Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Enhanced Wheelchair Practitioner

The closing date is 05 June 2025

Job summary

To provide high quality person centred care which always 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 making complex clinical decisions regarding service user management and clinical outcomes.

To provide advanced clinical advice, leadership and support ensuring the needs of the service are met by exercising and demonstrating high levels of clinical judgement, critical analysis and advanced decision making skills.

To manage change within the wheelchair service, to monitor and improve standards through supervision, evidence based practice, clinical audit, research and education. To promote and demonstrate best practice by integrating evidence into practice.

Applications from candidates that require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

If you are interested in moving to Dorset we also offer a generous relocation package of up to £10,000. For further details on relocation expenses please email dhc.careers@nhs.net

Main duties of the job

An Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist to provide high quality innovative clinical practice. Be proactive in clinical decision making, underpinned by an advanced level of theoretical and practical knowledge and be able to demonstrate improved patient care outcomes.

To work with clients of all ages and with clinical presentations that affect long term mobility.

Undertake comprehensive specialist holistic assessment of patients and carers where needs are highly complex. This will involve planning, implementing and evaluating the 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 advanced 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.

To inspire and demonstrate leadership qualities through delivery of specialist advice.

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.

Details

Date posted

22 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

152-C041.25

Job locations

Dorset Wheelchair Service

Acorn Building, St Leonards Hospital,

Ringwood

BH24 2DW


Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare offers support for people getting into work. We offer an employability service to support individuals with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support, please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service are able to present a valid DBS certificate instead of requiring a new check.

Person Specification

Job Specific Experience

Essential

  • Able to demonstrate specialist clinical reasoning skills to assimilate information in order to make a clinical judgement regarding diagnosis and intervention.
  • Able to demonstrate specialist expertise and knowledge underpinned by theory acquired through CPD in relation to clinical assessment, treatment and evaluation
  • Demonstrable knowledge of legislation relevant to area of clinical practice
  • Evidence of recent professional development in an up to date portfolio

Managerial Responsibilities

Essential

  • Experience of multi-disciplinary working.
  • Able to actively research for the potential to improve quality and customer care, seeking new ideas and methods to improve health care.
  • Evidence of skills in diplomacy, negotiation and influencing.
  • Recognise and utilise the individual's skills and knowledge, coaching others in their development and acting as a mentor/preceptor across all professional boundaries.

Knowledge Skills and Training

Essential

  • Registered practitioner to degree/diploma level
  • HCPC registered OT or Physio and Membership of the relevant Professional Body
  • Able to demonstrate specialist expertise and knowledge underpinned by theory acquired through CPD in relation to clinical assessment, treatment and evaluation
  • Learning and assessing in Practice Qualification or equivalent practice assessors training

Job Specific Experience

Essential

  • Evidence of risk management skills and experience.
  • Able to analyse and assess situations and to interpret potentially conflicting situations and determine appropriate action, where there is a range of options and judgement is required.
  • Able to adapt to a changing environment and changing priorities.
  • To ensure that good practice is rapidly shared within the service area and wider organisation where appropriate

Managerial Skills

Essential

  • Evidence of proactive involvement in the supervision and development of members of the multi-disciplinary team.
  • Experience of planning and organising complex activities requiring the formulation and adjustment of plans .e.g. organising own time, co-ordination with other agencies and plans for sudden, unforeseen circumstances.
  • Experience of using electronic patient / service user record systems
  • Recognise and utilise the individual's skills and knowledge, coaching others in their development and acting as a mentor/preceptor across all professional boundaries
Person Specification

Job Specific Experience

Essential

  • Able to demonstrate specialist clinical reasoning skills to assimilate information in order to make a clinical judgement regarding diagnosis and intervention.
  • Able to demonstrate specialist expertise and knowledge underpinned by theory acquired through CPD in relation to clinical assessment, treatment and evaluation
  • Demonstrable knowledge of legislation relevant to area of clinical practice
  • Evidence of recent professional development in an up to date portfolio

Managerial Responsibilities

Essential

  • Experience of multi-disciplinary working.
  • Able to actively research for the potential to improve quality and customer care, seeking new ideas and methods to improve health care.
  • Evidence of skills in diplomacy, negotiation and influencing.
  • Recognise and utilise the individual's skills and knowledge, coaching others in their development and acting as a mentor/preceptor across all professional boundaries.

Knowledge Skills and Training

Essential

  • Registered practitioner to degree/diploma level
  • HCPC registered OT or Physio and Membership of the relevant Professional Body
  • Able to demonstrate specialist expertise and knowledge underpinned by theory acquired through CPD in relation to clinical assessment, treatment and evaluation
  • Learning and assessing in Practice Qualification or equivalent practice assessors training

Job Specific Experience

Essential

  • Evidence of risk management skills and experience.
  • Able to analyse and assess situations and to interpret potentially conflicting situations and determine appropriate action, where there is a range of options and judgement is required.
  • Able to adapt to a changing environment and changing priorities.
  • To ensure that good practice is rapidly shared within the service area and wider organisation where appropriate

Managerial Skills

Essential

  • Evidence of proactive involvement in the supervision and development of members of the multi-disciplinary team.
  • Experience of planning and organising complex activities requiring the formulation and adjustment of plans .e.g. organising own time, co-ordination with other agencies and plans for sudden, unforeseen circumstances.
  • Experience of using electronic patient / service user record systems
  • Recognise and utilise the individual's skills and knowledge, coaching others in their development and acting as a mentor/preceptor across all professional boundaries

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.

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.

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

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Dorset Wheelchair Service

Acorn Building, St Leonards Hospital,

Ringwood

BH24 2DW


Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Dorset Wheelchair Service

Acorn Building, St Leonards Hospital,

Ringwood

BH24 2DW


Employer's website

https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/work-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist

Laura Cummings

laura.cummings3@nhs.net

01202892874

Details

Date posted

22 May 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

152-C041.25

Job locations

Dorset Wheelchair Service

Acorn Building, St Leonards Hospital,

Ringwood

BH24 2DW


Supporting documents

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