Wheelchair Therapist (XR05)

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder must perform at an entry level the therapeutic assessment, prescription and review of wheelchairs and associated equipment, including pressure relief, for patients with physical and psychological conditions, with acute and chronic presentations.

The post holder is required to provide clinical advice and supervision to unqualified staff, students and carers, and to ensure effective communication on professional matters with and among those groups.

The job holder is responsible for their own continuous, personal and professional development.

To manage a clinical workload at a entry level; assessing and treating patients and maintaining associated records.

The post holder undertakes all aspects of work as an autonomous practitioner within this specialist field. The post holder will have access to advice and support from a Senior Therapist as an when required.

Clinical intervention may take place in a variety of settings including wards, therapy departments, clinics, peoples homes, workplaces, community facilities, child care and educational establishments.

The work involves close liaison with the multi-disciplinary team and community-based health and social care providers.

There are currently 15 staff in the service. The Wheelchair Service deals with between 6,000 and 6,500 users. The job requires multi-level interventions with members of the public, internal and external healthcare professionals, clinicians, and representatives of external organisations including suppliers.

Job responsibilities

Clinical

1. To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients.

2. To deliver a service using the therapy process (screen referrals, assess and plan treatment programmes, implement and evaluate treatment programmes, monitor and discharge) and core skills.

3. To establish capacity, gain valid informed consent to treatment, and have the ability to work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent.

4. To assess individual patients, plan and carry out effective intervention in the most appropriate environment taking into account each patients individual physical, social and emotional needs.

5. To interpret and analyse clinical and non-clinical information across a range of conditions.

6. To use investigative and analytical skills to formulate and manage intervention.

7. To use clinical reasoning, critical thinking and analysis to develop individual goals and intervention which optimises functional ability.

8. To plan and prioritise clinical work.

9. To delegate work to support staff and to obtain feedback from delegated tasks.

10. To use a range of verbal and non-verbal tools/strategies to communicate appropriate information effectively to patients/carers. This may include patients/carers who have difficulty understanding or communicating

The information may relate to prognosis and rehabilitation outcomes.

11. To utilise strategies of persuasion and motivation to encourage patients engage in intervention.

12. All recommendations should focus on occupational performance, function, posture and risk management in the patients own environment.

13. To refer to internal and external agencies relevant to the patients needs using designated referral systems.

14. To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with internal and external agencies.

15. To act as a resource for information and support to patients, carers and others.

16. To ensure safe use of wheelchair equipment by self and others.

17. To be able to work in a stressful environment.

18. To be able to impart difficult and unwelcome information regarding wheelchair provision and commissioning criteria.

19. To be able to deal effectively with emotional and/or aggressive patients/carers.

20. To participate in MDT meetings and case conferences as required.

21. To record interventions accurately and timely using team/ trust documentation. Complying with professional body guidelines and legislative requirements.

22. To complete activity data using team/trust documentation and outcome measures.

23. To provide written reports conforming to professional body guidelines and legislative requirements.

24. To promote wheelchair services as an intervention and raise the profile of wheelchair services.

25. To participate in clinical governance and evaluation of work and current practices through the use of audit and outcome measures, either individually or as part of a clinical team.

Education and Training

1. To take responsibility in agreement with line manager for personal development by ensuring that Continuous Professional Development remains a priority.

2. To provide evidence of ongoing personal development.

3. To undertake all mandatory training required for the role.

4. To take an active role in in-service training and coaching colleagues, ensuring the sharing of information and reflection on learning experiences.

5. To participate in audit and research.

6. To provide spontaneous and planned advice/training to relatives, carers and other professionals, to promote understanding of the aims of treatment plans and achievement of objectives.

7. To provide spontaneous and planned advice/training to relatives, carers and other professionals regarding the use of equipment, therapeutic procedures and handling of patients.

8. To assist in the management and supervision of therapy students and students from other disciplines.

Leadership

1. To participate in supervision and appraisal processes in line with professional body and Trust Guidelines.

2. To assist in the supervision and development of support staff.

3. To comply with professional codes of practice, departmental and trust policies, procedures and guidelines.

4. To carry out administrative and housekeeping duties connected with the day to day running of the department.

5. To communicate all relevant information regarding the service and individual patients to the Team Leader/Supervisor.

6. To contribute to policy and service developments as required.

7. To demonstrate an understanding of Risk Management and apply to working environment and clinical intervention.

8. To evaluate and prioritise clinical and non-clinical responsibilities.

9. To manage time effectively.

10. To comply at all times with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust policies and procedures.

11. Undertake any other duties delegated and appropriate to the grade.

12. To be aware of the boundaries of the role and not work outside these responsibilities.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy /Physiotherapy
• HCPC registration
• Demonstrate continuing professional development.

Desirable

• Member of CSP/RCOT
• ECDL or MS365 experience
• Wheelchair therapist Training scheme

Other Criteria

Essential

• Ability to move and handle patients and equipment, according to Service and Trust guidelines.
• Able to demonstrate Problem solving and Clinical Reasoning Skills
• Demonstrate time management skills and the ability to prioritise
• Ability to travel across the Leeds ICB area.
• Initiate and take responsibility for personal development.

Experience

Essential

• Able to apply relevant theory and models of Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy practice. Understanding of Occupational Therapy/ Physiotherapy process and core skills.
• Clinical fieldwork experience within a variety of settings

Desirable

• Experience working with people of all ages with physical disabilities and mobility problems
• Multi-disciplinary team working
• Awareness of clinical governance

Skills and Behaviours

Essential

• Able to work collaboratively within the MDT , demonstrating flexibility, enthusiasm, approachability and friendly.
• Experience of using computers and electronic patient records

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Leeds Teaching Hospitals

Address

Seacroft Hospital

York Road

Leeds

LS14 6UH

Employer's website

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