Job overview
Highly Specialist Neonatal Occupational Therapist
Band 7, Part Time
Previous applicants need not apply
The Neonatal Unit at Croydon University Hospital continues to benefit from dedicated investment in developing neonatal Allied Health services.
We are seeking an enthusiastic, adaptable, and creative Occupational Therapist to join our neonatal team.
Although previous experience of working within neonatal services will be helpful, it is not essential. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, especially those who have experience of working in other acute areas or applicants who have worked in children's community services.
We are committed to supporting you to transition into the neonatal OT role and we already have the following support in place to help you make the move:
- Access to regular specialist supervision from an experienced neonatal OT.
- Peer support from the OT London Operational Delivery Network
- Protected time and funding for access to continued professional development courses such as New Born Observation & Foundation toolkit for Infant and Family-Centred Developmental Care (FINE 1)
- Regular line management supervision sessions to ensure that you are feeling supported in your role
- Opportunities to visit other OTs working in different units in the South of London to understand more about how an OT can be embedded within the unit.
- A dedicated office space and computer for you to use.
Interview Date - TBC
Main duties of the job
To carry a designated clinical caseload including highly complex and diverse patient groups and prioritise that work efficiently.
Assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of individualised infant and family-centre developmental care, using evidence-based practice to support clinical outcomes as appropriate.
Use clinical assessments such as Newborn Observations (NBO) to support a baby and family. Provide specialist support for colleagues and the families of babies in managing expectations around potential recovery, helping them to understand and plan for the short/long term.
Help parents understand more about the impact of the environment on the wellbeing of their baby and make recommendations regarding adapting the environment for optimal benefits.
Support discharge planning and transitions to paediatric, outpatient and community services for caseload, providing relevant information to unit discharge team and internal paediatric and community teams.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
*** Please see the attached supporting document which contains more information about the role in job description and person specification ***
Person specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Application of Occupational Therapy models of practice and evidence based practice
- Management of a varied neonatal or paediatric caseload.
- Skills in ether acute or community settings.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of disabilities on patient, families and carers.
- Ability to prioritise caseload and departmental duties
- • Willingness to develop own knowledge and practice in neonatal and contributes to the development of others.
Desirable
- • Knowledge of a range of assessment and interventions/approaches in neonatal and paediatric care
Experience
Essential
- Relevant postgraduate Occupational Therapy NHS clinical experience, preferably inclusive of neonatal care
- Experience in working in acute or community settings.
- Experience in working with children of a variety of ages from 0-19
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Desirable
- Previous Band 7 experience
- Experience of working in both acute and community settings.
- Experience in developing the OT's role
- • Knowledge and/or experience of using a wide range of different infant assessments e.g. Bayley Scales of Infant Development, NBO, NBAS, Prechtl General Movement Assessment
Communication
Essential
- Understand and apply principles of risk management to clinical practice. Understand scope/role of integrated working and team dynamics
- Understanding principles and application of supervision in promotion of clinical effectiveness as a supervisor
- Ability to appreciate the sensitivity, complexity of context and culture and diversity within clinical practice
- Effective written and verbal/nonverbal communication skills
Qualifications
Essential
- Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy
- State Registration HCPC
Desirable
- Recognised post-graduate qualifications
- Completion of HEE introductory modules on Neonatal AHP and OT
- NBO/NBAS, NIDCAP, FINE I/II
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Willingness to work flexibly
- Ability to manage and recognise differences of opinion in both patient related and inter-professional settings coping positively with interpersonal tensions/barriers
- Ability to positively manage exposure to patients and environments which may be highly distressing, antagonistic, open to aggression and unpleasant
- Adherence to Royal College of Occupational Therapy, HCPC guidelines and codes of ethics and professional conduct
- Takes responsibility for implementation of Trust health and safety policies in local working environment
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Highly Specialist Neonatal Occupational Therapist with Croydon Health Services NHS Trust in Thornton Heath, London, England. It is listed as a Band 7 Occupational Therapist role. The advertised salary is £55,524 - £62,652 pa inc HCAS (pro rata). The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 05 Aug 2026.
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