About this role
Job summary
University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) both have a level 2 Local Neonatal Unit, Gosset ward (LNU) at Northampton General Hospital and Local neonatal Unit at Kettering General Hospital.The Local neonatal Units provides intensive, high-dependency and special care from 27 weeks gestation, as part of the East Midlands Neonatal Operational Delivery Network (EMNON).
Admissions to the unit comprise both Northampton and Kettering -born babies and those born in other hospitals within EMNODN and referred for short-term intensive and high-dependency care.
We have an exciting opportunity for a highly specialist Occupational Therapist to join our expanding Neonatal Allied Health Professional Team. This newly created cross site role offers the chance to play a key part in shaping and developing an innovative service that supports babies and their families during some of the most critical stages of early development.
As part of a significant investment in the service, you will work alongside, Dieticians, psychologist, Speech and Language Therapy and Physiotherapy colleagues at UHN, and will be supported by a friendly, knowledgeable and highly collaborative neonatal multidisciplinary team.
Be part of developing a new neonatal OT service, helping to define its future direction.
Benefit from flexible working arrangements, which will be considered for the successful candidate.
Main duties of the job
To carry a designated clinical caseload including highly complex and diverse patient groups and prioritise that work efficiently,
Apply an enhanced level of understanding of the effect of preterm birth, perinatal problems and congenital disabilities on the development and occupations of infants and their families
Assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of individualised infant and family-centre developmental care, using evidence-based practice to support clinical outcomes as appropriate,
Detailed occupation-based, neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioural observations of infants using specialist skills to assess physiological, motor, sensory, state regulation and cognitive behaviours
Use advanced clinical assessments including Prechtl General Movements Assessment, Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Neonatal Behavioural Assessment Scale (NBAS), Newborn Individualised Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP).
Provide specialist support for colleagues and the families of babies in managing expectations around potential recovery,
Support discharge planning and transitions to paediatric, outpatient and community services for caseload
To advise nursing staff on individualised neonatal programmes, including but not exclusive to: positioning, developmental activities, stretching exercises, equipment use, self-soothing strategies, environmental management, etc.
About us
Please submit your application as soon as possible, as we reserve the right to close adverts once sufficient applications have been received.
We recognise that AI tools can support application writing; however, candidates are asked to keep their use to a minimum. Responses should reflect your own experience, skills and knowledge, as over-reliance on AI-generated content may result in generic answers that do not accurately represent your abilities.
University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) brings together Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust. As a group, we are committed to improving services for our communities through collaboration, modernising care delivery and striving for excellence. Working together enables us to share expertise, strengthen services and create greater opportunities, and there may be a requirement to work across sites depending on service needs.
Our Excellence Values are Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Integrity and Courage. UHN welcomes applications from all backgrounds and is committed to an inclusive working environment. We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and hold the Gold Award under the Employer Recognition Scheme. Candidates who identify as members of the Armed Forces community and meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview.
Job description Job responsibilities
For a full list of all roles and responsibilities please refer to the attached job description and person specification.
Person Specification
Qualifications/ Education/ Registration Essential
Recognised Occupational Therapy Degree or equivalent HCPC Registration Evidence of Continuing Professional Development including attendance at recent post graduate courses relevant to the clinical field
Desirable
Relevant specialist training courses e.g. FINE, NBO/NBAS, Prechtl General Movements, Sensory training Completion of HEE Modules (Introduction to Neonatal Care and Occupational Therapy modules) Membership of relevant clinical excellence networks E.G. Royal College of Occupational Therapy Neonatal Community
Experience Essential
Significant experience in paediatric Occupational Therapy post qualification Experience working with neonates and infants and/or children with complex needs Experience in developing the OT's role Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team
Desirable
Experience of work at Band 7 level Experience working in a neonatal or acute setting Experience of using a wide range of different infant assessments e.g. Bayley Scales of Infant Development, NBO, NBAS, AIMS, Prechtl General Movement Assessment Experience in collecting and evaluating audits and quality improvement projects Experience in the training and education of others (i.e., carers, staff and educators)
Knowledge and Skills Essential
Knowledge of processes and policies relating to work in a neonatal setting e.g. safeguarding, developmental/educational needs, RCOT guidelines etc. Application of Occupational Therapy models of practice and evidence based practice. Knowledge of child development, common neonatal and paediatric conditions and in-depth knowledge of developmental disabilities and factors influencing early infant development Knowledge of assessment tools and interventions/approaches relevant to neonatal and/or paediatric care. Able to use coaching strategies to support parent participation in caring for infant Excellent interpersonal skills - including observation, listening and empathy skills Ability to analyse tasks and activities, synthesise findings and develop goal orientated treatment plans. Ability to interpret and apply evidence based practice in clinical work Excellent presentation skills, both written and verbal Understanding of the roles of other professionals working on the neonatal unit
Other Essential
oAdherence to College of Occupational Therapy, HCPC guidelines and codes of ethics and professional conduct.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship 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).
Employer details Employer name Northampton General Hospital
Address University Hospitals of Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire
Northampton
NN1 5BD
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)