Specialist Paediatric Occupational Therapist - Neonatal Follow-Up

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

This post is advertised as Welsh Desirable. Whilst the candidate doesn't need to have skills in Welsh, we'll consider it an advantage when short-listing and selecting candidates. This isn’t ‘fluency’, just Speaking & Listening skills at Level 3 (equivalent to CEFR B2) or above. Level 3 means being able to communicate in Welsh during routine clinical situations, such as welcoming patients, discussing straightforward aspects of their care and answering routine questions. If you’re comfortable holding everyday conversations in Welsh, we encourage you to apply. Your Welsh language skills will help us provide person-centred care and enable patients to receive services in their language of choice. Have a look at our ‘Croeso Candidate’ booklet below for more information. 

To manage own daily highly specialist/expert complex caseload as an autonomous practitioner.

Extensive post-graduate experience, with extensive experience related to early intervention and the principles of community neonatal care.

To act as a highly specialist clinical resource, disseminating expert information to Occupational Therapy colleagues, the general public and other health care professionals in both acute and community paediatric settings.

To undertake triage and highly complex assessments, using advanced levels of clinical reasoning to arrive at a differential diagnosis independently.

To provide direct advice for management and/or deliver intervention if appropriate e.g. performing highly skilled, technical physical techniques; using highly developed physical skills requiring a high degree of precision.

Lead the development of standards and outcome measurement for good practice with patients.

To be responsible for implementing change within own practice and influencing and monitoring standards of Occupational Therapy practice within the team.

Proactively engage with MDT colleagues to progress innovations and improvements in practice and service.

To be responsible for linking with relevant local and tertiary consultant clinics as an expert resource.

To work strategically and operationally with the Paediatric Occupational Therapy Manager in ensuring that clinical policies, procedures and guidelines meet the needs of the Occupational Therapy service.

The post holder will decide and be responsible for the allocation, and safe use, of resources in relation to individual patient care, e.g. physical equipment such as surgical appliances or nasopharyngeal suction, and the delegation of work to junior Occupational Therapy staff and Occupational Therapy HCSWs.

In conjunction with the Professional Lead to be responsible and delegate work to the Administrative Team.

Actively and positively participate in supervision and appraisal.

Communicates effectively and works collaboratively with colleagues of all professions, to ensure delivery of a co-ordinated multi-disciplinary service to the patient.

Communicates daily and in collaboration with consultant colleagues, General Practitioners and other AHP colleagues.

Uses a range of communication tools e.g., IT tools, presentation skills for training and teaching purposes.

The post holder will work within close multi/interdisciplinary teams to deliver specialist assessments, interventions and complex care planning.

Provide highly specialist advice regarding patient’s progress, current evidence-based practice, research and interpretation of clinical assessments / observations. 

Communicate highly complex and sensitive information to patients and their families dealing with very sensitive and distressing emotional issues.

Demonstrates highly advanced communication skills using a wide range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools. This will include patients/carers who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating, not have English as their first language, cognitive / perceptual difficulties or other communication impairments. To elicit cooperation and establish an appropriate assessment and intervention plan.

Respecting the dignity and rights of the baby and their family / carers.

Communicates regularly with other Occupational Therapy colleagues and the wider MDT. Carrying out joint sessions and mentoring to ensure own and others’ clinical practice is appropriate and informed.

Communicates effectively and works collaboratively with colleagues of all professions, to ensure delivery of a co-ordinated multi-disciplinary service to the patient.

To establish and maintain excellent communication networks with members of the MDT, statutory organisations, private and voluntary sector as appropriate when planning a patients assessment /intervention programme and discharge. Provide education to patients, carers / family, MDT about the management of health impairment – including the Developmental care of Neonates in the community.

Manage their own complex caseload efficiently and effectively, balancing other patient related and professional demands to meet departmental and organisational priorities.

Use highly advanced analytical skills to determine the appropriate course of action for each individual patient, signposting to the appropriate pathway.  This may include advice, developing a care package to be delivered by others, referral onwards to other AHP colleagues or direct Occupational Therapy.

On a daily basis, take a major role in the advanced assessment of highly complex presentations of patients referred to the Neonatal Follow-Up service.

Determine patient/carer understanding of multiple treatment proposals and produce plans in conjunction with the patient/carer. This will include the ability to gain valid informed consent and work within a legal framework with patients/carers.

Take a lead role in the education of post-graduate Occupational Therapy colleagues and other professions.  Imparting knowledge and skills, guiding further knowledge acquisition and acting as a mentor.

Regularly undertake research/audit within the Paediatric Occupational Therapy service, developing an advanced practice portfolio and implementing best practice in line with National Guidelines.

Use electronic systems to support the delivery of assessments and interventions, and enable the accurate collection, interpretation and analysis of data.

Maintain and store patient records and information in line with Health Board policy and GDPR.

Participate in regular reviews of the service in collaboration with the line manager; and modifies/develops policies, procedures, guidelines and protocols to enable service improvement. 

Influences and implements change within own practice; monitors standards of practice within the service.

Represent the Neonatal Follow-Up service and Paediatric Occupational Therapy to service users and other stakeholders when required.

Enable service user feedback to develop and improve the service for this patient group.

Be at the forefront of Occupational Therapy and interdisciplinary planning of Neonatal Follow-Up models and early intervention services.

Be responsible for the safe use of equipment used by self and others.

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click “Apply now” to view in Trac.