Job overview
This post is an exciting development opportunity for a dynamic and enthusiastic Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist to join our Wheelchair Service.
The post holder will be working as a wheelchair therapist working collaboratively in an experienced and skilled team to support wheelchair provision and postural management for patients in Redcar/Cleveland and Middlesbrough.
We would welcome applications from staff currently working at band 6 level or band 5 staff who would be looking for an opportunity to develop their skills to achieve a permanent band 6 post upon successful completion of training/competencies.
This is an annex 21 training post, the post holder will be paid 75% of maximum banding for 12 months, once completion of competencies has been evidenced, the post holder will be paid as a band 6.
Successful candidate must have access to a vehicle for work purposes to meet the requirements of the role.
Main duties of the job
It is desirable for the post holder to have experience in the occupational therapy/physiotherapy assessment and management of patients with a range of conditions and have gained experience across a variety of specialities including experience in wheelchair provision.
Candidates must have access to a vehicle for work purposes to meet the requirements of the role as you will work across Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland community providing a service within patients own homes and Nursing Homes.
The post holder will be supported by the Senior Specialist Therapist and the AHP Service Lead.
This post offers development in clinical and leadership skills and the post holder will be supported to attend relevant post graduate courses. We have an established and comprehensive training programme and our staff are encouraged and supported in their CPD through workshops, clinical supervision and the appraisal process. There is also an opportunity to actively participate in audit and research and the Hospital has close links with both the University of Teesside and Durham University.
Please note this post may close at sufficient applicants
Working for our organisation
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust offers leadership and improvement training to all new staff. This training programme has been designed to support our staff in developing their understanding of leadership and management skills. You will be expected to attend the following training sessions:
Your Leadership Impact
Leading Your Team to Success
Service Improvement for Beginners
Developing your Service Improvement Skills
The leadership and improvement programme aims to:
Explore leadership within the NHS
Promote Trust values and behaviours
Develop your leadership effectiveness and skills
Equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills to lead and complete service improvements within the scope of your role.
After you complete these three and a half days of training you will be able to explore further leadership and improvement training opportunities. We also offer further in-house courses and bitesize programmes through our Leadership and Improvement Team
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the full job description and person specification document(s) attached for main responsibilities of the role.
Person specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential criteria
1. To hold a Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy
2. To be registered as an Occupational Therapist/ Physiotherapist and fit to practice by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
3. To have achieved or be willing to work towards post-graduate qualification
4. To be Accredited as a Practice Placement Educator
5. To be committed to continuing professional development
Knowledge & Skills
Essential criteria
6. To demonstrate effective communication skills, communicating complex, sensitive and contentious information to patients, carers and colleagues
7. Demonstrate specialist knowledge relating to specialist seating and postural management
8. To demonstrate developed analytical skills and effective clinical judgement
9. Knowledge of relevant national guidelines and standards
10. To demonstrate effective problem-solving skills
11. Basic IT skills
12. Ability to work across professional boundaries working with multiple teams of healthcare professionals in more than one location
13. Excellent awareness of own strengths and weaknesses
Experience
Essential criteria
14. Can demonstrate relevant/ varied post graduate experience
15. Experience working within NHS
16. Evidence of audit and participation in service development
Desirable criteria
17. Demonstrate experience within wheelchair services, specialist seating, posture management
Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS)
It is the policy of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who are new to the Trust who require DBS clearance for the post they have been offered, are required to pay the cost of their DBS. The method of payment for this is via salary deduction from your first month's pay.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. We welcome applications from the Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Network; LGBT+ Network; Disability and Long-Term Health Conditions Network, Faith Network, Childless not by Choice Network and the Menopause Support Group.
As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you.
If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at
Right to Work in the UK
The Trust welcomes applications from all candidates who meet the criteria for the role. Please note that from January 2021, to work in the UK all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship here Work in the UK - (.
Please provide full and accurate details of your current immigration status on the application form. Your current immigration status will not be considered as part of the shortlisting or interview process.
Please note that not everyone needs a Skilled Worker visa. If you are applying for a vacancy in health or adult social care, you may be eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead.
We are able to offer sponsorship for a Health and Care Worker or Skilled Worker visa, subject to candidate and position eligibility. Please review the job eligibility guidance for skilled workers here: Skilled Worker visa: Your job - ( and for the Health and Care Worker visa here: Skilled Worker visa: eligible healthcare and education jobs - (
Please note: if the job you are applying for does not meet the eligibility criteria above, we will be unable to offer you sponsorship and you will need to explore whether you may be eligible to apply for an alternative immigration route which will secure your right to work in the UK before you apply. If you are in the UK already on a visa, please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post.
The Trust encourages and supports all applicants to be fully vaccinated against both COVID19 and influenza.
Please be aware, there are occasions where some vacancies may close prior to the closing date advertised. This will only happen where sufficient applications are received AND will be made evident on the job advert.
Please note if you are successfully shortlisted, we will contact you via the email address that you have applied from so please ensure you check your emails regularly.
Existing employees of South Tees NHS Foundation Trust currently on the Redeployment Register, who meet the essential criteria for this post, will be shortlisted and interviewed prior to all other applicants.