Job summary
Permanent | 15 hrs per week
Join the Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy team at Jessops Wing, Sheffield, as Principal Therapist and Clinical Lead for Neonatal Developmental Therapy.
You will:
- Lead a team of PT/OT therapists, diagnosing and delivering preventative therapy for babies with complex neurodevelopmental challenges in the NICU and follow-up care.
- Lead a preventative model of Infant and Family-Centred Developmental Care (IFCDC) on the neonatal unit and in follow-up.
- Collaborate with MDT colleagues and work with parents to support their baby's care and development.
This post is employed by Sheffield Children's Hospital and commissioned by Sheffield Teaching Hospital.
Main duties of the job
Reporting into the Head of PT and OT, your responsibilities will include:
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Lead Infant and Family-Centred Developmental Care (IFCDC) education for neonatology staff.
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Assess and treat neonates with complex challenges in inpatient, outpatient, community, and transition services.
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Promote a preventative, individualised, strength-based approach to infant and family-centred care in NICU and follow-up.
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Provide clinical leadership for the neonatal physiotherapy and occupational therapy teams on NICU and in follow-up.
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Offer expertise and recommendations for IFCDC practices across all professions on the NICU.
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Contribute to guidelines, audits, and research projects related to the specialist area.
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Collaborate with the network AHP team to develop neonatal physiotherapy and occupational therapy services following national and regional guidance.
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Work within MDT teams to ensure care and smooth transitions to ongoing teams locally and regionally.
About us
At Sheffield Children's, our purpose is clear: to provide healthier futures for children and young people. Our three strategic aims are:
- Outstanding Patient Care
- Brilliant Place to work
- Leaders in Children's Health
We work successfully with local, regional, and national partners to provide physical and mental healthcare across acute and community settings. Many of our clinicians are amongst the best in their field, recognised nationally and internationally for their expertise.
As well as having enormous pride in what we do, we are a friendly, welcoming, and motivated NHS Trust who are guided by our CARE values: Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence. Our nearly 4000 colleagues live these values, ensuring kind and compassionate care that makes patients and their families feel safe and at home.
As we approach our 150th anniversary in 2026, we remain committed to enhancing our reputation in children's health leadership, improving the experiences of both patient and colleagues, and focusing on our communities and population health.
Sheffield Children's provides great benefits to support your wellbeing, with excellent annual leave and pension schemes, health programmes, and exclusive discounts--helping you succeed at work and beyond.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For more information on the main responsibilities for this post, please refer to the job description and person specification.
Please note that Sheffield Children's uplift pay to meet the Real Living Wage, which is £12.60 per hour.
Diversity Statement
At Sheffield Childrens, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and supports everyones success. We prioritise Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in our recruitment practices, creating a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds, including ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ members.
Recognising that inclusivity is an ongoing effort, we review our processes and welcome feedback to enhance our practices. A diverse team strengthens our organisation and the quality of care we deliver. For ideas on how we can improve, please contact our Recruitment Manager at scn-tr.recruitment.team@nhs.net. Together, were building a workplace where everyone belongs.
#LI-Onsite
Job description
Job responsibilities
For more information on the main responsibilities for this post, please refer to the job description and person specification.
Please note that Sheffield Children's uplift pay to meet the Real Living Wage, which is £12.60 per hour.
Diversity Statement
At Sheffield Childrens, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and supports everyones success. We prioritise Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in our recruitment practices, creating a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds, including ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ members.
Recognising that inclusivity is an ongoing effort, we review our processes and welcome feedback to enhance our practices. A diverse team strengthens our organisation and the quality of care we deliver. For ideas on how we can improve, please contact our Recruitment Manager at scn-tr.recruitment.team@nhs.net. Together, were building a workplace where everyone belongs.
#LI-Onsite
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Degree level education plus post-graduate qualification to masters level plus training through short courses and experience as set out below
- HCPC registration
- Advanced training or certification in neonatal neurobehavior and neurological assessment
- Leadership training
- Regular participation in continuing education courses to stay updated with the latest advancements in neonatal care
Desirable
- Research methodology training
- Member of faculties delivering relevant training packages
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience in neonatal care, particularly in assessing and treating high-risk infants
- Extensive experience in working with highly vulnerable families within a context of trauma
- Proven track record in leading projects and managing services to improve clinical practice and patient care
- Involvement in clinical research, audits, and continuous improvement initiatives
- Experience in providing respiratory physiotherapy care
- Experience in teaching, supervising and mentoring other healthcare professionals
- Involvement in community outreach and partnerships to promote neonatal health and support services
Desirable
- Presentation national / international forums.
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Expertise in conducting neurodevelopmental and behavioural assessments based on highly developed observational skills in infant behaviour and using advanced clinical reasoning
- Skilled in planning and delivering individualised therapeutic interventions, a significant understanding of neonatal neurobehavior and developmental assessment
- Ability to create highly specialized multidisciplinary care packages for infants with complex care needs in the NICU
- Ability to provide individualised, strength-based, and preventative care for infants and their families
- Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams (MDT) and provide consultation
- Capable of leading and mentoring a team, ensuring high standards of care, and supporting reflective practice for professional development
- Skilled in large and small group teaching and mentoring to motivate, inspire and upskill other professional groups working in the neonatal setting
- Knowledge of and commitment to promoting and implementing evidence-based practices in neonatal care
- Skills in managing projects to develop and implement service objectives efficiently
- Ability to develop working relationships with families to support them in providing care techniques, supporting infant development, and health practices
- Experience in maintaining comprehensive records, analysing data, and contributing to clinical research
Desirable
- Evidence of participation in collaborative research within specialty
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Using advanced clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills to address complex cases
- Being adaptable and responsive to the dynamic needs of neonatal care
- Staying updated with the latest practices and continuously improving skills through education and research
- Ability to use a trauma informed approach when communicating with vulnerable families within a neonatal context who will be coping with high levels of stress and potential life altering diagnoses
Person Specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential
- Degree level education plus post-graduate qualification to masters level plus training through short courses and experience as set out below
- HCPC registration
- Advanced training or certification in neonatal neurobehavior and neurological assessment
- Leadership training
- Regular participation in continuing education courses to stay updated with the latest advancements in neonatal care
Desirable
- Research methodology training
- Member of faculties delivering relevant training packages
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience in neonatal care, particularly in assessing and treating high-risk infants
- Extensive experience in working with highly vulnerable families within a context of trauma
- Proven track record in leading projects and managing services to improve clinical practice and patient care
- Involvement in clinical research, audits, and continuous improvement initiatives
- Experience in providing respiratory physiotherapy care
- Experience in teaching, supervising and mentoring other healthcare professionals
- Involvement in community outreach and partnerships to promote neonatal health and support services
Desirable
- Presentation national / international forums.
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Expertise in conducting neurodevelopmental and behavioural assessments based on highly developed observational skills in infant behaviour and using advanced clinical reasoning
- Skilled in planning and delivering individualised therapeutic interventions, a significant understanding of neonatal neurobehavior and developmental assessment
- Ability to create highly specialized multidisciplinary care packages for infants with complex care needs in the NICU
- Ability to provide individualised, strength-based, and preventative care for infants and their families
- Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams (MDT) and provide consultation
- Capable of leading and mentoring a team, ensuring high standards of care, and supporting reflective practice for professional development
- Skilled in large and small group teaching and mentoring to motivate, inspire and upskill other professional groups working in the neonatal setting
- Knowledge of and commitment to promoting and implementing evidence-based practices in neonatal care
- Skills in managing projects to develop and implement service objectives efficiently
- Ability to develop working relationships with families to support them in providing care techniques, supporting infant development, and health practices
- Experience in maintaining comprehensive records, analysing data, and contributing to clinical research
Desirable
- Evidence of participation in collaborative research within specialty
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Using advanced clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills to address complex cases
- Being adaptable and responsive to the dynamic needs of neonatal care
- Staying updated with the latest practices and continuously improving skills through education and research
- Ability to use a trauma informed approach when communicating with vulnerable families within a neonatal context who will be coping with high levels of stress and potential life altering diagnoses
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
