Job summary
Applications are invited from experienced Occupational Therapists/Physiotherapists who are looking to develop specialist skills in the assessment and provision of Wheelchair/Postural Seating services.
There will also be an opportunity to work on the introduction of the national Multi-grip hand/digit prosthesis NHSE policy with Upper Limb amputees.
Referrals into the service are accepted for clients of all ages, children and adults, with a broad range of mobility problems/medical conditions. The majority of clients are seen in clinics held at the Prosthetic and Wheelchair Centre; however, they may also be assessed in various community settings according to their individual needs.
The successful candidate will need to demonstrate a broad base of generic experience in the field of physical disability. Previous experience in the assessment and prescription of wheelchairs/postural seating is desirable but not essential.
The ability to drive and travel across the community and carry equipment effectively and efficiently is an essential requirement of this post. Multi-disciplinary working is integral in practice.
Note:the service may choose to employ either a physiotherapist or an occupational therapist.
**Previous applicants need not re-apply**
Main duties of the job
To apply Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy principles to provide specialist knowledge and skills in the assessment, prescription, provision and maintenance of mobility, posture and supportive seating equipment to users.
About us
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital & Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients.
UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond.
For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.
Aintree University Hospital is the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility. Broadgreen Hospital is home to elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation. Liverpool Women's Hospital specialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK's largest single site maternity hospital each year. The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.
For roles at Liverpool Women's, visit their careers page.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide high-quality person-centred care which considers people's safety, privacy and dignity using advanced clinical knowledge that is evidence based.
To undertake independent assessment and management of wheelchair service users and where appropriate make complex clinical decisions regarding service user management and clinical outcomes.
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.
To work with clients of all ages and with clinical presentations that affect long term mobility.
To work with Upper Limb amputees to maximise independence and the appropriate use of upper limb prostheses.
Undertake comprehensive holistic assessment of patients and carers where needs are complex. This will involve planning, implementing and evaluating care delivery according to changing healthcare needs.
To work autonomously using advanced levels of history taking and examination skills within multidisciplinary team, guidelines and protocols.
Utilise clinical skills in assessment and/or formulating prescription of wheelchair, pressure relieving cushions and special seating.
Demonstrate a high level of knowledge in relation to pattern of disease or disorder, markers of condition progression and range of options available at each stage of disorder or condition.
Be able to assess critically and re-evaluate the clinical situation as the patient's condition changes.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide high-quality person-centred care which considers people's safety, privacy and dignity using advanced clinical knowledge that is evidence based.
To undertake independent assessment and management of wheelchair service users and where appropriate make complex clinical decisions regarding service user management and clinical outcomes.
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.
To work with clients of all ages and with clinical presentations that affect long term mobility.
To work with Upper Limb amputees to maximise independence and the appropriate use of upper limb prostheses.
Undertake comprehensive holistic assessment of patients and carers where needs are complex. This will involve planning, implementing and evaluating care delivery according to changing healthcare needs.
To work autonomously using advanced levels of history taking and examination skills within multidisciplinary team, guidelines and protocols.
Utilise clinical skills in assessment and/or formulating prescription of wheelchair, pressure relieving cushions and special seating.
Demonstrate a high level of knowledge in relation to pattern of disease or disorder, markers of condition progression and range of options available at each stage of disorder or condition.
Be able to assess critically and re-evaluate the clinical situation as the patient's condition changes.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree/Diploma in Physiotherapy / Occupational Therapy or equivalent
- HCPC Registration
- CPD
Desirable
- Member of Special Interest group
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience as a Physiotherapist in the NHS or Healthcare Service and be able to demonstrate awareness of current NHS and trust issues
- Post registration experience in a junior rotational post providing a broad experience in musculoskeletal / medical surgical conditions
- Evidence of a contribution to clinical education of less experienced staff, students or assistants.
- Evidence of participation in audit
- Evidence of the advanced skills required to plan complex and rapid discharges
Desirable
- Have a knowledge of audit tools and awareness of organisational and clinical standards in Physiotherapy
Knowledge
Essential
- Evidence of sound clinical knowledge and specialist skills relevant to the clinical caseload
- Broad knowledge of current best practice in Occupational Therapy / Physiotherapy
- Have an understanding of the legal responsibilities of the profession
Other
Essential
- Flexible and open to change
- Ability and willingness to undertake further training as necessary
- Must be able to travel to different sites and patient homes using own transport as Trust will be unable to provide this.
Skills
Essential
- Ability to manage own work load, determine priorities and delegate tasks
- Effective written and oral communication skills
- Ability to keep accurate legible patient notes
- Teaching / Presentations at In - Service level
- Able to evaluate and be critical of self
- Must be able to maintain patient confidentiality
- Ability to think quickly, assess clinical situations and take decisions upon that information
- Ability to liaise effectively within the multi-disciplinary team.
- Ability to motivate patients and other staff
- Must be able to demonstrate the confidence to E take independent action.
Desirable
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree/Diploma in Physiotherapy / Occupational Therapy or equivalent
- HCPC Registration
- CPD
Desirable
- Member of Special Interest group
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience as a Physiotherapist in the NHS or Healthcare Service and be able to demonstrate awareness of current NHS and trust issues
- Post registration experience in a junior rotational post providing a broad experience in musculoskeletal / medical surgical conditions
- Evidence of a contribution to clinical education of less experienced staff, students or assistants.
- Evidence of participation in audit
- Evidence of the advanced skills required to plan complex and rapid discharges
Desirable
- Have a knowledge of audit tools and awareness of organisational and clinical standards in Physiotherapy
Knowledge
Essential
- Evidence of sound clinical knowledge and specialist skills relevant to the clinical caseload
- Broad knowledge of current best practice in Occupational Therapy / Physiotherapy
- Have an understanding of the legal responsibilities of the profession
Other
Essential
- Flexible and open to change
- Ability and willingness to undertake further training as necessary
- Must be able to travel to different sites and patient homes using own transport as Trust will be unable to provide this.
Skills
Essential
- Ability to manage own work load, determine priorities and delegate tasks
- Effective written and oral communication skills
- Ability to keep accurate legible patient notes
- Teaching / Presentations at In - Service level
- Able to evaluate and be critical of self
- Must be able to maintain patient confidentiality
- Ability to think quickly, assess clinical situations and take decisions upon that information
- Ability to liaise effectively within the multi-disciplinary team.
- Ability to motivate patients and other staff
- Must be able to demonstrate the confidence to E take independent action.
Desirable
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).
