Advanced Paediatric Physiotherapist- Neuromuscular/Acute Neurology

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Your Responsibilities

What you’ll do

The Children’s Hospital is one of the 10 largest children’s hospitals within the UK and located within University Hospital Southampton which is a large regional teaching hospital with links to the University and Wellcome Trust research facility. We have a vast range of Paediatric specialities including major trauma, neurosurgery, neuro-rehabilitation, neonates, and cardiology – plus a level 3 PICU.
The regional neuromuscular service is a comprehensive specialist service for neuromuscular disorders for the population of Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, West Sussex, Isle of Wight, the Channel Islands and beyond. It has a well-established MDT, including OT, physiotherapy, speech and language, psychology, specialist nursing and medical input. The team are keen to support patients in meeting the standards of care and accessing emerging treatments options.  We are part of the Northstar National clinical network and SMAREACH.

The post holder would join a friendly and close-knit Occupational Therapy team with a range of clinical experience. The team prides itself in providing support, progression and development. As an Occupational Therapy Team we have expertise to look at all aspects of a child/young person’s health; including a person’s mental health
The successful post holder will work alongside existing band 7 PT and OT roles to provide a high level of assessment and management including splinting for children within the neuromuscular service and support the wider inpatient and outpatient neuro- development, neurology, neurorehabilitation, neuro-orthopaedic  and outpatient OT service. They will become an integral part of our 30 strong combined Paediatric Occupational and Physiotherapy Therapy team and wider Therapy services department of over 240wte staff.

The post is varied and involves;

•    Leadership of the Paediatric Occupational Therapy for the regional neuromuscular MDT service, to include clinics, inpatients, outpatients and community input.
•     Leadership and development of our outpatient neurodevelopmental OT service.
•    Provide specialist neuromuscular and neurodevelopmental assessment and therapeutic intervention. To include both standardised and non-standardised assessments. This will include children of all ages, ensuring holistic care with regards to consideration of their physical, mental health and social needs.
•    To provide specialist advise on equipment and aids to support the neuromuscular cohort in their occupational needs.
•    To assess for and provide appropriate hand splints for the neuromuscular cohort.
•    Being part of weekend rota and bank holiday rota for Paediatric Occupational Therapy Team.
•    Supporting the Team via clinical supervision of band 6s , 5s, therapy technicians and students.
•    Supporting development of others via facilitating teaching and CPD opportunities both within and out with the trust.
•    To work closely with the acute neurology and neuro-orthopaedic OTs and wider MDT. To offer cross cover to these services, when needed.
•    To participate in research, audit and management of clinical databases.

What we’re looking for
The successful applicant will be expected to work within our team philosophy:
“We strongly believe in team working in a happy working environment. Workloads are shared and communication/ support is strongly encouraged. We are mutually responsible for the service and its development, and expect everyone to carry a certain level of responsibility for this.”
The successful post holder should have comprehensive B6 experience including specific experience with children and with neuromuscular conditions, and a good knowledge of aids and equipment.
The applicant must be dynamic, enthusiastic and have a definite desire to work within the speciality, to drive forward service improvements to meet the changing needs secondary to emerging treatment options. They should have excellent communication skills to work closely within the MDT but also with community services, National network and with the child and their family.
The UHS Therapy services department runs a 7 day service, using a rota system so weekend working will be expected.
Due the unique nature of this post we welcome informal enquires or visits – please contact Shelley Geary 02381204560.

Additional information

Interviews will be held on Friday, 4th November 2022

Should you have any queries, please use the contact details below to get in touch.