Hywel Dda University Health Board

Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist Neonatal Care and Early Years

The closing date is 20 January 2026

Job summary

Hywel Dda University Health Board is looking to appoint an innovative, proactive and compassionate Occupational Therapist to join our Neonatal Service.

This opportunity will be to join a well established multidisciplinary therapy team as the Clinical Lead for Occupational Therapy within an evolving area of practice. The post is based at Glangwili General Hospital, Carmarthenshire with community follow up across the footprint of the Health Board where required.

You will be expected to work as an integral part of the Occupational Therapy Service for Children and Young People delivering high quality, evidence-based occupational therapy, with babies and parents who fit the neonatal pathway. You will also be expected to support the wider Occupational Therapy Service for Children and Young People within Hywel Dda University Health Board.

Main duties of the job

The successful post holder will support existing patient focussed pathways within neonatal care along with developing new pathways where required. The role will require the post holder to lead on Family Integrated Care, participate within multi-disciplinary ward rounds and Neonatal clinics along with completing specialist assessments jointly with other members of the Neonatal Therapy team as required.

The successful post holder will be expected to liaise with other neonatal occupational therapists and other Allied Health Professionals across Wales and the United Kingdom as part of both service development, clinical governance and to improve clinical practice. The post holder will also be expected to offer training and support to the wider Occupational Therapy Service for Children and Young People, supervise staff and offer clinical placements to support the development of occupational therapy students within Wales.

Applications are invited from occupational therapists with demonstrable experience in working within the Neonatal pathway or within paediatric occupational therapy. The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

About us

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.

We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.

We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.

Our services are provided in:

  • Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
  • Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
  • Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
  • 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
  • Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services

Details

Date posted

31 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£48,527 to £55,532 a year per annum (pro rata if part time)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours

Reference number

100-AHP161-1225

Job locations

Special Care Baby Unit, Glangwili Hospital

Dolgwili Road

Carmarthen

SA31 2AF


Job description

Job responsibilities

An exciting, innovative and supportive occupational therapy service, we are passionate about delivering a high standard of service to the children and young people that we work with. We have a strong focus on compassionate leadership and innovative service improvement.

There is a wealth of clinical knowledge and experience within the team and we are committed to supporting the professional development of staff. We have an established CPD programme and are willing to support formal training opportunities where required.

The post holder will be expected to travel across the Health Board footprint with mileage allowance payable.

We look forward to receiving informal enquiries and your application.

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Interviews will be held on 28/01/2025

Job description

Job responsibilities

An exciting, innovative and supportive occupational therapy service, we are passionate about delivering a high standard of service to the children and young people that we work with. We have a strong focus on compassionate leadership and innovative service improvement.

There is a wealth of clinical knowledge and experience within the team and we are committed to supporting the professional development of staff. We have an established CPD programme and are willing to support formal training opportunities where required.

The post holder will be expected to travel across the Health Board footprint with mileage allowance payable.

We look forward to receiving informal enquiries and your application.

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Interviews will be held on 28/01/2025

Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

Essential

  • Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy
  • Professional registration as recognised by HCPC
  • Evidence of attendance on specialist short courses and advanced training up to Master's level equivalent in particular clinical specialist areas e.g. sensory integration Level 1, Bobath
  • Up to date knowledge of paediatric equipment and interventions, particularly for babies and their families/carers with neonatal care needs
  • Psychosocial interventions
  • Management and application of Health and Safety at Work Act
  • Knowledge of services in the Voluntary and Community setting
  • Understands and acknowledges the principles of motivation in engaging individuals

Desirable

  • Post-graduate qualifications in a wide selection of clinical conditions or neonatal care
  • Member of BAOT
  • Leadership training
  • Post graduate courses in research methodology
  • Fieldwork Education Training Course
  • Attachment theory and its application clinically
  • Splinting

Experience

Essential

  • Extensive post - graduate experience, with specialism in paediatrics
  • Managing a complex caseload
  • Inter-professional and multi-agency team working
  • Direct involvement with carers and families
  • Negotiation of service development
  • Evidence of supporting service compliance with clinical governance requirements

Desirable

  • Neonatal experience
  • Mental Health experience
  • Key worker/Case Manager
  • People management/supervision of staff
  • Negotiation of multidisciplinary working arrangements

Other

Essential

  • Have a full drivers' licence and access to a car, to travel across the county in order to undertake home visits in a timely manner, whilst transporting necessary equipment.
  • Flexible approach to the needs of the service

Langugae Skills

Desirable

  • Welsh Speaker (Level 1)
Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

Essential

  • Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy
  • Professional registration as recognised by HCPC
  • Evidence of attendance on specialist short courses and advanced training up to Master's level equivalent in particular clinical specialist areas e.g. sensory integration Level 1, Bobath
  • Up to date knowledge of paediatric equipment and interventions, particularly for babies and their families/carers with neonatal care needs
  • Psychosocial interventions
  • Management and application of Health and Safety at Work Act
  • Knowledge of services in the Voluntary and Community setting
  • Understands and acknowledges the principles of motivation in engaging individuals

Desirable

  • Post-graduate qualifications in a wide selection of clinical conditions or neonatal care
  • Member of BAOT
  • Leadership training
  • Post graduate courses in research methodology
  • Fieldwork Education Training Course
  • Attachment theory and its application clinically
  • Splinting

Experience

Essential

  • Extensive post - graduate experience, with specialism in paediatrics
  • Managing a complex caseload
  • Inter-professional and multi-agency team working
  • Direct involvement with carers and families
  • Negotiation of service development
  • Evidence of supporting service compliance with clinical governance requirements

Desirable

  • Neonatal experience
  • Mental Health experience
  • Key worker/Case Manager
  • People management/supervision of staff
  • Negotiation of multidisciplinary working arrangements

Other

Essential

  • Have a full drivers' licence and access to a car, to travel across the county in order to undertake home visits in a timely manner, whilst transporting necessary equipment.
  • Flexible approach to the needs of the service

Langugae Skills

Desirable

  • Welsh Speaker (Level 1)

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).

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.

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

Hywel Dda University Health Board

Address

Special Care Baby Unit, Glangwili Hospital

Dolgwili Road

Carmarthen

SA31 2AF


Employer's website

https://hduhb.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Hywel Dda University Health Board

Address

Special Care Baby Unit, Glangwili Hospital

Dolgwili Road

Carmarthen

SA31 2AF


Employer's website

https://hduhb.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Service Lead for OT for Children and Young People

Kelly Southway

kelly.southway2@wales.nhs.uk

07811066200

Details

Date posted

31 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£48,527 to £55,532 a year per annum (pro rata if part time)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours

Reference number

100-AHP161-1225

Job locations

Special Care Baby Unit, Glangwili Hospital

Dolgwili Road

Carmarthen

SA31 2AF


Supporting documents

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