Wheelchair Therapist

Band 6 Wheelchair Therapist - Bognor/ Horsham/ Brighton/ Worthing locality teams

Are you a registered occupational therapist, physiotherapist, healthcare scientist or nurse? Have you ever thought of working in a wheelchair service? Are you keen to make a difference to service users and develop your wheelchair knowledge and skills?

We are looking for a wheelchair therapist to join our specialist team of therapists, rehabilitation engineers, assistants and administration staff to provide a comprehensive service to people of all ages with a wide range of disabilities.

This role will be based at the Bognor and/ or Horsham Locality. However, travel across localities may be required.

The role includes assessing clients both jointly and on an individual basis either in clinic or in the community. You will need to have relevant transferable skills, but do not need to have wheelchair experience to apply, as training and support will be provided through our local induction programme, supervision, internal and external training opportunities.

You will need experience of working with people with mobility needs and have an appreciation of the challenges faced by wheelchair users and wheelchair services. An organised, practical and motivated approach is required to meet the needs of the service users, as well as excellent communication skills in liaising with service users, their families and carers, professionals and suppliers. Applicants must hold a full valid driving licence.

We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people. We deliver essential care to adults and children, helping them manage their health, avoid hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays.

Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community. We offer opportunities across medical, clinical, support, and corporate services.

• Positive 2023 NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and wellbeing
• Varied environments: community hospitals, patients' homes, and bases across Sussex
• Flexible working options: part-time, flexi-time, annualised hours, and flexi-retirement
• Excellent training, development, and research opportunities
• Cost-effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove, and Brighton
• Active EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA+, and Religion & Belief networks
• Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trust
• Beautiful Sussex location near the South Downs and coast

Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence guide everything we do.

We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from ethnically diverse, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment.

This post may close early if sufficient applications are received.

• To provide high quality, client focussed clinical assessment for and prescription of manual and powered wheelchairs and specialist seating to adults and children.
• To maximise clients function and independence by modifying standard equipment and prescribing appropriate pressure relief.
• To provide evidence based clinical assessment and intervention to complex patients who require multi-professional input including specialist seating and rehabilitation engineering.
• To act as a resource for offering expert advice and clinical input.
• To provide supervision to students and the unqualified therapy staff.

Please see the job description and person specification for more details.

• A valid car driver's licence

• Degree/diploma in OT/Physiotherapy/General Nursing or equivalent from abroad
• State registration
• Training in clinical supervision of students/staff
• Member of BAOT/CSPM/ NMC
• Experience of using IT systems e.g. patient information systems

• Minimum of 18 months clinical experience of the management of clients with complex needs.
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team and appreciation of the contribution of different professions to Health & Social Care.
• Minimum of 12 months clinical experience in physical based services.
• Clinical experience in rehabilitation, clinic and community services.
• Clinical experience in seating and posture management for adults and children.
• Clinical experience of working with adults and children with multiple and complex disabilities.
• Experience in training other professionals, voluntary bodies and the public.
• Experience in undertaking audits and service reviews.
• Experience in the management and clinical supervision of students/staff.

• Assess, prioritise and provide information and advice for children and adults who have permanent and substantial physical disabilities
• Formulation and treatment goals and carrying out of treatment within an OT/physio/nursing and a…