Physiotherapist Or Occupational Therapist - Wheelchair Services

Do you have an interest in posture management and seating?
Do you have a problem-solving approach?
Would you like the challenge and satisfaction of working in a community setting with children and adults?
We are looking for a passionate Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist to join our Wheelchair Service Team, to work alongside our Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapist and Rehabilitation Engineering colleagues. We are based in a community setting in Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds.
This is a unique role, which would be suitable for career progression, allowing development of skills in this specialism. A secondment opportunity or a development post for a band 5 with experience may be considered.
For further information contact Mary-Jane Vingoe, Wheelchair Service Clinical Lead or the Duty Therapist on 01473 351805 option 2 and option 2 or mary-jane.vingoe@wsh.nhs.uk /adminwheelchairservices@wsh.nhs.uk
You will be providing assessment, reassessment, and handover of a wide range of wheelchairs, seating, pressure relief cushions, and accessories in relation to postural and mobility needs. This will include manual and power wheelchairs, specialist buggies and seating systems.
Assessments will be undertaken in clinic and in a variety of community venues, so the ability to travel to all rural locations is essential.
We work with children from 3 years old and adults with neurological, medical, orthopaedic and surgical conditions, with varying complexity. Specific wheelchair skills, knowledge and training will be provided.
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?
Clinical:
Using a holistic approach, incorporating client centred principles provide assessment, advice and support to patients considering 24-hour postural management needs and appropriate wheelchair prescription in line with eligibility criteria considering patients function, social situation and environmental needs.
To work with children and adults with a broad range of conditions: neurological conditions eg Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Motor Neurone Disease, Orthopaedic and Surgical conditions eg Amputees and Arthritic conditions, Spinal cord injuries.
To have knowledge and expertise of how patients’ posture/function can be affected by progression of postural deformities and how interventions and postural management techniques can be used to protect and maintain function. Continued learning is expected to develop within this role.
To work independently and jointly with team members:Occupational Therapists, Rehabilitation Engineers. Rehabilitation Technician and Team Support Worker.
To develop knowledge of manual wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs, paediatric buggies, special seating (eg Caps II seating, Blatchford moulded seats), pressure relieving and postural cushions and accessories.
To undertake specialist postural, pressure care and seating assessments undertaking a thorough joint range of movement assessment using standardised outcome measures and formulating a realistic action plan based on the assessment findings.
To ensure a high standard of clinical care for the wheelchair users under your management.
To use analytical and clinical reasoning skills to provide a specialist assessment of clients with specific, often highly complex, mobility and seating requirements, with consideration to Personal Wheelchair Budgets.
To assist with pressure mapping assessments as needed, to interpret and prescribe clinically appropriate solutions.
Communication
To communicate effectively with patients and carers to establish eligibility and maximise the potential of the assessment process. The use of communication skills will be required where there are barriers to effective communication e.g. loss of hearing, altered perception, expressive and receptive dysphasia, pain and learning disability.
To educate wheelchair users, carers, healthcare staff and other professionals in the safe and effective use of wheelchair equipment.
To communicate effectively and work collaboratively with other members of the multi-disciplinary team across health and social care sectors. This may include joint assessments, reviews and medical reports.
To maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation in line with legal requirements, and communicate assessment results to the appropriate agencies in the form of reports and letters.
To have clear and precise communication and interaction skills with The Admin Team.
Personal and People Development
To work towards competency at the intermediate level as defined by National Wheelchair Managers Forum competencies for therapists in Wheelchair Services.
To provide training and support to other members of the wheelchair service team, students and accredited therapists (post-graduate level).
To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to patients, relatives, carers, schools, workplaces and other professionals to ensure the safe, effective and consistent use of wheelchair equipment in often highly complex situations.
To take responsibility as designated by the Wheelchair Service Clinical Lead of tasks and training / support of other team members.
To continue to develop specialised skills in relation to postural management, mobility and function.
To maintain own clinical professional development (CPD) by keeping abreast of any new trends and developments and incorporate them as necessary into your work, to be proactive in training matters by attendance and presentation at team meetings, tutorials, training sessions, external courses and reflective practice.
To keep up to date with developments, products and research within your field, disseminate information, and ensure that practice is based on best available evidence.
To participate in the organisations appraisal process, individual performance review (IPR), identifying objectives for personal development together with your supervisor and Clinical Lead.
To attend mandatory training as required and to be conversant with the policies and procedures of the Organisation.
Health, Safety and Security
To demonstrate a sound understanding of Clinical Governance and Risk Management and apply this knowledge to the work situation.
To be aware of the Health and Safety aspects of your work and implement any policies which may be required to improve the safety of your work area, including the prompt recording and reporting of accidents and incidents to the manager, and ensuring that equipment is safe.
To report accidents and incidents as required by organisational procedures, (eg DATIX, MHRA)
To be responsible for equipment used in carrying out clinical duties, including competence to use equipment and to ensure the safe use of equipment by others through teaching, training and supervision of practice.
To comply with the service policies and procedures and to be involved in the reviewing and updating as appropriate.
Service Improvement
To work with the Clinical Lead and Business Manager and the rest of the team to make recommendations for service improvement, development and change.
To contribute towards service efficiencies in relation to the 18-week Referral to Treatment (RTT)
To participate in clinical audit and service evaluation.
Quality
To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own work.
To work as a member of the wheelchair service team ensuring an effective and efficient service to wheelchair users.
To make recommendations to the wheelchair service Clinical Lead for the provision and supply of appropriate equipment and keep the Clinical Lead informed as to the condition and range of the assessment stock.
In conjunction with other members of the clinical team to be responsible for ensuring the effective selection and evaluation of wheelchair equipment, taking into account budgetary implications.
To be actively involved in the collection of data and statistics as required for the running of and reporting of the service
Equality and Diversity
To adhere to Rules of Professional Conduct and be compliant with local and professional standards of practice.
To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of clients and contribute to the provision of the service sensitive to these needs.
To demonstrate the ability to reflect on ethical issues.
To ensure personal compliance with all relevant policies, procedures and guidelines relating to Equal Opportunities.
Health and Wellbeing
To decide priorities for own work area, balancing other patient related and professional demands, and ensure that these remain in accordance with the service objectives.
To accept clinical responsibility for a caseload of clients, and to organise this efficiently and effectively with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.
To prioritise referrals and to recognise inappropriate referrals and offer alternatives.
To provide appropriate follow-up including reviews and referral to other services.
To plan and organise efficiently and effectively with regard to patient management and use of time.
To work flexibly and have access to transport. To have the ability to travel within the designated geographical area and work from both East and West Wheelchair Services clinic bases.
People Management
To provide daily support, guidance and training to support staff, junior therapist and students, assessing and evaluating competence.
To train, supervise and manage the performance of support staff and students on a daily basis and through periodic review or appraisal.