Clinical Specialist - Physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy

Job overview

We are seeking an enthusiastic therapist to join our forward-thinking, progressive Wheelchair Service team. At Northumbria Wheelchair Services we are committed to innovation, continuous improvement, and developing the skills and expertise of our workforce to deliver the highest quality care.

The role will primarily involve managing a caseload of children, with occasional adult caseloads. You will work closely with patients, families, carers, healthcare professionals, Rehabilitation Engineers and product specialists to assess, prescribe and review manual and powered wheelchairs for long-term use. Paediatric experience is essential.

As an autonomous practitioner, you will manage a varied caseload, including complex cases, ensuring equipment meets clinical, mobility, postural and pressure care needs.

In addition to clinical duties, you will contribute to triaging referrals, managing caseloads, planning clinic rotas, delivering training, supporting student placements and maintaining accurate clinical records.

It is an essential requirement of the role that the post holder has a valid driving licence and is either a car owner and able to use the car for work purposes, or has a Trust personal lease vehicle which may be used for the role.

Main duties of the job

• To provide a comprehensive service in the specialised area.
• To provide clinical expertise at an advanced level in the assessment, diagnosis and management of highly complex clients.
• To provide specialist input to strategic planning, development, audit and evaluation of clinical services, protocols and policies within the specialised area.
• To ensure service provision in the specialised area is prioritised and service delivery is made effectively within resource constraints.
• To practice within the multidisciplinary team, providing specialist assessments, diagnosis and treatment using advanced clinical reasoning skills.
• To manage a caseload of clients (often varied and with highly complex needs), using evidence based clinical reasoning to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions.
• To provide leadership and clinical education for senior, junior and support staff, through supervision and day-to-day support.
• To regularly supervise undergraduate students on practice placement and participate in placement experience of other professionals.
• Oversee personal wheelchair budgets providing guidance and advice to staff and patients.
• To role model compassionate and inclusive leadership in order to shape the creation of a collective leadership culture within the trust.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main duties of the job

• - Assessing, prescribing and reviewing manual and powered wheelchairs. - Managing a caseload of predominantly children, including complex cases. - Triaging referrals and supporting effective service delivery. - Maintaining clinical records and outcome measures. - Working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and families. - Undertaking physical assessments and handling wheelchair equipment.

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.