Paediatric/adolescent Occupational Therapist - Job Description Purpose of Role: To provide specialist occupational therapy assessment and intervention to children and young people (0-18 years) with developmental, physical, sensory, or cognitive challenges, supporting them to achieve their full potential in daily activities at home, school, and in the community.
Key Responsibilities: Paediatric Assessment & Intervention: Conduct comprehensive occupational therapy assessments of children and young people to evaluate developmental delays, sensory processing difficulties, motor skills, self-care abilities, and participation in age-appropriate activities Utilize standardized assessment tools appropriate for paediatric populations (e.g., COPM, Bruininks-Oseretsky, Sensory Profile, PEDI-CAT) Assess the impact of disability or developmental conditions on the child's ability to participate in play, learning, self-care, and social activities Develop and implement evidence-based, child-centered intervention plans in collaboration with the child, family, and multidisciplinary team Provide therapeutic interventions including sensory integration therapy, fine and gross motor skill development, activities of daily living training, and assistive technology recommendations Adapt intervention approaches to suit individual children's needs, preferences, and developmental stages Assess and recommend adaptive equipment, seating solutions, and environmental modifications to support participation Family-Centered Practice: Work collaboratively with parents, carers, and families to establish goals and priorities that are meaningful to the child and family Provide education, training, and coaching to parents and carers on therapeutic strategies and activities to support their child's development Empower families to implement therapeutic recommendations in daily routines and natural environments Support families in understanding their child's diagnosis and how it impacts functional abilities School & Community Integration: Liaise with teachers, special needs assistants, and school staff to support children's participation in the educational environment Conduct school-based assessments and provide recommendations for classroom accommodations and modifications Collaborate with educational professionals to develop Individual Education Plans (IEPs) or support plans Facilitate smooth transitions between educational settings or services Promote inclusion and participation in community activities and recreational opportunities Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Work as an integral member of the multidisciplinary team including physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, psychologists, social workers, and medical professionals Participate actively in team meetings, case conferences, and care planning discussions Contribute occupational therapy expertise to holistic assessment and intervention planning Communicate assessment findings and progress to team members, referrers, and external agencies Coordinate care with hospital services, community services, and voluntary organizations Clinical & Professional Standards: Maintain accurate and timely clinical records in accordance with HSE/organizational policies and GDPR requirements Manage caseload effectively, prioritizing urgent cases and ensuring equitable access to services Work within AOTI practice guidelines and CORU Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics Stay current with evidence-based practice in paediatric occupational therapy Participate in clinical audits, quality improvement initiatives, and outcome measurement Engage in clinical supervision and reflective practice Skills: occupational therapy