About this role
Job summary
The Ealing Paediatric Occupational Therapy (OT) Service is responsible for the provision of the Occupational Therapy Service to children and young people who have an Ealing GP. The service covers a wide range of community settings including local Special Schools, Children's Centres / Nurseries, Mainstream Schools, Health Centres / Clinics and clients' homes.
The post holder will be primarily based at Armstrong Way and/or Carmelita House (see above) for administrative duties and at other community sites (see above) for clinical work within the London Borough of Ealing. The service reserves the right to require the post holder to work and base from any other settings with mutual agreement.
Main duties of the job
An Occupational Therapy Technician is required to join our dynamic paediatric Occupational Therapy team at least 4 days a week. The post holder will be working alongside a large team of Paediatric Occupational Therapists to provide guided Occupational Therapy (OT) input to children and young people with special needs and disability including those with Social Communication Disorders, Profound to Moderate Learning Disabilities and Physical Disabilities within community services and / or special school's environment.
This post will involve mainly working in nurseries, mainstream schools, special schools and clinics. Our service is keen to focus on evidence based family-centred care principles, and applying best practice guidelines to enable occupational participation. We are open to new ideas and constantly reviewing and modifying the way we work. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, we have been operating a hybrid face-to-face and remote working service delivery model.
About us
Ealing Paediatric Occupational Therapy Service is looking for a motivated, flexible and innovative individual to work with children and young people in Ealing. We are a friendly, dynamic and innovative team who are passionate about supporting children, young people and families in Ealing. We work with a diverse population group across health, education and social care. We are currently based at Armstrong Way (1 Armstrong Way, Southall, UB2 4SD) but we are expected to return to our main base at Carmelita House (21-22 The Mall, Ealing, London, W5 2PJ), which is off Ealing Broadway, when the renovation is completed in 2027.
The team has been highly successful in getting funding from different agencies, and have a team of more than 23 staff. We have a strong professional structure with Clinical Leads (Band 8a) and Advanced Therapists (Band 7), each leading on different aspects of service delivery. There are also Band 6 & 5 Therapists and Band 3 Technicians. We have regular in-house and external CPD opportunities and a strong supervision structure.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and highly committed individual to work on a fixed-term 24-month role. Any previous experience of working in a team or school will be an advantage. Regular supervision and support will be provided.
Please note that the post does not meet the application criteria for the trust's Golden Hello and Relocation package.
Job description Job responsibilities
1. To work as an autonomous OT Technician (OTT) delivering pre-formulated OT input to children, young people and families/carers in community sites allocated by the Occupational Therapist.
2. To maintain liaison between school staff, other professionals, families/carers and Occupational Therapy staff.
3. Basic equipment management with support from the Occupational Therapist.
4.To monitor inventory of sensory-based and other therapeutic equipment and to notify the Occupational Therapist / school if items needs to be ordered. To complete appropriate orders.
5. To work flexibly and liaise appropriately with the multi-disciplinary team, including attendance at meetings as directed.
6. To undertake delegated tasks from the Occupational Therapist.
7. To communicate effectively with children and young people, their carers / family members, school staff and other professionals.
8. To hold responsibility for, and manage daily allocated caseload using effective prioritisation and time management skills, and to seek senior support if issues arise.
9. To be professionally and legally responsible for own practice and accountable for all aspects of treatment delivered to the child to ensure a high standard of clinical care. This would include joining The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) as an associate member.
10. To deliver OT input in collaboration with the child/young person, family and carers, respecting their diversity, ethnicity, cultural and religious beliefs and their right to informed consent in all areas of service delivery.
11. To be aware of limitations to practice and seek advice and guidance from Senior practitioners/therapists as needed.
12. To be responsible for the safekeeping and confidentiality of electronic and paper records including the use of the Trust electronic patient records system e.g. SystmOne.
13. To carry out administration tasks in a timely manner e.g. filing, typing, data input, uploading documents, distribution of reports and programs, responding to verbal / written queries etc.
14. To adhere to Legal and Trust policies and procedures e.g. Infection Control and Manual Handling etc.
15. To be responsible for the care and maintenance of equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained e.g. cleaning toys following protocol between sessions.
16. To access clinical and management supervision sessions on a regular basis and appraisal on an annual basis.
17. To ensure that all statutory and mandatory training is kept up to date and recorded on the Trust database e.g. LDZ.
The above list is not exhaustive. Please refer to attached Job Description.
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications Essential
oGCSE's or A levels or equivalent oNVQ Level 2 or equivalent in relevant subjects e.g. direct care biology, social care
Desirable
oNVQ Level 3 oPractical and teaching knowledge to NVQ Level 3 plus knowledge skills development, group working for patient group - to diploma equivalent level
Knowledge & Experience Essential
oKnowledge of the role of an occupational therapy technician in supporting the work of a multidisciplinary team. oDemonstrated previous training/experience relevant to working with vulnerable people relevant to this role. oDemonstrated previous experience in implementing and/or demonstrating prescribed programs to clients, carers or other staff. oDemonstrated applied knowledge and understanding of confidentiality. oAbility to recognize and respect different cultural, religious and personal beliefs/experiences of colleagues and clients. oWorking knowledge of data protection legislation. oUnderstanding of the challenges facing children and young people with disability and their families.
Desirable
oPrevious experience in the provision of OT input. oUnderstanding of the role of Teaching Assistants in the special school environment. oExperience in implementing and/or demonstrating prescribed OT programs to children, young people, carers or staff. oExperience of working with children and young people with disability and/or long term conditions. oExperience of working with children and young people in a different capacity.
Skills, Abilities & Attributes Essential
oAbility to use initiative and know limitations of knowledge/skills and refer as appropriate. oAbility to work autonomously without direct supervision and be accountable for own work. oExcellent organisational and time management skills and ability. Be punctual and trustworthy. oAble to travel across the Borough in a timely manner when required. oAssesses clients' responses to activities and decides on appropriate action e.g. advise Occupational Therapist, summon assistance, alter programme of activities. oIT literacy i.e. internet, email, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, videoconferencing platforms. oDemonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills in English. oAbility to communicate with staff and other agencies at all levels. oAbility to communicate with children and their families under challenging circumstances and/or presence of communication barriers. oAbility to demonstrate sensitivity, tact, and empathy when working with children and their families. oAbility to maintain composure and function calmly in challenging situations. oDemonstrate commitment to self-development through attendance at team meetings, mandatory and in-service training. oAbility and willingness to be flexible in approach to work and be responsive to changes in demand.
Desirable
oHold a valid UK car license. oAccess to a car or a bike for work purposes.
Physical Skills Essential
oAbility to attend work activities in person. oDemonstrated ability to complete complex physical skills required, involving the manipulation of objects and people with narrow margins for error. E.g. manual handling, manipulating Allen-keys. oDemonstrated ability to exert moderate physical effort for several short periods during the working day. E.g. moving & handling clients with mechanical aids including hoists; manoeuvring clients into position for intervention and personal care purposes; moving & handling heavy pieces of adaptive equipment safe.
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).
Employer details Employer name Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Address West London NHS Trust Headquarters, Ealing OT Service
1 Armstrong Way
Southall
UB2 4SD
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/work (Opens in a new tab)