Specialist Wheelchair Therapist (OT or Physio)

Job summary

Band 6 Specialist Wheelchair Therapist -Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 6 Wheelchair Therapist to join our patient-centred multidisciplinary Wheelchair Service 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, with both adults and children, have excellent organisational, interpersonal and communication skills, and be passionate about delivering personalised care to wheelchair service users.

Ideally you will have experience working in a Wheelchair Service, with competencies in wheelchair assessment, prescription and provision; however, this is not essential, providing you are quick to learn and can demonstrate underpinning and transferable knowledge and skills in posture and mobility assessments and management.

Main duties of the job

You will be 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 clinic based but also requires you to visit service users in their place of residence or other establishment in the community as/ when required.

You must be able to start and finish work at base every day, and work across both of our locations (Wirral and West Cheshire), according to the needs of the service.

It is essential that you are able can drive and have access to a suitable vehicle for work purposes.

Job responsibilities

For the main responsibilities of the post please refer to the attached Job Description. 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 autonomously and in the most efficient and effective way.
• Documenting assessments, interventions and equipment details on the Wheelchair Services clinical and asset management system.
• Supervising and supporting the development of identified Therapy Assistants/ Support Practitioners.
• Being a proactive clinical educator and supervising both Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy students, regardless of your own profession.
• Providing specialist advice to other health and care professionals on wheelchairs and postural management.
• Recognising and working within own competence and professional code of conduct/ standards.
• Taking responsibility for own CPD and keep up to date with clinical practice and wheelchair products.

Please ensure that your supporting information in your application reflects how you meet the person specification for role.

About the employer

Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust has been rated as Good by CQC (Dec 2023) with some outstanding areas.

As an aspiring outstanding Trust we have numerous policies and procedures in place which provide standard organisational ways of working, in line with organisational objectives, relevant legislation and requirements. Policies allow for continuity and consistency within the Trust. Employees must abide by and adhere to all Wirral Community NHS Trust's policies, at all times.

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.