Job overview
We are looking to recruit an experienced, compassionate and innovative Orthotist with the skills, enthusiasm and flexibility to join our Orthotic rehabilitation team, who will play a key role in the delivery of high quality treatment and care to patients.
The team provides inpatient and outpatient services for both the local central Lancashire population and regionally across Lancashire and South Cumbria who access tertiary services at LTHTR.
The Orthotists engage with a wide variety of MDT clinics, locally and regionally, in management of Talipes, Stroke, Diabetes and Adult Neurology enabling excellent access to quality Orthotics services.
The team cover many specialties including Medicine, Surgery, Orthopaedics, Diabetes, Vascular, Neurosurgery, Neurology, and Neurorehabilitation.
The department has a strong reputation for delivering high quality person-centred care and the caseload provides complex presentations, across all specialisms within the field of orthotics, delivered by a team of highly trained and motivated specialist clinicians.
It is an exciting time to join the Orthotics Department of SMRC and LTHTR. We constantly review the services we provide and are on a continuous improvement journey. Come and join us!
Main duties of the job
To undertake detailed assessments in conjunction with the Centre’s Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) to enable personalised care plans, facilitating provision of clinically appropriate Orthotic prescriptions (including complex patient presentations and prescriptions).
To provide clinical, scientific and advisory services to patients to assist their recovery and rehabilitation using Orthoses across a number of key area’s including but not limited to, diabetes and vascular, those with neurological conditions and musculoskeletal complaints, spinal orthoses and for both adults and children with upper or lower limb complaints.
To carry out clinical examination and evaluation of patients’ orthotic needs.
To maintain accurate and timely information on SMRC and Trust recognised systems.
To participate in audit, research, governance, complex case review, service improvement and SMRC/Trust mandatory training and meetings.
Working for our organisation
Preston Specialist Mobility Rehabilitation Centre (SMRC) is part of the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
The SMRC is a regional Centre, providing Prosthetic, Orthotic, Wheelchair and Specialist Seating services throughout Lancashire, South Cumbria and beyond.
We are one of 9 centres that were awarded Specialist War Veteran Centre status with the associated Specialist facilities (e.g. high specification rehabilitation exercise area).
The Centre has a truly multidisciplinary team including; Consultant in Amputee Rehabilitation, Prosthetists, Prosthetic Technicians, Orthotists, Psychologist, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Nursing Team, Assistant Practitioners, Physical Training Instructors, Rehabilitation Engineers and Administration Teams.
The Orthotics Service of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals is situated at the Specialist Mobility Rehabilitation Centre in Preston Business Centre, however, services are delivered at several sites, including Chorley District Hospital, Royal Preston hospital and at other community and hospital locations.
If you feel ready to take on this opportunity, then we look forward to hearing from you. Please make contact for an informal discussion or email with any queries. We are more than happy to schedule a MS teams call or site visit for anyone interested.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the separate job description and person specification for full details.
Assists and supports the Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine in the safe, effective provision of Orthotic devices.
Is responsible for the co-ordination of care, through appropriate professional practice, delegation and supervision of duties carried out by junior staff.
Ensures a high standard of prescription and treatment is delivered by self and others based on assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care to meet patient needs in accordance with agreed local and National standards, evidence-based guidelines and decision making.
Sets, monitors and maintains standards of treatment/provision to improve the patient experience and outcome of care.
Proactively manages risk and maintains patient safety, conforming to health, safety and security legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines. Ensures environment of treatment is safe, well equipped and compliant with standards for hygiene and cleanliness.
Person specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential criteria
1. BSc (Hons) in Prosthetics and Orthotics or historical equivalent.
Desirable criteria
2. Is up to date and fit to practice safely.
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria
3. A good knowledge of Orthotic Principles, prescription, manufacture and delivery
4. 3 years post-graduation clinical experience
5. Previous experience in treating both adult and paediatric populations.
Desirable criteria
6. Ability to manage a complex caseload with limited supervision.
7. Experience of working within finite resources
8. Previous experience in treatment of complex longterm conditions
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria
9. Excellent IT skills.
10. Appropriate knowledge base and ability to apply sound clinical judgement
11. Competent in spoken and written English to enable effective communication regarding Orthotic service topics which can be demonstrated by one of the following: That applicants have undertaken undergraduate Prosthetic and Orthotic training in English. or Have the following scores in the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – overall 7, Speaking 7, Listening 6, Reading 6, Writing 6.
12. Demonstrable evidence of service development
Desirable criteria
13. Training in teaching methods.