Job overview
The Hounslow Occupational Therapy Department is looking for a motivated, dynamic therapist to join the Children’s Therapy Team. You will join an established team of Occupational Therapists working in an integrated service with Children’s Physiotherapy and Speech and Language Therapy.
We continually strive towards evidence based clinical practice and have modernised services to provide rapid access for children and families with short waiting times for assessment and treatment. We provide services to children aged 0-19 years and their families with a diverse range of special needs including complex neurological disorders, developmental co-ordination disorders and autistic spectrum disorder. The post provides the opportunity to work in our special centres and units team, based in a variety of provision centres, both primary and secondary, across the borough.
The post holder would be based at Heart of Hounslow and will have to commute to schools within the borough.
We are able to offer:
• Peer support from an experienced and friendly team
• Strong multi-professional team working
• Opportunities to develop specialist clinical skills in a variety of settings
• A strong commitment to CPD and clinical effectiveness
• A comprehensive supervision and appraisal structure
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will be employed within the special centres and units occupational therapy team. Our team works collaboratively with the speech and language therapy team and the physiotherapy team and provides the OT EHCP provision for children who have an official placement within one of the provision centres affiliated with a mainstream school across the Hounslow borough.
You will be required to undertake comprehensive assessments of children with a complex range of disabilities, using appropriate standardised and non-standardised tests, clinical observations as well as gathering appropriate information from a variety of sources.
It is expected that the successful candidate be proficient in report writing with strong clinical reasoning skills as you will be required to independently manage your own clinical caseload.
You will promote, develop and maintain a high quality of service provision, and strive for this to be efficient and effective for all children on your caseload. This will include being responsible for providing relevant education professionals with specialist knowledge/training/advice related to Occupational Therapy.
It is expected that the successful candidate will continue engaging in CPD opportunities to actively develop their knowledge and experience, and have increasing responsibility and independence, whilst receiving the regular supervision and support of the Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist.
Working for our organisation
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ 4,500 staff, of whom 56% are BME. Our turnover for 2023-24 is £426m.
The Trust is rated as ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as ‘Outstanding’.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached.
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Graduate Diploma/ Degree in Occupational Therapy
2. Registered with Health Professions Council
3. Evidence of relevant postgraduate CPD activities
Desirable criteria
4. Membership of relevant Clinical Interest Group
5. Member of the College of Occupational Therapy
Experience
Essential criteria
6. Experience as a Junior level Occupational Therapist
7. Experience working in mainstream primary and secondary schools
8. Experience of working as part of a Occupational Therapy team and / or multi-disciplinary team
Desirable criteria
9. Previous experience of working with children and their families
Knowledge
Essential criteria
10. Working knowledge of broad range of relevant clinical areas
11. Some knowledge of child development, neuro-developmental stages and the role of occupation in childhood
12. A working knowledge of the main frames of reference used in OT practice
13. Knowledge of Government legislation for children with disabilities and special needs
14. Awareness of the principles and standards around supervision
Desirable criteria
15. Some understanding and knowledge of up to date paediatric equipment and resources
16. Some knowledge of standardised assessments and clinical observations used in paediatric assessment
Skills
Essential criteria
17. Ability to supervise others
18. Ability to reflect on clinical practice and experience
19. Ability to use clinical reasoning skills to analyse and interpret assessment findings and plan intervention
20. Ability to work as a team member
21. Effective written and spoken communication
22. Basic computer skills e.g. word, excel, email
Desirable criteria
23. Some experience of supervising a student or OT assistant
24. Some experience communicating professional knowledge through presentation/ demonstration
25. Some experience planning and running groups
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
26. Committed to personal development
27. Ability to take initiative and work autonomously
28. Highly motivated
29. Flexible and able to cope with change
30. Sensitive to the needs of others
Other Requirements
Essential criteria
31. Clearance from Occupational health Department
32. Clearance from CRB at enhanced level
33. Able to work harmoniously with a diverse workforce and to deliver a quality service to people from different backgrounds, by including and embracing their varied needs.