Highly Specialist/Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist
The closing date is 31 May 2026
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Specialist/Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist to join our Paediatric team. We are looking for a positive, proactive clinician to join us and help us build a strong future for our service. We are excited to be able to offer a flexible opportunity for the right candidate – either as a Highly Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist (AFC band 7) or as a Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist (AFC band 6) progressing into the band 7 role, following in‑house development.
The Newberry Centre offers community‑based therapies to children and young people in the local area. The Paediatric Occupational Therapy Service offers support from birth‑19 years within our inpatient paediatric ward, homes, schools and other community settings. There is also the opportunity to provide Occupational Therapy within our Neonatal Unit. We would welcome applications from candidates with a strong interest in Neonatal Practice; however, this is not mandatory and you will be given a varied and challenging clinical caseload suited to your skills, experience and interest.
We are pleased to offer this rare and exciting opportunity at a time of positive change for our strong and growing team. We welcome applications from experienced practitioners who want to work in a supportive environment, and advocate for Occupational Therapy's valuable contribution to our children and young people's service.
Main Duties of the Job
As a Specialist/Highly Specialist member of our team you will provide clinical expertise and support to junior and skill mixed members of the team. You will work collaboratively with the Clinical Lead to drive forward our Paediatric Occupational Therapy Service and ensure high quality outcomes for the Children, Young People and families using our service. You will hold your own caseload of complex Paediatric patients and will have opportunity to maintain and further develop your clinical practice to a high standard with encouragement and support to undertake further training and engage in research and quality improvement projects.
You will be responsible for your own complex caseload consisting of patients with a variety of different conditions whilst leading on the supporting/training of team members to develop within this specialist field and to manage their own caseloads. Good prioritisation, organisational and time management skills. You will need advanced communication skills to ensure a successful multidisciplinary approach to patient care, working in close liaison with the other teams including Neurodevelopmental and Physiotherapy. You will be in regular discussions with children, young people and their families, as well as other health, education and social care professionals.
If this sounds like the position for you, then please get in touch for more information or to arrange an informal visit to the Newberry Centre.
About Us
We want to attract the best and brightest people to work with us and that means we will look after you from the moment you apply for a role at the Trust and throughout your career with us. Our staff are central to everything we do, and we believe that investing in you is crucial if we want to enable you to reach your full potential.
Job Responsibilities
* To provide occupational therapy assessment and intervention to children and young people with complex health and disability needs.
* To work in conjunction with the clinical lead in the planning, co‑ordination, delivery, and evaluation of the Occupational Therapy Service.
* To provide clinical supervision and clinical expertise within the Paediatric occupational therapy service.
* To advocate and safeguard the children and young people using the service.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
* Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy (BSc/MSc)
* Current HCPC registration
* Evidence of relevant postgraduate courses
* Coaching/supervision training
* Leadership training, e.g. 16 steps
* Membership of relevant specialist group
* Recruitment training
Knowledge and Experience
* Band 6 experience which includes relevant work in a variety of child and young peoples' services, including paediatrics.
* Demonstrates specialist clinical skills within paediatric settings including complex case management.
* Significant experience of team working including integrated teams.
* Evidence of variety of assessment skills within different clinical areas including paediatrics.
* Evidence of involvement in service development, e.g. working on projects.
* Training and clinical supervision of clinical staff and students including the teaching of specialist skills.
* Working knowledge of clinical governance/current topics in the NHS.
* Demonstrates self-directional learning and the ability to evaluate own performance.
Skills and Knowledge
* Self‑motivated, proactive and resourceful.
* Ability to use own initiative and problem‑solve.
* Ability to act as an autonomous practitioner, organising, prioritising and delegating workload as appropriate.
* Good communication skills, including empathy, motivational and assertiveness skills.
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.
James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
£39,959 to £56,515 a year pro rata
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