Paediatric Occupational Therapy Technician
We are recruiting to a part-time Paediatric Occupational Therapy Technician, Band 4 position based in Ipswich.
Occupational Therapists work with children and young people who have difficulties or a disability, providing assessment, advice, and intervention to enable children from birth to 19 years to participate safely and as fully as possible in activities and education as part of their daily life.
We work closely with other NHS therapy services, education, social care, and a wide range of other care providers to ensure that children receive the support they need.
As a technician with the Paediatric OT Team, the role will focus on undertaking specific skilled support work directed by the therapists to aid the management of complex children with a wide range of physical, long-term, and deteriorating disabilities. All necessary training will be offered to the new post holder.
The role is based in the community, working within homes, clinics, special and mainstream schools, and nurseries with children aged 0-19 years.
Main Duties of the Job
The successful candidate will be a part of the Paediatric Occupational Therapy Team and will work independently under the supervision of qualified therapists, supporting clinicians to provide occupational therapy to children and families. Close patient contact and communication within the Occupational Therapy and wider multi-disciplinary team is fundamental to the role. The successful candidate will need to demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills and a positive attitude to self-directed learning. Some experience in a health or care or educational environment would be advantageous. The role requires empathy, sensitivity, and excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
The post-holder will regularly be required to set up and adjust specialist equipment used by children and young people as part of a programme of 24-hour postural management and will keep accurate records of work undertaken using our online electronic record-keeping system.
All necessary training will be offered to the new post holder. We offer a strong supervision structure with regular training opportunities, including access to external courses.
About Us
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community.
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat, and support people in hospital, at home, and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit, and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients, and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety, and teamwork guide how we work and behave as a team.
With nearly 5,000 staff from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyone's voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?
Job Responsibilities
Frequent travel is an essential part of this role - You will need to travel across a wide area of rural Suffolk, so you must either hold a full, current driving licence or meet the mobility requirements of the role through other reasonable and suitable means.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
* Good general level of education to GCSE level or equivalent (particularly English & Maths)
* Computer literate with good basic IT skills
* NVQ level 3 or equivalent in a care/health-related subject
* Knowledge of child development
* Knowledge of safeguarding children
Experience and Knowledge
* Experience of working with children and families
* Good communication skills with children and adults
* Ability to communicate with children with impaired social communication skills
* Able to demonstrate an understanding of Health & Safety legislation for self and others, including manual handling legislation
* Awareness of local services, voluntary organisations, etc.
Skills and Abilities
* Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team
* Ability to work under pressure
* Able to use own initiative
* Ability to work alone
* Team worker who is able to prioritise efficiently
* Flexible approach to working hours
* Able to relate to children and parents/carers with different lifestyles and values
* Awareness of limitations
* Motivated
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.
Team Lead Paediatric Occupational Therapy
£26,530 to £29,114 a year Pro rata per annum
#J-18808-Ljbffr