Senior Occupational Therapist – CDNT
Senior Occupational Therapist (Children’s Disability Network Team – CDNT)
The Senior Occupational Therapist will play a key role in the Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT) in Leitrim, providing expert occupational therapy services to children and young people with disabilities. The position involves delivering specialist assessments, interventions, and support, while contributing to a multidisciplinary approach to care. The Senior OT will also supervise and mentor junior staff, ensure service delivery meets high standards, and actively participate in the development of paediatric disability services.
Key Responsibilities of Senior Occupational Therapist
- Conduct comprehensive assessments of children with a variety of disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, sensory impairments, and developmental disorders.
- Develop and implement tailored intervention plans to support children in achieving their developmental milestones and functional goals, focusing on fine motor skills, sensory processing, and activities of daily living (ADLs).
- Use evidence-based practices and therapeutic techniques to enhance children’s independence and participation in home, school, and community settings.
- Collaborate with parents, caregivers, and educational staff to integrate therapy goals into daily routines and the child’s learning environment.
- Work as part of the CDNT, collaborating with physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, psychologists, social workers, and other professionals to provide holistic care to children and their families.
- Attend and contribute to team meetings, case conferences, and care planning sessions, ensuring a coordinated and integrated approach to each child’s care plan.
- Provide recommendations for assistive technology, adaptive equipment, and environmental modifications to improve children’s participation and independence.
- Empower families by involving them in the decision-making process, educating them on therapeutic techniques, and providing ongoing support to implement interventions in daily life.
- Advocate for the rights and needs of children with disabilities, ensuring they have access to appropriate services, supports, and accommodations.
- Offer training sessions for parents, caregivers, and educators on practical strategies for promoting development and managing disabilities.
- Provide clinical supervision and guidance to junior occupational therapists, therapy assistants, and students, ensuring adherence to best practices and promoting professional development.
- Act as a leader within the CDNT, supporting team members, contributing to strategic planning, and promoting innovation in service delivery.
- Participate in quality assurance initiatives and clinical audits to ensure the delivery of high-quality, effective services.
- Lead service development projects to enhance the occupational therapy offerings within the CDNT, including the introduction of new interventions, technology, or models of care.
- Contribute to the ongoing evaluation and improvement of services, helping to identify gaps in provision and propose solutions to enhance care delivery.
- Keep up-to-date with emerging research, techniques, and developments in paediatric disability and occupational therapy, implementing these into practice where relevant.
- Maintain detailed and accurate clinical records, including assessments, progress notes, and intervention plans, in compliance with professional, ethical, and legal standards.
- Use electronic record systems to ensure effective communication and documentation within the CDNT.
- Participate in continuous professional development (CPD) activities, attending relevant courses, conferences, and workshops to keep abreast of the latest developments in occupational therapy.
- Lead or contribute to in-service training programs, sharing knowledge and best practices with colleagues.
Qualifications and Experience of Senior Occupational Therapist
- Bachelor’s or Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy from a CORU-accredited program.
- Registration with CORU as an Occupational Therapist is mandatory.
- Minimum of 5 years post-qualification experience, with at least 3 years in paediatric disability services or a related field.
- Experience in conducting complex paediatric assessments and developing individualised intervention plans.
- Previous experience supervising junior staff or managing a caseload of complex cases is preferred.
To apply please contact jreid@medforce.ie
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