Occupational Therapist Advanced Practitioner Wheelchair Resource Team

Job details

• Branch: North Down & Ards Area (SEHSCT)
• Location: ACH, Main Block
• Salary: Band 7 (£47,810 - £54,710)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 07/05/26
• Closes: Thu, 21 May 2026 @ 5:30 PM
• Interview Dates: To be confirmed

Notes

If you are submitting a manual application, please post it to:Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7PR. Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage. “A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026”. Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week.” Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards. Flexible Working We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE

Occupational Therapist Advanced Practitioner

Wheelchair Resource Team

BAND

7

DIRECTORATE

Primary Care and Older People

INITIAL LOCATION

ACH, Main Block

REPORTS TO

Service Lead for Adult Community Occupational Therapy

ACCOUNTABLE TO

Professional Lead for Occupational Therapy

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder will act as an Advanced Practitioner for wheelchair provision within the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust. The post holder will work with the Service Lead Occupational Therapist to ensure delivery of a high quality responsive Occupational Therapy Wheelchair Service to wheelchair users, their carers and families.

The post holder will manage a caseload of wheelchair users with highly complex needs using evidence based/ client centred principles to assess, plan and implement and evaluate intervention. The post holder will work collaboratively with Occupational Therapy colleagues across Children and Young People’s and Adult Services providing specialist clinical assessment, advice and intervention, while also providing a level of support to the wider Wheelchair Resource Service. The post holder will be a specialist clinical resource, demonstrating advanced Occupational Therapy knowledge/skills and clinical reasoning in the assessment for and prescription of wheelchairs for children and young people and adults with highly complex disabilities. The post holder will be responsible for the provision of in-service wheelchair training.

The post holder will have line management responsibilities for junior and support staff in the Wheelchair Resource Team, retaining accountability for work delegated to other staff and working collaboratively with management and other health care professionals to ensure efficient and effective utilization of resources.

The post holder will be required to undertake audits and to participate in research programmes. They will also be responsible for progressing service developments and assisting with the development and implementation of service policies and procedures.

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

Operational Delivery/ Clinical

To manage a caseload of clients with highly complex needs, requiring the assessment and prescription of wheelchair and associated equipment.

To undertake Occupational Therapy assessment with clients and carers to identify their functional, psychological, emotion and social needs.

To undertake assessment to determine specific postural management needs of clients.

To prescribe wheelchairs, associated equipment and necessary ‘bespoke’ modifications to meet client’s postural needs, taking account of their lifestyle requirements.

To evaluate the effectiveness of intervention outcomes and determine client/carer need for clinical review.

To continually update and further develop own clinical skills to reflect the emerging needs of this service.

To undertake a comprehensive assessment of current service provision to determine actual and perceived need and identify unmet need

To implement and co-ordinate flexible and innovative service delivery models at local level.

To co-work with Occupational Therapy colleagues in the management of clients with complex wheelchair/seating and postural management needs.

To undertake a trend analysis of wheelchair demand, prescription and usage among the client group.

To collaborate with Occupational Therapy colleagues in considering/evaluating client’s need for assistive technology and housing adaptations in order to meet holistic needs.

To work collaboratively with colleagues, the Regional Wheelchair Service and independent wheelchair suppliers by sharing treatment goals to achieve optimal outcome for client and carer.

To advise children/carer and teachers on safe child management and safe use of equipment.

To be responsible for maintaining stock and advising on resources to carry out the job.

To be involved, when necessary, in the recruitment of staff to the Wheelchair Service ensuring their competence to practice.

To clinically supervise junior Occupational Therapy staff.

To co-ordinate the day to day activities of junior staff where appropriate.

Information Management

To establish robust communication networks with clients, carers, teachers, other health workers, education and other stakeholders/agencies.

To promote awareness of the role of OT within the Wheelchair Service, negotiating priorities where appropriate.

To ensure the multidisciplinary team and carers have a clear understanding of the models of OT practice required to manage adults and children with eg dysfunctional sensory processing problems, severe physical disability, global delay.

To communicate effectively with carers/families, the needs of individuals in order to engage them in ongoing intervention.

To advise education/employers on the implementation of Occupational Therapy programmes and the management of risk.

To ensure that up to date written and electronic records, both the individual’s record and activity data are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards.

To provide specialist Occupational Therapy reports as required.

Training Staff and Students

To develop and deliver in-service training programmes related to wheelchair assessment, prescription and products.

To maintain and develop professional, clinical and management skills and specialist knowledge by undertaking appropriate professional development activities, including attending relevant courses/ conferences and, as appropriate providing feedback to colleagues.

To maintain a professional portfolio in line with HCPC CPD Standards

To provide undergraduate Occupational Therapy practice education placements within the team.

To assist with the induction of new staff into the Trust/ Department in accordance with the Trust’s induction programme.

To provide advice, education and training to other Occupational Therapists, other health care professionals, colleagues and other teams as required and participate in departmental in-service training.

Provide advice, education and training to carers, voluntary agencies and support groups as required.

Quality and Clinical Governance

To participate in regular supervision/ KSF/PDP review with Occupational Therapy Lead and / or Operational Manager.

Reflect on own practice and performance through effective use of professional and operational supervision and appraisal in line with Professional and Trust policies and procedures.

To apply specialist skills and knowledge in order to maintain professional competence and fitness to practice as an Advanced Practitioner Occupational Therapist.

To demonstrate ongoing personal development through participation in internal and external development opportunities, recording learning outcomes in a CPD portfolio.

To initiate, co-ordinate, participate and undertake quality improvement and clinical audit activities, including the setting and monitoring of practice standards within the wheelchair service.

To adhere to national and local standards and guidelines/legislation in relation to professional practice and ensure clinical competence; any difficulties in achieving these to be reported to Occupational Therapy manager immediately.

To contribute to the development of departmental policies and procedures within Occupational Therapy.

To participate in and contribute to evidence based practice, to identify and contribute to research opportunities for Occupational Therapy practice.

To undertake regular and ongoing research and audit projects relevant to both Occupational Therapy and the service area, disseminating findings at local, regional and national level.

To broaden research and development skills through participation in local audit and research project

To work in accordance with the Royal College of Occupational Therapists Code of Professional Conduct and the HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethnics.

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trust supports and promotes a culture of collective leadership where those who have responsibility for managing other staff:

Establish and promote a supportive, fair and open culture that encourages and enables all parts of the team to have clearly aligned goals and objectives, to meet the required performance standards and to achieve continuous improvement in the services they deliver.

Ensure access to skills and personal development through appropriate training and support.

Promote a culture of openness and honesty to enable shared learning.

Encourage and empower others in their team to achieve their goals and reach their full potential through regular supportive conversation and shared decision making.

Adhere to and promote Trust policy and procedure in all staffing matters, participating as appropriate in a way which underpins Trust values.

RAISING CONCERNS - RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency.

The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the Trust’s ‘Your Right to Raise a Concern (Whistleblowing)’ policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The post holder will be required to

Ensure the Trust’s policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.

Co-operate fully with the implementation of the Trust's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.

Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example

Smoke Free policy

IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct

standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour

Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.

Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.

All employees of the Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Trust including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the [org name] policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.

Represent the Trust’s commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within the Trust's area, as needs of the service demand.

eHealth

The South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust has invested in eHealth to deliver better, faster, safer care to our community and is committed to supporting staff to utilise associated information systems that directly and indirectly inform care. Trust staff are therefore required to commit sufficient time to ensure that they acquire and/or retain the core technology skills required to support their role.

Personal and Public Involvement (PPI)

Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community were relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal and Public Involvement (PPI).

Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information. PPI_leaflet.pdf (hscni.net)

October 2020

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND Occupational Therapist Advanced Practitioner

Wheelchair Resource Team (Band 7)

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE Primary Care and Older People

SALARY Band 7

HOURS 22.5

Ref No: 55639471

Notes to applicants

You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.

Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.

Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience

5 years post registration experience as an Occupational Therapist.

3 years post graduate experience at a Band 6 level or equivalent with clinical experience of postural assessment, prescription and management in respect of wheelchairs and seating with varying levels of complexity.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Qualifications/ Registration

Hold a Diploma of the College of Occupational Therapists or a Degree in Occupational Therapy recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapy.

Be on the live Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) register.

Evidence of Master’s education/ modules or equivalent or willingness to complete education and training within 12-18 months

Evidence of completion of post graduate training in wheelchair assessment and prescription, complex seating and postural assessment and provision.

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other

Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.

Shortlisting by Application Form

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Skills / Abilities

Ability to carry out complex wheelchair and seating assessments and prescriptions.

Ability to initiate and undertake risk assessments when assessing and treating patient/ clients – including the assessment of the individual and the environment, demonstrating advanced clinical reasoning and decision making skills.

Ability to use assessment outcomes to advise and make recommendations on appropriate management, specifically relating to wheelchairs, seating and postural management.

Ability to formulate and implement occupational therapy intervention plans based on comprehensive assessment and current evidence.

Demonstrate highly effective communication skills, verbal and written, and interpersonal skills to meet the needs of the post in full.

Ability to develop and deliver in-service training programmes related to the assessment and prescription of wheelchairs.

Demonstrate a commitment to the provision of high quality and safe services with an ability to drive a culture of continuous improvement.

Demonstrate effective planning and organisational skills with an ability to prioritise own workload, and work to tight timescales whilst meeting targets.

Ability to work as a member of a team and as a co-therapist into different service settings.

Ability to use own initiative and problem solving skills.

Ability to deliver high quality, flexible and cost effective services within a dedicated budget or resource and to meet specified targets.

Have experience of supervising or managing staff.

Ability to use the IT systems and Microsoft office products such e. Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint

Interview

Knowledge

Knowledge of the current evidence-base relating to Occupational Therapy practice for the assessment and prescription of wheelchairs, seating and postural management.

Knowledge and application of the current legislation and the legal framework applicable to Community Occupational Therapy practice e.g Adult Safe Guarding, DOLS, Moving and Handling.

Knowledge of the range of Community Occupational Therapy treatment options/interventions available and ability to use advanced clinical assessment and reasoning skills to determine appropriate evidence-based intervention

Knowledge of clinical governance and risk management principles and practice.

Knowledge of wheelchairs and related products

Interview

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

SECTION 3: these will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience

Leadership and first line management experience

Shortlisting by Application Form

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

Successful applicants may be required to attend for a Health Assessment

THE TRUST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

Successful applicants

may be required to attend for a Health Assessment

can expect to be placed at the minimum point of the pay scale, although a higher starting salary, within the range of the pay band may be available if the person appointed has experience relevant & equivalent to the post. Request for recognition of previous service with non-direct NHS/HSC organisations towards starting salary and incremental credit must be made via the Retained Recruitment team within 3 months from commencement of employment. Requests made after 3 months will not be considered. If the successful candidate is an existing HSC employee moving to a higher band, AfC Pay on Promotion will apply.

are able to request Flexible Working from the 1st day of their employment. A number of flexible working provisions are offered by all HSC Organisations including Full-time working, Fixed working patterns, Part-time working, Flexi-time, Compressed/elongated hours, Average hours working patterns, Term-time working, Job-share or Homeworking for some or all of the working pattern, depending on the role being undertaken. Successful applicants are encouraged to discuss with their manager what Flexible Working provisions may be available in the role they are taking up, prior to commencing employment, to help them achieve a positive Work/Life Balance

All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times