Job summary
Band 5 Wheelchair Therapist - Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 5 Wheelchair Therapist to join our exceptional multidisciplinary wheelchair 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, have excellent organisational, interpersonal and communication skills, and be passionate about delivering personalised care to wheelchair service users.
It is desirable for you to have had some experience working in wheelchairs, but this is not essential providing you can demonstrate a keen interest working in this field, and are self motivated in your professional development,You will be well supported day to day by more experienced Wheelchair Therapists and there will plenty of learning opportunities to develop your competencies in wheelchair assessment and provision.
Main duties of the job
You will work as 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 largely clinic based but also requires you to visit service users in their place of residence or other establishment in the community.
Although you will have one base (St Catherine's Health Centre, Birkenhead), you will be required to work across both locations as/ when needed to deliver a seamless and consistent service across Wirral and West Cheshire.
It is essential that you can drive and have access to a suitable vehicle for work purposes.
About us
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 description
Job responsibilities
For the main responsibilities of the post please refer to the attached Job Description, and please ensure that your supporting information in your application reflects how you meet the person specification for role.
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 in the most efficient and effective way.
-
Documenting assessments, interventions and equipment details on the Wheelchair Services clinical and asset management system.
-
Supervise and supporting identified Therapy Assistants/ Support Practitioners and Occupational Therapy/ Physiotherapy students.
-
Recognising and working within own competence and professional code of conduct/ standards.
-
Taking responsibility for own CPD and learning about this area of clinical practice and wheelchair products.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you are interested in this position or would like to know more about the role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For the main responsibilities of the post please refer to the attached Job Description, and please ensure that your supporting information in your application reflects how you meet the person specification for role.
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 in the most efficient and effective way.
-
Documenting assessments, interventions and equipment details on the Wheelchair Services clinical and asset management system.
-
Supervise and supporting identified Therapy Assistants/ Support Practitioners and Occupational Therapy/ Physiotherapy students.
-
Recognising and working within own competence and professional code of conduct/ standards.
-
Taking responsibility for own CPD and learning about this area of clinical practice and wheelchair products.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you are interested in this position or would like to know more about the 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 grad level training or equivalent relevant experience
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
- Experience of working with adults and children with long term conditions/ needs and adaptive equipment/ adaptations
- Broad experience working in Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy in wide variety of settings
- Up to date portfolio of CPD and self motivated
- Evidence of effective working within an MDT
Desirable
- Clinical experience of working in wheelchairs or similar/ related clinical area
- Understanding of relevant national agenda/ policies, such as personalised care, PWBs
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Computer literate
- Effective communication skills, including report writing and presentation skills
- Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritise caseload
- Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy assessment skills and interventions/ problem solving
- Good risk assessment and management skills
- Ability to influence and use assertiveness skills effectively
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Positive attitude and flexible approach to work
- Empathetic
- Commitment to therapy profession and field of wheelchairs
- Valid UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle for work purposes
- Manual dexterity and ability to manipulate tools to adjust wheelchairs
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 grad level training or equivalent relevant experience
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
- Experience of working with adults and children with long term conditions/ needs and adaptive equipment/ adaptations
- Broad experience working in Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy in wide variety of settings
- Up to date portfolio of CPD and self motivated
- Evidence of effective working within an MDT
Desirable
- Clinical experience of working in wheelchairs or similar/ related clinical area
- Understanding of relevant national agenda/ policies, such as personalised care, PWBs
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Computer literate
- Effective communication skills, including report writing and presentation skills
- Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritise caseload
- Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy assessment skills and interventions/ problem solving
- Good risk assessment and management skills
- Ability to influence and use assertiveness skills effectively
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Positive attitude and flexible approach to work
- Empathetic
- Commitment to therapy profession and field of wheelchairs
- Valid UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle for work purposes
- Manual dexterity and ability to manipulate tools to adjust wheelchairs
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).
