Occupational Therapist - Advanced, Autism Diagnostic PathwayNHS

Job summary

We are excited to offer a newly created Band7 post within our Children's Autism Diagnostic Pathway.

Working within the multidisciplinary team to:

• Apply advanced clinical knowledge to assess, diagnoseautismand complex communicationneeds
• Lead on care pathway development and clinical protocols
• Deliver specialist training and supervision to colleagues and students
• Champion neuro - affirming, inclusive communication practices

We are embarking on major redesign of our neurodevelopmental pathways to reduce waiting times and improve patient experiences.You'llbe instrumental in shaping service delivery, ensuring it isresponsive,equitableand aligned with NICE guidance and best practice.

We areseekinga warm, empathetic,clinically confident,inclusive and equity mindedspeech and language therapist who hassignificant experienceworking with children with autism and complex communication needs.

You'llbe part of a supportive team that values yourexpertise, encourages innovation, and invests in your professional growth. Weare committed to supporting your professional growth. As part of this role, you will receive training in autism assessment tools, including ADOS.This will equip you with the skills to contribute confidently to differential diagnosis and multidisciplinary assessment.

Main duties of the job

This role supports the clinical and operational leadership for the Autism Diagnostic Pathway, working closely with the Autism Clinical Pathway AHP and MDT Lead. The post holder will support the development and implementation of efficient, NICE-compliant ways of working aligned to best practice and the local ASC core offer, in partnership with medical, nursing and AHP colleagues. They will take a delegated lead in developing care pathways, service protocols and clinical guidelines, and use advanced specialist OT expertise to contribute to differential diagnosis within the MDT. The role involves independent assessment, diagnosis and management of children and young people with social communication needs, providing second opinions where required, and ensuring care is integrated, evidence-based and population-responsive. The post holder will also provide supervision and deliver specialist training to support pathway quality and sustainability.

Job description

For more detailed information about the job and main responsibilities see the attached job description and person specification.

About us

Please refer to the Applicant Guide via the link below for key information:- Applying to LGT Guide - Key Information for Applicants

Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:

• Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
• Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
• Improving the experience of staff with disability
• Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
• Making equalities mainstream