quality of services to patients

To carry clinical caseload in designated speciality Senior or Specialist level (0.2wte of post).

Working in a senior capacity within an appropriate clinical area. Ensuring continued personal clinical involvement and protected clinical time.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Divisional coordination of relevant major services at Trust and system level.

Accountable for delegated functions held at directorate and service level.

Strategic planning development aligned with trust strategies, policies, procedures and values.

Performance oversight, management and escalation.

Independent validation of outcomes and effectiveness and identification of areas for further investment.

Financial stewardship.

Operational and strategic risk management and mitigation.

Patients experience strategic planning.

Co-production and implementation of a divisional annual plan.

Delivery of contract services with commissioners.

Lead on accreted union relationships

Management of professional standards that may result in HCPC referrals

Effective management of resources

Deliver service improvement programmes to improve quality of services to patients

To carry clinical caseload in designated speciality Senior or Specialist level (0.2wte of post).

Working in a senior capacity within an appropriate clinical area. Ensuring continued personal clinical involvement and protected clinical time.

Person Specification

Knowledge and experience

Essential

  • Demonstrable senior clinical and professional leadership experience at a Senior Therapies (Dietetics / OT / Physio/ SLT) level.
  • Demonstrable varied and evidenced post graduate experience with board clinical experience working at a senior/specialist level within an acute clinical setting with up to date and relevant demonstrable clinical experience.
  • Professional creditability/proven skill as Dietitian / OT / Physio / SLT at a senior level.
  • In depth proven understanding of NHS developments, clinical governance and therapy issues.
  • Demonstrable Experience of: oHuman Resources Processes oHandling clinical incidents and complaints. oClinical governance and Risk management. oBudgetary management. oProven awareness of the NHS Agenda, national directives and all Governance aspects of health care. oProven awareness of equality and diversity
  • Proven Management and Leadership skills, including effective people management.
  • Demonstrable management experience within a therapy Department and high level of skill and experience of leading a therapy team.
  • Proven evidence of ability to organise effective education programmes and high skill level in clinical supervision.

Desirable

  • Previous demonstrate management experience at this level within an Acute Trust.
  • Commitment to teach at post graduate level.
  • Proven knowledge and understanding of application of health and social care eligibility criteria.

Qualifications

Essential

  • HCPC Registered Therapies/ AHP Healthcare Professional
  • Educated to Degree level: Dietitian / OT / Physio / SLT with further specialist professional qualifications at Master's level or equivalent.
  • Management /Leadership training
  • Formal/informal management training, e.g. disciplinary/grievance, recruitment and retention, effective appraisal, managing absence, finance and budget management
  • Management /Leadership qualification or equivalent demonstrable experience
  • Recognised Risk Assessors course
  • Mentorship course or equivalent

Desirable

  • Further formal professional study, postgraduate/ master's level in a healthcare related leadership.

Aptitude and Abilities

Essential

  • Effective influencing and negotiating skills: in general, and with senior health care professionals
  • Good communication skills, written and verbal, with ability to demonstrate fluency, clarity and effectiveness at all levels
  • Able to work clinically with patients, undertaking the full range of clinical skills expected of a Registered Professional
  • Ability / demonstrable experience of directing and instructing others
Person Specification

Knowledge and experience

Essential

  • Demonstrable senior clinical and professional leadership experience at a Senior Therapies (Dietetics / OT / Physio/ SLT) level.
  • Demonstrable varied and evidenced post graduate experience with board clinical experience working at a senior/specialist level within an acute clinical setting with up to date and relevant demonstrable clinical experience.
  • Professional creditability/proven skill as Dietitian / OT / Physio / SLT at a senior level.
  • In depth proven understanding of NHS developments, clinical governance and therapy issues.
  • Demonstrable Experience of: oHuman Resources Processes oHandling clinical incidents and complaints. oClinical governance and Risk management. oBudgetary management. oProven awareness of the NHS Agenda, national directives and all Governance aspects of health care. oProven awareness of equality and diversity
  • Proven Management and Leadership skills, including effective people management.
  • Demonstrable management experience within a therapy Department and high level of skill and experience of leading a therapy team.
  • Proven evidence of ability to organise effective education programmes and high skill level in clinical supervision.

Desirable

  • Previous demonstrate management experience at this level within an Acute Trust.
  • Commitment to teach at post graduate level.
  • Proven knowledge and understanding of application of health and social care eligibility criteria.

Qualifications

Essential

  • HCPC Registered Therapies/ AHP Healthcare Professional
  • Educated to Degree level: Dietitian / OT / Physio / SLT with further specialist professional qualifications at Master's level or equivalent.
  • Management /Leadership training
  • Formal/informal management training, e.g. disciplinary/grievance, recruitment and retention, effective appraisal, managing absence, finance and budget management
  • Management /Leadership qualification or equivalent demonstrable experience
  • Recognised Risk Assessors course
  • Mentorship course or equivalent

Desirable

  • Further formal professional study, postgraduate/ master's level in a healthcare related leadership.

Aptitude and Abilities

Essential

  • Effective influencing and negotiating skills: in general, and with senior health care professionals
  • Good communication skills, written and verbal, with ability to demonstrate fluency, clarity and effectiveness at all levels
  • Able to work clinically with patients, undertaking the full range of clinical skills expected of a Registered Professional
  • Ability / demonstrable experience of directing and instructing others

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

UHP NHS Trust - Derriford Hospital

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

UHP NHS Trust - Derriford Hospital

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Therapies Directorate Manager and clinical Lead

Donna Pike

donna.pike@nhs.net

01752432230

Details

Date posted

03 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£64,455 to £74,896 a year Per Annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

216-AH-DA7706017

Job locations

UHP NHS Trust - Derriford Hospital

Derriford Road

Plymouth

PL6 8DH


Supporting documents

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