We are looking for an experienced, forward-thinking, supportive and friendly Paediatric Occupational therapist to work within the Children's Therapy Service based at Basildon University hospital to provide maternity leave cover.

You will be part of a well led, dynamic and friendly team consisting of Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Therapy Assistants, who constantly strive for integrated working - optimising patient care and team morale. The team works together to achieve both positive patient experience and successful outcomes.

Our ideal candidate will have a passion for Occupational therapy and a desire to actively participate in all aspects of the role. They will lead the OT team, work and training within this exciting area of physiotherapy but also support MDT clinics and outpatients. The successful candidate must be an effective team player with excellent communication and organisational skills and be able to demonstrate evidence of recent professional learning.

If you are interested in the role and believe you hold the qualities we require, then apply today!

Main duties of the job

You will be responsible for the delivery and managementof highly specialist occupational therapy to children within the acute hospital sites of Mid and South Essex NHS Trusts. They will be responsible for leading the inpatient aspect of the occupational therapy service and continuously striving to develop the service to meet the changing needs of the local population and hospital, drawing on recommendations and best practice guidelines. They will work without direct supervision and have line management responsibilities.

The areas covered include inpatients namely the paediatric medical and surgical wards, maternity wards, A& E and Paediatric assessment unit. In addition, there is potential to support the neonatal therapists within the neonatal unit. We also work within multidisciplinary outpatient clinics, alongside the consultant and other team members for example paediatric rheumatology and oncology clinics and offer advice / follow up where appropriate.

The role will use highly specialist skills to manage their own complex caseload and support more junior members of staff, whilst working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team. The post holder will be responsible for supporting children and their families in participating in developmentally appropriate and meaningful co-occupations, using an individualised approach to assessment and intervention. They will support timely discharge and provide anticipatory guidance to ease transition to home.

About us

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is now one of the largest in the country, with a workforce of approximately 15,000 who serve a population of 1.2 million people.

We work together, and in conjunction with MSE Health and Care Partnership, to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients in a compassionate way, and provide a respectful, but vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

From facilities through to consultant specialists we want to be the best, to achieve this we need to recruit not just those who are the finest in their field but also those who have the potential to be. Yes, experience is important but so is outlook - if you are dynamic, forward-thinking and enthusiastic we want you to join us.

We not only offer you a good working environment with flexible working opportunities, but also the opportunity to develop your career with access to appropriate training for your job and the support to succeed and progress

Job description

Job responsibilities

For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description, but some of the responsibilities include:

• To carry a designated clinical caseload including highly complex and diverse patient groups and prioritise that work efficiently, taking into account clinical and service priorities using specialist knowledge to underpin decisions.
• Apply an enhanced level of understanding relevant to the development and occupations of infants, children and their families and make appropriate recommendations for intervention and support.
• Assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of individualised infant and family-centre care, using evidence-based practice to support clinical outcomes as appropriate, this includes:
• Use advanced clinical assessments.
• To be able to motivate and facilitate children through specialist communication skills, play and handling.
• Provide specialist support for colleagues, children and their families including managing expectations around potential recovery, whilst being sensitive and empathetic.
• Support discharge planning and transitions, providing relevant information to other teams including internal paediatric and community teams.
• To organise and undertake responsibility for home and access visits with the subsequent verbal and written information that is required.
• Provide individual patient equipment as required to promote independence and safe discharge. To issue such equipment with due regard to safety of the equipment, and in line with legal, national and local guidelines.
• To work closely with other members of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) to prevent unnecessary admission and facilitate timely and appropriate discharge
• To maintain a high standard of clinical practice through self-directed learning, peer supervision / review and attendance and participation in training and supervision sessions.
• To use established time management skills, to be flexible in response to demands on a day-to-day basis and to be able to organise time
• To recognise boundaries of own practice and to manage associated clinical risk at all times.
• Ensure that all clinical records are kept in accordance with professional guidelines and local trust and network policies.
• To autonomously manage a caseload and to be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of work, including the management of patients, following national, local and occupational policies.
• To deputise as required.
• To link in, support and work alongside the AHP childrens therapy team and adult OT team

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• HCPC registration
• Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development at Masters or equivalent level, including attendance at recent post graduate courses relevant to the clinical field

Desirable

• Evidence of recent study at a higher level
• Recognised post-graduate qualifications

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Relevant postgraduate Occupational Therapy NHS clinical experience
• Previous Band 6 Paediatric OT experience
• In depth knowledge of child development and common paediatric conditions
• Knowledge and experience of a range of assessment and interventions/approaches in paediatric care.
• Proven experience in a wide range of clinical areas, and working with children of a variety of ages from 0-16

Desirable

• Membership of speciality groups
• Managerial experience

Employer details

Employer name

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Basildon

Nethermayne

Basildon University Hospital

SS16 5NL

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

390-CSS-BA-1026