Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Wheelchair Technician

The closing date is 20 May 2025

Job summary

Sheffield Wheelchair Services is offering an exciting opportunity to join a dedicated team committed to enhancing the independence and quality of life for individuals with complex mobility impairments.

We welcome applications from existing NHS Employees possibly working as a Therapy Assistant or Technician with some experience of working with clients with mobility needs or wheelchairs to develop their experience further.

This is not just a job; it's an opportunity to gain valuable experience and develop skills in the provision of wheelchairs and seating for clients who have varied long term mobility needs. The post holder will support the clinical team and be responsible for booking in new and existing equipment, assessing and maintaining stock levels and liaising with the administrative team and suppliers to ensure stock is maintained at the necessary levels required to ensure the smooth running of the service.

Support to the clinical team within clinics both on and off site will be expected as will independent community visits for less complex cases, requiring the measurement of clients, demonstration and handover of wheelchairs and accessories where appropriate.

We are looking for someone who is motivated, patient-centred and an ability to work within a small team or independently as required to help achieve client's health and wellbeing goals.

Main duties of the job

Support Clinicians in Managing a Diverse Caseload: Working with children and adults eligible for NHS wheelchair provision, including simple manual provision, configurable lightweight or active user provision, powered wheelchairs, specialist buggies, postural management, pressure care and complex seating needs.

Support Clinicians in Personalised Care: Provide holistic, individualised care for people with long-term and often complex needs through assisting in the assessment, review and handover of equipment.

Education & Guidance: Offer basic and simple guidance and education to clients, their carers, and other representatives.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Work as part of a dynamic multidisciplinary team.

Stock Control: Booking in new and existing equipment including wheelchairs, special seating, accessories, cushions and any other stock items requested by the service. Assessment and maintenance of stock levels for locally held accessories acting as a liaison between our administrative team and suppliers to ensure stock is at the levels required to ensure the smooth running of the service.

Clinical Support: Within clinics both on and off site as well as independent community visits for less complex cases,

A full clean driving licence is essential.

About us

You will be working for an organisation which values and respects all of its staff and the community it serves. The Trust is a leader in the NHS and research sectors and provides excellent benefits for its staff. This includes commitments to professional development but also many policies to support employees in balancing their personal and professional lives.

Why Join Us?

Career Growth & Experience: An opportunity to spend time working within a specialised service dealing with various conditions/disabilities and clients of all ages.

Impactful Work: Contribute to enhancing the independence and well-being of individuals of all ages across the region with long-term and complex needs.

Autonomy: Enjoy variety in your role and the balance of working independently whilst being part of a supportive multidisciplinary team.

Your base will be at the Mobility and Specialised Rehabilitation Centre, Northern General Hospital, with clinical activities also undertaken in community settings and clients' homes. This role involves some lone working, regional travel, and physical fitness for moving and handling equipment and clients.

Join us in this unique opportunity to gain experience working in a highly specialised field with a variety of different clients of all age groups, helping to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve. Apply today to become a vital part of our dynamic and dedicated team.

Details

Date posted

07 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year Per annum pro rata for part time staff

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

9 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

190-0284-DIR

Job locations

Northern General Hospital

Herries Road Drive, Northern General Hospital

Sheffield

S5 7AU


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please view the attached Job Description and Person Specification documents for full details regarding this post.

When completing your application please ensure that you clearly demonstrate how you meet the role criteria.

This vacancy is advertised on a fixed term contract basis for a period until 31st January 2026 due to maternity leave of the substantive post holder. The fixed term contract status of the post holder will be reviewed in accordance with the Trust's legal obligations regarding fixed term contracts and statutory maternity provisions.

Please also note any secondment must first be agreed with your current line manager.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please view the attached Job Description and Person Specification documents for full details regarding this post.

When completing your application please ensure that you clearly demonstrate how you meet the role criteria.

This vacancy is advertised on a fixed term contract basis for a period until 31st January 2026 due to maternity leave of the substantive post holder. The fixed term contract status of the post holder will be reviewed in accordance with the Trust's legal obligations regarding fixed term contracts and statutory maternity provisions.

Please also note any secondment must first be agreed with your current line manager.

Person Specification

Qualifications (General education/further and professional)

Essential

  • GCSE Grade C/4 or equivalent in English
  • Completion of a relevant competency framework in a previous role (i.e. Therapy Assistant, Technician) or a willingness to work towards this

Experience (Previous/current work or any other relevant experience)

Essential

  • Current or previous experience working within the NHS
  • Experience of working with individuals with mobility complications
  • Experience of working in a clinic and/ or individuals home environment or a willingness to do so, either independently or jointly with other members of the team
  • Experience of working with wheelchairs or specialised seating or a willingness to develop this experience
  • Moving and handling skills and training

Desirable

  • Currently working in elderly/rehabilitation/ medicine/ surgery/orthopaedic/ neurology specialities, in adult or paediatric services within an in-patient, outpatient or community setting
  • Experience of working with children and or young persons in a hospital/community or schools setting

Further Training (Specialist/Management previous job

Desirable

  • Current knowledge & skills in practice relevant to Wheelchair Services or a willingness to learn from colleagues, mentors and suppliers through a variety of different mediums

Special Skills/Aptitudes (Verbal, numerical, mechanical)

Essential

  • Excellent interpersonal and team working skills
  • Able to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing
  • Able to maintain confidentiality
  • Ability to act on own initiative, organise work and manage multiple tasks
  • Calm approach to changing work situations
  • Ability to maintain accurate written records & statistics to the standards
  • A logical and organised approach to stock control
  • Basic ability/competence in working with hand tools and/or in a workshop environment

Desirable

  • Comprehensive understanding of therapy in line with the role
  • IT literate

Other Factors (e.g. car driver/owner, Hepatitis B immunity, Criminal Record Disclosure Level )

Essential

  • Full driving licence valid for the UK and use of a vehicle for work purposes
  • Flexible and reliable approach to working practices
  • Positive attitude to patient care and teamwork
  • Willing to work flexibly as service requires
Person Specification

Qualifications (General education/further and professional)

Essential

  • GCSE Grade C/4 or equivalent in English
  • Completion of a relevant competency framework in a previous role (i.e. Therapy Assistant, Technician) or a willingness to work towards this

Experience (Previous/current work or any other relevant experience)

Essential

  • Current or previous experience working within the NHS
  • Experience of working with individuals with mobility complications
  • Experience of working in a clinic and/ or individuals home environment or a willingness to do so, either independently or jointly with other members of the team
  • Experience of working with wheelchairs or specialised seating or a willingness to develop this experience
  • Moving and handling skills and training

Desirable

  • Currently working in elderly/rehabilitation/ medicine/ surgery/orthopaedic/ neurology specialities, in adult or paediatric services within an in-patient, outpatient or community setting
  • Experience of working with children and or young persons in a hospital/community or schools setting

Further Training (Specialist/Management previous job

Desirable

  • Current knowledge & skills in practice relevant to Wheelchair Services or a willingness to learn from colleagues, mentors and suppliers through a variety of different mediums

Special Skills/Aptitudes (Verbal, numerical, mechanical)

Essential

  • Excellent interpersonal and team working skills
  • Able to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing
  • Able to maintain confidentiality
  • Ability to act on own initiative, organise work and manage multiple tasks
  • Calm approach to changing work situations
  • Ability to maintain accurate written records & statistics to the standards
  • A logical and organised approach to stock control
  • Basic ability/competence in working with hand tools and/or in a workshop environment

Desirable

  • Comprehensive understanding of therapy in line with the role
  • IT literate

Other Factors (e.g. car driver/owner, Hepatitis B immunity, Criminal Record Disclosure Level )

Essential

  • Full driving licence valid for the UK and use of a vehicle for work purposes
  • Flexible and reliable approach to working practices
  • Positive attitude to patient care and teamwork
  • Willing to work flexibly as service requires

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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

Northern General Hospital

Herries Road Drive, Northern General Hospital

Sheffield

S5 7AU


Employer's website

https://www.sth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Northern General Hospital

Herries Road Drive, Northern General Hospital

Sheffield

S5 7AU


Employer's website

https://www.sth.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Lead

Paul Gambles

paul.gambles@nhs.net

01142267355

Details

Date posted

07 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year Per annum pro rata for part time staff

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

9 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

190-0284-DIR

Job locations

Northern General Hospital

Herries Road Drive, Northern General Hospital

Sheffield

S5 7AU


Supporting documents

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