Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our friendly team at the Wheelchair & Specialist Seating Service, based at the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield.
We are looking for a dedicated individual with a problem-solving approach, and an interest in optimising functional independence and quality of life through use of specialist equipment and posture management.
This is a role with plenty of variety and the ability to learn new skills, including working with both adults and children, delivering hospital and community-based outpatient clinics, home visits, and working closely with external equipment suppliers.
The post holder will work independently and with autonomy but will also form part of a supportive multi-disciplinary team including experienced Rehabilitation Engineers, Wheelchair Technicians, and a Physiotherapist.
You will be a current Physiotherapist/Occupational Therapist or able to show demonstrable experience of working with wheelchairs or specialist seating, such as in a nursing or rehabilitation engineering background.
Main duties of the job
To manage a specialist clinical caseload of paediatric and adult patients who require non-powered and powered wheelchairs and/or have complex seating needs including postural and pressure management.
You will be involved in the assessment, prescription and handover of equipment. You will provide guidance and education to clients, carers, and other healthcare professionals in finding solutions to postural, functional and technical challenges.
Activity will be delivered in a variety of settings including outpatient clinics, home visits and an outreach service to schools.
Please note that this post involves lone working in the community and driving across the South Yorkshire region, therefore access to a car and a clean driving license is essential.
You will receive full training, support and supervision and be part of an MDT providing holistic, individualised care for people with long-term and often complex needs.
About us
The Sheffield Wheelchair and Special Seating Service is one of the largest of its kind in England, providing a range of specialist mobility equipment to children and adults with limited mobility, including those with complex physical and learning disabilities, and many with multiple pathologies.
The service covers a large catchment area of Sheffield, Barnsley, Bassetlaw and Rotherham (currently special seating only).
The service belongs to the Specialised Rehabilitation Services directorate which also includes the Princess Royal Spinal Cord Injury Centre, Prosthetics & Orthotics, and Gait Analysis Lab. The post is a static post in Wheelchair Services.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To apply your experience as a Physiotherapist/Occupational Therapist or your work within wheelchair and seating to provide specialist knowledge and skills in the assessment, prescription, provision and maintenance of mobility, posture and supportive seating equipment. To provide specialist advice to therapists, nurses, doctors, users and other health and social care professionals concerning posture and mobility.
- To provide training to users, their carers and other professionals in wheelchair/equipment usage. Ability to adjust wheelchairs and manipulate a variety of tools expertly in order to do so.
- To provide training to students/other health care professionals regarding the Wheelchair and Special Seating Service and equipment provision.
- To triage, receive, screen and interpret referrals, direct to appropriate action/clinic/prescription.
- To clinically lead appropriate special seating clinics and seek additional support when required to make joint clinical decisions.
- To assess clients using specialised skills and prescribe mobility, seating and pressure distribution equipment independently, whilst adhering to criteria and working within defined protocols.
- To carry out routine screening assessments for powered chair eligibility, handover powered wheelchairs and review prescribed powered wheelchairs and attendant controlled powered chairs.
- To assess risk to ensure safety of user/carer/self and colleagues and report back to senior member of team when required.
- To be responsible for negotiating user-centred goals, ensuring eligibility criteria are fulfilled. To undertake holistic assessments to encourage clients to identify their own goals in the remit of PWBs.
- To have up-to-date specialist knowledge of wheelchairs / pressure distribution cushions / seating and current practice and use this as an evidence base when making clinical decisions.
- To recognise the need and refer users/carers to other agencies/professionals, e.g. GPs, Consultants, District Nurses, etc.
- To have a working knowledge of NHS wheelchairs and how to use them, e.g. folding, removing footrests, etc.
- Be responsible for assessing manual handling needs of users and assisting accordingly. Be able to use hoist, scales etc. used in the Wheelchair and Special Seating Service.
- To assist in toileting, emptying of catheter bags, etc. if necessary when in clinic.
- To communicate effectively using a range of verbal and nonverbal communication techniques with the Wheelchair and Special Seating Service team, users, carers, other health professionals, social services, authorised repairers, manufacturers and individuals involved in users care. This will include users who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating..
- Offer specialised advice/training regarding wheelchair usage/positioning to other professionals for them to include in users care plan.
- Communicate complex, sensitive and contentious information effectively with patients, carers and staff in the multi-disciplinary team and other agencies.
- To assess users understanding of service intervention, gain valid informed consent for this intervention and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with users who lack the capacity to consent
- Exhibit good listening skills and a patience to understand especially when users have learning difficulties/speech problems.
- To participate in users case conferences, either in person or providing specialist written information, as appropriate.
- To take part in tutorials in-service training, peer review and support reflective practice. To take part in training/education of colleagues and staff/students of other disciplines.
- To offer day to day supervision to therapy support staff.
- To manage own time and arrange appointments in conjunction with scheduled clinics. To manage own caseload where applicable, raising any concerns through the line management structure.
- To be accountable for your own professional actions and work without constant, direct supervision.
- To participate in service development and influence changes in local policies/clinical practice.
- Participate in audit/research and development work as applicable to the Wheelchair and Special Seating Service.
- To represent the Wheelchair and Special Searing Service regarding quality issues.
- To maintain accurate and up-to-date health care records in line with Trust policy, and/or any professional body represented by the individual, with regard to both user interventions and statistical records. To submit specialist reports as required.
- To use technology and electronic systems to aid communication amongst professionals (internal and external to the Trust), to access research clinical guidelines and any information which may aid CPD and improve the service.
Professional
- To maintain professional standards at all times as expected by the Trust and/or in accordance with any professional body represented by the individual.
- To have a diploma/degree in Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy or show a high level of experience in the provision of wheelchairs and or special seating.
- Maintain professional registration (if applicable) and take responsibility for own continued professional development and document this evidence in an appropriate portfolio, showing proof of competence to practice within the NHS and Wheelchair Service.
- To promote the Wheelchair and Special Seating Service to the wider community by delivering awareness training to other health professionals, schools, etc. as required.
- To be responsible for providing fieldwork education placements and liaising with students/college.
- To contribute to the clinical governance agenda, attending clinical team meetings, other staff meetings, governance forums, etc.
- Any other duties incidental to the post.
Physical
- Carry out assessments and treatments which involves physically assisting patients to stand and walk, kneeling, squatting, crouching, bending to low furniture, twisting, maintaining static/awkward postures for short periods of time. Lifting, carrying and adjusting wheelchairs several times a day on a daily basis.
- To comply with the Trusts Manual Handling and Health and Safety policies at all times and within guidelines and therapeutic handling.
- Involves frequent exposure to unpleasant working and weather conditions. On a daily basis, e.g. sweat, bodily fluids, lice, unhygienic surroundings, cramped conditions. Exposure to verbal and occasionally physical aggression by patients and carers.
- Work alone in varied environments such as peoples homes, residential homes, nursing homes, outdoors. Assessing and managing risk on a daily basis.
- To cope with driving in busy and adverse conditions throughout the working day.
- Transportation of wheelchairs/equipment in own car or company van, loading and unloading equipment.
- To maintain high levels of concentration throughout the day, e.g. during communication within a busy office environment, whilst driving, during user contact time, writing user notes, and reading clinical information and advising other staff.
Communication
- To maintain systematic clinical and professional records as required by the service, including the provision of statistical information as required.
- To facilitate effective communication and co-ordination between health professionals (hospital and community-based medical personnel, nursing staff and allied health professionals), Social Services, Education Services, the approved repairer, contracted specialist seating providers, homecare and day care staff, voluntary sector agency staff and private industry. Attendance at individual case conferences and clinical reviews as required.
- To provide verbal and written reports/letters as required to support clinical and legal intervention.
- To communicate sensitive information effectively where there may be difficulties or barriers to understanding.
- To communicate effectively with clients, carers and appropriate staff involved maximising appropriateness and effectiveness of equipment provision recognising the sensitivity of a persons needs.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To apply your experience as a Physiotherapist/Occupational Therapist or your work within wheelchair and seating to provide specialist knowledge and skills in the assessment, prescription, provision and maintenance of mobility, posture and supportive seating equipment. To provide specialist advice to therapists, nurses, doctors, users and other health and social care professionals concerning posture and mobility.
- To provide training to users, their carers and other professionals in wheelchair/equipment usage. Ability to adjust wheelchairs and manipulate a variety of tools expertly in order to do so.
- To provide training to students/other health care professionals regarding the Wheelchair and Special Seating Service and equipment provision.
- To triage, receive, screen and interpret referrals, direct to appropriate action/clinic/prescription.
- To clinically lead appropriate special seating clinics and seek additional support when required to make joint clinical decisions.
- To assess clients using specialised skills and prescribe mobility, seating and pressure distribution equipment independently, whilst adhering to criteria and working within defined protocols.
- To carry out routine screening assessments for powered chair eligibility, handover powered wheelchairs and review prescribed powered wheelchairs and attendant controlled powered chairs.
- To assess risk to ensure safety of user/carer/self and colleagues and report back to senior member of team when required.
- To be responsible for negotiating user-centred goals, ensuring eligibility criteria are fulfilled. To undertake holistic assessments to encourage clients to identify their own goals in the remit of PWBs.
- To have up-to-date specialist knowledge of wheelchairs / pressure distribution cushions / seating and current practice and use this as an evidence base when making clinical decisions.
- To recognise the need and refer users/carers to other agencies/professionals, e.g. GPs, Consultants, District Nurses, etc.
- To have a working knowledge of NHS wheelchairs and how to use them, e.g. folding, removing footrests, etc.
- Be responsible for assessing manual handling needs of users and assisting accordingly. Be able to use hoist, scales etc. used in the Wheelchair and Special Seating Service.
- To assist in toileting, emptying of catheter bags, etc. if necessary when in clinic.
- To communicate effectively using a range of verbal and nonverbal communication techniques with the Wheelchair and Special Seating Service team, users, carers, other health professionals, social services, authorised repairers, manufacturers and individuals involved in users care. This will include users who may have difficulties in understanding or communicating..
- Offer specialised advice/training regarding wheelchair usage/positioning to other professionals for them to include in users care plan.
- Communicate complex, sensitive and contentious information effectively with patients, carers and staff in the multi-disciplinary team and other agencies.
- To assess users understanding of service intervention, gain valid informed consent for this intervention and have the capacity to work within a legal framework with users who lack the capacity to consent
- Exhibit good listening skills and a patience to understand especially when users have learning difficulties/speech problems.
- To participate in users case conferences, either in person or providing specialist written information, as appropriate.
- To take part in tutorials in-service training, peer review and support reflective practice. To take part in training/education of colleagues and staff/students of other disciplines.
- To offer day to day supervision to therapy support staff.
- To manage own time and arrange appointments in conjunction with scheduled clinics. To manage own caseload where applicable, raising any concerns through the line management structure.
- To be accountable for your own professional actions and work without constant, direct supervision.
- To participate in service development and influence changes in local policies/clinical practice.
- Participate in audit/research and development work as applicable to the Wheelchair and Special Seating Service.
- To represent the Wheelchair and Special Searing Service regarding quality issues.
- To maintain accurate and up-to-date health care records in line with Trust policy, and/or any professional body represented by the individual, with regard to both user interventions and statistical records. To submit specialist reports as required.
- To use technology and electronic systems to aid communication amongst professionals (internal and external to the Trust), to access research clinical guidelines and any information which may aid CPD and improve the service.
Professional
- To maintain professional standards at all times as expected by the Trust and/or in accordance with any professional body represented by the individual.
- To have a diploma/degree in Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy or show a high level of experience in the provision of wheelchairs and or special seating.
- Maintain professional registration (if applicable) and take responsibility for own continued professional development and document this evidence in an appropriate portfolio, showing proof of competence to practice within the NHS and Wheelchair Service.
- To promote the Wheelchair and Special Seating Service to the wider community by delivering awareness training to other health professionals, schools, etc. as required.
- To be responsible for providing fieldwork education placements and liaising with students/college.
- To contribute to the clinical governance agenda, attending clinical team meetings, other staff meetings, governance forums, etc.
- Any other duties incidental to the post.
Physical
- Carry out assessments and treatments which involves physically assisting patients to stand and walk, kneeling, squatting, crouching, bending to low furniture, twisting, maintaining static/awkward postures for short periods of time. Lifting, carrying and adjusting wheelchairs several times a day on a daily basis.
- To comply with the Trusts Manual Handling and Health and Safety policies at all times and within guidelines and therapeutic handling.
- Involves frequent exposure to unpleasant working and weather conditions. On a daily basis, e.g. sweat, bodily fluids, lice, unhygienic surroundings, cramped conditions. Exposure to verbal and occasionally physical aggression by patients and carers.
- Work alone in varied environments such as peoples homes, residential homes, nursing homes, outdoors. Assessing and managing risk on a daily basis.
- To cope with driving in busy and adverse conditions throughout the working day.
- Transportation of wheelchairs/equipment in own car or company van, loading and unloading equipment.
- To maintain high levels of concentration throughout the day, e.g. during communication within a busy office environment, whilst driving, during user contact time, writing user notes, and reading clinical information and advising other staff.
Communication
- To maintain systematic clinical and professional records as required by the service, including the provision of statistical information as required.
- To facilitate effective communication and co-ordination between health professionals (hospital and community-based medical personnel, nursing staff and allied health professionals), Social Services, Education Services, the approved repairer, contracted specialist seating providers, homecare and day care staff, voluntary sector agency staff and private industry. Attendance at individual case conferences and clinical reviews as required.
- To provide verbal and written reports/letters as required to support clinical and legal intervention.
- To communicate sensitive information effectively where there may be difficulties or barriers to understanding.
- To communicate effectively with clients, carers and appropriate staff involved maximising appropriateness and effectiveness of equipment provision recognising the sensitivity of a persons needs.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Current registration and qualification in Occupational Therapy / Physiotherapy, or significant experience working with wheelchairs and special seating in a different professional role (e.g., nursing) or from a rehabilitation engineering background
- Participation in specialist training programmes relevant to wheelchairs and special seating
Experience
Essential
- Relevant professional experience and skill to manage a complex specialist caseload including patients with long term conditions and the provision of equipment
- Paediatric experience
Desirable
- Clinical Governance or Health & Safety, link worker
- Member of special Interest Group
- Fieldwork educators Course
- Clinical Effectiveness course/Project
Further Training
Essential
- Evidence of continuous personal & professional development
- Good theoretical and practical knowledge in wheelchairs and special seating
Desirable
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Clinical Governance
Special Skills/Aptitudes
Essential
- Competency in clinical reasoning, processes & practices
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and team working skills
- Able to maintain confidentiality
- Able to act on own initiative, organise and prioritise work and manage multiple tasks
- Able to maintain accurate written records & statistics
- Calm approach to changing work situations
- Able to teach and motivate others
Desirable
- Understanding of therapy in an acute hospital
- IT literate
- Understanding of stress and ability to help others cope under pressure
Other Factors
Essential
- Current up to date driving licence and use of a vehicle
- Willing to comply with uniform standards
- Flexible and reliable approach to working practices
- Positive, proactive attitude to patient care and teamwork
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Current registration and qualification in Occupational Therapy / Physiotherapy, or significant experience working with wheelchairs and special seating in a different professional role (e.g., nursing) or from a rehabilitation engineering background
- Participation in specialist training programmes relevant to wheelchairs and special seating
Experience
Essential
- Relevant professional experience and skill to manage a complex specialist caseload including patients with long term conditions and the provision of equipment
- Paediatric experience
Desirable
- Clinical Governance or Health & Safety, link worker
- Member of special Interest Group
- Fieldwork educators Course
- Clinical Effectiveness course/Project
Further Training
Essential
- Evidence of continuous personal & professional development
- Good theoretical and practical knowledge in wheelchairs and special seating
Desirable
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Clinical Governance
Special Skills/Aptitudes
Essential
- Competency in clinical reasoning, processes & practices
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and team working skills
- Able to maintain confidentiality
- Able to act on own initiative, organise and prioritise work and manage multiple tasks
- Able to maintain accurate written records & statistics
- Calm approach to changing work situations
- Able to teach and motivate others
Desirable
- Understanding of therapy in an acute hospital
- IT literate
- Understanding of stress and ability to help others cope under pressure
Other Factors
Essential
- Current up to date driving licence and use of a vehicle
- Willing to comply with uniform standards
- Flexible and reliable approach to working practices
- Positive, proactive attitude to patient care and teamwork
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).
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).
Employer details
Employer name
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Mobility & Specialised Rehabilitation Centre, Northern General Hospital
Herries Road
Sheffield
S5 7AU
Employer's website
https://www.sth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)
