Job summary
We are looking
to recruit a suitably experienced Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist
into a development role to become the service lead at South Tyneside Wheelchair
Service. This is an exciting and unique opportunity to develop your skills and
knowledge while working alongside, and under the supervision of the current
post holder as part of succession planning.
This is a developmental post which will provide the post holder with the support and clinical supervision required to transition from a Band 6 Specialist Wheelchair Therapist to a Band 7 Lead Specialist Wheelchair Therapist.
This will include a 12 to 18 month period of support during which time the post holder will undertake a competency programme which, upon completion, will demonstrate achievement of the clinical skills, knowledge and competency required to work autonomously as a Band 7 Lead Specialist Wheelchair Therapist
The wheelchair
service is a small and friendly specialist team based at South Tyneside
District General Hospital providing assessment and provision of wheelchairs for
those with permanent or long term mobility problems and assessments take place
at home, in schools or in a clinic setting.
Some assessments are also undertaken in collaboration with the Regional
Rehabilitation Engineering Service for the provision of powered wheelchairs.
If you are ready for a new challenge and want to enhance and apply your skills in a different setting, then this may be the post for you.
Main duties of the job
As
a wheelchair therapist you will need to be dynamic, resourceful, practical and
good at problem solving as well as having the ability to communicate
effectively with a wide and diverse range of service users including children
and adults.
You
will need to have a basic knowledge of and some experience of either using or
prescribing standard wheelchairs as well as some knowledge regarding pressure
care and postural management. All
training on specialist elements will be given as part of the development into
the role and there will also be the opportunity to complete targeted leadership
training as well as formal clinical training throughout the development period.
The
South Tyneside Wheelchair Service sits within the Occupational Therapy Service within
the Directorate of Therapy Services which is part of the Division of Clinical
Support. The post is Monday to Friday,
37.5 hours per week with a flexi time system in place.
About us
Please help us by adding your telephone number to your application form this will allow us to contact you quickly if required.
One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.
We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for STSFT. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via the Trust's Flexible Working Policy.
The Trust employs around 8,300 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area, in some cases to a population as great as 860,000. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Childcare Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements. The Trust will not accept applications which are found to be AI generated.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Upon completion of the competency programme you will be able to demonstrate you
can:
Effectively lead a team of a Band 5 Therapist, Rehabilitation Engineer and
Seating Specialist and carry out/lead/supervise complex postural assessments of
fixed and correctable deformities for adults and children.
Identify the scope and limitations of the individuals function, capacity and social
interaction, coupled with environmental factors, that will influence the type,
nature, design and use of equipment solutions.
Provide leadership in maintaining and updating the wheelchair teams
knowledge/information on the range of wheelchairs, postural management and
pressure care equipment available.
Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the Regionally Agreed Eligibility
Criteria, the MHRA Incident Reporting Process and Personal Wheelchair Budget
protocols.
Work productively and proactively with other agencies/contractors; seating
specialists, the local repair service and software providers
Participate productively in regional networks.
Allocate appropriate caseloads to other staff and manage your own complex
caseload.
Manage stock and resources within agreed budgetary restraints.
Create presentations to promote and market the service
PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE
Job description
Job responsibilities
Upon completion of the competency programme you will be able to demonstrate you
can:
Effectively lead a team of a Band 5 Therapist, Rehabilitation Engineer and
Seating Specialist and carry out/lead/supervise complex postural assessments of
fixed and correctable deformities for adults and children.
Identify the scope and limitations of the individuals function, capacity and social
interaction, coupled with environmental factors, that will influence the type,
nature, design and use of equipment solutions.
Provide leadership in maintaining and updating the wheelchair teams
knowledge/information on the range of wheelchairs, postural management and
pressure care equipment available.
Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the Regionally Agreed Eligibility
Criteria, the MHRA Incident Reporting Process and Personal Wheelchair Budget
protocols.
Work productively and proactively with other agencies/contractors; seating
specialists, the local repair service and software providers
Participate productively in regional networks.
Allocate appropriate caseloads to other staff and manage your own complex
caseload.
Manage stock and resources within agreed budgetary restraints.
Create presentations to promote and market the service
PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE
Person Specification
Physical Skills
Essential
- Ability to engage in physical activity with moderate effort throughout the day using basic hand tools when necessary andwith competing demands
- Ability to assist patients to move as per Trust Moving and Handling Policy
- Ability to sit at a workstation as necessary to complete administrative
- aspects of the post
- Ability to work in restricted spaces where
- there is a requirement to bend, or kneel down
- Ability to meet the travel requirements of the post
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised degree in Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy
- HCPC registration
- Evidence of appropriate learning in speciality area (short courses or CPD
- activities)
- Post graduate education/CPD activities relevant to the role
- Evidence of maintaining CPD activities
- Practice Placement Educator
Desirable
- Membership of relevant professional body (RCOT or MCSP)
- Post-graduate qualification in relevant healthcare area
- Post-graduate training in leadership
- An understanding of South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction and achievements
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Highly developed verbal communication and interpersonal skills
- Highly developed written communication skills including report
- writing and maintaining patient records
- Developed analytical & judgmental skills
- Skills to prioritise workload and make judgements on priorities when there are several competing demands
- Able to present information, written and orally in a clear and logical
- manner
- Intermediate IT skills
- Presentation skills
- Knowledge of current legislation and evidence based guidelines which
- underpin practice
- Ability to effectively supervise, support and lead a team
- Sound knowledge of Clinical Governance and risk management
- Evidence of applied knowledge of pressure care management
Desirable
- Knowledge of community and local authority services relevant to Sunderland, South Tyneside and surrounding areas
- Evidence of ability to be innovative and proactive
- Knowledge and understanding of non standard wheelchairs and their indication for use
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience working as a therapist level in the relevant
- profession within a range of specialities in a physical health setting
- Experience of assessing for and prescribing standard wheelchairs,
- cushions and accessories
- Evidence of high-level communication skills within a wide
- variety of settings
- Evidence of working within multi disciplinary, cross agency teams
- Evidence of an understanding of Health & Safety relating to work
- activities
Desirable
- Evidence of planning and delivering training to others
- Experience of completing audit within a clinical setting
- Experience of using non-standard wheelchairs
Person Specification
Physical Skills
Essential
- Ability to engage in physical activity with moderate effort throughout the day using basic hand tools when necessary andwith competing demands
- Ability to assist patients to move as per Trust Moving and Handling Policy
- Ability to sit at a workstation as necessary to complete administrative
- aspects of the post
- Ability to work in restricted spaces where
- there is a requirement to bend, or kneel down
- Ability to meet the travel requirements of the post
Qualifications
Essential
- Recognised degree in Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy
- HCPC registration
- Evidence of appropriate learning in speciality area (short courses or CPD
- activities)
- Post graduate education/CPD activities relevant to the role
- Evidence of maintaining CPD activities
- Practice Placement Educator
Desirable
- Membership of relevant professional body (RCOT or MCSP)
- Post-graduate qualification in relevant healthcare area
- Post-graduate training in leadership
- An understanding of South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction and achievements
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Highly developed verbal communication and interpersonal skills
- Highly developed written communication skills including report
- writing and maintaining patient records
- Developed analytical & judgmental skills
- Skills to prioritise workload and make judgements on priorities when there are several competing demands
- Able to present information, written and orally in a clear and logical
- manner
- Intermediate IT skills
- Presentation skills
- Knowledge of current legislation and evidence based guidelines which
- underpin practice
- Ability to effectively supervise, support and lead a team
- Sound knowledge of Clinical Governance and risk management
- Evidence of applied knowledge of pressure care management
Desirable
- Knowledge of community and local authority services relevant to Sunderland, South Tyneside and surrounding areas
- Evidence of ability to be innovative and proactive
- Knowledge and understanding of non standard wheelchairs and their indication for use
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience working as a therapist level in the relevant
- profession within a range of specialities in a physical health setting
- Experience of assessing for and prescribing standard wheelchairs,
- cushions and accessories
- Evidence of high-level communication skills within a wide
- variety of settings
- Evidence of working within multi disciplinary, cross agency teams
- Evidence of an understanding of Health & Safety relating to work
- activities
Desirable
- Evidence of planning and delivering training to others
- Experience of completing audit within a clinical setting
- Experience of using non-standard wheelchairs
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
Address
South Tyneside Nhs Foundation Trust
Harton Lane
South Shields
Tyne And Wear
NE34 0PL
Employer's website
https://www.stsft.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
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