Wheelchair Technical Instructor

Job overview

Mersey Care are looking for an enthusiastic, hardworking Band 4 wheelchair technical instructor to join their innovative and dynamic team within Southport and Formby Wheelchair Service.

The role involves working in clinic and within the community in the assessment, prescription and provision of wheelchairs and pressure care as well as offering technical support with parts compatibilities and assembly.  You will hold your own caseload and support the therapists to assess and prescribe wheelchairs, specialist buggies and powered wheelchairs.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will provide assessment and provision of wheelchairs and pressure management to clients of all ages with a wide variety of medical conditions across Southport and Formby area under the supervision of a qualified practitioner.

We are an innovative service with a goal of providing a high quality service to our patients to achieve their mobility goals and enable their independence. We are looking for a forward thinking wheelchair technical instructor who will add to the team’s dynamic approach and be committed to their own continuing professional development. An effective team player with excellent organisational and communication skills is required to work in a busy service.

We are a friendly, supportive and proactive team looking to provide the best experience and service provision possible for our patients.

The service works collaboratively with many other services around Southport and Formby and are always open to new ways of working together to ensure safe and effective equipment is provided in a timely manner.

Wheelchair Service will provide relevant training necessary to enable you to have the skills and knowledge to provide the high quality service we aim for. There will be plenty of opportunities to gain experience in this specialist area of practice, through shadowing and learning from others.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. Under the direction of Wheelchair Therapists to carry routine assessments and follow  up visits in a variety of settings. 2. To assist Wheelchair Therapists and other clinical staff both in clinic and in other setting 3. To provide technical expertise and advice to other clinical staff undertaking complex  assessments. Including specialised controls. 4. Independently fit and adjusts seating systems and postural devices. 5. Adjust drive profiles on powered wheelchair 6. Design minor modifications. 7. To modify existing equipment via build ups or add on as required by Therapist’s  prescription 8. Following assessment as directed by Wheelchair Therapist to independently undertake  domiciliary visits to hand over and adjust wheelchairs and associated equipment. 9. To plan and organise own schedule for wheelchair users with non-complex needs. 10. To manage own case load under the supervision of a Wheelchair Therapist. 11. To problem solve and consider alternative solutions where routine prescription would  not address specific client need. 12. To recognise and respond appropriately to urgent and emergency situations. 13. Contribute to the effective and efficient use of resources. 14. Report concerns with regards to patient care and safety to line manager. 15. To act as a lone worker in delivering a community-based service 16. To maintain accurate and up to date clinical records using ELM 17. To manage, supervise, support, advise and delegate work to junior members of the  Wheelchair Repair Service Team on a day-to-day basis. 18. To assess wheelchairs and associated equipment to determine the need for repair and  maintenance.  19. To oversee repairs and maintenance of NHS powered and manual wheelchairs and  associated equipment with the technical team.  20. To oversee the operation of planned preventive maintenance schedules.  21. To ensure a high quality of refurbishment of NHS manual and powered wheelchairs is  achieved and maintained.  22. To ensure all work areas are kept well maintained, complying with relevant Health and  Safety guidelines. Ensuring the safe use of equipment and storage of materials.  23. To oversee work for visits, prioritising urgent requests and putting work to maximum  activity during the working day. 24. To adjust drive profiles on powered wheelchairs in liaison with Wheelchair Therapists. 25. To oversee adequate stock levels of wheelchair spares are maintained, identifying which  parts need to be ordered and liaising with the Equipment Coordinator.  26. Maintenance of Wheelchair Spares stock records.