BROTHERS OF CHARITY SERVICES IRELAND – WEST REGION
POST: PERMANENT FULL-TIME SENIOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
CHILDREN’S DISABILITY SERVICES
JOB REF: 108/2023
A Panel may be formed as a result of this process from which subsequent Permanent and Temporary Senior Occupational Therapy appointments within the service may be made over the next six months.
The Role:
The Senior Occupational Therapist will be responsible for the co-ordination and provision of occupational therapy services to children with complex disabilities. The post holder will be a member of the Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT) in the Network 6 Geographical area (central Galway and East City Galway) under the national framework of Progressing Disabilities Services (PDS) for children 0-18yrs. The lead agency for Network 6 is the Brothers of Charity Services Ireland – West Region (BOCSI-WR). Network 6 is one of 9 CDNTs within the Community Healthcare West(CHW) Region.
Reporting/Responsible To:
Children’s Disability Network Manager (CDNM).
The CDNM will work collaboratively with the head of discipline to ensure clinical governance and assurance.
The relationship between the CDNMs, heads of discipline and members of disciplines ( occupational therapists) who work in CDNTs is in the process of being developed in line with national and local agreements. This area will evolve and participation by this post holder is expected. Areas such as supervision, continuous professional development, adherence to discipline specific guidelines and professional competencies are examples which fall under this area.
Works With:
• Children with complex disabilities and their families
• Children’s Disability Network Team members
• Children’s Disability Network Manager
• Occupational Therapy Manager (determined as service develops)
• Staff in Respite / Family support services
• Staff across educational settings in preschools and schools
• All other relevant agencies working to support children and families Education, Health, Social, Vocational and Community Services/Agencies
Eligibility Criteria
(i) Qualifications
Candidates must at the latest date of application:
• Hold an Occupational therapy qualification recognised by the Occupational Therapy Registration Board at CORU. See
AND
• a. Be registered on the Occupational Therapists Register, maintained by the Occupational Therapy Registration Board at CORU
OR
• b. Candidates who are not yet on the Occupational Therapy Register but who satisfy the conditions set out in the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005, must submit proof of application for registration with the Occupational Therapy Registration Board at CORU. The acceptable proof is correspondence from the Occupational Therapists Registration Board at CORU confirming their application for registration.
(ii) Experience
Candidates must have three years full time (or an aggregate of three years full time) post qualification clinical experience. At least one of those years is experience working with children with disabilities.
It is desirable for candidates to have:
• Relevant post graduate education diploma, degree, masters
It is desirable for candidates to have training and experience of skills in the following:
• Neurodisability Certified Bobath training/NDT, SI
• Postural management, Motor and Tone management, Complex Seating
• Splinting
• Autism, Developmental Co-ordination Disorders, Sensory Processing Difficulties, Intellectual disability
• Feeding Difficulties
• Assistive Technology
(iii) Character
Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.
(iv) Skills
Candidates must demonstrate competency in applying theory, knowledge and skills of Occupational Therapy using evidence based interventions to support children with complex disabilities. Flexibility and an openness to change are required as the Children’s Disability Network services are developed. Candidates must have strong team working skills and be committed to a child and family centred approach. Fluency in verbal and written English and excellent communication skills are essential.
(v) Other
A full clean manual Driving Licence, which qualifies you to drive manual transmission vehicles on Irish Roads and use of your own car is an essential requirement. It is essential for the appointee to drive the transport that is assigned to the Service.
Working Hours:
35 hours per week based on a 5 day duty roster. Contracted hours are liable to change between the hours of 8am – 8pm as future service needs require. The Health Service is undergoing transformation and therefore it is critical that a flexible attitude to changing environments and work requirements is held by the successful candidate.
Annual Leave:
29 days per annum
Remuneration:
A salary scale of €58,599 x 8 increments - €68,998 per annum
Tenure:
This position is permanent full time and pensionable.
Probation:
A probationary period of nine months from the date of appointment applies to the post. The employment may be terminated at any time during the probationary period should the employer find that the appointee is unsuitable to continue employment. The probation period may be extended at the Employer’s discretion.
Travel/Base:
The person appointed must provide his/her own car and must furnish an indemnity from Insurers in favour of the employer. Travelling expenses at the appropriate rate will be paid in respect of travel necessarily performed in the discharge of duty. The location is the children’s Disability Network 6 bases - The Gables, Woodlands Campus, Renmore, Galway and Newcastle, Galway. This location may be subject to change with future service developments.
JOB DESCRIPTION
This post is within the Children’s Disability Network Team led by the Brothers of Children Services Ireland – West Region, working under the national framework of Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People.
Specific Conditions
1. Staff must have a positive attitude towards working with children with a complex disability and help to ensure that they lead as normal and enjoyable a life as possible.
2. Staff must treat each child as an individual and at all times acknowledge and respect the rights and personal dignity of the child and his/her family.
3. Staff must work within the national framework of Progressing Disabilities for Children and Young People.
4. Staff must adhere to the National Quality Standards: Residential Services for People with Disabilities (Health Information and Quality Authority)
5. Staff must maintain and further develop their professional competencies via continuous professional development and strive for excellence in their work practices.
6. Staff must work in accordance with best practice per Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Occupational Therapists as developed by CORU.
Main duties and functions
Professional Practice
• Be responsible for the co-ordination and delivery of a quality service in line with best practice and professional standards, using clear clinical reasoning and a strong evidence base to guide practice.
• Manage a caseload of children with complex disabilities appropriate to the post.
• Use the Occupational Therapy process to assess needs, plan, grade, implement and modify effective interventions to help achieve optimum independence within daily routines, enhance quality of life and maximise integration within the local community.
• Provide the service in varied locations taking into consideration model of service and priority needs identified for the child and family, while managing time effectively.
• Demonstrate proficiency in the ability to assess and prioritise appropriate care pathways for children with complex disabilities, integrating Individual Family Service Plan priorities (IFSP) and clinical need appropriately.
• Communicate effectively with and provide instruction, guidance and support to children, parents, carers, staff and relevant others.
• Monitor and evaluate occupational therapy interventions within the designated service area, measuring outcomes within the context of the Individual Child and Family service Plan.
• Operate within the scope of Occupational Therapy practice as per CORU requirements and in accordance with local guidelines.
• Work as an active member of the inter-disciplinary team and seek collaboration and joint working with colleagues across disciplines for the benefit of children and their families.
• Work collaboratively with children and their families, CDNT colleagues, and other relevant stakeholders focusing on meaningful goals to enhance engagement and participation in activities and routines of daily living.
• Communicate and work effectively within the inter-disciplinary team to support the child using a child and family centred approach – actively participate in team work, team meetings, key-working, child and family plans, cross-agency working, supporting school, respite and community integration
• Actively participate in initiatives across CDNTs, service areas and agencies, fostering a positive, efficient and supportive working environment.
• Contribute to the development of clinical support structures for occupational therapists
• Be a clinical resource and share clinical knowledge with other Occupational therapists and members of CDNTs, supporting upskilling through coaching and mentoring.
• Write accurate, clear, contemporaneous records in accordance with legal and professional requirements, and Service policy.
• Use available electronic and information technology systems for effective communication, information exchange and information recording.
• Work with TUSLA as required and adhere strictly to all child protection protocols under Children First.
• Ensure the privacy and dignity of the child, young person and family is respected at all times.
Administrative / Organisational
• Co-ordinate day-to-day operational service delivery of the Occupational Therapy service area/s which you are responsible for – managing caseloads and service demands effectively with the available resources within the team.
• Contribute to service planning and development
• Utilise resources and manage your time effectively.
• Manage, monitor, and control materials, equipment and other resources as required.
• Record work activity, maintain statistics, collate and evaluate data in relation to service delivery, service outcomes, key performance indicators and report on same.
• Be accountable for effective use of budget, where relevant.
• Identify service delivery issues/needs and work with the relevant service manager/s to develop ways to manage these
• Participate in and lead service audits and research as required.
• Promote good team working and a culture that values diversity.
• Represent occupational therapy and/or the CDNT at meetings / forums / conferences.
• Engage in Information Technology developments as they apply to children supported by Network team and service administration.
Education / Training and Professional Development
Participate in mandatory training programmes
Maintain high standards of practice and keep up-to-date in your professional knowledge and be responsible for continuous professional development, actively seeking evidence based practice.
Keep abreast of research and practice developments in occupational therapy, children’s disability and the National PDS programme.
Promote, develop and participate in relevant research opportunities in the Children’s Disability services.
Recognise your own limitations and when appropriate, refer to a higher level of authority.
Actively engage in professional clinical occupational therapy supervision, including supervision of others when required
Engage in peer support with CDNT and PCCC team colleagues.
Be responsible for the induction and clinical supervision of staff in the designated area as required. Be a support to staff grade occupational therapists.
Contribute to the design and delivery of Training & Development for CDNT members and relevant stakeholders involved in the provision of integrated care for children with complex disabilities.
Engage in teaching/training of parents/staff/students and others as the service requires.
Participate in practice education of student occupational therapists through provision of placements and collaborating with Educational Facilities in terms of course module content relevant to the clinical area as opportunities arise.
Engage in personal development planning and performance review for self and others as required.
Quality, Health & Safety and Risk
Report any concerns regarding a child’s care and wellbeing as required under Children First procedures.
Promote dignity at work and show respect to children and their families supported by the service, colleagues and stakeholders in the course of duty.
Develop and monitor implementation of agreed policies, procedures and safe professional practice, adhering to relevant legislation, regulations and standards.
Ensure that practice is operating in line with Health and Information and Quality Authority Standards (HIQA) National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Standards for Healthcare, Hygiene Standards, Standards for Residential Respite Care.
Develop and promote quality standards of work and participate in quality assurance initiatives.
Be conscious of and promote health and safety matters in the workplace and, in particular, to comply with employees’ obligations as set out under the Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act, 2005. To ensure, as far as possible, the safety of self and others and the maintenance of safe environments and safe equipment and to report any hazards.
Ensure that all accidents/incidents to individuals supported by the services, staff and visitors are reported promptly to the appropriate person in charge/manager.
Identify, assess and manage risks within your service area
Be aware of, and become familiar with fire safety procedures Fire Drill procedures, fire detection, evacuation and fire-fighting.
Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives within your work setting.
Other
• As the duties and responsibilities of any post in the Service are likely to change with the varying needs of children and young people supported, staff are expected to have a high level of flexibility, and a willingness and an ability to develop new approaches to their work to meet these needs.
The role of the post holder will not be limited by reference to this job description. It would be expected that the role will evolve as professional, structural and the person supported demands change and the post holder will be expected to demonstrate flexibility skills that will facilitate this.
A Panel may be formed as a result of this process from which subsequent Senior Occupational Therapy appointments within the service may be made over the next six months.
Informal enquiries to Una Finn, Children’s Disability Network manager on 087 7694465 or Anne Yore, Occupational Therapy Manager on 087 9972339
Closing Date for receipt of completed Application Forms/CV’s on line is:
5pm, Thursday 08th June 2023.
Interview date to be confirmed.
The Brothers of Charity Services Ireland is an equal opportunities employer.