Job summary
Do you want to further your skills and experience in the field of wheelchair provision and postural management?
We have a rare vacancy within our team of highly specialised Wheelchair Therapists for a Band 6 Therapist. This may be either an Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist who has the right knowledge and experience.
We would like to find a motivated therapist with a wide range of experiences including some wheelchair knowledge to join our team. The current team is a mixture of Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Rehabilitation Engineers and support staff.
The service is commissioned by local Clinical Commissioning Groups and covers a large area of the South West.
Assessment and provision of buggies, wheelchairs and associated accessories happens within our purpose built centre at Cribbs Causeway in Bristol and within a number of community settings. You will be required to work individually with clients and as part of a wider team. There will be opportunities for CPD and for training and development within North Bristol Trust and within this team.
Main duties of the job
The job requires assessment and provision of specialist equipment, these will include buggies and manual wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs, pressure care cushions, postural support equipment and associated accessories.
Provide assessments in a variety of appropriate settings including wheelchair centre clinics, home, community, work, hospital and specialist units.
Complete action plans based on the assessment and clinical reasoning, prescribe appropriate specialist equipment.
Identify when liaison/referral to another professional or agency is required and take responsibility for ensuring that this is appropriately made. Work jointly with the professionals/agencies involved to best meet an individual's clinical needs. Participate with other health care staff and contribute to case conferences and care review meetings liaising with a range of multidisciplinary staff.
Delegate tasks to the appropriate support staff, ensuring that they are competent and confident to undertake them.
Provide appropriate prioritisation of all referrals into the service and make decisions on the appropriate course of action.
Follow agreed criteria set by the ICB for prioritisation of referrals and supply of equipment to provide an equal and fair service to all patients.
Give information to patients and carers on equipment choices to enable them to make informed decisions. This may include use of personal wheelchair budgets and alternative providers/charities.
About us
North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.
We commit to treating each patient as an individual with respect and dignity, aiming to deliver excellent clinical outcomes and a first-class experience for everyone who uses our services.
North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.
Bristol is consistently voted the best place to live in the UK, with vibrant local music, arts and gastronomic scenes, a wide range of modern and state of the art shopping, recreation and leisure facilities, a wealth of great local family days out, fantastic transport links for local, national and internal holidays, and it has a rich history. If you prefer country, village or smaller town living, NBT is also easily commutable from a range of attractive locations in North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and South Wales (e.g. Portishead, Chepstow)
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see associated documents.
Minimum 2 years post qualification experience in a relevant field.
Basic knowledge and experience of wheelchairs, pressure relieving cushions and special seating.
Experience of working with wheelchair users or within a wheelchair and seating service.
Experience of working with clients with a range of physical disabilities. Knowledge and experience of medical and surgical conditions including progressive neurological conditions, spinal injury, head injury and CVA.
Knowledge of clinical governance, professional and ethical issues and of legal issues (data protection, confidentiality, health and safety).
Working knowledge of NHS services and systems and of multidisciplinary working and the roles of other professionals and services.
Basic computer, keyboard and IT skills, knowledge of working within patient databases.
Car driver with full licence.
Carry out assessments by using analytical/problem solving skills to formulate treatment and management plans for patients with varying needs applying clinical and evidence based reasoning.
Work with structured supervision, managing cases in a highly specialist service, using own initiative and taking responsibility for clinical reasoning and decision making. Maintaining accurate records of clinical interventions.
Use therapeutic assessment and manual handling skills in order to be able to accurately assess posture and establish joint range of motion.
Utilise a high level of interpersonal communication skills and ability to communicate complex clinical and non-clinical information clearly, both verbally and in writing, adapting this to the individual recipient.
Motivate patients in the use of the equipment to achieve their full potential in its use for their goals.
Educate patients and carers and other HCPs to use complex and specialised seating, mobility and pressure care equipment.
Work sensitively and appropriately with severely disabled patients in their own homes and also in clinical settings.
Think creatively to problem solve and propose solutions to complex issues.
Manage own time and prioritise workload.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see associated documents.
Minimum 2 years post qualification experience in a relevant field.
Basic knowledge and experience of wheelchairs, pressure relieving cushions and special seating.
Experience of working with wheelchair users or within a wheelchair and seating service.
Experience of working with clients with a range of physical disabilities. Knowledge and experience of medical and surgical conditions including progressive neurological conditions, spinal injury, head injury and CVA.
Knowledge of clinical governance, professional and ethical issues and of legal issues (data protection, confidentiality, health and safety).
Working knowledge of NHS services and systems and of multidisciplinary working and the roles of other professionals and services.
Basic computer, keyboard and IT skills, knowledge of working within patient databases.
Car driver with full licence.
Carry out assessments by using analytical/problem solving skills to formulate treatment and management plans for patients with varying needs applying clinical and evidence based reasoning.
Work with structured supervision, managing cases in a highly specialist service, using own initiative and taking responsibility for clinical reasoning and decision making. Maintaining accurate records of clinical interventions.
Use therapeutic assessment and manual handling skills in order to be able to accurately assess posture and establish joint range of motion.
Utilise a high level of interpersonal communication skills and ability to communicate complex clinical and non-clinical information clearly, both verbally and in writing, adapting this to the individual recipient.
Motivate patients in the use of the equipment to achieve their full potential in its use for their goals.
Educate patients and carers and other HCPs to use complex and specialised seating, mobility and pressure care equipment.
Work sensitively and appropriately with severely disabled patients in their own homes and also in clinical settings.
Think creatively to problem solve and propose solutions to complex issues.
Manage own time and prioritise workload.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Working with wide variety of adults / children
- Working in a neuro setting
- 2 years post qualification working
- Working in an MDT
Desirable
- Evidence of working with wheelchairs or postural management
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Working with wide variety of adults / children
- Working in a neuro setting
- 2 years post qualification working
- Working in an MDT
Desirable
- Evidence of working with wheelchairs or postural management
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).
