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Job summary

Main area
Occupational Therapy
Grade
Band 7
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
839-6638251-RB
Employer
Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Norwich Community Hospital / St James Clinic
Town
Norwich / Kings Lynn
Salary
£43,742 - £50,056 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
08/10/2024 23:59
Interview date
24/10/2024

Employer heading

Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust logo

NDS Lead Occupational Therapist

Band 7

NCH&C is proud to be the first standalone NHS community trust in the UK to achieve an ‘Outstanding’ rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Our focus is on continually improving the quality of care we offer to local people and on improving access to that care, helping people to move seamlessly from one service to another. Praising NCH&C’s “compassionate, inclusive and effective leadership at all levels”, the CQC observed that our staff are well supported to make positive changes and innovations.

Norfolk Community Health & Care NHS Trust is committed to continuing to create a modern and inclusive work environment. As part of this commitment we actively promote flexible working opportunities where possible, to meet the needs and wishes of our workforce to maintain and improve their wellbeing. The trust offers a range of flexibility, including flexible working patterns, and we would encourage you to discuss this with the recruiting manager before or during the application process if this would interest you.

We welcome applications from people who share our values and can help us deliver outstanding care in our local community.

Job overview

We are seeking a full-time specialist Band 7 Lead Occupational Therapist to join the Neurodevelopmental Service (NDS), part of our Outstanding community Children’s and Young People’s Services. You would be leading the development of the Occupational Therapy role within a dynamic multidisciplinary team delivering diagnostic assessment for young people with suspected Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). 

The role is a combination of patient facing work within the clinic, school or home environments and team leadership.  

You will be a core member of the leadership team supporting the needs of the service. As a Discipline Lead you will lead a small team of Occupational Therapists. The service is at an exciting time of development and as the band 7 Discipline Lead you will be involved in promoting the OT role within the team.

Office bases are either in Norwich or Kings Lynn, with travel expected across both sites. Flexible working is supported.

Main duties of the job

  • Supporting the NDS Clinical Lead in developing the OT pathway within service developments embedding professional standards of practice and up to date evidence base.
  • Identify future service development needs and contribute to recommendations for models of implementation.
  • Work in a timely and efficient way to meet service demands, encouraging and supporting other team members to do the same.
  • Clinical supervision, including specialist supervision around specific assessments requiring knowledge of sensory processing differences and impact on diagnostic decision making.
  • Leading a multidisciplinary sub-team.

You will also be responsible for supporting and supervising other disciplines within the team which may include newly qualified Clinical Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists, Nurses, and Assistant Practitioners.

You will be a key worker for a small caseload of young people in their assessment journey. This will include:

  • Delivering Autism and ADHD assessments using formal and informal assessment methods such as ADOS, school observations, early developmental history interviews.
  • Writing thorough and detailed reports to evidence diagnostic decision making.
  • Supporting clinicians with planning and delivery of care, and progress of young people through the diagnostic pathway.
  • Facilitate multidisciplinary discussions in order to reach diagnostic outcome following assessment.
  • Feedback to young people and their families the outcome of diagnostic assessment.

Working for our organisation

You will receive support from the NDS Clinical Psychologist/Clinical Lead and other NDS Discipline Leads.

Our supportive teams value innovation, foster development and are committed to improving the lives of the children and young people we work with. The post holder will benefit from being part of a supportive, experienced multidisciplinary team. Opportunities for personal and professional development exist through regular supervision; managerial and peer support, annual performance and development review, sharing of best practice and opportunities to lead on service development projects. There will be the opportunity to liaise with other specialist Occupational Therapists working within the Trust.

We strongly encourage informal visits and discussion prior to application. Please contact Cherie Clayton (01603 272463) if you are interested in booking an informal discussion.

Clinical Contacts:

Dr Stephanie Summers, Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Lead, [email protected], 01553 668712

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. To complete independent neurodevelopmental assessments, utilising highly specialised observation and assessment skills for those children referred with potential neurodevelopmental conditions in line with National Standards and NICE guidelines.

2. To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of own clinical work and the management of cases on own caseload.

3. To be responsible for most complex cases and the delegating of work to NDS multi-disciplinary colleagues.

4. Participate in administration and interpretation of specific assessment tools within neurodevelopmental assessment and communicate the results to the NDS MDT as part of the diagnostic clinical formulation.

5. Perform clinical observations of behaviour in clinical, educational, and home settings where necessary to assess for wide range of complex neurodevelopmental conditions.

6. To write detailed and comprehensive clinical reports to support diagnostic decision making.

7. To act as an expert Occupational Therapy resource within the service in respect of this client group, working autonomously to support families and other health care professionals.

8. Provide specialist knowledge, support and training to colleagues related to associated sensory processing differences in neurodevelopmental conditions. Support the team with complex clinical decision making around assessment outcomes.

9. To make clinical decisions around diagnostic outcomes using specialist knowledge and assessments and communicate the results to families and carers in a sensitive way.

10. Offer children, young people and their family’s information on a range of therapeutic approaches/strategies as part of their diagnosis feedback. Including awareness of signposting to relevant organisations.

11. To contribute to development of leaflets/ information regarding ADHD/ASD and associated needs.

12. To design, deliver and review specialist parent groups around ADHD and ASD. To lead on pre and post diagnosis groups for children.

13. To liaise with multi professional agencies and act as a specialist information, advisor, and training resource to colleagues in other services. To provide specialist knowledge, support and training to clinical colleagues, children, families, carers, schools, and other relevant agencies.

14. To attend various multi-agency meetings including safeguarding to advise, write reports and plan care, acting as the patient advocate when appropriate and to work in accordance with safeguarding children’s policies.

15. To promote patient and public involvement by involving patients, parents/ relatives in planning and delivery of care/ development of services

16. To contribute actively and regularly to the clinical training of undergraduate Occupational Therapists.

Leadership:

1. To provide leadership and clinical supervision to occupational therapy colleagues within NDS.

2. To work closely with clinical and team leads in service development ideas to develop the NDS services and quality of care delivery.

3. To liaise closely with clinical and team leads to plan occupational therapy input to the Neurodevelopmental Pathway.

4. To co-ordinate induction / training new staff.

5. To assist with recruitment to this specialist area.

6. To ensure the effective and efficient use of physical and financial resources.

7. To ensure the service is monitored on a regular basis and data is available as a record to provide statistical information to Neurodevelopmental Pathway Lead and others and to provide data to relevant local and national bodies to audit Neurodevelopmental service as appropriate.

8. Undertake Personal Development Plans and management supervision for other staff members.

9. Follow all Trust policies, local procedures, and use discretion in interpreting them according to the setting and circumstances.

10. Implement policies for the service, proposing changes to these, and advising other external agencies about these changes or developments.

11. Ensure absence reporting is undertaken as determined by Team Leader and Trust Policy.

12. Identify need for, and undertake, research and clinical audit, in order to improve effectiveness of patient care, service delivery identifying areas for improvement and initiate change.

13. Complete risk assessments and incident forms as required.

14. Be aware of performance and contribute as required.

15. Understand the Governance agenda and contribute as required.

16. Be aware of contractual arrangements, local and national, ensuring targets are met.

17. Adhere to the code of conduct for NHS managers.

18. Adhere to Trust Leadership Promise.

Clinical / Professional:

1. Maintain membership of HCPC.

2. Act in accordance with the HCPC and Royal Collage of Occupational Therapists code of conduct and professional standards.

3. Maintain up-to-date evidence of CPD showing relevant skills and knowledge and awareness of professional issues.

4. Ensure own compliance and compliance of others with regards to mandatory training, professional standards of practice and HCPC/BAOT requirements.

5. Participate in own annual Personal Development Review.

6. Take part in clinical supervision as per Trust Policy.

7. Complete the staff survey as required.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Current HCPC registration.
  • 1st level degree in Occupational Therapy, or equivalent experience or qualification.
  • Recognised post registration qualification in relevant speciality equivalent to Masters Level or equivalent experience.
  • Evidence of post graduate courses / CPD maintained portfolio.
Desirable criteria
  • Post graduate certificate in Sensory Integration, or equivalent.
  • Leadership training.
  • Membership of professional body.

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Evidence of multidisciplinary working.
  • Understanding of Neurodevelopment Disorders.
  • Sound knowledge of child development.
  • Experience of service development.
  • Commitment to delivering the highest standards and quality outcomes possible, always looking for ways to improve the service for young people and their families.
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of working / supporting people with neurodevelopmental differences.
  • Leadership role within team.
  • NHS experience.
  • Experience of OT student placements.

Skills, Abilities and Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Excellent observation and assessment skills.
  • Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
  • Ability to communicate sensitive information to young people, their families/carers, and staff.
  • Ability to work within multi-disciplinary team acting as advocate for occupational therapy.
  • Supervision role.
  • Confident use of IT systems for documentation and reporting.
Desirable criteria
  • Knowledge and understanding of sensory processing difference, for example, Sensory Integration Education – Sensory Integration modules.
  • ADOS qualified.
  • Knowledge of NICE guidance for ASD/ADHD.
  • Running or delivery of therapeutic groups.

Communication

Essential criteria
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Excellent verbal and written skills.
  • Able to innovate and influence service delivery.
  • Computer literate.

Personal and People Development

Essential criteria
  • Ability to manage independent clinics and own timetable.
  • Ability to make evidence-based decisions in highly complex situations within agreed protocols or guidelines.

Personal Attributes / Behaviours

Essential criteria
  • Professional appearance.
  • Effective observational, listening and analytical skills.
  • Able to communicate effectively using the English language in both written and verbal forms.

Other

Essential criteria
  • Must hold full and valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle to meet the requirements of the role.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Carers Friendly Tick award EmployersSunflower Hidden DisabilitiesApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveDisability confident leaderMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Care quality commission - OutstandingStep into healthArmed Forces Covenant Bronze AwardArmed Forces Covenant

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Stephanie Summers
Job title
Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Lead,
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01553 668712
Additional information

We strongly encourage informal visits and discussion prior to application. Please contact Cherie Clayton (01603 272463) if you are interested in booking an informal discussion.

Clinical Contacts:

Dr Stephanie Summers, Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Lead, [email protected], 01553 668712

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