Orthotist

at  Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board

The post holder will: Be responsible for the safe provision of orthotic devices in a manner which ensures best value for money whilst meeting the patients needs. Be familiar with the All Wales contract, in place to achieve best value nationally and consider contract items as first line of treatment. Ensure risks are minimised and documented appropriately. Undertake autonomous clinical examination and assessment of patients providing specialist bespoke orthotic devices.
Prescribe orthotic devices specifying: design, components, materials and fabrication methods for bespoke orthoses. Evaluate the completed device on the patient to ensure desired quality of body device-interface, functional alignment, comfort, cosmetic appearance and mechanical safety and integrity. Apply their autonomy to make changes as required to prescriptions taking into account clinical outcomes achieved and patients feedback. Perform adjustments with hand tools and machinery in line with the original product design and in a way which maintains the quality.
Communicate with technicians remotely to request adjustments not possible in clinic, ensuring that the adjustment is made in a timely and effective way to avoid delay to the patient. Demonstrate a highly developed physical skills set with the hand, eye and sensory coordination required to be safe practitioner in situations which are restricted through patients injuries, anatomical positioning and health condition or impairment.Gain consent to clinical assessment and delivery of clinical intervention and appropriately record at each appointment. Use clinical outcome measures and PROMS as appropriate to demonstrate the effectiveness of orthotic intervention. Evaluate follow up timescales to meet patient needs with respect to individual treatment plan, discharging patients at the conclusion of an episode of care in line with department guidelines.
Facilitate timely onward referral to appropriate health care professionals in order that optimal patient care is achieved and maintained. Have recognition of the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists Guidelines for Best Practice and make clinical decisions based on evidenced practice. Report any adverse incidents relating to the provision of orthoses in line with CTMUHB policy. Maintain patient safety and engage in national reporting and monitoring procedures for specialist orthotic devices.
Record and report adverse incidents using the DATIX reporting system against the ISO quality system and take subsequent recommended action. Ensure robust infection prevention and control measures are practised in line with UHB and departmental policy. Ensure familiarity with Health Board Policies, procedures and guidelines. Working to Professional policies, procedures and guidelines act with professional autonomy to make alternative clinical decisions based upon own level of competency and within professional boundaries.
Take a flexible approach to ensure ability to cope with unpredictable work patterns and provision of unplanned care. Actively be responsible and accountable for own time management and achieved performance within role. Be proactive in managing annual leave giving consideration to service requirements and colleagues.Assist with the booking of clinical and domiciliary activity effectively in line with the needs of the caseload and to achieve efficient sessions. Work flexibly to accommodate those patients with an urgent clinical need by making informed decision to defer clinical care delivery to others.
Participate in the education of support staff. Participate in the departmental rota for the delivery of clinical training and supervision to both orthotic and podiatry students. Apply oral, written and listening communication skills to accurately assess patient and user needs. Analysing sometimes difficult and compromising situations in order to ensure the patients needs are fully assessed and addressed and that they fully understand and participate in their care plan.
Ensure excellent written and verbal communications are maintained with patients, carers relatives and members of the health and social care teams; convey complex and sensitive information at appropriate levels of understanding. Overcome communication problems experienced within a diverse patient population by using a range of communication methods, including the use of interpreting services and where necessary engaging family members, carers and other support workers as an aid to communication. Liaise with and provide feedback to referrers to the service by the letter and/or verbal communication, ensuring that assessment, diagnostic results and treatment plans are understood by the referrer to ensure support by the wider healthcare network. Provide effective communication with other health care professionals including GPs , Consultants and other Primary Care staff to ensure Orthotic and medical information and advice is provided to inform decision making and that patients receive appropriate referral and treatment from the multi-disciplinary team.
Demonstrate assurance to Clinical Governance principles as an intrinsic component of clinical practice. Abide in a professional manner with legal requirements and statutory rules relating to practice whilst maintaining confidentiality at all times. Maintain registration with the Health Professions Council (HCPC) and work within the professional codes of conduct and standards for practice. Demonstrate commitment to CPD and the maintenance of a CPD portfolio including the organisation and implementation of post graduate training for self and peers.
Actively participate in the PDR Your Conversation appraisal process. Actively contribute to and participate in team development by means of case presentations, journal reviews and project work. Participate in clinical audit and contribute to the departments research activity which will be underpinned by evidence based practice and Quality Standards for Health Care. Participate in activities that leads to effective patient involvement in service development.
Undertake all statutory and mandatory training as required by the UHB and any identified training that will help develop the post. Provide cover for Orthotist colleagues as needed across CTMUHB, and to carry out any other duties as required by the service, commensurate with the type/level/band of the post. This job description gives a general outline of the post and is not intended to be inflexible or a final list of duties. It may therefore be amended from time to time in consultation with the post holder.
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Please refer the Job description for details