Job summary
Are you looking to take the next step in developing your skills while working within a friendly, supportive team or an experienced wheelchair therapist looking for a change of scene?Are you passionate about delivering a high-quality wheelchair service in line with the regional framework and legislative requirements? If so, we have a rare and exciting opportunity to join our small friendly wheelchair services team that is passionate about providing a high-quality service and promoting appropriate mobility to improve outcomes for our service users. The team offer a friendly and supportive environment where you will be able to continue your professional development and learning in a varied role involving the regular delivery of varied clinics and assessments.
If appointed on a Band 5 developmental scale you would be required to complete a competency framework progress from Band 5 to Band 6. The post holder would be required to keep a portfolio of evidence and clinical achievement to support the uplift to Band 6. This is a structured process which would be supported through clinical and management supervision and expected to be achieved within 18 months.
- Interview Date Tuesday 15 July 2025
- 30 Hours/Week
- You will be redirected to Trac to apply for the vacancy. Please expand the job details section and read all of the information before applying for the vacancy
NO AGENCIES PLEASE
Main duties of the job
To work with your wheelchair services colleagues in the provision of a safe and high quality wheelchair service. We are committed to continuing professional development, in-service training and clinical supervision and have regular student placements.
The post provides a mix of complex clinical caseload operating through both clinic settings and home visits and the Wheelchair Therapist is responsible for high quality, person-focused assessment prescription of wheelchairs, pressure care and accessories to clients of all ages with a variety of conditions. The PWB process is an integral part of the service.
Working as part of an MDT with the service user, carers, engineers etc. is core to providing best outcomes.
There are also opportunities to provide training and clinical advice to colleagues as appropriate.
About us
Our staff oversee over 6,500 patient contacts every day, delivering high standards of healthcare from the following sites:
o Freeman Hospitalo Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI)o Health Innovation Neighbourhood (on the former Newcastle General Hospital and Centre for Ageing and Vitality site)o Newcastle Dental Hospitalo Newcastle Fertility Centreo Northern Centre for Cancer Care, North Cumbriao Northern Genetics Serviceo Cramlington Manor Walks
These include a range of flagship services which deliver cutting-edge care (supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic services in both radiology and pathology) and are a catalyst for innovation to support pioneering clinical practice in the NHS.
We also have offices at Regent Point in Gosforth and community sites.
Please see attached information on what Staff Benefits we have to offer at our Trust under 'Documents to download' or 'Supporting documents'.
For further information on The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust please visit: Careers | Newcastle Hospitals | NHS | Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Job description
Job responsibilities
Band 5
- To participate in the Band 5 Occupational Therapy rotational scheme which involves working across the Trust in a range of clinical settings for 6 month periods.
- Band 5 rotational posts are designed to consolidate and build on graduate skills and academic knowledge, giving the newly qualified occupational therapist a broad practical experience of a range of patients and conditions and areas of work.
Band 6
- To provide a high standard of care to complex and highly complex patients within specialist area evidencing high level problem solving, reasoning skills and independence of judgement.
- To provide day to day supervision of junior and support staff and students working in the specialist area.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Band 5
- To participate in the Band 5 Occupational Therapy rotational scheme which involves working across the Trust in a range of clinical settings for 6 month periods.
- Band 5 rotational posts are designed to consolidate and build on graduate skills and academic knowledge, giving the newly qualified occupational therapist a broad practical experience of a range of patients and conditions and areas of work.
Band 6
- To provide a high standard of care to complex and highly complex patients within specialist area evidencing high level problem solving, reasoning skills and independence of judgement.
- To provide day to day supervision of junior and support staff and students working in the specialist area.
As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us and for our patients, and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement. If it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Person Specification
Meets All Band 5 Criteria
Essential
- Basic knowledge of medical conditions and their effect on occupational performance
- Sound knowledge of OT process within acute setting
- Basic knowledge of the broad context of health and social care policy, risk assessment and management
- Basic understanding, that will be developed following a period of in-house induction, of eligibility criteria and procedures/policies relevant to disability equipment, minor housing adaptations
- Basic understanding, that will be developed following a period of in-house induction, of moving and handling legislation and knowledge of current moving and handling best practice and associated equipment
- Understanding of professional ethics and their application into practice
- Basic knowledge of clinical governance
- Evidence of CPD
- Organisation, time management, problem solving and prioritisation skills
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Commitment to personal and service development
- Effective written and oral communication skills
- Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance
- Application of OT process within 'physical' setting at undergraduate level
- Use of functional assessment and activity analysis
- Degree/Diploma in OT
- State registered with Health and Care Professions Council
Desirable
- Knowledge of undertaking research and audit projects
- Knowledge of team dynamics and team building
- IT skills
- Presentation skills
- Previous experience on a Band 5 rotational scheme
- Experience of working with patients with physical disability e.g. stroke, reduced mobility
- Member of British Association of Occupational Therapists
Meets All Band 6 Criteria
Essential
- In-depth clinical knowledge of medical conditions and their effect on seating and posture
- Highly developed understanding of wheelchair provision processes
- In-depth knowledge of wheelchair and accessory provision policy, health and social care policy, risk assessment and management
- Extensive knowledge of a range of disability equipment
- Extensive knowledge of eligibility criteria and procedures/policies relevant to disability equipment
- Highly specialist knowledge of moving and handling legislation and knowledge of current moving and handling best practice and associated equipment
- Excellent understanding of professional ethics and their application into practice
- Good knowledge of clinical governance
- Evidence of CPD
- Good organisation, time management, problem solving and prioritisation skills
- Supervisory, team management skills
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Commitment to personal and service development
- Effective written and oral communication skills
- Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance
- Significant post-registration in a physical health setting incl experience within assessment and provision of wheelchairs/specialist seating
- Degree/Diploma in OT/PT
- State registered with Health & Care Professions Council
- Post graduate experience
- Full UK Driving Licence
Desirable
- Knowledge of undertaking research and audit projects
- Knowledge of team dynamics and team building
- IT skills
- Presentation skills
- Team management
- Experience in supervising staff
Person Specification
Meets All Band 5 Criteria
Essential
- Basic knowledge of medical conditions and their effect on occupational performance
- Sound knowledge of OT process within acute setting
- Basic knowledge of the broad context of health and social care policy, risk assessment and management
- Basic understanding, that will be developed following a period of in-house induction, of eligibility criteria and procedures/policies relevant to disability equipment, minor housing adaptations
- Basic understanding, that will be developed following a period of in-house induction, of moving and handling legislation and knowledge of current moving and handling best practice and associated equipment
- Understanding of professional ethics and their application into practice
- Basic knowledge of clinical governance
- Evidence of CPD
- Organisation, time management, problem solving and prioritisation skills
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Commitment to personal and service development
- Effective written and oral communication skills
- Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance
- Application of OT process within 'physical' setting at undergraduate level
- Use of functional assessment and activity analysis
- Degree/Diploma in OT
- State registered with Health and Care Professions Council
Desirable
- Knowledge of undertaking research and audit projects
- Knowledge of team dynamics and team building
- IT skills
- Presentation skills
- Previous experience on a Band 5 rotational scheme
- Experience of working with patients with physical disability e.g. stroke, reduced mobility
- Member of British Association of Occupational Therapists
Meets All Band 6 Criteria
Essential
- In-depth clinical knowledge of medical conditions and their effect on seating and posture
- Highly developed understanding of wheelchair provision processes
- In-depth knowledge of wheelchair and accessory provision policy, health and social care policy, risk assessment and management
- Extensive knowledge of a range of disability equipment
- Extensive knowledge of eligibility criteria and procedures/policies relevant to disability equipment
- Highly specialist knowledge of moving and handling legislation and knowledge of current moving and handling best practice and associated equipment
- Excellent understanding of professional ethics and their application into practice
- Good knowledge of clinical governance
- Evidence of CPD
- Good organisation, time management, problem solving and prioritisation skills
- Supervisory, team management skills
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Commitment to personal and service development
- Effective written and oral communication skills
- Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance
- Significant post-registration in a physical health setting incl experience within assessment and provision of wheelchairs/specialist seating
- Degree/Diploma in OT/PT
- State registered with Health & Care Professions Council
- Post graduate experience
- Full UK Driving Licence
Desirable
- Knowledge of undertaking research and audit projects
- Knowledge of team dynamics and team building
- IT skills
- Presentation skills
- Team management
- Experience in supervising staff
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).
