AfC Band 6 Wheelchair Therapist - Brighton & Hove locality team

Are you a registered occupational therapist, physiotherapist, healthcare scientist or nurse? Have you ever thought of working in a wheelchair service? Are you keen to make a difference to service users and develop your wheelchair knowledge and skills?

We are looking for a wheelchair therapist to join our specialist team of therapists, rehabilitation engineers, assistants and administration staff to provide a comprehensive service to people of all ages living in Brighton & Hove, with a wide range of disabilities.

Main duties of the job

The role includes assessing clients both jointly and on an individual basis either in clinic or in the community. You will need to have relevant transferable skills, but do not need to have wheelchair experience to apply, as training and support will be provided through our local induction programme, supervision, internal and external training opportunities.

You will need experience of working with people with mobility needs and have an appreciation of the challenges faced by wheelchair users and wheelchair services. An organised, practical and motivated approach is required to meet the needs of the service users, as well as excellent communication skills in liaising with service users, their families and carers, professionals and suppliers. Applicants must hold a full valid driving licence.

About us

This role will be based at the Sussex Rehab Centre, on the Brighton General Hospital site and cover patients within the Brighton and Hove locality. However, travel across trust sites may be required.

The Sussex Rehabilitation Services' Senior Leadership Team is a friendly, multi-disciplinary group, with a range of clinical experience and backgrounds. We are committed to promoting and championing the teams we support, and focused on the delivery of high quality, safe and effective patient care.

We value compassionate leadership, and aim to deliver this as a supportive, honest and trustworthy team. Opportunities for personal development are encouraged.

Job description

Job responsibilities

a) To provide high quality, client focussed clinical assessment for and prescription of manual and powered wheelchairs and specialist seating to adults and children.

b) To maximise clients function and independence by modifying standardequipment and prescribing appropriate pressure relief.

c) To provide evidence based clinical assessment and intervention to complex patients who require multi-professional input including specialist seating and rehabilitation engineering.

d) To act as a resource for offering expert advice and clinical input.

e) To provide supervision to students and the unqualified therapy staff

Please see the job description and person specification for more details.

Person Specification

Other requirements

Essential

• A valid car driver's licence

Qualifications and/or professional registration

Essential

• Degree/diploma in OT/Physiotherapy/General Nursing or equivalent from abroad
• State registration

Desirable

• Training in clinical supervision of students/staff
• Member of BAOT/CSPM/ NMC
• Experience of using IT systems e.g. patient information systems

Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 18 months clinical experience of the management of clients with complex needs..
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team and appreciation of the contribution of different professions to Health & Social Care.

Desirable

• Minimum of 12 months clinical experience in physical based services.
• Clinical experience in rehabilitation, clinic and community services.
• Clinical experience in seating and posture management for adults and children.
• Clinical experience of working with adults and children with multiple and complex disabilities.
• Experience in training other professionals, voluntary bodies and the public.
• Experience in undertaking audits and service reviews.
• Experience in the management and clinical supervision of students/staff.

Skills and knowledge

Essential

• Assess, prioritise and provide information and advice for children and adults who have permanent and substantial physical disabilities
• Formulation and treatment goals and carrying out of treatment within an OT/physio/nursing and a multi-disciplinary framework
• Clinical experience of managing diverse/complex caseloads
• Ability to communicate highly sensitive and clinically complex information both written and verbally
• Influence and effect change using a range of skills including negotiation, teaching and assertiveness
• Plan and prioritise own caseload including delegating tasks to support staff
• Effectively time manage in order to deal with a large and varied caseload
• Problem solve OT team/MDT issues and accept responsibility for implementation solutions as a senior team member
• Clear, concise, written and verbal reporting
• Excellent organisational skills in work practice
• Awareness of own level of competency and ability to ask for help appropriately
• Ability to respond appropriately to pressure and to demonstrate coping strategies
• Good health record and physical ability to manage clients with a physical disability
• Commitment to continuous professional development

Desirable

• Recommend environmental adaptations within an individual's home setting
• Ability to measure the joint ranges of clients with complex disabilities/skeletal deformities as part of clinical reasoning for prescription of specialist equipment and modifications
• Ability to research specialist information and source up to date equipment. Collect, collate and report on data
• Presentation skills

Employer details

Employer name

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Sussex Rehabilitation Centre

Elm Grove

Brighton

BN2 3EW

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

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