Job overview
Are you interested in an opportunity to work within our Hand therapy department?
Dorset County Hospital Hand Therapy Service wish to offer the right person an exciting opportunity to join the dynamic hand therapy team. As a successful NHS in-house service, we provide high quality services in West Dorset.
The post advertised will be based at Dorset County Hospital, with a focus on covering adult and paediatric orthopaedic elective and trauma clinics, as well as rheumatology patients. Our dedicated MDT means we work closely with orthopaedic consultants in hand surgery, nursing staff, plaster technicians and orthotists.
We are truly an integrated team who are Hand Therapists first and foremost and therefore welcome applications from both Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists. We have a wide scope of practice within our specialty providing patient centred care. Prior experience working within the hand therapy department and making thermoplastic splints is essential.
The successful candidate will be part of the Hand therapy team and receive structured supervision and training to carry out their role effectively.
Main duties of the job
* The hand therapist is a Specialised clinician, responsible for independently managing a full clinical caseload. They are responsible for supervising junior members of staff within the specialist team.
* In conjunction with the Team Lead, the post holder participates in a rolling programme of education, clinical evaluation, audit and research across the speciality.
* The clinician works as an integral part of the hand therapy team and the wider multi-professional hand team.
* The postholder may be required to work at any of the sites within the trust. Should the service require it this post may become rotational and be filled by specialist staff rotating within the service.
* To fully participate in whatever pattern of working is required by the service in the future.
* The postholder may be required to work at weekends on a roster basis.
Working for our organisation
At DCHFT, we pride ourselves on the care we provide for our patients, and on the culture, we are creating for our staff. We work hard to create a fair, inclusive environment for our staff
Our Mission is to work in partnership to provide high quality, compassionate services and to nurture an environment where people can be at their best. Our vision is healthier lives, empowered citizens, thriving communities.
We are a Trust that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups.
We understand that some applicants may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in preparing their application materials. While this is not discouraged, we kindly remind candidates that all submissions must be truthful and accurately reflect your own experiences and suitability for this role.
Personal integrity and authenticity are central to our recruitment process. We value honesty and appreciate applications that are genuine and representative of the individual behind them.
UKVI Sponsorship: This role is eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). We welcome applications from individuals who require sponsorship to work in the UK. Sponsorship will be offered subject to meeting UKVI eligibility criteria
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Our DCHFT Job Description and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.
Person specification
Education, qualifications & Training
Essential criteria
* Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy or physiotherapy.
* Registered with professional body council
* Evidence of other relevant and recent CPD/ training pertinent to specialty. I.E BAHT level I
Experience
Essential criteria
* Understanding of clinical governance and its implication for hand therapy
Desirable criteria
* Knowledge of evidenced based practice pertaining to the specialist area of hand therapy
* Knowledge of national guidelines and standards relevant to the specialist area of hand therapy
* Understanding of the legal responsibilities of the profession
* Minimum of 2 years wide ranging rotational experience at band 5 level including experience in the specialist area
* Experience of participating in audit and evidence based projects.
* Evidence of actively participating in in -service training and MDT groups, and evaluating effectiveness of training
Skills & Competencies
Essential criteria
* Ability to present information, written and orally, in a clear and logical manner
* Ability to keep accurate and legible clinical notes.
* Ability to demonstrate clear depth of clinical reasoning and knowledge of assessment and interventions with those with neurological conditions, commensurate with Band 6 level
* Ability to work autonomously, prioritising case load effectively
* To show an understanding of clinical governance and its implication for the Hand Therapy service.
* Experience in completing local projects
* Evidence of supporting team members
* Ability to work effectively in a team environment
Desirable criteria
* Experience of working with patients following hand surgery, hand injury and/or rheumatology
* Demonstrate the ability to assess and diagnose hand conditions Ability to fabricate thermoplastic splints and good knowledge of off - shelf splints
* Excellent time management skills with ability to organise, prioritise and delegate.
* Ability to self direct learning, be critical and evaluate own learning needs, demonstrated in a CPD portfolio.
* IT skills, including using hospital data bases, word processing, excel, email and power point
Our Mission
Outstanding care for people in ways which matter to them.
Our Vision
Dorset County Hospital, working with our health and social care partners, will be at the heart of improving the well-being of our communities.
Our Values
Integrity, Respect, Teamwork, Excellence
We are a Trust that celebrates diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We would welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT INFORMATION CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
Please read the job description and person specification carefully to ensure your application reflects the knowledge, skills and experience required.
The closing date/interview date is subject to amendment; this vacancy may therefore expire at short notice, so we recommend that you submit an application at your earliest convenience. We reserve the right to close any vacancies without notice.
Shortlisted applicants will be contacted via email; therefore it is important that you check your personal email account regularly.
Unfortunately we are unable to respond to every application; if we do not contact you within 4 weeks of the closing date, please be advised that you not have been shortlisted on this occasion.
You can contact us on 01305 254655 to find out whether you have been shortlisted or if you would like feedback.