NDS Lead Occupational Therapist

Job 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 familys 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 childrens 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.

Qualifications

Essential

• 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

• Post graduate certificate in Sensory Integration, or equivalent.
• Leadership training.
• Membership of professional body.

Experience

Essential

• 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

• Experience of working / supporting people with neurodevelopmental differences.
• Leadership role within team.
• NHS experience.
• Experience of OT student placements.

Skills, Abilities and Knowledge

Essential

• 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

• 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

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

Personal and People Development

Essential

• 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

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

Other

Essential

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

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).