Job summary
Band 7 Clinical Specialist Wheelchair Therapist
Permanent
30hours per week
Suffolk Wheelchair Service has an exciting opportunity for a Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist to join our team in a specialist B7 role, working alongside our Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapist and Rehabilitation Engineering colleagues.
Based in a community setting in Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds. You will be providing highly specialist assessment, reassessment and handover of a wide range of wheelchair seating, cushions and accessories, in relation to postural and mobility needs.
Assessments will be undertaken in clinic and in a variety of community venues, so a full driving licence is essential.
For further information contact Mary-Jane Vingoe, Wheelchair Service Clinical Lead on 01473 351805 option 2 and option 2
Main duties of the job
We work with children from 3 years old and adults with neurological, medical and orthopaedic and surgical conditions, with varying complexity.
The role involves working on Quality Improvement and governance projects, as well as having a proactive role in service development. Delivering training within the team, to other services and as part of the accreditation course for issuing basic wheelchair equipment for post graduate therapists.
You will supervise staff within the team, students and offer clinical advice to our dedicated admin team.
About us
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the full job description for more information
Job Summary
- To provide highly specialist assessment relating to mobility and function in cases of varying complexity. Assessments will be undertaken at a wheelchair clinic, patients home, hospital, school or any other appropriate community location.
- To be responsible, in conjunction with other members of the multi-disciplinary team or as a lone worker, for prescribing appropriate equipment from a wide range of options manual and powered wheelchairs, accessories, special seating and pressure relieving cushions.
- To determine clinical diagnosis and treatment of complex and highly complex postural needs such as correction and / or prevention of contractures, deformities and other associated health problems, through the use of special seating systems.
- To be active in the prevention and / or treatment of pressure sores through the prescription of appropriate seating and / or cushioning, and the provision of specialist advice to clients, carers and other professionals To provide specialist advice and support to colleagues referring to the service.
- To take a lead role in the training and accreditation of qualified Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists at post-graduate level to prescribe basic wheelchair equipment.
- To provide clinical advice and support to other members of the wheelchair service team and to other health professionals as required.
- To assist the Wheelchair service Manager in the day to day management of the team.
Key Working Relationships:
- Wheelchair Users and their Carers
- Wheelchair Service Staff
- Staff from Health, Social Care & Education
- Wheelchair Contractor
- Manufacturers
Job Responsibilities
Communication
- To communicate effectively with clients and carers to establish eligibility and maximise the potential of the assessment process. The use of communication skills will be required where there are barriers to effective communication e.g. loss of hearing, altered perception, expressive and receptive dysphasia, pain and learning disability.
- To deal effectively with emotional and/or aggressive patients and/or carers within the clinical setting.
- To educate wheelchair users, carers, healthcare staff and other professionals in the safe and effective use of wheelchair equipment.
- To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with other members of the multi-disciplinary team across health and social care sectors. This may include case discussions, reviews and medical reports.
- To maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation in line with legal requirement and communicate assessment results to the appropriate agencies in the form of reports and letters.
- To act as an expert resource for other professionals both hospital and community based, and to provide highly specialist advice to Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy colleagues working within other clinical areas re the specific mobility and seating needs of patients.
- To ensure any verbal complaints are dealt with in a sensitive, effective and timely way in accordance with local and Trust complaints procedure, referring to the Wheelchair Service Manager as appropriate.
- To ensure that self and junior members of the team maintain up-to-date written and electronic data, where applicable, in accordance with professional and local standards and in compliance with Confidentiality of Information policy.
- To represent Wheelchair Services externally i.e. locally, regionally and nationally, in the absence of the Wheelchair Services Manager.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the full job description for more information
Job Summary
- To provide highly specialist assessment relating to mobility and function in cases of varying complexity. Assessments will be undertaken at a wheelchair clinic, patients home, hospital, school or any other appropriate community location.
- To be responsible, in conjunction with other members of the multi-disciplinary team or as a lone worker, for prescribing appropriate equipment from a wide range of options manual and powered wheelchairs, accessories, special seating and pressure relieving cushions.
- To determine clinical diagnosis and treatment of complex and highly complex postural needs such as correction and / or prevention of contractures, deformities and other associated health problems, through the use of special seating systems.
- To be active in the prevention and / or treatment of pressure sores through the prescription of appropriate seating and / or cushioning, and the provision of specialist advice to clients, carers and other professionals To provide specialist advice and support to colleagues referring to the service.
- To take a lead role in the training and accreditation of qualified Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists at post-graduate level to prescribe basic wheelchair equipment.
- To provide clinical advice and support to other members of the wheelchair service team and to other health professionals as required.
- To assist the Wheelchair service Manager in the day to day management of the team.
Key Working Relationships:
- Wheelchair Users and their Carers
- Wheelchair Service Staff
- Staff from Health, Social Care & Education
- Wheelchair Contractor
- Manufacturers
Job Responsibilities
Communication
- To communicate effectively with clients and carers to establish eligibility and maximise the potential of the assessment process. The use of communication skills will be required where there are barriers to effective communication e.g. loss of hearing, altered perception, expressive and receptive dysphasia, pain and learning disability.
- To deal effectively with emotional and/or aggressive patients and/or carers within the clinical setting.
- To educate wheelchair users, carers, healthcare staff and other professionals in the safe and effective use of wheelchair equipment.
- To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with other members of the multi-disciplinary team across health and social care sectors. This may include case discussions, reviews and medical reports.
- To maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation in line with legal requirement and communicate assessment results to the appropriate agencies in the form of reports and letters.
- To act as an expert resource for other professionals both hospital and community based, and to provide highly specialist advice to Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy colleagues working within other clinical areas re the specific mobility and seating needs of patients.
- To ensure any verbal complaints are dealt with in a sensitive, effective and timely way in accordance with local and Trust complaints procedure, referring to the Wheelchair Service Manager as appropriate.
- To ensure that self and junior members of the team maintain up-to-date written and electronic data, where applicable, in accordance with professional and local standards and in compliance with Confidentiality of Information policy.
- To represent Wheelchair Services externally i.e. locally, regionally and nationally, in the absence of the Wheelchair Services Manager.
Person Specification
Education & Qualification
Essential
- Degree/masters in Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy
- Health and Care Professions Council Registration
- Documented evidence of Continuing Professional Development
Desirable
- Membership of an appropriate professional body
Experience & Knowledge
Essential
- High level of knowledge of the provision of wheel chair services for adult and paediatrics
- Knowledge and experience of using analytical and clinical reasoning skills to provide specialist assessment and intervention relevant to a wide ranging client group.
- Knowledge of the complex interaction between mobility and function for people presenting with multiple pathologies.
- Experience of the supervision of staff and students
- Experience of participating in research and audit.
- High level of ability to work under pressure and set priorities to achieve service objectives.
- Experience of working with adults with complex physical, sensory and cognitive disabilities.
- Experience of working with a range of primary and community services including Health, Social Care Services and the independent Sector.
- Leadership experience in a Health/Social care setting.
Desirable
- Presentation and training skills
- Experience of working to a budget
- Membership of a special interest group relevant to the role.
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- A high level of ability to reflect on and critically appraise own and others practice and performance
- Standard computer skills including use of Microsoft and email.
- Ability to take sensitive yet rational decisions.
- Ability to organise and prioritise own and others workload and to keep accurate records.
- Ability to contribute to team working, service improvement and organisational development.
- Ability to travel independently to carry out the post
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Self-motivated
- Commitment to patient centred non-discriminatory practice
- Ability to cope under pressure
- Flexible approach to working hours/duties
Person Specification
Education & Qualification
Essential
- Degree/masters in Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy
- Health and Care Professions Council Registration
- Documented evidence of Continuing Professional Development
Desirable
- Membership of an appropriate professional body
Experience & Knowledge
Essential
- High level of knowledge of the provision of wheel chair services for adult and paediatrics
- Knowledge and experience of using analytical and clinical reasoning skills to provide specialist assessment and intervention relevant to a wide ranging client group.
- Knowledge of the complex interaction between mobility and function for people presenting with multiple pathologies.
- Experience of the supervision of staff and students
- Experience of participating in research and audit.
- High level of ability to work under pressure and set priorities to achieve service objectives.
- Experience of working with adults with complex physical, sensory and cognitive disabilities.
- Experience of working with a range of primary and community services including Health, Social Care Services and the independent Sector.
- Leadership experience in a Health/Social care setting.
Desirable
- Presentation and training skills
- Experience of working to a budget
- Membership of a special interest group relevant to the role.
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- A high level of ability to reflect on and critically appraise own and others practice and performance
- Standard computer skills including use of Microsoft and email.
- Ability to take sensitive yet rational decisions.
- Ability to organise and prioritise own and others workload and to keep accurate records.
- Ability to contribute to team working, service improvement and organisational development.
- Ability to travel independently to carry out the post
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Self-motivated
- Commitment to patient centred non-discriminatory practice
- Ability to cope under pressure
- Flexible approach to working hours/duties
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).
