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About Us

EPUT provides community health, mental health and learning disability services to support more than 3.2 million people living across Bedfordshire, Essex and Suffolk. Also:

We are among the largest employers in the in the East of England region, with more than 10,000 staff working across more than 200 sites.
We run the COVID-19 vaccination programme across mid and south Essex and Suffolk and north east Essex.

EPUT was formed on 1 April 2017 following the merger of North Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (NEP) and South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (SEPT). A new leadership team was established at the Trust in 2020.
Our vision and values

Our Vision

"To be the leading health and wellbeing service in the provision of mental health and community care".

Our Purpose

"We care for people every day. What we do together, matters".

Our Values

We Care
We Learn
We Empower

Our strategic objectives

We will deliver safe, high quality integrated care services.
We will enable each other to be the best that we can.
We will work together with our partners to make our services better.
We will help our communities to thrive.

Our services

Mental Health Services
Community Health Services
Learning Disabilities Services
Social Care

Find out more about the services we offer in our service directory.

Job overview

We have an exciting opportunity for a part-time, enthusiastic & self-motivated Band 6 Wheelchair Therapist, to join our busy and friendly Wheelchair Service based in Southend-on-Sea

The Band 6 Wheelchair Therapist would be responsible for delivering evidence based client-centred assessments, tailored equipment provision and ongoing case management, to meet the clinical needs of clients with a wide range of postural and mobility needs.

The successful applicant will support the Clinical Lead and Wheelchair Service Manager in all aspects of service provision, while independently managing a varied caseload.

Regular professional supervision and CPD will be provided and excellent opportunities for on-going professional and self-development.

A valid, clean driving license and use of a vehicle is essential.

Main duties of the job

To be clinically responsible for the ongoing management and assessment of children and adults, with a wide variety of postural and mobility needs.
Undertake assessment of Posture & Seating needs, in relation to equipment provision & Pressure Care.
Be responsible for provision of Wheelchairs, Powered & Manual, and Paediatric Equipment within existing eligibility criteria.

Work closely with Community Therapists, Social Services, Voluntary Agencies, etc., to ensure that wheelchair provision is fully integrated.

Working for our organisation

EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including;

Season Ticket Loans
NHS discounts for staff
Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
Day One Flexible Employer

The Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. We offer many options and you are encouraged to ask the recruiting manager what is possible for this role. If appointed, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment

Join our Staff bank

What is Staff Bank?

Our EPUT NHS staff bank is an entity managed by the trust that hires clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals to take on shifts at our trust hospitals and community settings. Here at EPUT we maintain our own bank of specialist staff to ensure that we are able offer safe and effective care at all times.

All our permanent staff are automatically enrolled onto the staff bank however this does not mean you have to work any additional shifts, but the option is there for you if you wish.

If you are joining our Trust in a fixed term role, please indicate on your New Starter Paperwork that you wish to join our staff bank.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

To assess, evaluate, and develop individually agreed objectives with clients with a range of physical and psychological conditions, including people with severe cognitive impairment and/or disabilities such as Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Motor Neurone Disease.
To carry out skilled & evidence based interventions with the client, e.g. Postural management.
To be responsible for own practice and accountable for all aspects of treatment and provision delivered to the client, undertaking this treatment as an autonomous practitioner.
To be able to analyse clinical & social information from a range of sources to integrate into treatment plan.
To analyse and understand the impact of equipment provision in relation to treatment regimes from other sources, such as spinal surgery & tendon releases on children with Cerebral Palsy, Botox injections for MS clients, PEG insertion.
To have a good understanding of the implications of deteriorating conditions and the effect on seating and mobility needs.
To be proactive in identifying and providing assessment for clients who need reviewing, to ensure equipment and intervention meets the changing needs.
Be highly skilled in communicating with clients of all ages who have a range of physical & psychological barriers to understanding, e.g. hearing impairments, severe learning disabilities.
To be responsible for identification & recommendation of purchase & supply of specialist equipment, having taken into account client risk assessment & safety implications.
To provide clients with assessment & training in Wheelchair handling and safety within the Wheelchair Clinic, clients' home/school/workplace, or other venue that is appropriate, ensuring the best & safest provision is made, within service constraints, to maximise the client's mobility & function.
To provide specialist advice on equipment use to other Health/Social/Educational & Voluntary Sector services, highlighting the impact of incorrect use on patient care.
To be a source of clinical expertise and advice for other Health & Social Care professionals, in relation to equipment use and posture management, e.g. Community & Hospital based therapists, District Nurses, Social Services, & Educational staff.
To be responsible for the development and maintenance of good working relationships with wheelchair manufacturers and representatives, wheelchair suppliers, repair and maintenance contractors, rehabilitation engineers and special seating engineers engaged in service provision. To liaise with these in relation to research in new products and ordering new equipment.
To ensure interpersonal skills are effective in development & maintenance of good working relationships with staff and colleagues within the wheelchair service and externally with other agencies.
To contribute to the timely management of clients in line with national and local targets.
To be responsible for MHRA Adverse Incident reporting and to take recommended action necessary to protect the safety of wheelchair users.
To initiate & implement audits relevant to own clinical field, e.g. cushion trials.
Be responsible in ensuring equipment is safe to use & fit for purpose and for the safe use of the equipment by clients during the assessment.
To ensure effective communication with clients and their representatives and demonstrate the ability to discuss sensitive and/or complex issues with tact and sympathy.
To manage distressed, confused or aggressive clients/representatives, some of whom may have barriers to understanding, e.g. hearing impaired, severe learning disabilities, or mental health conditions.

PROFESSIONAL

To work to standards set by relevant professional body and professional regulatory authority.
To maintain current knowledge of new and existing products and assessing their advantages for service users.
To ensure knowledge and practice of latest technologies in product materials and design, where appropriate.
To be responsible for accurate record keeping and the adherence to the national record keeping standards.
To demonstrate sound understanding of clinical governance, ensuring practice is within the standards and criteria agreed for the service, and to audit own and team's performance as required.
To demonstrate a sound understanding of postural management clinical knowledge and skills.
To be responsible for CPD, participation in peer reviews and maintenance of up to date knowledge of specialty, through research and work of clinical interest groups.
To comply with local and national standards of information governance. To maintain client confidentiality, implement departmental policy on effective consent to treatment/assessment and to comply with the Data Protection Act.
To comply with Health & Safety Codes of Practice & Procedures and to implement any policies which may be required to improve the Health & Safety of the work area.
To comply with organisational & departmental policies & procedures and to be actively involved in review and update of policies directly relevant to own working area.

ORGANISATIONAL DUTIES

To carry out administrative duties as appropriate to ensure smooth running and efficient provision of the whole service.
To plan, organise and prioritise client caseload
To delegate to the technicians where appropriate, depending on their level of skill and ability.
To be responsible for screening, prioritising and scheduling clients referred to the wheelchair service from a variety of sources. Making decisions regarding direct provision or necessity for assessment, or delegating simple cases to the Wheelchair Service Coordinator and Technicians.
To actively engage in supervision and case management.
To operate within required service specification and subsequent eligibility criteria within the delegated service budget.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

To maintain accurate clinical records as outlined by professional standards.
To access and input data into the electronic patient record system.
To complete, in a timely manner, risk assessment, doctors letters, etc., to ensure effective service provision to users.
To organise, as appropriate, clinics with external equipment suppliers, e.g. Wheelchair manufacturers. Liaising with clients, carers, etc., in order to assist in clinical assessment.
To be responsible for obtaining equipment quotations following specialist assessments, to ensure timely equipment provision.
To be responsible for arranging own diary dates, ensuring effective use of clinic time and streamlining of provision.
To be an active participant in team meetings.
To remain up to date with relevant budgetary situation of the service.
To identify specific training needs pertaining to the role and that of other junior staff.

Person specification

Education/Qualification

Essential criteria

Degree in Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy
Evidence of continued Professional Development & CPD
Current HCPC registration

Desirable criteria

Postgraduate qualifications, such as Advanced EDGE Training.

Knowledge

Essential criteria

Post registration experience working with Children/Adults with neurological and long term conditions
An understanding of the causes & restrictions of reduced mobility & postural disabilities, and the impact of this on client's daily lives

Desirable criteria

Previous experience of working with wheelchairs & postural management
Experience of working in acute & community settings
A good working knowledge of various types of wheelchairs & their associated accessories & parts
Experience in managing postural deformity and/or prescribing wheelchairs

Skills/Experience

Essential criteria

Broad based post registration experience
Literate in IT/Computer Skills
Literate in IT/Computer Skills • Good oral & written communication skills based on fluency of the English language
Experience of working in a client-centred service, where a high degree of attention to detail is required
Evidence of previous team working, to deliver a high quality level of service
Previous experience working with Children & Adults with neurological conditions

Desirable criteria

Experience of working in acute and community settings

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria

Able to work autonomously with excellent time management skills
Ability to communicate complex information to clients & non-professionals, in a way that they can understand
Positive, optimistic, friendly, responsive, courteous & punctual

Corporate

Essential criteria

Shares the Trust's beliefs and models this in their attitude & behaviour
Full UK Drivers Licence & access to own car
Ability to Travel across Trust sites as required

!Important Professional References

Make sure that as a part of your application you have professional references with business contract information covering your last three year employment history. We are unable to accept personal or character references.

As a newly appointed employee you are responsible for incurring the cost of your initial DBS check relevant to your post, the amount will be deducted from your first salary with the Trust.

Applications for Job Share are positively welcomed.

Equal Opportunities Employer

Our Trust is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We particularly welcome applications from people with experience of using mental health services. We also hold the Disability two tick symbol and have made the pledge to commit to employing more people with learning disabilities, we encourage people with a disability to apply. If you require this application form in another format i.e. Braille or audio tape etc, please contact the Recruitment Department on 01375 364513 or email epunft.recruitment.adverts@nhs.net and we can arrange for this to be dispatched to you.

The Trust has the right to expire vacancies prior to the closing date if they so wish. The Trust makes every attempt to contact all applicants and we strongly advise that you check the email account which is registered with NHS Jobs regularly, we would advise however due to the high number of applications we receive that if you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expect all staff to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to robust safer recruitment processes.

Covid Vaccination

Although Covid vaccinations are no longer a mandatory requirement within the NHS we continue to encourage and support the vaccination uptake as this remains the best line of defence against Covid19. The safety of our staff and patients is a top priority for us at EPUT.

If you would like to book a Covid vaccination or would like more information please contact us by emailing epunft.cv19hr@nhs.net.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

JD - Wheelchair Service Senior Therapist (PDF, 632.3KB)
PS - Wheelchair Service Senior Therapist (PDF, 352.6KB)
EPUT Pledge - Step into Health (PDF, 211.0KB)
Candidate Privacy Policy (PDF, 173.9KB)
Right to Work Information (PDF, 293.6KB)
Employer Recognition Scheme - Gold Award (PDF, 27.7KB)
Trust Vision and Values (PDF, 168.9KB)
Values of the NHS Pension (PDF, 151.3KB)

Senior Wheelchair Therapis

Senior Wheelchair Therapis

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