Wheelchair Therapist

An opportunity has arisen for a qualified Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist to join our small team at Holly Wheelchair Service in West Essex in this newly created post.
We are a forward looking, dynamic NHS wheelchair service where excellence is standard . We are a fully NHS service and part of a wider NHS Trust providing Community health and Mental health services.
We always strive to provide the best possible level of service to our clients and we are looking for someone who will do the same, You will need to work with our clients to meet their clinical needs and to help them achieve the things which matter to them.
The successful applicant will be have a positive, cheerful outlook, and be happy working in a fast paced environment., Undertake in depth assessments of mobility needs, pressure care needs and postural support requirements, dependent on experience.
Work alongside Rehab engineers and Wheelchair Technicians to review and adapt equipment, as the person's needs change.
Provide user training and ensure that equipment is safely and correctly set up for client at handover appointments.
Demonstrate a kind, calm and patient approach with clients, many of whom have difficulties with communication.
Understand the importance of working within the service criteria and budget constrains to deliver an equitable service to all clients, according to their needs.
Think creatively to support reconditioning and re-use of equipment, when appropriate.
Use electronic patient record systems, equipment management systems and spreadsheets to keep accurate notes and to communicate with contractors and with other healthcare professionals.
Communicate effectively with other HCPs and also with clients and their family or carers to provide clear information and training around equipment.
Support clients with 'Personal wheelchair Budget' decisions and manage the client related administration of the PWB process.
Keep accurate, up to date records of client contacts including face to face, telephone and electronic communications.
Participate in team meetings and supervision sessions.
Provide supervision to junior staff and engage in training and support for students.
Contribute to service developments and deliver wheelchair prescriber training alongside other team members.
Develop positive working relationships with local and regional HCPs who refer to the service.
Travel within West Essex to carry out domiciliary visits when required. Own vehicle preferred.
Use all opportunities to develop a highly specialist level of knowledge of wheelchairs and posture management. Use this knowledge to support Therapy colleagues working in other areas of the Trust.
Attend internal and external training courses.
Liaise with equipment suppliers and their Reps to ensure accurate and up to date product knowledge.
See Job description for full details.
Please note - staff who are formally at risk within the organisation will be given priority in securing alternative employment. Should it come to light that a post being advertised by the Trust is considered 'suitable alternative employment' to an individual who is at risk, the recruiting manager will be advised and the post will be withdrawn from NHS Jobs.
Important Professional References
Make sure that as a part of your application you have professional references with business contract information covering your last three year employment history. We are unable to accept personal or character references.
As a newly appointed employee you are responsible for incurring the cost of your initial DBS check relevant to your post, the amount will be deducted from your first salary with the Trust.
Applications for Job Share are positively welcomed.

We are looking for someone with at least 2 years post qualification experience working with people with long term conditions, Experience in areas such as neurology, paediatrics, leaning disability or community services would be advantageous, Previous wheelchair service experience is highly desirable but not essential, an induction and skills programme will be arranged, depending on your level of wheelchair and postural management experience.
You will be working in clinic and in the community, in client's homes, schools, day centres and care homes. This is a very varied job so flexibility is important, as is an empathetic manner and a holistic approach to assessments. You will need excellent problem solving skills and a good understanding of the way mobility and posture impact on all aspects of a person's life.
You will be well supported to independently manage a caseload which will include children and adults with a wide range of predominantly neurological conditions. Assessing and prescribing equipment to meet their clinical needs.
There will be opportunities to work with complex equipment including modular seating systems, high performance wheelchairs, specialist powered wheelchairs and 'special controls'.

EPUT provides community health, mental health and learning disability services to support more than 3.2 million people living across Bedfordshire, Essex and Suffolk. Also:
+ We are among the largest employers in the in the East of England region, with more than 10,000 staff working across more than 200 sites.
+ We run the COVID-19 vaccination programme across mid and south Essex and Suffolk and north east Essex.
EPUT was formed on 1 April 2017 following the merger of North Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (NEP) and South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (SEPT). A new leadership team was established at the Trust in 2020.

Our vision and values
Our Vision
"To be the leading health and wellbeing service in the provision of mental health and community care".
Our Purpose
"We care for people every day. What we do together, matters".
Our Values
+ We Care
+ We Learn
+ We Empower
Our strategic objectives
+ We will deliver safe, high quality integrated care services.
+ We will enable each other to be the best that we can.
+ We will work together with our partners to make our services better.
+ We will help our communities to thrive.
Our services
+ Mental Health Services
+ Community Health Services
+ Learning Disabilities Services
+ Social Care
Find out more about the services we offer in our service directory., The Trust has the right to expire vacancies prior to the closing date if they so wish. The Trust makes every attempt to contact all applicants and we strongly advise that you check the email account which is registered with NHS Jobs regularly, we would advise however due to the high number of applications we receive that if you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expect all staff to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to robust safer recruitment processes.
Covid Vaccination
Although Covid vaccinations are no longer a mandatory requirement within the NHS we continue to encourage and support the vaccination uptake as this remains the best line of defence against Covid19. The safety of our staff and patients is a top priority for us at EPUT.
If you would like to book a Covid vaccination or would like more information please contact us by emailing [email protected].

EPUT are looking for motivated staff who shares our Trust values of Care, Learn and Empower. In return, EPUT can offer you a range of benefits and development including;
+ Season Ticket Loans
+ NHS discounts for staff
+ Excellent Training facilities and opportunities
+ Buying and Selling annual leave scheme
+ The opportunity to work bank shifts and expand knowledge and experience in other areas
+ Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars and Cycle to Work
+ Day One Flexible Employer
The Trust supports and actively encourages flexible working for all employees. We offer many options and you are encouraged to ask the recruiting manager what is possible for this role. If appointed, you will have the opportunity to apply for a flexible working request from the first day of your employment
Join our Staff bank
What is Staff Bank?
Our EPUT NHS staff bank is an entity managed by the trust that hires clinical and non-clinical healthcare professionals to take on shifts at our trust hospitals and community settings. Here at EPUT we maintain our own bank of specialist staff to ensure that we are able offer safe and effective care at all times.
All our permanent staff are automatically enrolled onto the staff bank however this does not mean you have to work any additional shifts, but the option is there for you if you wish.
If you are joining our Trust in a fixed term role, please indicate on your New Starter Paperwork that you wish to join our staff bank