We have an exciting opportunity for a Specialist Occupational Therapist to join the Children's Neurodevelopmental Service in Norfolk. You will be assessing and supporting children and young people aged 0-18 who are undergoing a diagnostic assessment for possible Autism and/or ADHD.

As a key member of the multidisciplinary team, you will be offering and delivering assessment of a child or young person's neurodevelopmental presentation in order to support the giving of a potential neurodevelopmental diagnosis. This will include working alongside nurses, psychologists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and paediatricians, as part of an MDT approach to making a diagnostic decision.

Main duties of the job

You will have an expert knowledge base of neurodevelopmental conditions, and demonstrate a keen interest in supporting children, young people, and families with neurodevelopmental differences. You will have skills in complex decision making and clinical competencies for expanded scope of practice.

The post holder will complete and interpret assessments, and supporting information, to inform diagnostic decisions regarding neurodevelopmental conditions, as part of MDT working. The post holder will offer advice, recommendations and potential onward referrals for children and young people with neurodevelopmental conditions.

The post holder will be expected to use a range of assessment skills, including formal psychometric tests, interviews with parents and carers and completing observations in a range of clinical and non-clinical settings.

About us

We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career in which we will support your career development and progression.

We would love to hear from candidates who have a passion for working with children and young people with neurodevelopmental disorders. We encourage informal discussion prior to application. Please contact Cherie Clayton (01603 272463) to arrange.

Apply now to join an organisation that has been awarded an 'Outstanding' rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the highest possible rating and the first stand-alone NHS community trust in the country to be awarded the title.

Clinical Contacts:

Oonagh Jordan, Specialist Occupational Therapist,nds@nchc.nhs.uk,01553 668712

Heather Westley, Lead Speech and Language Therapist,nds@nchc.nhs.uk,01553 668712

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Clinical

1. To complete neurodevelopmental assessments independently, utilising specialist observation and assessment skills for those children and young people referred with potential neurodevelopmental conditions in line with National Standards and NICE guidelines.

2. To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own clinical work and the prioritisation and management of cases on own caseload.

3. Participate in administration and interpretation of specific assessment tools within neurodevelopmental assessments and communicate the results to the NDS multi-disciplinary team as part of the diagnostic clinical formulation.

4. Perform clinical observations of behaviour in clinical, educational and home settings where necessary to assess for a wide range of complex neurodevelopmental conditions.

5. To write detailed and comprehensive clinical reports to support diagnostic decision making.

6. To act as a Specialist Occupational Therapist resource within the service in respect of this client group, working autonomously to support families and other health care professionals.

7. Design specialist advice, knowledge, support and training to colleagues relating to neurodevelopmental conditions.

8. Support the team with specialist, complex clinical decision making around assessment outcomes.

9. To carry out specialist assessment and observations within the pre-6 part of the Neurodevelopmental Service.

10. To make clinical decisions around diagnostic outcomes and using specialist knowledge and assessments and communicate the results to families and carers in a sensitive manner.

11. Offer children, young people and their familys information on a range of therapeutic approaches and strategies as part of their diagnostic feedback, including awareness of signposting to relevant organisations.

12. To contribute to the development of public information regarding neurodevelopmental conditions and associated needs.

13. To review, develop and deliver training programmes and post-diagnostic support that are offered to colleagues, young people, families and other professional groups.

14. To liaise with multi professional agencies and colleagues in other services. To provide specialist knowledge, and support to clinical colleagues, children, families, carers, schools, and other relevant agencies.

15. To attend various multi-agency meetings including safeguarding meetings to advise, write reports and plan care, acting as the patient advocate when appropriate and to work in accordance with safeguarding childrens policies.

16. To promote patient and public involvement by involving children, young people and their families in the planning and delivery of care and development of services.

17. To attend and actively participate in meetings and to communicate relevant information to the wider team as needed.

18. To contribute actively and regularly to the clinical training of undergraduate Occupational Therapists.

Professional

1. The postholder will maintain Registered Membership with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

2. To act in accordance with the HCPC and Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) codes of conduct and professional standards.

3. To maintain up-to-date evidence of CPD, showing relevant skills and knowledge and awareness of professional issues.

4. To ensure own compliance and compliance of others with regards to mandatory training, professional standards of practice and HCPC/RCOT requirements.

5. To participate in own annual personal development reviews.

6. To take part in clinical supervision including safeguarding supervision as per Trust policies.

7. To maintain and develop competence through attendance at courses and active participation in team training, to maintain a record of own professional development.

8. To keep up-to-date with current clinical and technological advances in liaison with senior colleagues.

9. To provide observation opportunities for prospective clinicians, career candidates and non-health related individuals as requested by Lead Clinicians.

10. To keep the line manager informed of any variations to service delivery, changing priorities and needs, and likely specific impact on this service of any change.

Leadership / Organisational

1. To provide supervision of colleagues including mentoring new colleagues and student Occupational Therapists.

2. To work closely with the clinical team on service development ideas to develop the Neurodevelopmental Service and quality of care delivery.

3. To liaise closely with clinical and team leads to plan Occupational Therapy input to the Neurodevelopmental Service.

4. To participate in the induction and training of new staff.

5. To assist with recruitment to this specialist area.

6. To participate in personal development plans and supervisions with colleagues.

7. Follow all Trust policies and local procedures as appropriate for the situation/setting.

8. Participate in research and clinical and governance audits, in order to improve effectiveness of patient care and service delivery, identifying areas for improvement and initiating change.

9. Complete risk assessments and incident forms as required.

10. Be aware of performance indicators and contribute as required.

11. Be aware of contractual arrangements, local and national, participating in ensuring that targets are met.

12. Adhere to the code of conduct for NHS employees.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree or equivalent in Occupational Therapy.
• Registered member of HCPC.
• Portfolio of own CPD, evidence of attendance at recent, relevant postgraduate courses.

Desirable

• Qualifications in sensory based assessment and intervention.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with children and young people with neurodevelopmental conditions.
• Substantial experience of collaborative multi-disciplinary and multi-agency working.

Desirable

• Experience in sensory based assessment and intervention.
• Commitment to clinical audit.
• Contributed to training children, young people and their families and/or with own colleagues.

Skills, Abilities and Knowledge

Essential

• Ability to plan and prioritise own workload.
• Able to communicate effectively with children, young people and their families.
• Able to convey complex information clearly to children, young people and their families and other professionals both in verbal and written form.
• Able to make own efficient travel arrangements.
• Competent IT skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Desirable

• Experience of using standardised assessments.
• Evidence of innovation, underpinned by theory, within own clinical area.
• Developing ability to take on clinical and leadership responsibility.

Communication

Essential

• Able to pass on skills and knowledge to others, in formal and informal settings.
• Able and willing to seek specialist support when clinically indicated.
• Able to manage the emotional consequences of working with children, young people and families with a range of needs.
• Ability to communicate effectively taking into account the different needs of children, young people and their families.

Personal and People Development

Essential

• Experience of providing support to colleagues and/or students.
• Able and willing to seek specialist support/supervision within the MDT as required
• Able to reflect on skills and areas of development and take appropriate action.
• Ability to manage change effectively.
• Ability to nurture skills and to delegate appropriately.

Personal Attributes/Behaviours (linked to the Trust's Behaviour Framework)

Essential

• Able to identify with the Trust's commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults.
• Shows empathy, tact and sensitivity for children, young people and their families as well as to colleagues.
• To act as an advocate for children, young people and their families.
• To respect the opinions of children, young people and their families as well as colleagues.
• Values diversity.

Other

Essential

• Must hold a full and valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in the English Language in both verbal and written formats.

Employer details

Employer name

Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust

Address

Norwich Community Hospital

Bowthorpe Road

Norwich

NR2 3TU

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

839-6851468-GP