Job overview

Following a recent promotion, we are looking for an enthusiastic Band 6 Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist or Rehab Engineer to join our dynamic and supportive Wheelchair Service.   

The Service has roughly 2,000 active users including children and adults. Experience of working within wheelchair services is essential.  You will be joining a small but enthusiastic and friendly team consisting of 3 OTs, 1 Therapy Support Worker and administrative staff.   Supported by a peripatetic RE from The West Midlands Rehab Centre, providing the regional specialist hub to the 12 District Wheelchair services in the West Midlands. 

The team has actively developed and expanded over recent years with scope for further service development. The post provides a mix of complex clinical caseload operating through both clinic settings and home visits and have a number of specialist care homes in the area with clients with complex posture. We aim to promote 24 hour postural management and grow good networks for MDT joint working. With proactive links across the acute and community services.

Proactive  participation in practice placement education and attendance at PMG is available.  We are committed to continuing professional development, in-service training and clinical supervision. 

Main duties of the job

The Wheelchair Therapist is responsible for high quality, person-focused assessment prescription of wheelchairs, pressure care,  buggies and accessories to clients of all ages (including carers where appropriate) in their own homes, clinic settings and other community environments

Carry out detailed assessment of mobility, posture, seating needs, skin and environment. Collaboratively agree outcomes, prescribe appropriate equipment, fit and adjust to meet client’s needs.  Providing instruction in safe use, care, and maintenance

Excellent clinical knowledge of 24 hour postural management and pressure mapping.  Understanding the properties of the pressure care available to the service

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of product ranges available to wheelchair services.  Clinical use, review of product range used within the service for suitability of purpose, safety and durability.  Knowledge of prescription, ordering systems, lead times, and the modifications available to the equipment range within the guidelines set by the MHRA

Ensure clients and carers are trained in the safe handling of wheelchairs/accessories.  Involving manual handling of wheelchairs and other equipment

Knowledge of how the PWB scheme works within the service. Advising clients about the scheme and what would be appropriate for their needs

Provide clinical advice and guidance to other therapists on selecting suitable wheelchairs and seating equipment, providing MDT training of standard wheelchair prescription

Working for our organisation

Wye Valley NHS Trust is a member of an NHS Foundation Group with South Warwickshire NHS FT , the George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

Located on the border with Wales in the shadow of the Black Mountains, we provide acute and community services across Herefordshire and into parts of Powys and run Hereford County Hospital and the community hospitals in Bromyard, Leominster and Ross-on-Wye.

We are a progressive and forward looking trust with ambitious plans to improve quality and integrate patient pathways through close collaborative working with our partners to deliver the quality of care we’d want for our family and friends.

More than 3,500 people work for the Trust – they tell us it’s a great place to work, blending the busyness of a DGH with the benefits of working in a beautiful rural and unspoilt county like Herefordshire.

We can offer a great work-life balance and have a fine tradition of working with staff to help them achieve their full potential.

Russell Hardy, Trust Chairman: “The strength of the Trust is its amazing staff; a great place to work, a great place to develop your career and a great place to reach your potential.”

Our values - Care, Accountability, Respect and Excellence - are at the heart of all we do. We believe in providing the right care in the right place at the right time…all the time.