About this role
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated and experienced Band 7 Occupational Therapist to join the Chronic Pain and Rheumatology Team at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.
This role supports children and young people with persistent pain and rheumatological conditions to improve their daily function, participation in education and quality of life. The postholder will manage a complex clinical caseload, including children and young people with chronic musculoskeletal pain, pain amplification syndromes, activity avoidance, co-existing conditions and complex family circumstances.
Working as a core member of the MDT with psychologists, physiotherapists and consultants, contributing to the delivery of a high-quality, evidence-informed service that meets relevant national standards. The role is primarily outpatient based, with inpatient input as required. The team also deliver intensive rehabilitation programmes whereappropriate.
We welcome expressions of interest from Occupational Therapists currently working in a specialist chronic pain or rheumatology role, as well as experienced Occupational Therapists from adult pain services who can demonstrate transferable skills relevant to paediatric practice. Applicants should demonstrate leadership capability appropriate to Band 7 and, ideally, have completed postgraduate study or continuing professional development relevant to the speciality.
The post is permanent and 25.5 hours per week
Main duties of the job
Manage a highly specialist caseload of children and young people with chronic pain, pain amplification syndromes and rheumatological conditions.
Undertake specialist occupational therapy assessment, treatment planning, intervention and outcome evaluation to maximise function, participation, school attendance and quality of life.
Deliver a range of evidence-based interventions, including individual and group. programmes, functional rehabilitation and pain management approaches. Work collaboratively with children, families and the multidisciplinary team to develop and achieve person-centred goals. Provide professional support, supervision and leadership to colleagues, contributing to service delivery and workforce development. Lead or support training and education initiatives for staff, students and rotational therapists. Contribute to service evaluation, quality improvement and the ongoing development of the Rheumatology and Chronic Pain Service. Demonstrate effective clinical leadership, advanced clinical reasoning and multidisciplinary working at Band 7 level. Apply specialist knowledge and skills to support children and young people with complex presentations, including neurodiversity, mental health needs and challenging psychosocial circumstances.
About us
Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement.
Whether you're beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.You'll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.
At MFT, you'll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We'll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.
Job description Job responsibilities
IMPORTANT CANDIDATE INFORMATION
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Documents to download heading.
Explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place
To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place. This welcoming onestop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. Youll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.
To access Inside MFT Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the Documents to download heading and once opened, you can either scan QR code or click on the link provided.
Closing vacancy listings early
We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.
Diversity MattersMFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other.As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.
Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.
What is a DBS Check?
A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:
Standard DBS: Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.
Enhanced DBS: Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police thats considered relevant to the role.
Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the childrens and/or adults barred lists.
Who Needs a DBS Check
Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.
The Costs for a DBS
At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.
For more information about the cost of the various types of DBS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-fees-are-changing-in-december
DBS Update Service
Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.
Person Specification
Qualifications and registration Essential
Degree/Diploma in Occupational Therapy and HCPC registration
Knowledge and Experience Essential
Significant NHS post-qualification experience Substantial work experience in a senior position either in a paediatric setting or in a relevant specialist clinical area in an acute adult setting with paediatric input Highly specialist level of theoretical knowledge in Chronic pain and recent clinical experience Undertaken regular formal and informal postgraduate education & training in Chronic pain In-depth knowledge of children's health, social care and education legislation
Desirable
Active member of Specialist Interest Group Knowledge & experience of community provision of equipment & adaptations
Professional Characteristics Essential
Highly developed communication skills - oral/written Experience of managing highly complex caseload independently
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 Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Address Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
Oxford road
Manchester
M13 9WL
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)