Job summary
An exciting opportunity to set up occupational therapy on our Neonatal units at University Hospitals of Leicester!
This post (30 hours/ week) will work with a newly appointed Physiotherapist to introduce a Therapy service to the NNUs, a new speciality to add to existing Children's Hospital Therapy Team. The post covers the neonatal units at both Leicester Royal Infirmary and Leicester General Hospital, implementing the therapeutic approach in both settings.
You will provide specialist assessment and early intervention for sensory, motor, attention, regulation and play development to support the infant to reach their development potential.
You will also support the parent-infant relationship, helping parents to understand and respond to behavioural cues and signs of stress, helping infants to regulate their body systems andparticipate in co-occupations such as sleeping, feeding, and early interaction
You will be responsible for supporting the infants and their families in participating in developmentally appropriate and meaningful co-occupations, using an individualised approach to assessment and intervention.
Teaching and training of staff of all professions across the NNU forms part of this post.
Main duties of the job
You will develop care pathways and integrate developmental surveillance programmes, working closely with the clinical specialist Physiotherapist for neonatal care and build relationships with services in the wider communities including therapists, community paediatricians, social care, and health visitors.
You will develop close links with community therapy services to ensure smooth transitions of care and support on discharge from the unit.
They will work with the clinical specialist Physiotherapist to develop and drive the therapy service, identifying areas for growth and development, develop close working relationships with therapy colleagues covering paediatric intensive care (PICU) and the East Midlands Congenital Heart Centre (EMCHC), supporting the knowledge and skills development of more junior staff.
You will be able to identify and develop opportunities for quality improvement and efficiencies alongside the Therapy Clinical Team Leader and Therapy Speciality Lead
The successful applicant will work alongside the established Childrens Therapy team, which includes our Clinical Specialists that work within the following specialities, Cystic Fibrosis, Long Term Ventilation, Intensive Care/ High Dependency, Acute Paediatrics, East Midlands Congenital Heart Centre, Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia, Outpatients, Paediatric Rheumatology, Regional CYP Post Covid Service and Paediatric Obesity Management (CEW) service shared with Nottingham.
About us
We are one of the biggest and busiest NHS trusts in the country, incorporating the General, Glenfield and Royal Infirmary hospitals. We have our very own Children's Hospital and run one of the country's leading heart centres.
Our team is made up of more than 17,000 staff providing a range of services primarily for the one million residents of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
We work with partners at the University of Leicester and De Montfort University providing world-class teaching to nurture and develop the next generation of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals, many of whom go on to spend their working lives with us.
Our purpose is to provide 'Caring at its best' and our staff have helped us create a set of values that embody who we are and what we're here to do. They are:
- We focus on what matters most
- We treat others how we would like to be treated
- We are passionate and creative in our work
- We do what we say we are going to do
- We are one team and we are best when we work togethe
Our patients are at the heart of all we do and we believe that 'Caring at its best' is not just about the treatments and services we provide, but about giving our patients the best possible experience.
About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust: (leicestershospitals.nhs.uk)
Job description
Job responsibilities
Occupational Therapists promote infant neurodevelopment on the neonatal unit by empowering parents/caregivers to provide developmentally supportive care, considering adaptations tothe environment to promote an optimal sensory experience for brain development.
They support the parent-infant relationship, helping parents to understand and respond to behavioural cues and signs of stress, helping infants to regulate their body systems andparticipate in co-occupations such as sleeping, feeding, and early interaction.
Occupational Therapists provide specialist assessment and early intervention for sensory, motor, attention, regulation and play development to support the infant to reach their development potential.
Early intervention and individualised infant care, using a Family Integrated Care approach on the Neonatal Unit (NNU) aims to reduce the developmental risks for infants born prematurely or with perinatal problems.
The Specialist Neonatal Occupational Therapist will use highly specialist skills to manage their own complex caseload, working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team.
They will be responsible for supporting the infants and their families in participating in developmentally appropriate and meaningful co-occupations, using an individualised approach to assessment and intervention.
They will support timely discharge and provide anticipatory guidance to ease transition to home.
Teaching and training of staff of all professions across the NNU forms part of this post.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Occupational Therapists promote infant neurodevelopment on the neonatal unit by empowering parents/caregivers to provide developmentally supportive care, considering adaptations tothe environment to promote an optimal sensory experience for brain development.
They support the parent-infant relationship, helping parents to understand and respond to behavioural cues and signs of stress, helping infants to regulate their body systems andparticipate in co-occupations such as sleeping, feeding, and early interaction.
Occupational Therapists provide specialist assessment and early intervention for sensory, motor, attention, regulation and play development to support the infant to reach their development potential.
Early intervention and individualised infant care, using a Family Integrated Care approach on the Neonatal Unit (NNU) aims to reduce the developmental risks for infants born prematurely or with perinatal problems.
The Specialist Neonatal Occupational Therapist will use highly specialist skills to manage their own complex caseload, working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team.
They will be responsible for supporting the infants and their families in participating in developmentally appropriate and meaningful co-occupations, using an individualised approach to assessment and intervention.
They will support timely discharge and provide anticipatory guidance to ease transition to home.
Teaching and training of staff of all professions across the NNU forms part of this post.
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma/BSc (hons)/MSc in Occupational Therapy
- HCPC Registration
- Evidence of recent CPD specific to the speciality clinical area
Desirable
- Evidence of undertaking relevant validated or accredited course at post graduate or masters level and or experience working to this level
Experience
Essential
- Significant post graduate clinical experience within a relevant specialist area to the equivalent of Master degree level
- Previous employment as a senior therapist in a relevant specialist area
- Evidence of experience in teaching within Occupational Therapy and the wider MDT
Desirable
- Experience of audit/clinical evaluation/outcome measures
- Member of Special Interest Group
Analytical and Judgement skills
Essential
- Evidence of ability to evaluate, analyse and resolve issues and problems.
- Evidence of ability to evaluate own and others practice and bring about change
Planning and organisation skills
Essential
- Demonstrates effective coping skills for dealing with pressurised and unexpected situations.
- Demonstrates a flexible and innovative approach to meet service needs
Desirable
- Evidence of willingness to take on new responsibilities and projects
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential
- Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
Other requirements specific to the role
Essential
- Express enthusiasm for post and desire to work in clinical area
Person Specification
Training & Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma/BSc (hons)/MSc in Occupational Therapy
- HCPC Registration
- Evidence of recent CPD specific to the speciality clinical area
Desirable
- Evidence of undertaking relevant validated or accredited course at post graduate or masters level and or experience working to this level
Experience
Essential
- Significant post graduate clinical experience within a relevant specialist area to the equivalent of Master degree level
- Previous employment as a senior therapist in a relevant specialist area
- Evidence of experience in teaching within Occupational Therapy and the wider MDT
Desirable
- Experience of audit/clinical evaluation/outcome measures
- Member of Special Interest Group
Analytical and Judgement skills
Essential
- Evidence of ability to evaluate, analyse and resolve issues and problems.
- Evidence of ability to evaluate own and others practice and bring about change
Planning and organisation skills
Essential
- Demonstrates effective coping skills for dealing with pressurised and unexpected situations.
- Demonstrates a flexible and innovative approach to meet service needs
Desirable
- Evidence of willingness to take on new responsibilities and projects
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential
- Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
Other requirements specific to the role
Essential
- Express enthusiasm for post and desire to work in clinical area
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
