Job summary
We are looking for an enthuastic collaborative Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist with a passion for postural management / pressure management. We are a friendly and supportive team. This post will involve a mix of community and clinic based working. There may be scope to offer support to our other wheelchair services so the ability and willingness to work across sites is essential.
Main duties of the job
To assess service user referrals against criteria, providing equipment to meet needs, working as part of an MDT to meet wider needs of this service user group. Working across the community in clinics / homes/ care homes /day centres. completing documentation in line with professional standards working to professional code of conduct. Offering support to the team with continuing professional development and when needed represent the team at trust wide events.
About us
Mersey Care is one of the largest trusts providing physical health and mental health services in the North West, serving more than 1.4 million people across our region and are also commissioned for services that cover the North West, North Wales and the Midlands.
We offer specialist inpatient and community services that support physical and mental health and specialist inpatient mental health, learning disability, addiction and brain injury services. Mersey Care is one of only three trusts in the UK that offer high secure mental health facilities.
At the heart of all we do is our commitment to 'perfect care' - care that is safe, effective, positively experienced, timely, equitable and efficient. We support our staff to do the best job they can and work alongside service users, their families, and carers to design and develop future services together. We're currently delivering a programme of organisational and service transformation to significantly improve the quality of the services we provide and safely reduce cost as we do so.
Flexible working requests will be considered for all roles.
Details
Date posted
18 February 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 6
Salary
£38,682 to £46,580 a year Per Annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
350-CC7808884
Job locations
Zetland Street
Zetland Street
Southport
PR9 9DL
Job description
Job responsibilities
To contribute to the operational management of Wheelchair Service.To deputise for the Band 7 Wheelchair Therapists as required.To be responsible for a given service area and this will alter according to service needs.To contribute to the development of procedures and implement these within the serviceTo comply with the organisational, service policies and proceduresTo have a good working knowledge of existing national policies and guidelines e.g. NSF forOlder People and work to professional guidelines/standards (College of OccupationalTherapy / Chartered Society of Physiotherapy), be able to evaluate their impact anddemand on your practiceTo ensure students, assistants and other relevant staff implement policy and service development changes.As a specialist clinician working within the wheelchair service, contribute to the development of clinical guidelines, through participation in audit/research
To be responsible for the training, supervision and performance management of junior staff, assistant practitioners and students which includes the use of formal appraisal documentation and NVQ assessment.To provide specialised assessment and intervention to service users within the wheelchair service.To determine posture and mobility needs and therapy interventions indicated and to maintain records as an autonomous practitioner.
To work as an autonomous practitioner being professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work.Able to deliver a rapid response service to urgent cases, whichrequires a flexible approach and excellent time management skills.
To interpret and analyse clinical and non-clinical facts for service users presenting with complex conditions and cognitive, physical and social care needs.To refer on where appropriate to statutory and non-statutory agencies.To undertake the comprehensive assessment of service users, including those with a complex presentation, using investigative and analytical skills to form individualised treatment plans. This involves clinical reasoning, utilisation of a wide range of treatmentskills and sound judgement of service users social support.To adhere to Trust guidelines regarding manual handling in the transfer of equipment of various loads, and when manoeuvring service users in unsuitable and variable setting
To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers and other professionals to promote understanding of the aims of therapy and to ensure a consistent approach to service user care. To provide specialist advice to other members of the multidisciplinary team on the management of service users with complex multi-pathological problems to ensure holisticcare.
To assess capacity, gain valid informed consent and have the ability to work within a legal framework regarding consent to treatment.To provide continuity of care for service users with ongoing postural and mobility needs.To maintain accurate, comprehensive and contemporaneous documentation, in line with legal and service requirements.To be actively involved in the collection and inputting of appropriate data and statistics for the use of the service and for audit purposes.To be aware of Health and Safety at Work policies, implementing relevant policies andMedical Devices Alerts/Field Safety Notices.To record and report promptly any accidents and incidents using the Trust incident reporting process, and escalating issues to the Clinical Lead and where necessary to Mersey Cares Health & Safety Team.
Act as part of a team providing a service throughout Southport and Formby, flexibility and adaptability is necessary within the working day to cater for the needs of the service users and their appointments.To participate in the staff appraisal scheme and Personal Development Review as both appraiser and appraise.As appropriate attend courses, both external and in-house.Participate in reflective practice and clinical supervision.
To be an active member of the in-service training programme by the attendance at and the delivery of presentations and training sessions at staff meetings and tutorials.To demonstrate a sound understanding of Clinical Governance and Risk Management and apply to work situation.Provide carers, relatives, assistants, junior staff, students and other health professionals with education, training, monitoring and support as required.To communicate effectively with service users and carers to maximise mobility potential.To ensure understanding of conditions, prognosis, consent to treatment and posture/mobility outcomes.To take enquiries from health care professionals and others regarding the service user and their condition to ensure the acquisition of appropriate information.
To appropriately refer on to healthcare professionals and others effectivelycommunicating the clinical/postural needs of the service user.
Sensitively communicate negative news regarding wheelchair management of service users e.g., where modifications for a chair are not possible or chair requested is clinicallyunsuitable.
The post holder is required to overcome barriers to communication using a range ofverbal, non-verbal and listening skills. This will include patients with dysphasia, hearing difficulties, partially sighted, memory loss and confusion, behaviours that challenge, limited English and patients unable to accept diagnosis.To produce timely informative assessments, interventions, reports and letters regarding service users.If required, provide reports for legal or social care reasons in accordance with the Trust policy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To contribute to the operational management of Wheelchair Service.To deputise for the Band 7 Wheelchair Therapists as required.To be responsible for a given service area and this will alter according to service needs.To contribute to the development of procedures and implement these within the serviceTo comply with the organisational, service policies and proceduresTo have a good working knowledge of existing national policies and guidelines e.g. NSF forOlder People and work to professional guidelines/standards (College of OccupationalTherapy / Chartered Society of Physiotherapy), be able to evaluate their impact anddemand on your practiceTo ensure students, assistants and other relevant staff implement policy and service development changes.As a specialist clinician working within the wheelchair service, contribute to the development of clinical guidelines, through participation in audit/research
To be responsible for the training, supervision and performance management of junior staff, assistant practitioners and students which includes the use of formal appraisal documentation and NVQ assessment.To provide specialised assessment and intervention to service users within the wheelchair service.To determine posture and mobility needs and therapy interventions indicated and to maintain records as an autonomous practitioner.
To work as an autonomous practitioner being professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work.Able to deliver a rapid response service to urgent cases, whichrequires a flexible approach and excellent time management skills.
To interpret and analyse clinical and non-clinical facts for service users presenting with complex conditions and cognitive, physical and social care needs.To refer on where appropriate to statutory and non-statutory agencies.To undertake the comprehensive assessment of service users, including those with a complex presentation, using investigative and analytical skills to form individualised treatment plans. This involves clinical reasoning, utilisation of a wide range of treatmentskills and sound judgement of service users social support.To adhere to Trust guidelines regarding manual handling in the transfer of equipment of various loads, and when manoeuvring service users in unsuitable and variable setting
To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to relatives, carers and other professionals to promote understanding of the aims of therapy and to ensure a consistent approach to service user care. To provide specialist advice to other members of the multidisciplinary team on the management of service users with complex multi-pathological problems to ensure holisticcare.
To assess capacity, gain valid informed consent and have the ability to work within a legal framework regarding consent to treatment.To provide continuity of care for service users with ongoing postural and mobility needs.To maintain accurate, comprehensive and contemporaneous documentation, in line with legal and service requirements.To be actively involved in the collection and inputting of appropriate data and statistics for the use of the service and for audit purposes.To be aware of Health and Safety at Work policies, implementing relevant policies andMedical Devices Alerts/Field Safety Notices.To record and report promptly any accidents and incidents using the Trust incident reporting process, and escalating issues to the Clinical Lead and where necessary to Mersey Cares Health & Safety Team.
Act as part of a team providing a service throughout Southport and Formby, flexibility and adaptability is necessary within the working day to cater for the needs of the service users and their appointments.To participate in the staff appraisal scheme and Personal Development Review as both appraiser and appraise.As appropriate attend courses, both external and in-house.Participate in reflective practice and clinical supervision.
To be an active member of the in-service training programme by the attendance at and the delivery of presentations and training sessions at staff meetings and tutorials.To demonstrate a sound understanding of Clinical Governance and Risk Management and apply to work situation.Provide carers, relatives, assistants, junior staff, students and other health professionals with education, training, monitoring and support as required.To communicate effectively with service users and carers to maximise mobility potential.To ensure understanding of conditions, prognosis, consent to treatment and posture/mobility outcomes.To take enquiries from health care professionals and others regarding the service user and their condition to ensure the acquisition of appropriate information.
To appropriately refer on to healthcare professionals and others effectivelycommunicating the clinical/postural needs of the service user.
Sensitively communicate negative news regarding wheelchair management of service users e.g., where modifications for a chair are not possible or chair requested is clinicallyunsuitable.
The post holder is required to overcome barriers to communication using a range ofverbal, non-verbal and listening skills. This will include patients with dysphasia, hearing difficulties, partially sighted, memory loss and confusion, behaviours that challenge, limited English and patients unable to accept diagnosis.To produce timely informative assessments, interventions, reports and letters regarding service users.If required, provide reports for legal or social care reasons in accordance with the Trust policy.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* Degree (or Diploma) in Occupational Therapy / Physiotherapy
* HCPC registered Occupational Therapist / Physiotherapist
* Registered member of professional body (e.g. Royal College of Occupational Therapists or Chartered Society of Physiotherapists)
Desirable
* Accredited Practice Placement Educator
Knowledge/Experience
Essential
* Experience of working with service users with a variety of conditions/needs e.g. musculoskeletal, neurological, amputees, palliative conditions
* Evidence of multi professional working and collaborative team planning
* Experience in postural management
* Evidence of attending validated / specialist courses e.g. in postural management
* Commitment to and evidence of CPD
* Experience of audit, outcome measures and service statistics
Desirable
* Previous experience within a wheelchair service
* Specialist experience of posture and mobility management (special seating and wheelchairs)
* Community/Lone worker experience
* Knowledge and experience of risk assessments and risk management
* Experience of supervising staff and/or students
* Member of special interest group e.g. Posture and Mobility Group
* Participation in projects
* Awareness of Health and Safety issues as a lone worker in the community
Values
Essential
* Continuous Improvement
* Accountability
* Respectfulness
* Enthusiasm
* Support
* Responsive to service users
* Engaging leadership style
* Strong customer service belief
* Transparency and honesty
* Discreet
Skills
Essential
* Proven ability to work autonomously and prioritise/organise and manage own workload in a demanding service
* Ability to work to deadlines
* Moving and handling skills/training
* Ability to identify, critically appraise and communicate personal strengths and development needs
* Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
* Teaching/Presentation skills
* Basic level IT skills
* Commitment to lifelong learning
* Self-motivated and able to adopt a flexible working approach when the needs of the service require
* Willingness to support and assist the team in the planning and development of the service
* Must be able to transport self around the community
* Excellent hand-eye coordination
* Sensory skills (sight, hearing, touch) to be able to independently adjust mobility equipment to suit service users' needs.
* Dexterity, manipulation and fine-motor skills
Desirable
* Demonstrate an understanding of issues affecting service users and services in the community e.g. disability rights/issues.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
* Degree (or Diploma) in Occupational Therapy / Physiotherapy
* HCPC registered Occupational Therapist / Physiotherapist
* Registered member of professional body (e.g. Royal College of Occupational Therapists or Chartered Society of Physiotherapists)
Desirable
* Accredited Practice Placement Educator
Knowledge/Experience
Essential
* Experience of working with service users with a variety of conditions/needs e.g. musculoskeletal, neurological, amputees, palliative conditions
* Evidence of multi professional working and collaborative team planning
* Experience in postural management
* Evidence of attending validated / specialist courses e.g. in postural management
* Commitment to and evidence of CPD
* Experience of audit, outcome measures and service statistics
Desirable
* Previous experience within a wheelchair service
* Specialist experience of posture and mobility management (special seating and wheelchairs)
* Community/Lone worker experience
* Knowledge and experience of risk assessments and risk management
* Experience of supervising staff and/or students
* Member of special interest group e.g. Posture and Mobility Group
* Participation in projects
* Awareness of Health and Safety issues as a lone worker in the community
Values
Essential
* Continuous Improvement
* Accountability
* Respectfulness
* Enthusiasm
* Support
* Responsive to service users
* Engaging leadership style
* Strong customer service belief
* Transparency and honesty
* Discreet
Skills
Essential
* Proven ability to work autonomously and prioritise/organise and manage own workload in a demanding service
* Ability to work to deadlines
* Moving and handling skills/training
* Ability to identify, critically appraise and communicate personal strengths and development needs
* Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
* Teaching/Presentation skills
* Basic level IT skills
* Commitment to lifelong learning
* Self-motivated and able to adopt a flexible working approach when the needs of the service require
* Willingness to support and assist the team in the planning and development of the service
* Must be able to transport self around the community
* Excellent hand-eye coordination
* Sensory skills (sight, hearing, touch) to be able to independently adjust mobility equipment to suit service users' needs.
* Dexterity, manipulation and fine-motor skills
Desirable
* Demonstrate an understanding of issues affecting service users and services in the community e.g. disability rights/issues.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Zetland Street
Zetland Street
Southport
PR9 9DL
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
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Employer details
Employer name
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Zetland Street
Zetland Street
Southport
PR9 9DL
Employer's website
(Opens in a new tab)
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