Advanced Occupational Therapist - Paediatrics | University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust

Dyddiad hysbysebu:	28 Ebrill 2026
Cyflog:	Heb ei nodi
Gwybodaeth ychwanegol am y cyflog:	£49,387 - £56,515 Per Annum, Pro Rata
Oriau:	Rhan Amser
Dyddiad cau:	28 Mai 2026
Lleoliad:	Southampton, SO16 6YD
Cwmni:	University Hospital Southampton NHS FT
Math o swydd:	Parhaol
Cyfeirnod swydd:	7971753/188-SCL080426

Crynodeb

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

We have a rare and exciting opportunity for a B7 Paediatric Occupational therapist to join our established and highly skilled Orthopaedic team.

We are looking for a passionate and dynamic person to be the OT clinical lead for the Children's Orthopaedic and Neuro-Orthopaedic service.

You will be working supporting children and young people with wide ranging orthopaedic considerations, as we are regional specialist centre for hip reconstruction, multilevel surgery, spinal surgery, foot and ankle surgery, limb lengthening and deformity correction, upper limb surgery and a designated major trauma centre.

You will be involved within the whole patient pathway from preoperative assessments, inpatient rehabilitation in both high care and ward areas, discharge planning, relevant home visits and post operative review working in conjunction with multiagency partners to ensure a smooth cohesive patient pathway.

The successful post holder will become an integral part of our 40 strong combined Paediatric Therapy team and wider Therapy services department of over 300 staff, including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Therapy support staff. You will have many opportunities to develop new skills and knowledge through our in-service training.

As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to.

All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Southampton Children’s Hospital is one of 10 largest children’s hospitals within the UK and located within University Hospital Southampton (UHS), which is a large regional teaching hospital with links to the university and Welcome Trust research facility.


As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.

We are looking for a passionate and dynamic Occupational Therapist to be the OT clinical lead for the Children’s Orthopaedic and Neuro-Orthopaedic service.

The post is varied and involves the following:
• Leadership of the Paediatric OT Orthopaedic and Neuro-orthopaedic service.
• Providing specialist neuro-orthopaedic assessment and intervention for IP/OP/clinics
• Clear communication, prioritisation and delegation skills
• Close team working with the whole Paediatric therapy team: OT, Physio and Technicians
• Oversight of orthopaedic ward and support of B5/B6 staff
• Close interdisciplinary working with the MDT and neuro-orthopaedic Physiotherapist
• Regular participation in specialist neuro orthopaedic MDT decision making
• Knowledge of neuromuscular conditions and the orthopaedic impact on function
• Good knowledge and experience of orthopaedic management options
• Specialist advice on equipment and aids pre- and post-surgery
• Specialist postural management advice
• Being part of weekend rota and bank holiday rota for Paediatric OT team
• Supporting development of others via teaching and CPD opportunities
• Working closely with the acute neurology and neuromuscular OTs and wider MDT
• To participate in research, audit and management of clinical databases
•

Please read the attached Job description and person specification before applying.



We are looking for someone with the following skills/experience
• Paediatric OT experience at B6 or B7 who is proactive, enthusiastic and has a passion working within paediatrics.
• Able to build a good rapport with the children and their families/ carers, encouraging participation working with children with a wide range of presenting conditions
• Experience of caseloads of children with neuromuscular conditions and cerebral palsy.
• Experience of orthopaedic assessment and understanding of role of CPIP assessment within this
• Able to demonstrate clinical reasoning and strong decision making around different manual handling options, techniques and equipment needed, and able to train others
• Competent and confident in specialist wheelchair and seating assessment and adaptations, in particular for post-operative use.
• Confident in postural management assessments, both in seating and lying and giving advice to parents and community services to support good 24-hour posture.
• Able to complete comprehensive pre-op assessments, alongside the MDT
• Clear communication/liaison skills, working with a variety of external agencies to ensure a smooth patient experience, e.g. community therapists, schools, social care
• Understanding of national guidelines, policies and recent evidence base.
• Confidence working in different environments: high care, wards, OP, clinics, externally
• Car driver/ ability to work between sites is essential
• Able to manage physically manage complex manual handling, including on the floor.
• Able to work under pressure, in challenging and emotive situations with active coping strategies and resilience



Alongside the person specification we are looking for the following:


• Qualified OT with robust postgraduate experience, working across several clinical areas/rotations in the acute setting, demonstrating a broad knowledge base.
• Recent postgraduate experience in either an acute Paediatric health care setting, or Paediatric community setting with a proven caseload of managing children pre and post orthopaedic intervention and children with complex physical needs.
• Postgraduate experience in assessment, provision and fitting of specialist/complex equipment
• Postgraduate involvement in audit/research/clinical project/service development
• Evidence of providing teaching to therapy staff and students
• Communicating and liaising in a multidisciplinary team
• Good knowledge of discharge planning process and pathways
• Clear desire and reasoning to work within Paediatrics at UHS, stated on your application form
• Evidence of day-to-day supervision and management of B2-6 staff, or evidence of being named supervisor to therapy students on placements
• Flexibility to work as part of our 7-day Therapy service, using a rota system, including rostered shifts on weekends and Bank holidays.

There is regular clinical supervision as well as peer support. There are also opportunities for involvement in audit, research & service development is always encouraged as we strive for new & innovative ways of working. Training and support will be offered to meet your learning requirements.

You will be supported by specialist Band 7 Paediatric orthopaedic and neuro-orthopaedic Physiotherapists and other speciality B7/8a Occupational Therapists, both within physical and mental health, allowing excellent opportunity for further developing clinical and theoretical skills.

We have a vast range of Paediatric specialities including a Level 3 PICU, and are Major Trauma, neurosurgical, neurorehabilitation and cardiac centres. We provide world class medical care for children across South England, and further afield, who are experiencing some of the most complex and severe illnesses/injuries. As part of UHS we deliver transformative healthcare through pioneering treatment and research, with programmes that achieve many of the UK’s firsts in the field of children’s medicine, have outstanding outcomes and lifetime care.

Our team philosophy is:
“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 out a certain level of responsibility.”

Please note:
• Interviews will be held on 4thJune 2026 with face-to-face interviews only due to a practical interview component. No virtual alternative will be offered.
• As part of the interview involves a practical assessment, please wear smart, comfortable clothing.
• This is NOT a post for a newly qualified graduate, please enquire about our B5 opportunities.
• We do not accept CV applications.



We actively encourage all potential applicants to contact us to ask any questions you may have.



Due the unique nature of this post we welcome informal enquiries or visits – please contact Michelle Geary or Paediatric OT department on 02381204560



For other therapy career opportunities please email Annette.Purkis@uhs.nhs.uk


This advert closes on Tuesday 12 May 2026