Occupational Therapist

Roles and responsibilities

We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced Senior Pediatric Occupational Therapist to join our Inpatient Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit (CAMHS). Candidates must have extensive experience of working with pervasive developmental disorders such as Autistic Spectrum Disorders and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders and mental health conditions. This includes management of at-risk behaviors and sensory processing difficulties.
As a Pediatric Occupational Therapy Specialist, you will provide care for patients aged 5-18 years within an inpatient setting. Additionally, you will help develop services for these patients and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team that includes Psychiatry, Clinical Psychologists, Speech and Language Pathologists and Physiotherapists.
Experience in managing autism, attention disorders, sensory processing disorders, and other childhood mental health conditions are essential. Leadership experience in a specialized area of occupational therapy is highly desirable.

Key Responsibilities:
• Provide highly specialized occupational therapy services within secure inpatient psychiatric setting
• Collaborate within a multidisciplinary team and link in with the necessary outpatient services
• Supervise junior occupational therapists
• Lead on service and resource development in your specialist area

Assistive Technology and Adaptive Equipment
Recommending Devices: OTs suggest assistive technology or adaptive equipment (e.g., wheelchairs, adapted utensils, or specialized seating) to help individuals perform activities with greater ease.
Training on Equipment: They train clients and caregivers on how to use these devices effectively and safely.
Sensory Integration
Working with Sensory Processing Disorders: OTs help individuals with sensory processing issues (e.g., those with autism, ADHD, or sensory integration dysfunction) learn to cope with sensory overload or under-reactivity. This may involve exercises or strategies to regulate sensory input.
Creating Sensory Environments: For some clients, OTs modify the environment to accommodate sensory needs, helping them better engage in activities.

Desired candidate profile

Bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from an accredited program (WFOT accredited)
• At least 5 years of relevant clinical experience, including pediatric hospital or clinic experience
• Expertise in pervasive developmental disorders and mental health conditions
• Experience in a multidisciplinary team environment for assessment and treatment
• Formal training in sensory integration is essential, sensory feeding is a plus
• Licensure or registration in your country of origin, with eligibility for licensure in Qatar
Assessment and Evaluation
Assessing Functional Abilities: OTs evaluate the individual’s ability to perform daily activities, which may include dressing, eating, cooking, bathing, or work-related tasks. They assess physical, cognitive, and emotional factors affecting performance.
Identifying Barriers: They identify physical, environmental, and psychological barriers to independence and determine the root causes of difficulties.
Setting Goals: Based on assessments, OTs set personalized goals to help clients improve their function, independence, and quality of life.
Developing and Implementing Treatment Plans
Customized Treatment Plans: OTs create individualized treatment plans tailored to the client’s needs. These plans often include exercises, strategies, and interventions aimed at improving physical or cognitive function.
Improving Skills: They work on improving skills such as fine motor control, hand-eye coordination, strength, balance, and sensory processing abilities.
Therapeutic Exercises: OTs may teach exercises that strengthen muscles or improve joint mobility to help with daily tasks like dressing or lifting objects.
Cognitive Rehabilitation: For clients with cognitive issues (e.g., after a stroke or brain injury), OTs design strategies to enhance memory, attention, and decision-making abilities.