About this role
Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity for Specialist Hand Therapists to join our outpatient therapy service. We welcome applications from qualified Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists with outpatient experience and/or splinting experience and valid HCPC registration. You will work with our Advanced Hand Therapists alongside our outpatient therapy team working closely with Trauma and Orthopaedics.
You will have the opportunity to learn from a team of experienced Advanced and Specialist Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists and through in-service training and external courses. We will support the successful candidate with relevant development needs for the post. Following induction and training the successful applicant will be expected to prescribe exercise programmes, fabricate custom made splints and undertake hand dressings.
Our primary focus is to deliver quality, patient-centred care which is evidenced based and sustainable for the future in an ever changing NHS landscape. To achieve this, we aim to give you the opportunity to develop your skills in a supportive, dynamic and varied environment and to be involved in service development.
We are in the process of expanding and developing our hand therapy team with a spoke model based at Westmorland General Hospital, the role will require travel to support outreach clinics at Royal Lancaster Infirmary and Furness General Hospital.
Main duties of the job
To undertake comprehensivehandtherapy assessment of physical problems of a complexnature which may also include psychological and social problems, usingspecialistclinical reasoning and assessment skills to provide an accurate diagnosis and treatment with the consent of patients and guidance of senior staff if required.
To formulate an individual and agreed treatment plan based on sound knowledge ofevidence basedpractice and carry outappropriate treatmentin a manner that respects people's privacy,dignityand individuality. Reassessing patients' progress and altering treatment plans asrequired.
Todemonstrate highly developed physical skills inclusive of dexterity, co-ordination and palpatory (sensory) skills to carry out appropriate assessment and interventions including manualhandtherapy techniques and therapeutic handling,mobilisationtechniques, complex dressings, thermoplastic custom-made splint fabrication requiring precise use of tools tomouldthe splint.
To use a range of verbal and non-verbal communication tools to educate and communicate effectively with patients, carers information regarding their diagnosis, treatment plans and discharge plans. This includes using motivational/persuasive skills and giving specialist advice.
To participate in planned research and audit as required.
About us
We operatefrom three main hospitals-Furness General Hospital (FGH) in Barrow, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI), and Westmorland General Hospital (WGH) in Kendal, as well as a number of community healthcare premises including Millom Hospital and GP Practice, Queen Victoria Hospital in Morecambe, andUlverstonCommunity Health Centre.
FGH and the RLI have a range of General Hospital services, with full Emergency Departments, Critical/Coronary Care units and various Consultant-led services.
WGH provides a range of General Hospital services, together with an Urgent Treatment Centre, that can help with a range of non-life threatening conditions such as broken bones and minor illnesses.
All three main hospitals provide a range of planned care including outpatients, diagnostics, therapies,daycase and inpatient surgery. In addition, a range of local outreach services and diagnostics are provided from community facilities across Morecambe Bay.
Our Community Service for adults are provided in people's homes ,community centres, clinics, GP Practices, community hospitals. Our aim is to work with people to help them remain independent , improve their health and manage their conditions through high quality care , advice and support.
Job description Job responsibilities
To work as anindividual within the Outpatient Therapy team providingspecialisthand therapyassessment, diagnosis,treatmentand advice for a range offrequentlycomplex conditions for patients on their caseload.
To work as an autonomous practitioner taking responsibility for the management of patients onowncaseload without directsupervision.
To regularlyassistin the planning & delivery of departmental training and education sessions, to further professional and personal development for staff, working with the guidance and support of senior members of staff ifrequired
Tomaintaineffective communicationlinks with patients,carersand all associated professional practitionersregardingpatientscondition, including the completion ofaccurateclinical records in line with trust and professional body codes of practice.
To supervise, andassistsenior staff in the management ofoccupationaltherapistsandphysiotherapists and therapy support staff
Toberesponsibleforthewholeorpartoftheclinical educationand practice ofOccupational Therapy andPhysiotherapyUndergraduates accepted on clinicalplacement.
To beresponsibleforthe correct and safe use of equipment includingthesafe manufacture and provision of custom made and off the shelf splints and orthosis.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications Essential
Health and Care Professions Council registered Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist Honours Degree or equivalent in Physiotherapy or Occupational Therapy approved by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy/Royal College of Occupational Therapy/Health and Care Professions Council Evidence of relevant post graduate specialist clinical education
Desirable
BAHT Level 1
Experience Essential
Comprehensive rotational experience as a Staff grade in the core competencies within physiotherapy or occupational therapy Evidence of effective written and oral communication skills in English in a variety of settings. Experience of working within a team
Desirable
Post graduate clinical experience in hand therapy
Skills, Ability and Knowledge Essential
Ability to think quickly, assess clinical situations and make decisions upon that information Must demonstrate a knowledge of team / group dynamics and understand the role of a Specialist Hand Therapist within a team. Must be able to demonstrate the confidence to take independent action within expected capabilities To have a clear understanding of the role of a Specialist Hand Therapist in their approach to their professional duties Must be able to demonstrate basic awareness of current NHS issues Ability to motivate patients and other staff. To have a knowledge of audit tools and awareness of organizational and clinical standards in Hand therapy Ability to liaise effectively within the multi-disciplinary team
Desirable
Manufacture and fitting of custom thermoplastic splints
Personal Qualities Essential
Must be willing and able to travel in and around the Morecambe Bay Area
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust
Address Westmorland General Hospital
Burton Road
Kendal
LA9 4RG
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.uhmb.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)