Clinical Specialist Hand Therapist / Trainee Specialist Hand Therapist

Job overview

• To manage a case load of burns and plastic patients referred by consultants, GPs, ED workers and other clinical professionals for appropriate assessment, clinical diagnosis, and onward management Responsible for developing, running, delivering, and evaluating this pathway in conjunction with the relevant service line and Consultants

Work within current practice and develop evidence-based post-operative Therapy protocols in conjunction with the Consultants, and to oversee their dissemination throughout the Trust and to the wider population through appropriate forums.

This role will involve training to support the development of the service in the future.

Ensure governance agenda is delivered in line with trust structure.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

The extended scope of practice will include, with the appropriate training:

• To act on behalf of the Specialist Consultants undertaking advanced assessment and treatment of patients with hand conditions who may have complex injuries, acute or chronic conditions.
• Providing a specialist assessment for the triage of patients, listing for surgery or additional investigations, and post op care (ROS, simple wound care etc) and onward referral.
• Requesting investigations (x-rays, MRI’s, CT’s ultrasound, etc.) and using the results of investigations to assist clinical diagnosis and appropriate management of patients.
• Referring to other medical and health care professionals including listing for some surgical procedures.
• Appropriate use of splints and splinting techniques.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To be professional and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work including the management of patients in your care. Working as an autonomous practitioner. To ensure a high standard of clinical care for the patients under your management and support other staff to do likewise.
• To develop and agree protocols with consultants for use in this specialist role and design patient information as required.
• To work as a member of the multidisciplinary team.
• To undertake the comprehensive assessment of patients, including those with a complex presentation, using investigative and analytical skills, and to formulate individualised management plans.
• To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients, and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.  To record and evaluate clinic throughput and outcome.
• Liaise / advise other clinical/medical professionals working with this care group to maintain / improve standards throughout the Trust.
• To accept clinical responsibility for a designated caseload of patients, and to organise this effectively and efficiently with regard to clinical priorities and use of time.

For further information please see attached job description