Job summary
We are seeking an experienced and innovative Occupational Therapist wishing to hold a specialist childrens occupational therapist role. This role is a great development opportunity within our large, thriving and supportive team.
The post holder will need to have clinical experience in Occupational Therapy working with children and young people from birth to nineteen years with a range of clinical conditions and disabilities.
The post holder will provide specialist occupational therapy assessment and interventions to children and young people, managing a caseload of clients with a variety of developmental disabilities. The children and young people will present with a range of occupational therapy needs relating to self care, play and school activities.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will need to have clinical experience in Occupational Therapy working with children and young people from birth to nineteen years with a range of clinical conditions and disabilities.
The post holder will provide specialist occupational therapy assessment and interventions to children and young people, managing a caseload of clients with a variety of developmental disabilities. The children and young people will present with a range of occupational therapy needs relating to self care, play and school activities.
About us
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
Job description
Job responsibilities
To select, administer and apply a specialist level of analysis to standardised and non-standardised assessments, tools and materials specific to paediatric occupational therapy, in order to provide diagnostic and predictive information and contribute to accurate diagnosis, prognosis and intervention.
To use a specialist level of skills in negotiating, agreeing and setting goals with the family and other professionals that are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely (SMART) and address key occupational performance needs.
To monitor, evaluate and modify intervention against set goals in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness, negotiating new goals where appropriate.
To provide varied modes of intervention e.g. group settings, advice / consultation, teaching others.
To contribute to the overall development of the occupational therapy service as the service evolves in line with organisational changes, holding responsibility for defined projects.
To work in a range of community settings including special schools under the supervision of senior staff
To involve the child or young person and their carers throughout intervention and to work co-operatively with other professionals and agencies in meeting their needs.
To identify the need and where appropriate assess and plan appropriate
Management/intervention to meet the assistive technology needs of children (orthotics, equipment for home and school including special seating and postural management, AAC, mobility equipment and environmental controls).
To be responsible for ordering, referral, liaison with other agencies and/or joint assessments and appropriate after care such as training, setting up equipment and reviewing progress
To undertake risk assessments in relation to children on caseload.
To assess for and advise others in determining appropriate and safe use of equipment and to assess the competence of others (school staff, family, carers) to carry out advice regarding safe use of equipment.
To address consent throughout involvement with a child and aim to workcooperatively with parents, teaching staff and other professionals.
To work with families from a variety of social, economical and cultural backgrounds and respond appropriately to clients needs.
To work with families and children with additional vulnerability and provide appropriate support (e.g. Children in care, children with terminal illness / degenerative conditions, child protection, challenging behaviours).
To adapt own style of communication to meet the differing needs of children and families e.g. use of an interpreter, sign language, uncomplicated language or pictures and symbols.
To record and maintain all client contact information and data in client files or on electronic recording system in an accurate and contemporaneous manner, adhering to local and national policies and guidance
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Diploma or degree in occupational therapy
- Post registration training in specialist field of paediatrics
- Safeguarding / Child Protection
- Paediatric Manual Handling
Desirable
- AMPS / School AMPS
- Further training in specialist paediatric intervention approaches
Experience
Essential
- Good experience as an Occupational Therapist working in children and young people's services.
- Good experience working in an NHS environment
- Working with education services.
- Client centred practice within a multidisciplinary environment.
- Use of a variety of standardised and nonstandardised assessment tools.
- Goal-setting with children, young people, family and other professionals
- Audit and research
- Use of electronic recording systems
- To have some experience in developing and providing education and teaching programmes to other professionals and students.
- Assessment and provision of assistive equipment and assistive technology
Desirable
- Supervision of staff
- Contributed to research relating to Occupational Therapy for children.
- Active member of professional body and special interest group
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.
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 .
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 .
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website .
Employer details
Employer name
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
Address
Kaleidoscope
32 Rushey Green
Catford
SE6 4JD