Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist, Band 7, (Rehabilitation, Paediatrics)

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist to join a dedicated Rehabilitation Team. The successful candidate will provide a high-quality, evidence-based occupational therapy service that promotes participation and functional activity for children and young people accessing neurorehabilitation, outpatient services, and those on a step-down pathway.

The service delivery aims to promote outcome-focused interventions, safe care, and the functional participation of children and young people. You will provide clinical leadership to the allocated house-based Therapy Team, ensuring accountability and effective communication with other teams, creating a cohesive and collaborative multidisciplinary Therapy Team.

Staff Benefits:

The organization offers a range of benefits, including London weighting, a shuttle bus service, and more.

Role Requirements:

You will deliver high-quality, evidence-based occupational therapy assessments and interventions to children and young people with neuro-disabilities and neurodevelopmental conditions.

Clinical Skills and Responsibilities:

• Lead the provision of high-quality, evidence-based occupational therapy for children and young people in partnership with other members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Undertake specialist occupational therapy assessments for children with a range of needs, including highly complex cases.
• Devise and carry out therapeutic interventions that are developmentally appropriate, goal-directed, and occupation-centred.
• Create suitable, individualized occupational therapy programs and strategies that fit within the child’s daily routine, whether carried out by parents or members of the multidisciplinary team. These programs should be monitored, evaluated, and adjusted according to the child's needs.
• Develop therapy goals in collaboration with the child, family/carers, and the MDT to maximize recovery and facilitate participation in daily life.
• Lead on delivering high-quality, evidence-based upper limb management for children and young people, which may include service development and training of other OT team members.
• Assess for and fabricate splints and casts to maintain function and range as part of the rehabilitation program, providing guidance for caregivers and MDT members to comply with the Equipment and Medical Device Policy.
• Support upper limb Botox interventions by carrying out pre- and post-assessments, devising post-Botox treatment programs, and evaluating benefits for future prescriptions.
• Liaise and collaborate with specialist tertiary centres, contributing to upper limb reviews and management plans where necessary.
• Maintain appropriate and accurate intervention records, fulfilling legal, professional, and all other legislative requirements.
• Contribute to child-related meetings and reports, including formulations, monthly meetings with parents, initial assessment reports, and discharge reports, assisting with timely collation in line with organizational targets.
• Assess for and organize the provision of necessary therapy equipment.
• Lead and deliver a 24-hour rehabilitation approach to embed participation and therapeutic aims into everyday care.
• Assess, evaluate, and recommend discharge/transition plans for children/young people within the multidisciplinary team framework.
• Be a positive and inspirational role model for all team members.

With experience working in a complex environment across a large and diverse workforce, you will be exceptionally organized, detail-oriented, and possess excellent interpersonal skills. You will also have the ability to consult and positively engage with key stakeholders across the organization.

Education Qualifications:

Essential:

• Recognized Occupational Therapy Degree/Postgraduate qualification or equivalent
• Health Professions Council - License to Practice
• Relevant postgraduate training/courses

Desirable:

• Registered Member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists

Experience:

Essential:

• Extensive postgraduate experience (approximately 4-5 years) with evidence of consolidation of core OT competencies in Paediatrics
• Relevant specialist experience post-qualification
• In-depth experience in Paediatric OT
• Community Paediatric experience

Desirable:

• Band 7 experience

Additional Staff Benefits:

This role is highly rewarding, and in addition to an attractive salary, the organization offers a valuable range of benefits, including a flexible benefits platform, on-site nursery, free eye tests, enhanced maternity and paternity pay, time-off days for those experiencing menopause symptoms, and time off for gender reassignment. Additional annual leave days are provided for long service, with entitlements ranging from 35 to 41 days (including bank holidays) depending on length of service. Other benefits include free on-site parking, a staff shuttle service from train stations, a subsidized cafeteria, a pension scheme, and the opportunity to develop your career in a supportive and collaborative environment.

To apply or for more information regarding the Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist role, please contact Janice Froggatt at janice.froggatt@merco.co.uk or call 0208 971 2974.