Senior Wheelchair Therapist

at  Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

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 clients 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 teams 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

Please refer the Job description for details