Senior Neonatal Occupational Therapist
Exciting opportunity for a permanent band 6 neonatal occupational therapist to join the existing neonatal OT and wider MDT teams covering the neonatal units. At Denmark Hill site we have a 36 bedded busy, surgical NICU including neurology, neurosurgical, surgical, gastroenterology, and respiratory specialties as well as extreme prematurity. On the Princess Royal site there is a 15 bedded Local Neonatal Unit (LNU) including general medical, moderate prematurity and respiratory support needs. We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic specialist occupational therapist to join our existing team to provide services to these units, support projects and work together with the wider MDT. The OT will join our well established Neonatal Therapy Team, and will be based at Denmark Hill but provide services cross site. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced OT wishing to gain experience and continue to specialise in this growing area. Applicants should have HCPC registration and be able to demonstrate wide experience in working with children and infants. Continuing professional development is encouraged through the appraisal system and there is a well-established in-service education programme. Attendance at post registration courses is supported and there are comprehensive library and computer facilities on site. We invite applications from HCPC-registered OTs with experience in paediatrics. This is a specialist static Band 6 Occupational Therapy post within the Multi-disciplinary neonatal therapy team at King’s College Hospital. The post holder will work with the Band 8 OT and Band 7 OTs in ensuring that a high quality and effective OT service is provided to the neonatal units at Denmark Hill and PRUH sites. This post will focus on developmental care and early intervention across the neonatal units, as well as neurodevelopmental follow-up for high risk infants. The Neonatal Unit provides specialist medical and surgical services to premature and sick newborn infants requiring intensive care, high dependency care, special care and community care. The post holder will be supported to develop specialist knowledge and skills to manage this complex patient group. The post requires a flexible approach to working and an ability to work closely as part of a multi-disciplinary therapy team. King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and around 15,000 staff based across 5 main sites in South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local hospital services across its different sites, and specialist services from King’s College Hospital (KCH) sites at Denmark Hill in Camberwell and at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) site in Bromley. King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. The trust-wide strategy Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (EDI) at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we can take Team King’s to another level. King’s is dedicated to embracing the broad diversity of our staff, patients and communities and stand firmly against all forms of prejudice and discrimination. This includes, but is not limited to, racism, ableism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, sexism, ageism, religious discrimination, and any other prejudiced behaviour that undermines the rights, wellbeing and identity of our staff, and patients. Clinical To be supported in carrying a designated clinical caseload including highly complex and diverse patient groups and prioritise that work effectively, taking into account clinical and service priorities using specialist knowledge to underpin decisions. To be competent to use standardised screening tools and outcome measures specific to a neonatal population. To be able to identify infants at risk of neuro- development difficulties and manage as appropriate To use evidence based/client and family centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions. To work with patients/families to identify OT goals as part of the overall care plan, using specialist OT assessment tools. To provide and prescribe individual patient equipment as required, such as specialist seating, upper limb splints and small aids. To issue such equipment with due regard to safety of the equipment, and in line with legal, national and local guidelines To keep up to date with new developments and changing trends in OT. To monitor, evaluate and modify treatment in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention. To apply a competent level of understanding of the effect of disability and provide training and advice on lifestyles changes and adaptations to the clients social and physical environment. To assess the occupational needs of a defined patient group and establish and evaluate appropriate OT interventions. To write Occupational Therapy reports for referring hospitals, Social Services and other agencies detailing functional status, discharge recommendations, and recommendations regarding ongoing Occupational Therapy intervention. To liaise and refer onto local hospitals, community therapy teams, Social Services and other agencies to ensure continuity of care. To actively participate in areas of service development and keep abreast of new techniques in relation to the management of the patients in this specialty particularly in line with any national guidance. Communication To be able to support and motivate patients through effective communication skills. To be skilled in communicating with parents and families including those with learning difficulties and/or challenging behaviour. Provide patients, families and other carers with specialist advice or instruction to promote the understanding of the aims of occupational therapy and to ensure consistent patient management, including the use of specialist equipment, such as special seating or orthotics. To provide and receive information from patients, carers and other professionals regarding a patients condition and treatment progress. This will include the sharing and receiving of some complex and/or sensitive information. To communicate effectively with patients and carers to maximize rehabilitation potential and to improve understanding of the condition which will require the appropriate response to the patients’ level of communication, facilitating the best possible communication outcome e.g. use of interpreters. To establish robust communication networks with patients, carers, agencies MDT members and other agencies. To promote awareness of the role of OT within the team, negotiating priorities where appropriate. To be integral in discharge planning including liaison with staff in referring hospitals or community staff, to which patients are discharged for further rehabilitation, providing timely discharge reports. To take an active part in departmental meetings. Documentation To ensure that up to date written and electronic records and activity data are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards and provide specialist OT reports relevant to practice setting. Professional Ethics To comply with the RCOT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and national and local policies and procedures. Training Staff \& Students To contribute to the induction and training of students and other staff within the Trust where required. To be responsible for the supervision and written assessment of OT students on practice placement within the Trust. To actively participate in the in-service training programme both within OT and MDT. Service Development \& Delivery To participate in the development, implementation and review of the occupational therapy service to the neonatal unit. To participate in the operational planning and implementation of policy and service development within your team, leading on delegated projects. To participate in the delivery of the OT service objectives and development plan. To advice on resources to carry out the job. To carry out routine admin duties as required. To be aware of the cost/benefit implications in the selection of appropriate equipment to be provided for patient long-term use as an individual and by the team. Professional Development To review and reflect on own practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision and appraisal. To apply skills and knowledge in order to establish professional competence and fitness to practise as a paediatric OT within a specialist area. To demonstrate ongoing personal development through participation in internal and external development opportunities, recording learning outcomes in a portfolio. Clinical Governance, Quality Standards To contribute to the formulation of departmental policies and procedures and participate in agreed developments in the service or its organisation. To participate in the clinical audit cycle. To have a knowledge of Clinical Governance and participate in clinical effectiveness and audit within the department. Contribute to the Trust’s Directorate’s and teams clinical governance arrangements and quality agenda, including the setting and monitoring of practice standards as appropriate. To apply national guidelines/legislation relating to health and social care in the NHS service provision Research \& Practice Development To participate in audit projects relevant to OT and/or service area, disseminating findings at local level. To demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate current research, apply them to practice and disseminate findings at a local level. To actively participate in journal club presentations People Management and Performance To instruct and supervise Occupational Therapy Students and Therapy Assistants and Technicians when appropriate, according to their training and development needs, as identified through regular supervision and performance appraisal. Participate in regular performance appraisal meetings and ensure a clear set of objectives and development plans are in place. Assist Clinical Lead to ensure overall wellbeing of the team is maintained. Continuously support in improving the morale of the team and implementing a culture of zero-tolerance for bullying and harassment Safe Guarding The Trust takes the issues of Safeguarding Children, Adults and addressing Domestic Abuse very seriously. All employees have a responsibility to support the organisation in our duties by; attending mandatory training on safeguarding children and adults familiarising themselves with the Trust's processes for reporting concerns reporting any safeguarding child or adult concerns appropriately Infection Control Statement The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene procedures and requirements when in clinical areas. The post holder has an important responsibility for and contribution to make to infection control and must be familiar with the infection control and hygiene requirements of this role. These requirements are set out in the National Code of Practice on Infection Control and in local policies and procedures which will be made clear during your induction and subsequent refresher training. These standards must be strictly complied with at all times. King’s college Hospital is a large teaching hospital providing specialist tertiary services as well as serving a large multi-cultural local population. The Children’s hospital, embedded within King’s, is a specialist centre for trauma, CF, liver and small bowel transplant, neurosurgery, and neonatal surgery and medicine. The neonatal service includes a surgical Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Denmark Hill site and a Local Neonatal Unit (LNU) at PRUH site. The NICU at the Denmark Hill site provides services to the local community as well as internal transfers for specialist neonatal services including neurosurgery, neurology, liver and bowel surgery, and general surgery. The neonatal therapy team is organised under the Therapy and Rehabilitation Integrated Care Services (TRICS) lead by the professional heads of service.