Highly Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist

Job Summary
Overview of Post
The post holder will provide a specialist occupational therapy service for children and young people with severe and complex learning difficulties in Perseid special schools, in accordance with the Service Level Agreement for Sutton Health and Care Alliance.
They will contribute to the development of the special schools occupational therapy service for children and young people. They will plan and provide specialist occupational therapy assessment, advice and treatment to a defined caseload of children and young people with severe and complex needs. They will work in partnership with the children and young people, their families and with other professions and agencies, including school staff and the wider health team, to reduce the impact of these difficulties on the children's and young people's social and emotional development, their learning and their ability to participate in daily life.
They will work autonomously and without direct supervision and be accountable for their own actions.

About us
St George's, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals and Health Group cares for a population of four million people in South West London and North East Surrey.Our sites include St George's Hospital, one of 11 major trauma centres in the UK and the largest healthcare provider and major teaching hospital in the area; St Helier Hospital, home to the South West Thames Renal and Transplantation Unit and Queen Mary's Hospital for Children; and Epsom Hospital, home to the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC).
After years of collaboration, our two Trusts became a hospitals group in 2021. While remaining as two separate Trusts, being a hospitals group will help us to collaborate more closely on research, and the development, education, and training of our 17,000-strong workforce.
At gesh we are committed to supporting flexible working arrangements. Applicants are encouraged to discuss any flexibility they may need during the recruitment process.

Main duties of the job

• To provide a highly specialist level of clinical skill in complex paediatric occupational therapy.
• To provide Education, Health and Care plan assessments, high quality reports and reviews within the statutory timeframes
• Use standardised and non-standardised assessment, interview and observation skills to interpret a range of factors relating to the client's condition, determine needs and effectively set goals and plan intervention including implications for access to education, functional skills at home and the wider community
• Recommend, provide and advise on provision of equipment within the scope of the role and take responsibility for demonstrating and training clients/carers in its usage
• Have a full understanding of the workings of any equipment and ensure regular checks are completed to maintain safety
• Monitor the effectiveness of intervention through goal setting, outcome measurement and evaluation of practice and communicate this information to relevant parties
• To assess the child's need for small aids and specialist equipment (e.g. specialist seating, upper limb Splinting and toilet aids), advise and recommend/provide appropriate equipment for use in school, in line with service criteria.
• To assess the need for, measure, provide and monitor use of specialised upper limb orthotics (hand splints).

Job responsibilities
Please see the attached supporting job description and person specification document which contains more information about the role and requirements. Please ensure your application refers to the job description and person specification.
The recruiting team reserve the right to close this advertisement early once applications reach maximum limit.

Person Specification
Education/ Qualifications
Essential

• Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy
• Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council
• Registration with the Royal College of Occupational Therapists
• Relevant post-registration specialist education

Desirable

• Evidence of attendance at short courses to develop specialist skills

Experience
Essential

• Specialist knowledge/experience in paediatric occupational therapy or appropriate experience in other occupational therapy setting which brings relevant transferable skills
• Experience of working with children and young people with complex needs, ASD, neurological conditions, coordination disorders and functional needs
• Experience of assessing for the provision of equipment such as specialist seating and splinting
• Experience of equipment prescription and principles and its application in a paediatric setting
• Experience of mentoring, supervising, managing and/or supporting junior staff/assistants/students

Desirable

• Experience of delivering occupational therapy within a special school setting

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
Essential

• Sound knowledge of clinical practice and issues relating to the delivery of occupational therapy services within a specialist environment
• Good organisation/time management skills and ability to prioritise workload effectively
• Knowledge of standards of record keeping and understanding of the principles of clinical governance
• Ability to perform manual handling tasks
• Ability to work as a team member and promote collaborative multidisciplinary and multiagency approach
• Evidence of own self development through appraisal, CPD and portfolio
• Ability to support and develop other team members

Desirable

• Professionally active in specialist section
• Membership of relevant specialist groups such as the Children, Young People and Families specialist section of the British Association of Occupational Therapists

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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).