Senior Occupational Therapist – Contractor Role (Part-time) – MDT Service

ABOUT US

The MDT Service at Fostering First Ireland (FFI) was formerly known as Key Assets Consulting. We merged with our sister company FFI in Jan 2025.

• The MDT Service provides clinic based and community based multidisciplinary assessment and clinical support services for children and their families nationwide. Our Head Office is in Dublin and we have an additional clinic in Cork.
• We are approved providers of Psychology, OT, SLT and multi/interdisciplinary assessments for HSE, Tusla and private health insurers. We also complete independent Social Work assessments for Tusla.
• FFI is part of the Key Assets Group, an international group of companies delivering flexible child and family social services solutions across three continents. As a social enterprise group, we offer innovative client centred services to government and non-government partners and bring a range of professional services direct to communities.
• We pride ourselves on providing high quality services to children and families.
• Equally, we place strong emphasis on supporting our clinical teams and support staff and on having a positive working environment for all. We do this through strong governance and support structures, manageable caseloads, open communications, reflective practice, modern & well-resourced work-spaces and a focus on professional development.

We are growing our clinical teams to enable us to increase the number of children and families we can support in response to rising demands. To achieve this we wish to appoint additional Occupational Therapists at our Dublin and Cork clinics.

PURPOSE OF ROLE

To provide a variety of occupational therapy services (assessments and clinical supports) to children and young people (0-18 years) and their families attending the MDT Service at FFI, within an interdisciplinary framework.

LOCATIONS

Occupational Therapists will be principally based at their nearest MDT clinic

• Dublin – Grantham Street, Dublin 8
• Cork – Victoria Cross, Cork city

Occasional travel may be required (to schools / community locations ). Some aspects of the work can be completed online from home (e.g. report writing, feedback sessions, intake measures).

DESCRIPTION OF ROLE

This flexible and freelance role involves direct assessment, report writing, feedback/clinical support for children, young people and families who have been referred to the MDT service by Tusla or the HSE.

• You are responsible for your own tax returns. Basic self-employed taxation information is available for those who are new to working in a self-employed /contractor capacity.

TYPES OF ASSESSMENT/CONSULTING SERVICES REQUIRED

• Comprehensive OT assessment as part of an overall Assessment of Need (AON) – per the HSE agreed protocol (includes assessment of movement, daily living skills and sensory processing). This may be requested as a single discipline assessment or as part of the full multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary assessment process under the AON scheme.
• Specific diagnostic assessments may be requested regarding DCD or Sensory processing difficulties.
• Neuroaffirmative assessment approach required.
• Early developmental assessments for Tusla/HSE, e.g. for those trained in Bayley Scales.
• Specialist trauma-informed assessments of sensory processing/integration and regulation (subject to additional experience and expertise – payable at a higher rate).
• Housing/Environmental assessments to accommodate children with disabilities.
• OTs who are trained and experienced in the ADOS-2 may work as part of our Autism assessment team.
• Online consulting support may be required for children, parents/foster carers/key processionals to support implementation of assessment recommendations.

WORKING HOURS

A flexible working week applies. The role may involve occasional evening /weekend work, (e.g. report writing) however the consultant is in charge of their own diary and can structure assessments to suit their availability.

PROFESSIONAL RATES / PAY INFORMATION

• Senior OT assessments are payable at €70 per hour. Consultants are required to keep a log of their work and submit this with their invoice for each case upon completion of their assessment report. Invoices are payable within 30 days.
• OTs with additional sensory training (e.g., fully qualified Sensory Integration practitioners) or those trained in trauma-informed models [e.g., BUSS, Sensory Attachment Intervention etc] and experience, may be eligible to work as part of the specialist team for which a higher rate applies – please discuss at interview with Director.
• Expenses are paid for travel to external locations where applicable (e.g. to schools/community locations).

QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS:

• The post holder must be a fully qualified Occupational Therapist and registered by the Occupational Therapists Registration Board at CORU.
• Have at least two years’ full time (post qualification) relevant clinical experience (within a children’s service/disability service)
• Training in ADOS-2 / ADI-R is an advantage.
• Clinician must be able to reliably provide a minimum commitment of 1 day per week.

EQUIPMENT:

• You are required to use your own laptop and mobile phone device and to ensure these are appropriately set up and secured (i.e. password protected, bit locker enabled laptop/pc).
• A business email account must be used (Gmail/Hotmail are not suitable for data security reasons). Suitable options are provided.
• SharePoint domain is provided for data security. All working documents and files are exchanged digitally and securely – dual authentication system in place.
• Free access to modern library of print and digital (online) assessments and test materials and relevant equipment is provided. Automated scoring of digitalised assessments is used where possible for efficiency reasons.

BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH THE MDT SERVICE AT FFI

• Flexible working arrangements (Clinics are open Mon-Sat)
• Fulfilling work – achievable case loads – no wait list management tasks
• Attractive professional rates of pay which recognise clinical experience.
• Accessible case management supports to ensure strong clinical governance and a positive working environment.
• Parking provided at clinic locations.
• Multidisciplinary Peer Support Forums – Provide the opportunity to share professional research/assessment resources.
• Induction process – includes online company module (re: P&Ps), meeting with Director and staff, access to redacted reports and templates. Can include shadowing of senior practitioners at our clinics if so desired.
• Learning and Development Programme; internal online learning system + external training courses in relevant areas are supported (e.g. attachment, trauma, expert witness work, Autism specific courses)
• Robust test library available –  including use of online testing platforms (automated scoring systems) for greater efficiency and accuracy.
• Modern IT systems to help you do your job efficiently – IT support available
• Well-developed Quality Assurance system, including proof-reading support service for reports.
• Services are backed by excellent administrative staff, IT support and managerial supports.
• Welcoming, positive team culture & well-resourced work spaces.
• We are committed to high standards of service delivery – and our job is to help you concentrate on delivering your best to the children and families we serve.

Join us and be part of a growing, modern, child-centred service with a highly skilled team who have a strong reputation for delivering excellence in practice.

HOW TO APPLY

• Please see our full Job Description and Person Specification attached. 

To be considered for this role, you must complete our application form.

Closing date for receipt of applications is Tues 18^th March 2025 (Online Interviews will be scheduled for 21^st & 24^th March 2025)

Please email completed application forms along with your CV to jobs@ffi.ie. Shortlisting will apply.

NEED MORE INFORMATION?

For further information on our services, please visit https://fosteringfirstireland.ie/services-provided/mdt-service/

Should you have specific queries or wish to have an informal discussion please contact Sarah Treacy (Director) on 087 7024569