Occupational Therapist

Job Title:  Paediatric Occupational Therapist 
Location:  Southampton City Council
Area:  Hampshire Social Services
Salary:  £negotiable 
Job Type:  Locum
Contract length:  Ongoing
Job details:  Children’s services. JD available on request:

• To support the Senior Occupational Therapist in delivering an Occupational Therapy Service within an integrated Health and Social Care team in line with Social Care statutory responsibility, and to assist with the provision of key service strands within Children and Families Service.
• To ensure that the Social Care Occupational Therapy Service maximises professional knowledge and expertise, is responsive and leads to positive outcomes for disabled children, young people and their carers.

Assessing, in conjunction with other members of the team and other related professional workers, disabled children and young people’s needs in relation to personal independence, in accordance with current legislation.
Under the direct of the Senior Occupational Therapist, deploy resources according to the appropriate assessment of risk within the department’s priorities and statutory requirements and that the thresholds for service intervention are met.
Assist the Senior Occupational Therapist in recruitment and developing Occupational Therapy Assistant staff.
Recommending and providing, where appropriate, specialised equipment and giving guidance to disabled children and young people’s and their carers in its use.
Promoting the Occupational Therapy service to users, colleagues and other agencies and to identify and contribute to future service developments.
To communicate effectively with clients and colleagues, to maintain written and electronic records in accordance with Directorate policies and to be aware of the Directorate’s ‘Access to Records’ policy.
To work closely with colleagues in health care teams, private and voluntary sectors and in other Directorates, in order to achieve the best possible outcomes.
To be responsible for the professional supervision of Occupational Therapy students and according to the requirements of the College of Occupational Therapists regarding student supervision.
To possess excellent manual handling skills/techniques and be able to share this expertise with colleagues, clients, and carers to ensure that legislative requirements are fulfilled.
Qulaifications/Skills/experience: Diploma of the College of Occupational Therapists or BSc Occupational Therapy or any qualifications recognised by WFOT. Registration with Health and Care Professions Council. Knowledge of the legislative framework within which Social Care Occupational Therapists work.
18 months post qualification experience of working as an Occupational Therapist in a Social Care or Health setting.
A sound awareness of the additional needs of children with complex disabilities.
An understanding of the minor and major disabled adaptations that can benefit children with complex disabilities.
An ability to solve environmental problems and an ability to do practical problem solving.
Ability to assess, recommend and provide, where appropriate, specialised children’s equipment and give guidance to clients and their carers in its use.
Ability to manage a demanding and complex caseload to agreed deadlines and timescales.
An understanding of the need to work within available departmental resources and budgetary limits.
Ability to think creatively and work under pressure particularly when working with high risk and conflict situations.
Willingness to explore new ways of working and service delivery and willingness to consult users and ensure that the service delivery reflects client choice.
Ability to manage time and conflicting demands and to prioritise work accordingly.
An ability to motivate self and recognise stress and employ appropriate measures to deal with it.
An ability to translate observations into written format, accurately define clinical reasoning and draft correspondence and reports to a good standard.
Good communicate skills and an ability to deal with difficult and conflict situations sensitively.
Ability to liaise successfully with colleagues in other sectors, health service and private and voluntary organisations.
Ability to work independently in a community setting.
Good team working skills.
A commitment to maintaining professional standards and good working practices.
Willingness to maintain up to date knowledge and undertake personal training.
To demonstrate an understanding of equality issues and how they affect the workplace and individual behaviours.
To have excellent IT skills related to role.
Code:  U. CSA 5256484. 011010.B13235