Occupational Therapist (Band 5/6)
Responsible to: Clinical Lead
Working with: Multi-disciplinary team
Hours per week: 37.5 hours per week (or pro-rata)
Hourly rate: TBC
Annual leave: 30 days per annum (or pro-rata)
Job Category: Occupational Therapy
Job Location: EssexKentLondon
Main Roles and Responsibilities
* To work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to provide a comprehensive and co-ordinated range of specialist occupational therapy diagnostic, therapeutic and preventative services in a variety of settings, including the clinics, schools and children’s centres, which improve or maintain the health, function, learning potentials, independence and quality of life of the children.
* With support, manage a caseload of individuals (usually 0-25 years) with various needs and disabilities. This will involve specialist treatment of children with neurological difficulties, coordination difficulties, sensory processing problems, attention and behavioural deficits and maintaining associated clinical records.
* To devise and participate in creating product lines and services, including but not limited to training services, group and individual therapy programmes, and professional development for the Organisation.
1. Clinical – Assessment and Treatment Planning
1.1 To carry and prioritise a caseload and other ongoing tasks.
1.2 To conduct assessments and treatment in the most appropriate setting for the individual’s needs, whether in the clinic, school or residential home.
1.3 To perform specialist occupational therapy assessment of children with diverse and complex presentations using advanced clinical reasoning skills and knowledge of typical child development.
1.4 Specialist OT assessment tools should assess the individual’s function concerning self-care, development, physical, sensory, sensory processing, and gross and fine motor skills.
1.5 To analyse and interpret complex assessment results to accurately judge the individual’s condition and identify OT goals as part of an overall care plan.
1.6 To develop and implement treatment and management plans for each individual, incorporating individual or group therapy sessions and programs for use in care and/or education settings.
1.7 To re-evaluate and progress/adapt treatment programmes at established intervals depending on each individual's needs and the expected outcomes and to authorise discharge when appropriate.
2. Clinical – Interventions and Treatments
2.1 To plan and implement a range of specialist child-centred individual and/or group interventions.
2.2 To re-evaluate and progress/adapt treatment programmes at established intervals depending on each child's needs and the expected outcomes and to authorise discharge when appropriate.
2.3 To identify and implement appropriate treatment approaches and techniques during therapy based on sound knowledge of evidence-based practice and best practice guidelines.
2.4 To monitor the effectiveness of intervention.
3. Clinical – Analytical / Judgmental Skills
3.1 To analyse and interpret complex assessment results to provide an accurate judgment of the individual’s condition where appropriate or to contribute to the individual’s diagnosis by communicating assessment findings to the other involved professionals.
3.2 To identify OT goals as part of an overall care plan.
3.3 To identify and implement appropriate treatment approaches and techniques based on sound knowledge of evidence-based practice and best practice guidelines
3.4 To monitor the effectiveness of intervention.
3.5 To make referrals to other professionals and agencies if required to address the individual’s global needs.
4. Clinical – Communication
4.1 To provide support and advice for the individual’s parents, carers, and/or school about all aspects of their care that relate to their OT needs and to adjust your use of language to allow for their level of comprehension to be understood.
4.2 To adjust your communication according to the age and comprehension level of the child/family, and use non-verbal communication, sign, and augmentative communication aids as necessary.
4.3 To provide and receive complex and sensitive information concerning a child’s difficulties and expectations.
4.4 To demonstrate empathy and sensitivity in response to parents and children.
4.5 To work sensitively with parents who are themselves dealing with anger, grief and frustration as they come to terms with the impact of their child’s condition.
4.6 To communicate effectively with parents/carers, team members, colleagues and other agencies, including health and educational staff, using written and verbal communication skills.
4.7 To attend meetings where requested to provide specialist advice about the individual's functional needs.
4.8 To arrange these meetings when appropriate. This may include the development of comprehensive MDT plans for transition and discharge.
4.9 To act appropriately when exposed to children who may be wet, soiled, sick, or have saliva control issues.
4.10 To provide specialist OT reports for use within inter-agencies, e.g. education and documentation relevant to the setting, standards and guidelines.
4.11 To maintain accurate, legible and complete clinical records of all patient-related interventions per professional and service standards.
4.12 To provide programmes on a verbal or written basis, using pictorial representation as required, ensuring these programmes are carried over into daily life.
5. Human resources, including personal and people development
5.1 To adhere to the Royal College of Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and comply with local and national standards of practice.
5.2 To be professionally and legally accountable for all professional and clinical work aspects.
5.3 To review and reflect on own practice and performance through the effective use of professional and clinical supervision and appraisal in line with local and company guidelines. Formal supervision is done monthly, and appraisal is done yearly, with six monthly reviews.
5.4 To demonstrate basic leadership skills by managing designated projects, e.g. developing resources and clinical governance objectives.
5.5 To plan, organise and provide training to parents/carers and educational staff.
5.6 To plan and undertake the presentation of OT-related talks.
6. Health, safety and security
6.1 To always be vigilant in maintaining a safe therapeutic environment within the clinic, schools and residential settings.
6.2 To carry out risk assessments, show awareness of Health and Safety implications, and act accordingly.
6.3 To be responsible for the equipment used in Occupational Therapy duties and to adhere to all policies and guidelines to ensure the safe use of equipment by self and others.
6.4 To report any defects or difficulties to the Clinical Director.
6.5 To set up equipment when it arrives, show parents/carers/professionals how to use it safely, advise on when/how often it should be used and monitor it as the individual grows/changes.
6.6 Arrange for repairs and adaptations as necessary.
6.7 To have a sound knowledge of the theory and practice of manual handling of specialist equipment, e.g. adaptive seating and therapeutic equipment.
7. Policy and Service Improvement/Development
7.1 To participate in the operational planning and implementation of policy and service development within the OT team and the wider therapy group.
7.2 To demonstrate a working knowledge and contribute to developing and completing clinical audits.
7.3 To advise the Office Manager of any therapeutic equipment/materials needed for the service.
Find out more
https://wholechildtherapy.com/work-for-us/