Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist Band 7
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist Band 7 to join our Rehabilitation services team. You will provide high quality, evidence-based occupational therapy service that promotes participation and functional activity for children and young people accessing The Childrens Trust occupational therapy services. All interventions will be goal focused, evidence-based and child and family centred.
Main duties of the job
The role of the Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist is to provide a high quality, evidence based occupational therapy service, which promotes participation and functional activity of children and young people accessing neurorehabilitation, transitional care from across the UK and international placements. You will provide high quality, evidence based occupational therapy assessment and interventions to children and young people with ABI, neurodisability and neurological conditions.
Our service delivery aims to promote outcome focused interventions, safe care, function and participation of children and young people. You will provide clinical leadership to the allocated house-based Therapy Team, ensuring accountability and effective communication with other teams, creating a cohesive and collaborative multidisciplinary Therapy Team.
About us
About Us
The Childrens Trust is the UK’s leading charity for children with acquired brain injury, providing expert rehabilitation, education, therapy, and care at our national specialist centre in Tadworth, and to children and their families across the UK, via our Brain Injury Community Service.
Boasting a beautiful 24-acre site in Surrey, we are located just outside of London, close to the M25 (accessible via Junction 8, A217 to Tadworth) and easily accessible via National Rail, by way of: Clapham Junction, Sutton, and Epsom.
The work we do is highly rewarding, and in addition to an attractive salary, we offer a valuable range of benefits, including adoption pay, time off for fertility treatment, enhanced paternity leave, paid carers leave, time out days for those experiencing menopause symptoms, time off for gender reassignment.
We also offer additional annual leave days for those with long service, with entitlements ranging from 35 to 41 days (including bank holidays) depending on your length of service.
Other benefits include free on-site parking; a staff shuttle service from Epsom and Sutton train stations to Tadworth Court, subsidised cafeteria, on-site staff accommodation (subject to availability), the ability to retain your NHS pension (where applicable) or the opportunity to join an alternative scheme, and the opportunity to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.
Job responsibilities
ClinicalResponsibilities
Lead the provision of high quality, evidence based occupational therapy provision for children and young people in Children and Family Services in partnership with other members of the multidisciplinary team.
Undertake specialist occupational therapy assessments of children with a range of needs including highly complex needs.
Devise and carry out therapeutic interventions that are developmentally appropriate, goal directed, and occupation centred both in terms of means and outcome.
Devises suitable, individualised occupational therapy programmes/strategies that fit within the child's daily routine, whether to be carried out by parents or members of the Multidisciplinary Team; these should be monitored, evaluated, and adjusted appropriately according to the needs of the child.
Develop therapy goals, in collaboration and with the child and family/carers, as well as the MDT, to maximise recovery and facilitate the participation of the child in their daily life.
Lead on delivering high quality, evidence based upper limb management for children and young people. This may include elements of service development and training of other members of the OT team.
Assess for and fabricate splints and casts for function and to maintain range as part of the young person's rehabilitation programme. This will include providing guidance for caregivers/ members of the MDT to comply with the Equipment and Medical Device Policy.
Support upper limb Botulinum Toxin intervention, carrying out pre‑ and post‑assessment, devising post Botulinum Toxin treatment programmes and evaluating benefit for future Botulinum Toxin prescription.
Offer liaison and joint work with specialist tertiary centres, contributing to upper limb reviews and management plans where necessary.
Keep appropriate and accurate intervention records, fulfilling legal, professional and all other requirements of The Childrens Trust.
Contribute to child related meetings and reports, including formulations, monthly meetings with parents, initial assessment reports and discharge reports, and assist with the collation of these as and when required, in a timely manner and in line with organisational targets.
Assess for and organise provision of necessary therapy equipment. This may be loaned equipment for use at The Childrens Trust or recommendations of equipment for long‑term use on return to home.
Lead on and deliver a 24‑hour rehabilitation approach to embed participation and therapeutic aims into everyday care.
Assess, evaluate and recommend discharge/transition plans for children/young people within the multidisciplinary team framework.
Be a positive and inspirational role model for all team members.
Work closely with all members of the Multidisciplinary Team, as well as the child and family, to provide a fully integrated approach to the overall management of the child. This will include any home/school visits, professional child related meetings and/or appointments, as required.
Provide clinical cover across the service during episodes of staff shortage/heavy workload, in order to ensure effective service delivery. This could include supporting therapy at The Childrens Trust school or The Childrens Trust outpatient and community service if necessary.
Work flexibly in terms of hours, in order to meet the needs of the service, including an early evening (weekly) and one weekend day, per calendar month.
Represent the Therapy Team and The Childrens Trust when appropriate, deputising for the Head of Rehabilitation Therapies / Clinical Specialist OT as required.
Actively participate and support the running of relevant meetings.
Undertake other or additional duties that are within your skills and abilities, as the organisation may reasonably require from time to time.
Managementof Self and Others
Provide leadership to the rehab OT team for day‑to‑day management of service needs and provision. This may involve prioritising workloads and allocating staffing according to the needs of the rehab team caseload, especially at times where staffing is reduced due to leave or sickness.
To ensure all members of the rehab OT team are aware of and adhere to the clinical competencies relevant for their area of practice. This may involve identifying training needs for the team or individuals.
To support the head of the rehabilitation therapies and Clinical Specialist OT in carrying out managerial duties, deputising for them where needed.
Provides support and supervision for junior team members and students, within area of responsibility, providing direction, motivation, and support to achieve key objectives.
Participate in the annual Performance Development Review and monthly supervision sessions, as required by The Childrens Trust, both as Appraiser and Appraise.
Manage time effectively, prioritising, and delegating work appropriately and as required.
Communication
Communicate effectively with children/young people (applying the principles of consistent communication).
Facilitate effective communication with families and members of the Multidisciplinary Team.
Recognise barriers to effective communication and be able to reduce these as appropriate.
Attend and contribute to Multidisciplinary Team meetings, to discuss individual children/ young people and service in general, as required (e.g., reviews, case conferences, clinics, etc.).
Maintain clear and concise documents and records, in accordance with The Childrens Trust Policy.
Ensure documents are managed confidentially at all times.
Manage informal complaints, in line with The Childrens Trust polices and contribute to the resolution of written complaints, and as they occur taking immediate action where necessary.
Governance
Read and implement all policies, procedures, and risk assessments, pertinent to working practice and keep up to date with changes as and when they occur.
Critically evaluate practice through clinical audits and by appraisal of the information gained, in combination with current knowledge of evidence‑based practice; identify opportunities for service improvement and development, with support from Highly Specialist Therapists/ Heads of Therapy.
Continue the audit cycle, by evaluating any changes implemented as a result. This should include the adoption of evidence informed practice, the trial of emerging interventions and the cessation of interventions, where evidence is insufficient and other approaches are indicated.
Recognise and critically appraise situations where the effectiveness, efficiency and quality of the service are compromised and take appropriate action to resolve the situation, with support from Clinical Specialist / Head of Rehabilitation Therapies.
Critically reflect on own performance and that of other staff; and use this evaluation to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, and quality of future practice.
Undergo The Childrens Trust Risk Assessor training, in order that all activities are risk assessed and documented in the most appropriate format. Ensure that detailed risk assessments are completed, as required.
Actively participate in local clinical governance activities.
CareerLong Learning, Education and Research
Undertake all mandatory training, in line with The Childrens Trust policy.
Advance personal knowledge, understanding and skills in line with identified learning needs, by making appropriate use of a variety of learning and development resources and opportunities, e.g. by attending courses/ lectures, contact and involvement with relevant special interest groups and visiting other departments/ organisations and by conducting Literature Reviews.
Prepare appropriately for Performance Development Reviews, identify learning objectives and setting targets; identify opportunities for professional development in order to meet continuing professional development requirements.
Participate in in‑service competency training programmes and teaching sessions, as appropriate.
Limitsof Authority and Problem Solving
Make day‑to‑day decisions regarding occupational therapy requirements for children and young people, based on case load, including recommendations for specialist equipment.
Responsible for day‑to‑day time management and prioritisation of workload, taking into account the needs of the whole service.
Monthly formal supervision.
Provides formal supervision monthly to junior Therapists and/or Multidisciplinary Technicians.
Supporting the Occupational Therapy Team and house based multi‑disciplinary team in delivery of an effective service.
Any other duties as required.
Professionalism
Meet current HCPC and RCOT standards with respect to professionalism and to keep up to date with any changes.
Understand what is required of therapy professionals by HCPC with respect to Fitness to Practice.
B e responsible for maintaining registration with HCPC and RCOT.
Adhere to the policies and procedures of The Childrens Trust.
In addition to The Childrens Trust policies, the Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist is governed by, and should adhere to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Standards of Proficiency for Occupational Therapists and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists standards.
Support recruitment processes, as requested by the Head of Rehabilitation Therapies.
Committed to demonstrating the organisation's values and behaviours at all times.
Healthand Safety
Adhere to all Health and Safety guidelines, principles, and regulations to perform your role and comply with The Childrens Trust policies and procedures.
Provide evidence of all vaccinations (or medical exemption) required for the post.
Adhere to manual handling procedures and complete mandatory manual handling training.
Person Specification
Skills & Abilities
* Clinical assessment and intervention skills relevant to children and young people with acquired brain injury
* Sound clinical reasoning skills in routine and complex cases, analysing a variety of evidence and presenting this in a relevant format e.g. report; presentation
* Workload management including delegation of tasks
* Competent in supporting junior colleagues in using reflective practice tools
* Competent IT skills in order to collect and interpret data, present reports, and compile presentations
* Competent verbal, non‑verbal and written communication skills including communicating complex or potentially distressing information to parents/carers and managing conflict when appropriate
* Reflective practice skills, able to give clear and effective feedback and support others to develop
* Clinical assessment of upper limb including splinting, conducting postural assessments and ROM
* To provide advice, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers, and other professionals, to promote understanding of the aims of occupational therapy, and to ensure a consistent approach to patient care
* Liaising with colleagues within the Trust (including case conferences, ward rounds and discharge planning) and local services (referring hospitals and community services – health, education, and social care) to ensure integrated and coordinated continuity of care of the child.
Knowledge
* Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children and young people with acquired brain injury and complex disabilities
* Competent skills in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel
* Knowledge of current research, clinical audit, and service evaluation methods
* Understanding of physical, communication, behavioural and emotional changes after acquired brain injury (ABI)
* Knowledge of team leadership models
Qualifications
* Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy
* HCPC registration
* Member of British Association of Occupational Therapists
* Maintains a portfolio of CPD in line with regulatory body standards
* Willing to participate in any relevant training identified to develop skills required to carry out duties including extended role activities
Experience
* Experience of working with children/young people and/or acquired brain injury
* Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team
* Experience leading teams
* Experience of working with families
* Ability to support the delivery of complex and sensitive information to a vulnerable patient group and their families
* Experience in provision of high quality, evidence based upper limb management
* Previous experience as an OT working with children with developmental conditions, including using developmental assessments and providing therapy to address occupational performance
* Minimum of five years clinical experience post basic qualification
* Experience of paediatric postural management including assessment for wheelchairs and specialist equipment for daily living
* Working with children of all ages and abilities (including those with sensory loss, intellectual disability and those who present with behaviour that challenges) conveying complex information in an understandable way so that they can be involved in assessment and treatment decisions as appropriate, thus encouraging continued motivation to ensure progression of care.
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.
£53,751 to £60,651 a year dependent upon experience and inclusive of London Weighting
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