Lead Specialist Wheelchair Therapist -Development Post

We are looking to recruit a suitably experienced Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist into a development role to become the service lead at South Tyneside Wheelchair Service. This is an exciting and unique opportunity to develop your skills and knowledge while working alongside, and under the supervision of the current post holder as part of succession planning.

This is a developmental post which will provide the post holder with the support and clinical supervision required to transition from a Band 6 Specialist Wheelchair Therapist to a Band 7 Lead Specialist Wheelchair Therapist.

This will include a 12 to 18 month period of support during which time the post holder will undertake a competency programme which, upon completion, will demonstrate achievement of the clinical skills, knowledge and competency required to work autonomously as a Band 7 Lead Specialist Wheelchair Therapist.

The wheelchair service is a small and friendly specialist team based at South Tyneside District General Hospital providing assessment and provision of wheelchairs for those with permanent or long term mobility problems and assessments take place at home, in schools or in a clinic setting. Some assessments are also undertaken in collaboration with the Regional Rehabilitation Engineering Service for the provision of powered wheelchairs.

If you are ready for a new challenge and want to enhance and apply your skills in a different setting, then this may be the post for you.

Main duties of the job

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.

You will need to have a basic knowledge of and some experience of either using or prescribing standard wheelchairs as well as some knowledge regarding pressure care and postural management. All training on specialist elements will be given as part of the development into the role and there will also be the opportunity to complete targeted leadership training as well as formal clinical training throughout the development period.

The South Tyneside Wheelchair Service sits within the Occupational Therapy Service within the Directorate of Therapy Services which is part of the Division of Clinical Support. The post is Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week with a flexi time system in place.

Job description
Job responsibilities

Upon completion of the competency programme you will be able to demonstrate you can:

1. Effectively lead a team of a Band 5 Therapist, Rehabilitation Engineer and Seating Specialist and carry out/lead/supervise complex postural assessments of fixed and correctable deformities for adults and children.
2. Identify the scope and limitations of the individuals function, capacity and social interaction, coupled with environmental factors, that will influence the type, nature, design and use of equipment solutions.
3. Provide leadership in maintaining and updating the wheelchair teams knowledge/information on the range of wheelchairs, postural management and pressure care equipment available.
4. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the Regionally Agreed Eligibility Criteria, the MHRA Incident Reporting Process and Personal Wheelchair Budget protocols.
5. Work productively and proactively with other agencies/contractors seating specialists, the local repair service and software providers.
6. Participate productively in regional networks.
7. Allocate appropriate caseloads to other staff and manage your own complex caseload.
8. Manage stock and resources within agreed budgetary restraints.
9. Create presentations to promote and market the service.

PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.

Person Specification
Physical Skills
Essential

• Ability to engage in physical activity with moderate effort throughout the day using basic hand tools when necessary and with competing demands.
• Ability to assist patients to move as per Trust Moving and Handling Policy.
• Ability to sit at a workstation as necessary to complete administrative aspects of the post.
• Ability to work in restricted spaces where there is a requirement to bend, or kneel down.
• Ability to meet the travel requirements of the post.

Qualifications
Essential

• Recognised degree in Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy.
• HCPC registration.
• Evidence of appropriate learning in speciality area (short courses or CPD activities).
• Post graduate education/CPD activities relevant to the role.
• Evidence of maintaining CPD activities.
• Practice Placement Educator.

Desirable

• Membership of relevant professional body (RCOT or MCSP).
• Post-graduate qualification in relevant healthcare area.
• Post-graduate training in leadership.
• An understanding of South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, its culture, strategic direction and achievements.

Skills and Knowledge
Essential

• Highly developed verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Highly developed written communication skills including report writing and maintaining patient records.
• Developed analytical & judgmental skills.
• Skills to prioritise workload and make judgements on priorities when there are several competing demands.
• Able to present information, written and orally in a clear and logical manner.
• Intermediate IT skills.
• Presentation skills.
• Knowledge of current legislation and evidence-based guidelines which underpin practice.
• Ability to effectively supervise, support and lead a team.
• Sound knowledge of Clinical Governance and risk management.
• Evidence of applied knowledge of pressure care management.

Desirable

• Knowledge of community and local authority services relevant to Sunderland, South Tyneside and surrounding areas.
• Evidence of ability to be innovative and proactive.
• Knowledge and understanding of non-standard wheelchairs and their indication for use.

Experience
Essential

• Significant experience working as a therapist level in the relevant profession within a range of specialities in a physical health setting.
• Experience of assessing for and prescribing standard wheelchairs, cushions and accessories.
• Evidence of high-level communication skills within a wide variety of settings.
• Evidence of working within multi-disciplinary, cross-agency teams.
• Evidence of an understanding of Health & Safety relating to work activities.

Desirable

• Evidence of planning and delivering training to others.
• Experience of completing audit within a clinical setting.
• Experience of using non-standard wheelchairs.

Employer details
Employer name
South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
Address
South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust
Harton Lane
South Shields
Tyne And Wear
NE34 0PL
Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.