Occupational Therapist - Children and Young People’s ME/CFS Service

Job summary

We are looking for a dedicated professional to support children and young people living with ME/CFS. Using evidence-based approaches, you will help them develop the awareness and skills needed to respond flexibly to everyday situations and experiences.

Working as part of a creative and supportive multidisciplinary team, you will deliver interventions both individually and in group settings, develop resources, and liaise with families and key stakeholders.

With a focus on emotional and physical wellbeing, you will work therapeutically to enhance young people's understanding of self-regulation and activity management. Your input will empower them to manage symptoms effectively and improve their functional capacity across all areas of life.

We are seeking someone committed to ongoing professional development and staying informed about advances in the field of ME/CFS.

If you are passionate about making a positive impact and working collaboratively to improve outcomes for young people and their families, we would love to hear from you.

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.

Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

Main duties of the job

Assess, treat, monitor and evaluate the progress of young people diagnosed with ME/CFS, considering the holistic and developmental needs of the individual, and any relevant environmental factors.

Provide specialist knowledge and skills to support the needs of children and young people diagnosed with ME/CFS, working with the team to further develop and facilitate educational and support groups for young people and parents.

Advance own clinical knowledge, skill and competence based on current evidence to support CYP with ME/CFS

To maintain the Occupational Therapy Service Standards by use of agreed frames of reference, models of practice and related forms of assessment, goal setting, and reporting and outcome measures.

Develop and deliver educational group work for children, young people, parents/carers

To work with individuals referred with full regard to informed consent or agreed indicators of consent.

To manage own caseload and to be responsible for own time management and balance of clinical work and non clinical tasks.

To provide relevant training, information, advice and support to the individual, colleagues or carers regarding the needs of young people with ME/CFS

Liaise and work closely with the relevant agencies, colleagues and carers to promote maximum functional ability of the individual referred and facilitate social inclusion, providing ongoing consultancy and support, where agreed, to meet the needs of those with complex functional needs.

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to create healthier lives, empowered citizens and thriving communities.