Children's Occupational Therapist

The Methodist Church in Britain; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Regular clinical supervision

Structured personal development

Commitment to CPD

Supportive team culture

Job summary

Warwickshire ICB and the county council partner to deliver the Expert at Hand occupational therapy offer in mainstream schools. The Band 7 post leads the service, co-designs interventions and builds the competency framework and training for the OT workforce.

It combines professional leadership and supervision of OT staff with a complex paediatric caseload and deputising for the Children’s OT Lead. Requirements include a Diploma or degree in Occupational Therapy, HCPC registration, and at least

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Occupational Therapy is required.
• HCPC registration is required.
• Two years post-registration experience with at least six months in paediatrics or physical disability.
• Experience supervising OT staff and students in a multidisciplinary context.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional leadership, operational management and supervision of OT staff.
• Co-produce, design and implement the Expert at Hand offer with the ICB, county council, parent voice and education settings.
• Define the menu of interventions and how they link with education and health specialists.
• Develop the competency framework and training schedule for the OT workforce.
• Support fair access to specialist support and champion clinical governance and service improvement.
• Lead development of a specific area of service with the Children’s OT Lead.
• Maintain clinical records and reports and deputise for the Children’s OT Lead.

Skills

Leadership of OT teams

Paediatric/physical disability knowhow

Clinical governance & audit

Communication & documentation

Time management under pressure

Legislation & policy awareness

Education

Diploma or degree in Occupational Therapy

Tools

HCPC registration

Job description

This Band 7 post leads the Expert at Hand occupational therapy offer, a partnership with Warwickshire ICB and county council that puts specialist therapy into mainstream schools. The role co-designs the service, defines the intervention menu and builds the competency framework and training for the qualified and unqualified OT workforce. It combines professional leadership and supervision of OT staff with a complex paediatric caseload and deputising for the Children's OT Lead. Candidates need at least six months of paediatric or physical disability experience and experience supervising support staff.

What the job involves

• Provide professional leadership, operational management and supervision of OT staff
• Co-produce, design and implement the Expert at Hand offer with the ICB, county council, parent voice and education settings
• Define the menu of interventions and how they link with education and health specialists
• Develop the competency framework and training schedule for the qualified and unqualified Expert at Hand OT workforce
• Support fair access to specialist support with the Expert at Hand co-ordinator
• Champion high standards, clinical governance, audit and continuous service improvement
• Lead development of a specific area of service with the Children's OT Lead
• Hold professional and clinical accountability for own caseload of complex needs and for supervised staff caseloads
• Assess, plan, deliver and review client-centred interventions and SMART goals, contributing to diagnosis and prognosis
• Deputise for the Children's OT Lead
• Maintain clinical records and reports, and represent the service at multi-disciplinary and multi-agency meetings
• Manage safe use of specialist equipment and deliver teaching, training and fieldwork education

What's required

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Occupational Therapy

Registration & licences

• State registration with the Health and Care Professions Council

Experience

• Two years post-registration experience, including at least six months in physical disability or paediatrics
• Experience in community health or social care settings and in multi-disciplinary teams
• Experience supervising OT support staff
• Experience supervising students on placement

Skills & knowledge

• Sound OT core skills in a paediatric setting, with knowledge of OT models of practice and outcome measures for physical disability or paediatrics
• Understanding of equipment and adaptations recommendation and provision
• Effective clinical reasoning and analysis of professional and ethical issues
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritise workload and manage time
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, national priorities and clinical governance
• Effective written and verbal communication and computer literacy

Checks & eligibility

• Car driver

Other

• Ability to build effective working relationships within the multi-disciplinary team and with other professionals
• Willingness to work flexibly to meet service needs
• Willingness to assist in change

Nice to have

• Evidence of postgraduate continuing professional development
• Accredited fieldwork educator within 12 months of appointment
• Membership of a specialist interest group (NAPOT, COTSSIH or NANOT)
• Postgraduate training including a sensory integration qualification
• Delivery of assessment and treatment programmes for children with sensory processing difficulties
• Commitment to lifelong learning
• Presentation and training skills

What's offered

• Regular clinical supervision and mentorship from a senior therapist
• Structured personal development reviews
• Commitment to continuing professional development through in-house and external training
• Supportive team culture that encourages professional growth and innovation