Specialist Occupational Therapist in Paediatrics

Job Overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for a detailed job description for the role.

Main duties of the job

Are you an OT wanting a new challenge? Keen to get some experience working with children?

Look no further -This is the job for you!

Due to maternity leave a rare and exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, motivated and dynamic occupational therapist to join our B6 OT Paediatric rotations for a 7-month fixed term position within the Children’s Therapy department in Southampton Children’s Hospital.

Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.

For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the ‘Job Description and Main Responsibilities’ section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached.

Working for our organisation

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to.

All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Specific to this role we are open to discussing flexibility in the hours that you work. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you need, and we will explore what’s possible for the role and service.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

The successful post holder will be embedded within the current B6 rotations, treating patients from birth-16 years within a variety of high care, ward, clinic and outpatient settings.

Rotations Are

• Neurology/ neurosurgery/ neurorehabilitation and neurodevelopmental. This includes Bursledon House, addressing children with physical and mental health needs.
• Orthopaedics including trauma, elective, and multi-level surgery, including pre admission assessments and equipment organisation, This would involve intensive early rehabilitation, discharge planning, goal setting.
  
  

The successful applicant will be supported by specialist B7 Paediatric Occupational Therapists, and Physiotherapists, allowing excellent opportunity for further developing clinical and theoretical skills. They will work in a dynamic and forward-thinking Therapy team participating in regular audits and teaching.

This post is part of the wider UHS Therapy services department, which includes over 300 OTs, Physios, and therapy support staff, across a 7-day service.

The Children’s Hospital is one of 10 largest children’s hospitals within the UK and located within University Hospital Southampton which is a large regional teaching hospital with links to the university and Welcome Trust research facility. Children’s services have been graded as ‘good’ by CQC. We have a vast range of Paediatric specialities including a level 3 PICU, and being a designated Major Trauma, neurosurgical, neuro-rehabilitation and cardiac centre.

The successful post holder will become an integral part of our 40 strong combined Paediatric Occupational and Physiotherapy Therapy team and wider Therapy services department of over 270wte staff.

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care

The successful applicant will be expected to work within our team philosophy, which is “We strongly believe in team working in a happy working environment. Workloads are shared and communication/ support is strongly encouraged. We are mutually responsible for the service and its development and expect everyone to carry out a certain level of responsibility.” It is a fast-paced environment where effective communication, prioritisation, and delegation skills are essential.

Good communication skills are key to enable close working relationships alongside a team of highly skilled Paediatric Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, therapy support staff ,as well as with the wider multi-disciplinary team.

The post holder must be able to build a good rapport with the children and their families/ carers to encourage participation and will be working with children with a wide range of presenting conditions including orthopaedic, mental health, neurological, and developmental needs.

The successful post holder should be an experienced B5 or 6 who is proactive, enthusiastic and have a definite desire to work within paediatrics. The post will require working in different environments that include high care areas, paediatric wards, neonatal unit, the therapy outpatient department, therapy gym, and children in our offsite rehabilitation centre Bursledon House. Car driver / ability to work between sites is essential, as is being able to manage workloads of children with complex manual handling and rehabilitation considerations, including working on the floor.

As an acute trust with unpredictable workloads, we are looking for someone with the ability to work under pressure, problem solve and prioritise tasks. They should be self-motivated and can work on their own or alongside other staff.

As caseloads can often include patients that are acutely unwell, we are looking for someone who has experience working in challenging and emotive situations with active coping strategies and resilience.

Essential Skills

• Hold an OT qualification and HCPC registration.
• Proven paediatric experience, however this does not need to be hospital-based experience.
• Has a broad range of experience of therapeutically treating people with a range of physical conditions.
• Working knowledge of NHS discharge planning process and pathways.
• Able to work flexibly as part a 7-day service, using a rota system with weekend/BH working expected.
• Has experience in assessing for, and fitting, a wide range of equipment, including pressure relief and hoists.
• Car driver / ability to work between sites.
• Can adapt to a fast-paced, ever-changing environment, with good time management skills.
• Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Enjoys and thrives when working within a team.
• On application form demonstrates a clear desire to work within UHS therapy services
• On application form demonstrates a clear desire to work with children
  
  

Desirable Skills

• Experience working in an acute hospital setting.
• Has undertaken audit/research/clinical project.
• Has experience in supervising other staff or students.
  
  

Due the unique nature of this post we welcome informal enquiries or visits – please contact Michelle Geary or Sadie Greenway on 02381204560

Please note that due to the need for practical, clinical skills assessments, interviews will be face-to-face and you need to be able to travel to the interview.

We look forward to hearing from you.

If you are interested in other Therapy opportunities, please email [email protected]

Person specification

Trust Values

Essential criteria

• Patients First
• Always Improving
• Working Together
  
  

Qualifications, Knowledge And Experience

Essential criteria

• Degree in Occupational Therapy or equivalent
• Current HCPC registration
• Experience with a variety of physical and mental health conditions/multiple pathology
• Experience of fitting a range of equipment
• Experience of working with support staff
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Experience in independently managing a caseload of patients
• Previous experience within relevant clinical area
  
  

Skills and competencies

Essential criteria

• Communication
• Time management
• Interpersonal skills