Specialist Occupational Therapist - Paediatrics
The closing date is 21 May 2026
University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us. Please see below for detailed job description of the role.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced OT, with robust postgraduate experience, who is looking to work with children.
A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated Occupational Therapist to join our B6 paediatric rotations within the Children's Therapy department in Southampton Children's Hospital.
The successful post holder will work within the B6 rotations providing quality care for children and young people from 0-16 years within a variety of high care, ward, clinic and outpatient settings. Rotations may include Neurology, Neuro-developmental (including neonatal), Orthopaedics, Mental health and Neuromuscular, normally over a 9-month period, which will be decided on service need and staffing. The successful applicant will work in a dynamic and forward-thinking therapy team, supported by B7 Paediatric OTs both within physical and mental health, and Physiotherapists, allowing excellent opportunity for further developing clinical skills.
Job responsibilities
This B6 OT post is suitable for an experienced B5 or B6 OT looking to develop their skills in Paediatrics. Rotations include:
* Neurology/ Neurosurgery/ Neurorehabilitation/ Neuro Oncology: providing neuro therapy and assessment, hyper‑acute and acute intensive rehabilitation, goal setting, collection of objective measures and discharge planning.
* Neonatal Service: supporting early development and neuroprotective care in collaboration with families and the multidisciplinary team; assessment, intervention and parent education.
* Paediatric Orthopaedic service: independent management of a caseload, wheelchair and seating assessments, contribution to MDT meetings and ward rounds, and liaison with community teams.
* Mental health: providing mental health support for children and young people admitted to the acute paediatric wards and Bursledon House.
* Neuromuscular: leading on clinics, liaising with inpatient teams, supporting community advice and education, and advocating for patients in specialist EHCP, CIN and MDT meetings.
We are looking for someone with the following skills and experience:
* Proactive, enthusiastic and a desire to work within paediatrics.
* Ability to build rapport with children, families and carers, and to encourage participation with a wide range of presenting conditions.
* Clear communication and liaison skills with external agencies to ensure a smooth patient experience.
* Prioritisation and delegation skills.
* Confidence working in varied environments: high care, wards, OP, clinics, externally.
* Car driver or ability to work between sites is essential.
* Physical strength for complex manual handling.
* Ability to work under pressure, in challenging and emotive situations with resilience.
* Ability to work alone and alongside others.
Qualifications, knowledge and experience
* Degree in Occupational Therapy or equivalent.
* Current HCPC registration.
* Experience with a variety of physical and mental health conditions/multiple pathology.
* Experience of fitting a range of equipment.
* Experience of working with support staff and in multidisciplinary teams.
* Evidence of continuing professional development.
* Experience in independently managing a caseload of patients.
* Previous experience within relevant clinical area.
Trust Values
* Patients First
* Always Improving
* Working Together
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require a Disclosure and Barring Service referral to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Salary
£39,959 to £48,117 a year, pro rata.
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