Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Orthotist

The closing date is 26 May 2025

Job summary

The Orthotics Department at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital Oswestry, is looking for 2 experienced B7 Orthotists to join the large NHS team. Both positions are for clinically experienced Orthotists who will be based both at RJAH and Shrewsbury and Telford hospitals, working within the orthotics clinical team and in specialized MDT clinics and teams. A extensive range of clinical experience is required including specialist areas of acute diabetes and gait management.

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. Job seekers should be aware that not all roles will be eligible for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. For further information visit UK Visas and Immigration - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Main duties of the job

The team at Oswestry has 17 orthotists, 1 apprentice orthotist, 4 orthotics assistants and onsite manufacturing with a technical team of 11 technicians.

The Department treats a full spectrum range of patients, regularly supports undergraduate and post graduate placements and training, and has a strong focus on development and progression, supporting clinical development.

The main duties of this clinical role are contained within the job description.

The Orthotist is responsible for their own clinical caseload of patients, teaching and training of other orthotists and students and clinical development of themselves and the team around them. They also have responsibilities linked to audit, safeguarding and process development.

The trust ensures CPD is supported both in clinical and non-clinical development and has a strong team ethos, and integration within the hospitals were the service is provided.

About us

The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic NHS Trust (RJAH)is one of the leading orthopaedic hospitals in the country, with some of the highest levels of staff and patient satisfaction, as well as a strong reputation for research and innovation.

Joining RJAH is more than just a job - we want our people to have the best opportunities to thrive in their role.We have a range of fantastic staff benefits on offer to everyone who joins RJAH and you'll have access to outstanding professional development opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities - including our recently-opened £6 million Headley Court Veterans' Orthopaedic Centre (the first unit of its kind in the UK).RJAH has strong links with a range of universities including Staffordshire, Keele, Glyndwr, Chester and Birmingham.The hospital is located on a site outside Oswestry in Oswestry, just off the A5. The nearest train station is in Gobowen, approximately two miles from the hospital. The station is part of the Chester to Birmingham line.We are based in North Shropshire, close to the border with North and Mid Wales. It is one of the most attractive parts of the country, with a rich historic culture and excellent transport links. It offers outstanding opportunities for anyone who enjoys an outdoor lifestyle or is looking to raise a family.

Date posted

12 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year pa pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

224-PA20250402621

Job locations

Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital

Oswestry

SY10 7AG

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. Accept referrals from medical and healthcare professionals and undertake clinical assessment and examination of patients to provide suitable orthotic clinical-technical prescriptions, including triage and prioritisation of patient need. Accept as an individualthe legal responsibility for patients orthotic care.

2. Use measurement and data acquisition techniques in recording all pertinent information to ensure accuracy of patient prescriptions.

3. Perform plaster positive model rectifications as appropriate.

4. Specify the design, componentry, materials, fabrication method and suppliers of orthoses and order individual items to meet the patients clinical needs.

5. Perform risk assessments in the selection of components for customised devices to ensure patient safety.

6. Perform mechanical and technical adjustments to orthoses.

7. Evaluate the completed device on the patient to ensure the desired quality of body-device interface, functional alignment comfort, cosmetic appearance and mechanical integrity and safety.

8. Re-evaluate the above following an agreed time interval to meet patient needs or requirements of a care plan (review appointments).

9. Provide verbal, visual and written department information, explanation and highly specialised clinical advice to the patient and/or carers at every stage of device provision for informed consent including complex devices

10. Report patient adverse incidents related to the provision of orthoses to maintain patient safety and engage in national reporting and monitoring procedures for specialised medical devices.

11. Provide written updates to referrer as to orthotic treatment and status and refer patients to other disciplines to ensure appropriate care.

12. Give clinical and professional advice to the multi-disciplinary team regarding appropriate orthotic provision for patients.

13. Advise and maintain effective liaison with technical support personnel including assistance with training in order to ensure best current technical practice in meeting patients needs.14. Ensure excellent written and verbal communications are maintained with patients, carers, relatives and members of the health and social care teams; convey complex and sensitive information at appropriate levels of understanding.

15. Use excellent negotiating and counselling skills and other tools to ensure the effective communication of complex, sensitive and emotional information and to overcome barriers to understanding in an empathic way. Such persons will include those At risk, the terminally ill, the vulnerable, those such as stroke patients, the learning disabled, thedeaf and hard of hearing and those possessing poor communication skills. Also non-English speakers and those who speak some English but who have a different first language.

16. Be able to negotiate care plans with patients and carers using motivational and supportive skills to overcome any differences in opinions and understanding to ensure co-operation from a range of orthotic management options.

17. Agree and document outcome measures in patients treatment plan.

18. Record accurately up to date patient activity as required by the Department of Health for performance monitoring for the department and its purchasers.

19. Prioritise individual in-patient orthotic treatment and adjust the departments out-patient clinical activity to facilitate timely rehabilitation and discharge of the in-patients.

The full details of the job description are within the the attached job description and person specification.