Paediatric occupational therapist

We are currently recruiting a paediatric band 6 occupational therapist to join our children's therapy team. The post offers the opportunity to work with children aged 0-19 years who present with a range of health needs. We work in patient homes, clinics, schools/nurseries, and community settings.

We value partnership working with our local colleagues such as social services and education to provide Medway families with an inclusive service.

We are a supportive team with a strong emphasis on enabling individuals to develop their skills. Our occupational therapy staff form part of an MDT. Our service promotes continuous improvement and innovation.

We are:

• A large, friendly multidisciplinary team
• A service with a proactive approach to training and quality assurance
• A supportive environment where innovation is celebrated
• Able to offer excellent supervision and appraisal systems with support from senior team members
• Access to peer support meetings

Main duties of the job

As an experienced and autonomous practitioner, to deliver a specialist occupational therapy service across Medway within the multidisciplinary team for children's services, providing highly specialist assessment, intervention, and advice for children, their families, and carers. To support other occupational therapy staff and advise the children's therapy managers to develop a high-quality service.

We are looking for someone who:

• Holds an occupational therapy qualification, with at least 18 months post-graduation experience, including paediatrics
• Is HCPC registered
• Is committed to community work as part of a multidisciplinary team, keeping the child and family at the center of care
• Is enthusiastic, with excellent assessment and communication skills
• Is passionate about occupational therapy
• Is eager to work with children with developmental coordination difficulties, sensory and behavioral challenges, autism, and complex needs
• Is keen to shape and drive our children's team with an innovative approach

About us

What else?

This is your chance to join a progressive, innovative service in a social enterprise focused on patients and staff. You may even have the opportunity to become an MCH shareholder.

We encourage staff involvement in exploring new ways of working and service development.

We provide well-established in-service training, one-to-one supervision, and regular appraisals and support.

You will develop your skills in a friendly, supportive team environment.

Interested in flexible working? We promote work-life balance and are open to flexible arrangements. Discuss with us how we can accommodate your needs.

The small print

Informal visits can be arranged upon request.

We offer a choice of two pension schemes: NHS Pension and Scottish Widows Group Pension.

MCH encourages all staff to be double COVID vaccinated to protect everyone.

Note: We cannot support nurses requiring OSCE training at this time. Please do not apply if this applies to you.

Job responsibilities

1. Communication and relationship skills

• Represent the paediatric occupational therapy service at relevant multi-agency meetings.
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing, including detailed report writing for internal and external agencies.
• Possess teaching and supervisory skills.
• Conduct performance appraisals.

Promote understanding of paediatric occupational therapy through multidisciplinary work, discussions, training, and information sharing with professionals, staff, students, and families.

2. Knowledge, training, and experience

• Minimum 18 months post-graduate experience.
• Experience working in multidisciplinary and inter-agency settings.
• Experience assessing and treating children with diverse needs.
• Experience using standardised and non-standardised assessment tools, including those for social communication and motor skills.
• Experience in community and clinical settings.
• Supervisory experience with therapy assistants and students.
• Understanding of the occupational therapy process for children and families.
• Knowledge of legislation affecting children with disabilities.
• Understanding of clinical governance and risk management.
• Knowledge of child protection issues.
• Awareness of broader child health, education, and social care issues.
• Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities.
• Practitioner skills in paediatric occupational therapy.
• Ability to provide professional supervision and training.

3. Analytical and judgement skills

Assess patient understanding, gain informed consent, and work within legal frameworks, including with patients lacking capacity.

4. Planning and organisational skills

• Manage a caseload in line with service priorities.
• Respond to complex demands, prioritise tasks, and work autonomously.
• Demonstrate time and caseload management skills.

5. Physical skills

• Implement specialist manual assessments and treatments.
• Assess and treat children with various social, behavioral, and developmental disabilities.

6. Responsibility for patient / client care

• Contribute to developing a holistic, high-quality service.
• Deliver assessments and treatments to facilitate children’s functional development.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to coordinate care for children and families.

7. Policy and service development

• Support the development of high-quality services for children with diverse needs.

8. Resources management

Maintain assessment resources and standardised assessment kits.

9. Human resources

• Provide guidance to technical instructors.
• Contribute to training, supervision, and mentorship of students and staff.
• Undertake supervision, training, and performance reviews.

10. Information resources

Maintain accurate records, reports, and documentation in line with standards and governance.

11. Research and development

• Participate in developing care programmes and improving practice, including audits.

12. Freedom to act

• Work autonomously under the team manager, liaising with senior therapists and delegating tasks appropriately.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• BSc Occupational Therapy
• Additional training in OT and paediatrics

Experience

• 2+ years post-graduate experience as an OT
• Experience with children with complex needs

Skills

• Excellent report and note writing skills

MCH Values

• Good understanding of MCH values

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This role requires a DBS check due to working with children and vulnerable groups.