Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist

Job summary

Main area: Paediatric Occupational Therapy

Grade: Band 6

Contract: Fixed term - 8 months (22.5 hours a week)

Hours: Part time - 22.5 hours per week (Flexible working hours considered. Core hours are Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm.)

Job ref: 350-CC6984713-A

Employer: Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust

Employer type: NHS

Site: Manor Farm Primary Care Resource Centre

Town: Liverpool

Salary: £37,338 - £44,962 per annum

Salary period: Yearly

Closing date: 24/03/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Band 6

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Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust celebrates diversity and promotes equal opportunities; we are committed to challenging and eliminating racism and other forms of discrimination and advancing and promoting equality of opportunity in the provision of services and creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We believe that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect.

We take positive action to support disadvantaged groups and particularly encourage applications from ethnic minorities, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ people that are under-represented in our workforce. We also welcome applications from reservists and ex-armed forces personnel, recognizing the skills and experience they bring. We encourage all applicants to share their equality information with us.

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Job overview

We are seeking an experienced Occupational Therapist to cover maternity leave. Do you have experience working with children and young people with sensory processing difficulties? Have you conducted complex seating assessments? Do you want to work in a team prioritizing children and young people?

You will have flexible, hybrid working options, including working from home and various venues across Knowsley and St Helens in Merseyside, with hours to suit you and the service.

The role involves assessing new patients, advising on sensory seeking behaviors, reviewing specialist seating in school settings, and collaborating across locations.

The position is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Main duties of the job

• Provide high-quality, specialist services to children and young people in various settings, including homes, schools, nurseries, children’s centres, and clinics.
• Work collaboratively with external agencies such as social care and education.
• Manage caseloads involving children with developmental and sensory conditions, providing assessments and treatment plans.
• Offer advice, education, and training to parents, carers, and professionals.
• Supervise junior staff and students.

Working for our organisation

Mersey Care is one of the largest providers of physical and mental health services in the North West, serving over 1.4 million people. We offer inpatient and community services, including high secure mental health facilities.

Our commitment is to ‘perfect care’ — safe, effective, timely, equitable, and efficient. We support staff development and involve service users and families in service design. We are undergoing a transformation to improve quality and efficiency.

Flexible working requests will be considered for all roles.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main responsibilities

• Conduct assessments of patients/clients with families and agencies using appropriate techniques to diagnose conditions.
• Develop and deliver tailored treatment programs based on evidence-based practices.
• Evaluate patient progress and adapt treatment plans accordingly.
• Promote healthy lifestyles through teaching and interventions.
• Prioritize health issues and respond effectively in urgent or emergency situations.
• Work within your scope of practice.

Leadership and resource management

• Support and implement changes to improve service delivery.
• Motivate and support team members.
• Provide expert advice and ensure best practices across disciplines.
• Work autonomously, prioritizing workload effectively.
• Manage resources and supervise staff and students, including appraisals.

Clinical duties

• Assess care needs and develop care programs independently.
• Implement interventions based on research and ongoing professional development.
• Ensure competence in equipment used during clinical duties.
• Provide advice and education to families and professionals.

Learning and development

• Maintain your professional development and stay updated on new practices.
• Complete mandatory training and participate in relevant courses and supervision.

Clinical governance and research

• Adhere to ethical and professional standards.
• Support quality improvement through audits and research.
• Identify and mitigate risks.

Communication

• Communicate effectively with patients, carers, and professionals.
• Maintain accurate records and handle sensitive information with confidentiality.
• Use advanced communication skills in challenging situations.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Relevant professional qualification
• Registered with the HCPC
• Postgraduate qualification in a relevant area

Desirable criteria

• Training in assessment, mentoring, or practice education

Experience/knowledge

• Experience supervising staff and working in paediatrics
• Knowledge of sensory processing disorders and complex seating assessments
• Understanding of relevant policies such as the Mental Capacity Act and Child Protection

Skills

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and organizational skills
• Ability to delegate and work to deadlines
• Proficiency with assessment tools and risk management
• Computer literacy and willingness to travel

Values

• Continuous improvement, accountability, respectfulness, enthusiasm, support, professionalism, responsiveness, honesty, discretion, change orientation

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Please check your email for application correspondence. All communication will come from apps.trac.jobs, not NHS Jobs.

Applicants must demonstrate how they meet the person specification for shortlisting.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and offer a guaranteed interview scheme for eligible applicants. Indicate this in your application if applicable.

For reasonable adjustments in the recruitment process, contact [email address].

We may close the vacancy early if we receive high volume of applications.

All role holders requiring an enhanced DBS must subscribe to the DBS Update Service for £16/year.

Artificial Intelligence use in applications is monitored; declare usage on your application.

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Employer accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

Must have appropriate UK professional registration. This role requires a Disclosure to be made to the DBS.