Occupational Therapist - Early Years

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see Job Description attached.

The post holder will have excellent communication skills and the ability to overcome communication barriers, displaying an awareness and sensitivity to social, cultural and economic issues. In particular, s/he will need to be skilled in imparting information to parents/ carers and families in a way they are able to understand. His / her broad level of theoretical expertise in early identification will ensure that s/he has the authority to reassure and instil confidence in clients, their carers, and other professionals. S/he will have good negotiation and persuasion skills to influence and encourage practitioners, parents and others in the childs environment to support and make any necessary changes to their own communication to support the childs needs. S/he will be skilled in working in a multi-disciplinary, multi-professional and multi-agency environment. S/he will need good communication skills to work with parents who may have a range of language, learning and mental health needs themselves and present with behaviour that challenges.

• To provide and further develop an effective and efficient high quality Occupational Therapy universal service for children and their families within the Family Hub.

• To be actively involved in the development of the Occupational Therapy Universal service across Islington in partnership with the Family Hubs

• To be involved in clinical governance and service improvement by keeping up to date with developments within Occupational Therapy, early intervention and childrens services as well as latest research and guidance.

• The post holder will be actively involved in planning, monitoring and implementing clinical service policies and pathways in partnership with the Family Hubs and stakeholders.

• The post holder will have a responsibility for the induction, supervision and training of junior staff, therapy assistants and students.

• To be able to select, apply and train others on OT interventions which enable the child to engage in meaningful occupations including play, feeding and self care.

• To work within the standards and guidelines laid down by the Childrens Occupational Therapy Service, the Trust, the British Association of Occupational Therapy (BAOT), the Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC), National Association of Paediatric Occupational Therapists (NAPOT) and other relevant clinical interest groups and the Childrens act.

To set and maintain high standards of clinical practice, which are evidence based where possible, using standardised assessment and outcome measures, where appropriate.

Plan and implement individual and group interventions, in collaboration with the child, parent/carer and Family Hub using meaningful graded activities to achieve therapeutic goals.

To provide advice to junior staff and students on a range of issues pertinent to clinical issues specific to the caseload.

Carry out and train others on environmental adaptations to facilitate the childs functioning in the community and promote safety and independence.

Adhere to the RCOT code of Ethical and Professional Conduct and National and Local procedures.

Demonstrate ability to identify and reflect on ethical issues and provide guidance to junior staff as necessary.

Demonstrate highly effective personal coordination of day-to-day activities including prioritising workloads, decision-making and problem solving.

Demonstrate and apply a high level of understanding of the effects of medical conditions and recommend adaptations and strategies to the childs physical and social environments.

Demonstrate clinical knowledge in the areas of early identification, sensory-motor disorders and sensory processing disorders as well as other conditions including Specific Learning Difficulties, Autistic Spectrum Condition, Attention Deficit Disorder and neurological conditions such as Cerebral Palsy and Hemiplegia.

• To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities by keeping abreast of any new trends and developments and incorporate them as necessary into your work.

• To have knowledge and experience of implementing a variety of evidence-based treatment approaches for example Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (COOP) and Occupational Performance Coaching.

• To demonstrate an understanding of how a child's sensory processing needs and preferences can influence participation in occupation as part of a holistic assessment.

Be able to problem solve and judge complex and sensitive situations and circumstances that require analysis of a range of different options.

Be an active member and role model for the MDT within the community.

Liaise with other agencies involved in the childs care, including parents/carers and education staff, as appropriate to the individual childs needs.

Demonstrate an understanding of Moving and Handling legislation and knowledge of current moving and handling best practice and associated equipment, with application to risk assessments.

Person Specification

Education / Qualifications

Essential

• Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy
• HCPC Registration
• Evidence of CPD/attendance at recent post graduate courses/training e.g Specialist Seating, Standardized Assessment, Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Brazelton, SOS feeding

Desirable

• Involvement in a relevant COT special clinical interest group e.g. RCOT-CYPF

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Specialist clinical skills
• Ability to communicate and present information, orally and in writing, in a clear and accessible manner and in line with local and national standards and policies
• Able to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency team, showing an ability to work autonomously, prioritising and organising own workload

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Extensive clinical experience working with babies and pre-school children with a range of needs in the community
• Of a specialist range of assessment tools and procedures appropriate for babies and young children with a range of needs.
• Of a specialist range of therapeutic goal-based interventions relevant to babies and pre-school children with a wide range of needs demonstrating the evidence base for these approaches

Desirable

• Supporting junior staff, students and assistants and providing clinical supervision to less experienced OTs
• Contributing to professional development and clinical education of people from non-health agencies eg teaching staff
• Experience of teaching others and presenting to a wide range of audiences

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

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

Employer details

Employer name

Whittington Hospital NHS Trust

Address

Northern Health Centre

580 Holloway Road

London

N7 6LB

Employer's website

https://www.whittington.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)