Highly Specialist Wheelchair Therapist (OT or Physio)

• Undertake multifaceted and highly specialist and evidence-based assessments of adults and children who have complex postural and mobility problems and prescribe/ handover a range of wheelchairs and associated equipment, including specialist seating and powered wheelchairs to meet their personalised needs.
• Work alongside the other Band 7s to provide clinical and professional leadership to the clinical team of wheelchair therapists, assistant practitioners, rehabilitation engineering technicians, therapy assistants and admin staff; this includes line management and development of the team.
• Support the Service Lead and Support Manager with the operational delivery and development of the service ensuring a high quality safe, effective, and responsive service which is personalised.

• Prioritise, analyse and interpret referrals received to the Wheelchair Service using advanced clinical reasoning skills.
• Ensure cases are allocated to most appropriate clinician, collaborating with service users and other professionals.
• Provide highly specialist wheelchair assessments for adults and children with diverse and/ or progressive conditions, all who will have complex mobility, pressure and related functional needs.
• Interpret assessment findings using advanced clinical reasoning skills and formulate the best course of intervention that will meet the agreed goals of the user/carer and the service, taking into account eligibility criteria and local policies for provision of wheelchairs.
• Prescribe a range of wheelchairs (manual and powered), wheelchair seating systems and accessories to meet the needs of service users that have complex needs.
• Offer personal wheelchair budgets in line with the Wheelchair Service offer.
• Carry out detailed/complex risk assessments, documenting and reporting clinical risks and other risk management issues.
• Undertake specialist pressure care assessments pertaining to wheelchair seating and interpret the information ascertained to ascertain the appropriate prescription.
• Manage clinical risk within own caseload and that of junior staff and wheelchair therapy assistants to ensure the safety of users, carers, colleagues, and self, documenting and escalating any significant risks.
• Consider budget demands on the service when ordering and prescribing equipment and ensure it is the most cost effective to meet the service users clinical needs.
• Keep accurate, comprehensive and timely user records on the bespoke Wheelchair Service clinical and asset management system (BEST) in line with Trust policies and professional standards of practise.
• Provide line management to identified clinicians and be responsible for the clinical supervision of junior staff, wheelchair therapy support workers and students.
• Be aware of responsibilities and implications of the current legislation that affects clinical and professional practice.
• Provide highly specialist advice, and act as a resource, to other colleagues in other clinical areas regarding postural/pressure management and mobility.
• Organise and plan to ensure the smooth running of clinics and effective utilisation of staff skills, and maintain an overview of the service to support the efficient and effective running of it.

Essential

• Degree or equivalent in Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy
• State registration with HCPC
• Evidence of attending post registration courses that carry credits towards post graduate qualifications in a specialist area and Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy consolidating this knowledge in the working environment
• Evidence of utilising highly developed therapy assessment/ treatment skills with specialist client groups
• Evidence of recent fieldwork educators training or equivalent experience

Essential

• Significant relevant post registration experience
• Evidence of NHS Wheelchair Service experience/ provision
• In depth knowledge/skills in wheelchair assessment and prescription, including personal wheelchair budgets
• Highly developed knowledge/skills in posture and seating
• Evidence of commitment to Wheelchair Therapy provision and personalisation
• Proven understanding of clinical governance and risk management, its importance and an awareness of how it is carried out.
• Experience of application of evidence-based interventions/ outcome measures relevant to client group

Desirable

• Evidence of effective use of clinical audit/ quality improvement project knowledge/skills
• Highly developed knowledge/skills in quality improvement/ service development
• Experience of staff appraisal/ workforce development

Essential

• Effective communication (both written and verbal) and interpersonal skills with both professionals, carers, and users with highly complex disorders/communication problems
• Evidence of ability to manage appraise, develop, and motivate staff
• Ability to promote, participate and facilitate Service Clinical Governance Agenda and Quality Improvement
• To use computer databases competently and be able to access email and intranet

Essential

• Car driver and access to a car for work purposes essential
• Self-motivated, enthusiastic, and innovative
• Ability to prevent and manage with complaints fairly and empathetically
• Ability to work under pressure
• Positive attitude to service development/ improvement and a flexible approach to service changes
• Ability to lead and manage clinical team, demonstrating strong leadership behaviours and skills
• Ability to work both independently and part of a multi-disciplinary team -disciplinary team
• Excellent timekeeper and time management
• Ability and stamina to manoeuvre patients in wheelchairs with transfers, and to undertake home visits
• Physical ability to carry out assessments in various environments and ability to manipulate wheelchairs