Job summary
To provide technical expertise and advice for Mersey Care Wheelchair Services, using engineering principles to assist with restoring or improving a service users' mobility and posture in order to achieve their maximum functional potential.To provide a quality control service for Mersey Care Wheelchair Services to ensure service users receive an effective and efficient service
Main duties of the job
1. To provide technical advice and support to Mersey Care Wheelchair Services.2. Attend wheelchair service clinics, home visits or other appointments to provide technical advice and support in the selection and modification of community equipment.3. Undertake work in a variety of community settings (including service user homes, residential/ nursing homes and schools) to make technical recommendations with regard to mobility /equipment and medical devices, involving close liaison with other professionals participating inservice user care.4. Assess for and devise modifications/adaptations for equipment to meet the service user requirements.5. Provide clear specifications and technical drawings to support recommendations for modifications/adaptations.6. Preparation and handover of powered wheelchairs and power packs, demonstrating controls, verification of suitability and safe operation by service users, at the time of issue.7. Monitor and maintain quality control aspects of the work undertaken by the repair service provider in accordance with the contract specification.
About us
Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 1.4 million people across our region and are also commissioned for services that cover the North West, North Wales and the Midlands.
We offer specialist inpatient and community services that support physical and mental health and specialist inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction and brain injury services. Mersey Care is one of only three trusts in the UK that offer high secure mental health facilities.
At the heart of all we do is our commitment to 'perfect care' - care that is safe, effective, positively experienced, timely, equitable and efficient. We support our staff to do the best job they can and work alongside service users, their families, and carers to design and develop future services together. We're currently delivering a programme of organisational and service transformation to significantly improve the quality of the services we provide and safely reduce cost as we do so.
Flexible working requests will be considered for all roles.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To provide technical advice and support to Mersey Care Wheelchair Service
- Attend wheelchair service clinics, home visits or other appointments to provide technical adviceand support in the selection and modification of community equipment.
- Undertake work in a variety of community settings (including service user homes, residential/ nursing homes and schools) to make technical recommendations with regard to mobility /equipment and medical devices, involving close liaison with other professionals participating in service user care.4. Assess for and devise modifications/adaptations for equipment to meet the service user requirements. Provide clear specifications and technical drawings to support recommendations for modifications/adaptations.Preparation and handover of powered wheelchairs, demonstrating controls, verification of suitability and safe operation by service users, at the time of issue.5. Monitor and maintain quality control aspects of the work undertaken by the repair service.6. Monitor the progress of work on the modification and reconditioning of equipment.7. Provide technical support to the repair service provider.8. Undertake minor wheelchair and community equipment repairs and adjustments and the fitment/adjustment of postural equipment under indirect supervision of clinicians9. Ensure that all necessary equipment is available for assessments, clinics and visits.10. Provide high quality assessment and provision services to all service users, working closely with colleagues, carers, other professionals and agencies.11. To demonstrate the use and application of specialist equipment to Wheelchair Service colleagues,service users, carers and other professionals.
12.Support service users equality, diversity & rights.13. Attend relevant meetings to represent Mersey Care Wheelchair services, as requested.Professional14. To maintain own professional development.15. Be aware of the latest evidence-based practise and new developments within own scope of workand record evidence of own learning/experiences.16. To participate in the staff appraisal scheme and Personal Development Review process in line with own personal development plan attend identified activities/courses, both external and in service17. Participate in reflective practice and clinical supervision.18. To be an active member of the in-service training programme by the attendance at and contribution to the delivery of presentations and training sessions at staff meetings and tutorials.19. To take part in evaluation of specific services and with the use of evidence-based practice, local and national research/audit; support the implementation of changes to service provision and workingpractices.20. To demonstrate a sound understanding of Clinical Governance and Risk Management and apply to work situation.21. To maintain accurate, comprehensive and contemporaneous documentation, in line with legal, Trust and service requirements.22. To work as a lone practitioner, with the support of senior colleagues.23. To develop own specialist skills and when appropriate assist colleagues in problem solving.Organisational24.To be responsible for a designated workload this may alter according to service needs/priorities.25. To be responsible for organising and managing own workload, deciding priorities for own working day, balancing other service user related and professional demands, and ensure that these remain in accordance with those of the service as a whole.26. On a daily basis to respond to urgent referrals and other issues which will require the reprioritisation of the working day.27. To be responsible for ensuring the effective and safe selection and use of all equipment and resources.28. To be responsible for equipment used in carrying out Wheelchair service duties.29. To assist with the development of departmental policies/procedures and to adhere to these including competence to use equipment and to ensure the safe use of equipment by others throughteaching, training, and supervision of practice.30. To be actively involved in the collection and inputting of appropriate data and statistics for audit and for the use of the service.31. Report on adverse incidents relating to defective equipment involving wheelchairs in accordance with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and local reporting procedures.32. Assist with the practice education of students placed within wheelchair Services.Communication33. To communicate effectively with service users and carers to maximise mobility potential.34. To ensure understanding of consent to treatment, personalised care plans and intervention outcomes.35. To make enquiries of other health care professionals regarding the service user and their condition to ensure the acquisition of appropriate information.36. To appropriately refer on to other healthcare professionals, effectively communicating the needs of the service user.37. To sensitively communicate complex information and negative news regarding wheelchair service interventions e.g., understanding the limitations of equipment modifications possible.38. To communicate with Wheelchair Service colleagues regarding work progress.39. The post holder is required to overcome barriers to communication using a range of verbal, nonverbal and listening skills. This will include patients with dysphasia, hearing difficulties, partiallysighted, memory loss and confusion, behavioural problems, limited English and patients unable to accept diagnosis.40. To advise service users and carers in the use and maintenance of their equipment.41. To produce timely informative technical drawings, reports, letters for service user care records.42. If required, in accordance with the Trust policy, provide reports for legal reasons.Managerial43. To propose and implement policies/procedures for the service and to review on a regular basis proposing changes as appropriate to meet the needs of the service user and the service.44. Work with Managers and senior members of the team and other health care providers to ensure good quality and appropriate specialist input to local service delivery plans and the development ofguidelines, through the undertaking of audit/research.45. To comply with the organisational, service policies and procedures.46. To day-to-day line manage as required of B4 and B3 staff.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- To provide technical advice and support to Mersey Care Wheelchair Service
- Attend wheelchair service clinics, home visits or other appointments to provide technical adviceand support in the selection and modification of community equipment.
- Undertake work in a variety of community settings (including service user homes, residential/ nursing homes and schools) to make technical recommendations with regard to mobility /equipment and medical devices, involving close liaison with other professionals participating in service user care.4. Assess for and devise modifications/adaptations for equipment to meet the service user requirements. Provide clear specifications and technical drawings to support recommendations for modifications/adaptations.Preparation and handover of powered wheelchairs, demonstrating controls, verification of suitability and safe operation by service users, at the time of issue.5. Monitor and maintain quality control aspects of the work undertaken by the repair service.6. Monitor the progress of work on the modification and reconditioning of equipment.7. Provide technical support to the repair service provider.8. Undertake minor wheelchair and community equipment repairs and adjustments and the fitment/adjustment of postural equipment under indirect supervision of clinicians9. Ensure that all necessary equipment is available for assessments, clinics and visits.10. Provide high quality assessment and provision services to all service users, working closely with colleagues, carers, other professionals and agencies.11. To demonstrate the use and application of specialist equipment to Wheelchair Service colleagues,service users, carers and other professionals.
12.Support service users equality, diversity & rights.13. Attend relevant meetings to represent Mersey Care Wheelchair services, as requested.Professional14. To maintain own professional development.15. Be aware of the latest evidence-based practise and new developments within own scope of workand record evidence of own learning/experiences.16. To participate in the staff appraisal scheme and Personal Development Review process in line with own personal development plan attend identified activities/courses, both external and in service17. Participate in reflective practice and clinical supervision.18. To be an active member of the in-service training programme by the attendance at and contribution to the delivery of presentations and training sessions at staff meetings and tutorials.19. To take part in evaluation of specific services and with the use of evidence-based practice, local and national research/audit; support the implementation of changes to service provision and workingpractices.20. To demonstrate a sound understanding of Clinical Governance and Risk Management and apply to work situation.21. To maintain accurate, comprehensive and contemporaneous documentation, in line with legal, Trust and service requirements.22. To work as a lone practitioner, with the support of senior colleagues.23. To develop own specialist skills and when appropriate assist colleagues in problem solving.Organisational24.To be responsible for a designated workload this may alter according to service needs/priorities.25. To be responsible for organising and managing own workload, deciding priorities for own working day, balancing other service user related and professional demands, and ensure that these remain in accordance with those of the service as a whole.26. On a daily basis to respond to urgent referrals and other issues which will require the reprioritisation of the working day.27. To be responsible for ensuring the effective and safe selection and use of all equipment and resources.28. To be responsible for equipment used in carrying out Wheelchair service duties.29. To assist with the development of departmental policies/procedures and to adhere to these including competence to use equipment and to ensure the safe use of equipment by others throughteaching, training, and supervision of practice.30. To be actively involved in the collection and inputting of appropriate data and statistics for audit and for the use of the service.31. Report on adverse incidents relating to defective equipment involving wheelchairs in accordance with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and local reporting procedures.32. Assist with the practice education of students placed within wheelchair Services.Communication33. To communicate effectively with service users and carers to maximise mobility potential.34. To ensure understanding of consent to treatment, personalised care plans and intervention outcomes.35. To make enquiries of other health care professionals regarding the service user and their condition to ensure the acquisition of appropriate information.36. To appropriately refer on to other healthcare professionals, effectively communicating the needs of the service user.37. To sensitively communicate complex information and negative news regarding wheelchair service interventions e.g., understanding the limitations of equipment modifications possible.38. To communicate with Wheelchair Service colleagues regarding work progress.39. The post holder is required to overcome barriers to communication using a range of verbal, nonverbal and listening skills. This will include patients with dysphasia, hearing difficulties, partiallysighted, memory loss and confusion, behavioural problems, limited English and patients unable to accept diagnosis.40. To advise service users and carers in the use and maintenance of their equipment.41. To produce timely informative technical drawings, reports, letters for service user care records.42. If required, in accordance with the Trust policy, provide reports for legal reasons.Managerial43. To propose and implement policies/procedures for the service and to review on a regular basis proposing changes as appropriate to meet the needs of the service user and the service.44. Work with Managers and senior members of the team and other health care providers to ensure good quality and appropriate specialist input to local service delivery plans and the development ofguidelines, through the undertaking of audit/research.45. To comply with the organisational, service policies and procedures.46. To day-to-day line manage as required of B4 and B3 staff.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BTEC or HNC in mechanical engineering or equivalent
Desirable
- HND or equivalent experience
- Engineering BSc (Hons) degree
- Moving and Handling training
- IPEM preferred registration
- ECDL qualification
Knowledge/Experience
Essential
- Relevant practical engineering experience in a workshop environment or similar
- Commitment to lifelong learning
- Proven experience within the field of mechanical engineering
- Documentary evidence of continuing professional development
- Knowledge of quality control procedures in manufacturing/repair industries to ISO standards
Desirable
- Previous experience within a Health Care/Social Care/ Wheelchair Service setting
- Community/Lone worker experience
- Experience of audit/research
- Previous experience within a wheelchair service
- Knowledge and experience of risk assessment and management
- Experience of working with the MHRA
Values
Essential
- Continuous Improvement
- Accountability
- Respectfulness
- Enthusiasm
- Support
- High professional standards
- Responsive to service users
- Engaging leadership style
- Strong customer service belief
- Transparency and honesty
- Discreet
- Change oriented
Skills
Essential
- Demonstrable knowledge and application of mechanical engineering techniques
- Ability to work autonomously and prioritise own workload in a demanding service
- Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships
- Ability to undertake reflection and critically appraise own performance
Desirable
- Specialist knowledge and application of rehabilitation engineering techniques
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- BTEC or HNC in mechanical engineering or equivalent
Desirable
- HND or equivalent experience
- Engineering BSc (Hons) degree
- Moving and Handling training
- IPEM preferred registration
- ECDL qualification
Knowledge/Experience
Essential
- Relevant practical engineering experience in a workshop environment or similar
- Commitment to lifelong learning
- Proven experience within the field of mechanical engineering
- Documentary evidence of continuing professional development
- Knowledge of quality control procedures in manufacturing/repair industries to ISO standards
Desirable
- Previous experience within a Health Care/Social Care/ Wheelchair Service setting
- Community/Lone worker experience
- Experience of audit/research
- Previous experience within a wheelchair service
- Knowledge and experience of risk assessment and management
- Experience of working with the MHRA
Values
Essential
- Continuous Improvement
- Accountability
- Respectfulness
- Enthusiasm
- Support
- High professional standards
- Responsive to service users
- Engaging leadership style
- Strong customer service belief
- Transparency and honesty
- Discreet
- Change oriented
Skills
Essential
- Demonstrable knowledge and application of mechanical engineering techniques
- Ability to work autonomously and prioritise own workload in a demanding service
- Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships
- Ability to undertake reflection and critically appraise own performance
Desirable
- Specialist knowledge and application of rehabilitation engineering techniques
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.
