About this role
Job summary
We are excited to offer a newly created Band7 post within our Children's Autism Diagnostic Pathway.
Working within the multidisciplinary team to:
Apply advanced clinical knowledge to assess, diagnoseautismand complex communicationneeds
Lead on care pathway development and clinical protocols
Deliver specialist training and supervision to colleagues and students
Champion neuro - affirming, inclusive communication practices
We are embarking on major redesign of our neurodevelopmental pathways to reduce waiting times and improve patient experiences.You'llbe instrumental in shaping service delivery, ensuring it isresponsive,equitableand aligned with NICE guidance and best practice.
We areseekinga warm, empathetic,clinically confident,inclusive and equity mindedspeech and language therapist who hassignificant experienceworking with children with autism and complex communication needs.
You'llbe part of a supportive team that values yourexpertise, encourages innovation, and invests in your professional growth. Weare committed to supporting your professional growth. As part of this role, you will receive training in autism assessment tools, including ADOS.This will equip you with the skills to contribute confidently to differential diagnosis and multidisciplinary assessment.
Main duties of the job
This role supports the clinical and operational leadership for the Autism Diagnostic Pathway, working closely with the Autism Clinical Pathway AHP and MDT Lead. The post holder will support the development and implementation of efficient, NICE-compliant ways of working aligned to best practice and the local ASC core offer, in partnership with medical, nursing and AHP colleagues. They will take a delegated lead in developing care pathways, service protocols and clinical guidelines, and use advanced specialist OT expertise to contribute to differential diagnosis within the MDT. The role involves independent assessment, diagnosis and management of children and young people with social communication needs, providing second opinions where required, and ensuring care is integrated, evidence-based and population-responsive. The post holder will also provide supervision and deliver specialist training to support pathway quality and sustainability.
About us
Please refer to the Applicant Guide via the link below for key information:- Applying to LGT Guide - Key Information for Applicants
Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:
Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development Widening access (anchor institution) and employability Improving the experience of staff with disability Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development Making equalities mainstream
Job description Job responsibilities
For more detailed information about the job and main responsibilities see the attached job description and person specification.
Person Specification
Qualifications and training Essential
Recognised Occupational Therapy Degree or equivalent Successful completion of additional specialist training relevant to this area Health and Care Professions Council - Licence to Practice Leadership and/or supervisory training
Desirable
Membership of relevant Clinical interest groups Registered as a member of the Royal College Of Occupational Therapists
Experience Essential
Significant post-qualification experience working with children with a wide range of challenges with participating in daily activities. Significant experience of working with children with autism and related including referral for autism assessment Experience of multiagency and multidisciplinary collaboration and/or working Experience of service development Experience of developing and delivering training for others
Desirable
Experience of diagnosing and/or contributing to diagnosis of autism Experience of writing/guidelines protocols/standing operating procedures/or policies
Knowledge Essential
Understanding of National Service Frameworks and NICE guidance relevant to client group/care setting and its application across healthcare and educational settings Extensive knowledge of a broad range of assessment and diagnostic tools relevant to the specialist clinical area
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).
Employer details Employer name Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
Address Kaleidoscope
32 Rushey Green
Catford
SE6 4JF
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)