Do you enjoy therapeutic play? Ever built an obstacle course across a desert... in a school hall? Or served tea to a pirate on a secret island? Imagination is a powerful tool - and in children's occupational therapy, it can change lives. If you're passionate about enabling children and young people to develop independence in self-care, education, and play, this could be the creative and rewarding role you've been looking for.
We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated Band 5 Occupational Therapist to join our innovative, community-based Children's Occupational Therapy team. You'll work with children and young people school aged-leaving age across Buckinghamshire, in settings schools and occasionally at home.
Our service is varied and dynamic - you'll have the chance to develop specialist skills in areas such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Sensory Integration (SI), equipment provision, and more. We work closely with social care occupational therapists, collaborating on joint assessments and home adaptations.
Main duties of the job
* Assess and deliver occupational therapy to children in a variety of settings, including mainstream schools, with a focus on those with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
* Support children with a range of needs, including Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), ASD, and perceptual difficulties.
* Plan and implement creative, purposeful activities to support development and independence.
* Work as part of a large, supportive team of paediatric occupational therapists.
* Supervise therapy support workers and students.
* HCPC registered Occupational Therapist.
* Experience in paediatrics (as a student or post-qualification) is desirable but not essential.
* Knowledge of assessing and supporting children with physical, sensory, and developmental needs.
* Ability to adapt to different environments and manage a varied caseload.
* A commitment to team working, continuous learning, and family-centred care.
* Regular supervision and strong peer support.
* Excellent opportunities for continuing professional development, including internal and external training.
* A varied caseload with opportunities to specialise.
* A collaborative, friendly working environment where creativity is encouraged.
About us
Why colleagues think we are "a great place to work!"
What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?
As part of our BHT family, you'll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression.
Alongside NHS benefits of generous annual leave entitlement and pension scheme, you'll have access to NHS discount schemes.
We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.
What do we stand for?
Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work.
Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time.
We are working hard to increase diversity at all levels within the trust. We believe a diverse workforce can have a positive effect on both staff wellbeing and patient outcomes.
We welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ candidates, candidates with disabilities and care-experienced candidates.
We are proud to achieve the Gold award for the Armed Forces Covenant and support applications from the Armed Forces Community. Please contact Pam.Daley@nhs.net (our Armed Forces Covenant Lead) if you would like guidance or assistance with your application.
We make employment decisions by matching our service needs with the skills and experience of candidates, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.
Job responsibilities
For a comprehensive list of responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to the Job Description and Person Specification by downloading the JD and PS attachment in the advert.
If you are an internal applicant there is the option for secondment, all applicants must have the endorsement/support of their line manager prior to application.
If you have a disability that makes submitting this online application difficult and would like assistance, please contact us on bht.recruitment@nhs.net quoting the vacancy reference number.
Person Specification
* Registered member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT)
* Recognised Occupational Therapy degree qualification or equivalent
* Health Professions Council Licence to Practice
* Evidence of good presentation skills
* Evidence of knowledge in safeguarding procedures
* Demonstrates awareness of the roles of other professionals
* Demonstrates awareness of standards of record keeping
* Evidence of carrying out OT interventions
* Experience of working with children and young people (e.g. student placement, voluntary work, other work experience)
* Access to own transport to enable access to a wide variety of community settings
* Knowledge of how lack of functional impacts on participation
* Motivated to learn and evidence of innovative ideas
* Ability to prioritise and manage own time
* Ability to work without direct supervision
* To have a clear understanding of the importance of confidentiality
* Approachable nature with good interpersonal and communication skills
* Knowledge of legislation and key issues related to Children and Young people
* Competent IT skills
* Developed communication skills, written and verbal, to ensure effective liaison with multi-disciplinary team, children, young people and their families
* Evidence of CPD and competence in using evidence base to inform clinical practice
* Insight into local, regional and government initiatives relating to occupational therapy
* Able to demonstrate empathy, motivate and persuade children with impaired cognitive or physical disabilities
* Ability to write concise reports / referrals to ensure interpretation by other members of the multi-disciplinary team or Local Authority so that the child or young person can access the appropriate care and support
* The ability to prioritise & organise own work and monitor delegated work in a skill mix team
* Enthusiastic approach to professional and staff development
* Ability to respond flexibly and professionally to unforeseen clinical and non-clinical situations
* Ability to motivate, negotiate and reassure others
* Able to listen to views and issues raised by families and work collaboratively to resolve these where possible
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.
Operational Children's Occupational Therapy Lead
£31,049 to £37,796 a year per annum pro rata
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