Specialist Wheelchair Therapist (OT or Physio)

Job summary

Band 6 Specialist Wheelchair Therapist -Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 6 Wheelchair Therapist to join our patient-centred multidisciplinary Wheelchair Service team. We are looking for a registered Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist who is keen to develop their knowledge and skills in this diverse, niche and rewarding area of wheelchairs.

You must have experience working in a wide range of clinical areas, with both adults and children, have excellent organisational, interpersonal and communication skills, and be passionate about delivering personalised care to wheelchair service users.

Ideally you will have experience working in a Wheelchair Service, with competencies in wheelchair assessment, prescription and provision; however, this is not essential, providing you are quick to learn and can demonstrate underpinning and transferable knowledge and skills in posture and mobility assessments and management.

Main duties of the job

You will be part of a highly motivated multi-disciplinary team providing assessments and wheelchair provision to people of all ages with a wide range of conditions that have a permanent disability that requires them to use a wheelchair (or associated equipment) on a long-term basis.

It is patient facing position which is clinic based but also requires you to visit service users in their place of residence or other establishment in the community as/ when required. You must be able to start and finish work at base every day, and work across both of our locations (Wirral and West Cheshire), according to the needs of the service. It is essential that you are able can drive and have access to a suitable vehicle for work purposes.

About us

Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust has been rated as Good by CQC (Dec 2023) with some outstanding areas. As an aspiring outstanding Trust we have numerous policies and procedures in place which provide standard organisational ways of working, in line with organisational objectives, relevant legislation and requirements. Policies allow for continuity and consistency within the Trust.

Employees must abide by and adhere to all Wirral Community NHS Trust's policies, at all times.

We deliver NHS wheelchair services to adults and children living in Wirral and West Cheshire for Cheshire Merseyside Integrated Commissioning Board (ICB); and have nearly 8,000 wheelchair users with equipment on issue from our service.We pride ourselves in delivering excellent customer service and on-going clinical support to all our users, along with a comprehensive maintenance and repair service which is provided by an approved contractor.

We strive to be a great place to work and thrive; and are committed to investing in you to help you fulfil your potential through a range of learning and development opportunities. Our staff are very much valued, and this is why we offer a range of employee benefits including family friendly policies, additional leave purchase scheme, laptops for remote working, staff wellbeing support services including counselling and inclusive staff networks.

Job responsibilities

For the main responsibilities of the post please refer to the attached Job Description. Responsibilities include: Utilising therapy skills to assess for, prescribe and provide wheelchairs and associated equipment to an identified cohort of service users. Working within the local eligibility criteria for the provision of wheelchairs and associated equipment.

Offering people who are eligible for new/ re-provision of a wheelchair a personal wheelchair budget in line with legislation and service operating model. Handing over and adjusting any prescribed equipment, advising the service user and carers on its safe use. Prioritising, organising and managing own workload autonomously and in the most efficient and effective way.

Documenting assessments, interventions and equipment details on the Wheelchair Services clinical and asset management system. Supervising and supporting the development of identified Therapy Assistants/ Support Practitioners. Being a proactive clinical educator and supervising both Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy students, regardless of your own profession.

Providing specialist advice to other health and care professionals on wheelchairs and postural management. Recognising and working within own competence and professional code of conduct/ standards. Taking responsibility for own CPD and keep up to date with clinical practice and wheelchair products. Please ensure that your supporting information in your application reflects how you meet the person specification for role.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Professional

Training · Essential

Degree or equivalent in Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy HCPC Registration as an Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist Relevant post graduate level training or equivalent relevant experience Evidence of ongoing CPD

Desirable

Clinical educator certificate MSc modules in relevant health studies Experience and

Knowledge · Essential

Broad experience of working in a variety of clinical areas as Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist e.g., elderly care, neurology, general medicine, orthopaedics, mental health, children's, adult social care Good knowledge of working in specialist Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy area e.g. posture and mobility assessments, specialist seating, manual handling, etc.

Working knowledge of relevant national standards/ acts and agendas, and understanding of partnership working with statutory and voluntary agencies Knowledge of current best practice in specialist Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy area Knowledge of team / group dynamics and role of an Occupation Therapy specialist within a team Evidence of effective working within an MDT

Desirable

Clinical experience of working in wheelchairs or similar/ related clinical area Experience as an Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist in the NHS and be able to demonstrate awareness of current NHS, social care and organisation issues

Skills and Abilities · Essential

Good computer skills Excellent clinical reasoning skills Broad base of clinical physiotherapy knowledge and different approaches required to clinical interventions Knowledge of governance issues Supervision of staff and delegation of tasks Ability to work under own initiative, be adaptable, flexible, compassionate, and approachable Ability to establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with service users and their carers Ability to prioritise and work to deadlines Effective communication skills, including report writing and presentation skills

Desirable

Evidence of participation in health, safety, and risk management Participation in audit / research

Personal Qualities · Essential

Ability to travel to various hospital / community locations Ability to fulfil occupational health requirements for the post, with reasonable adjustments as necessary Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance Awareness of relevant national frameworks / guidance relating to area of work Commitment to professional lifelong learning Due to the requirement to undertake visits it is necessary to have a valid driving licence for the UK and have access to a vehicle for work purposes.

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).