Wheelchair Therapy Assistant

Ashford, Kent, TN23 6LL

Band 3/4

Salary: £24,071 - £29,114 pa

Permanent, Full Time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Wheelchair Therapy Assistant/ Practitioner, Band 4 within the Kent and Medway wheelchair service. The role will see you working independently and alongside the Wheelchair Specialist Therapists (Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapists) and Wheelchair Technical Engineers. The post is both clinically based and requires visits to clients' homes. For the right candidate, there may be an opportunity to start on Band 3 level and work toward completion of job specific competencies. Following completion of competencies, the role will develop to band 4.

The role will see you build on basic knowledge of assessment of patients with a range of disabilities, to develop greater skills enabling the successful candidate to independently assess clients with basic to medium postural and mobility needs. This will include the assessment and provision of basic manual and powered wheelchairs, and assist in Therapist clinics / specialist seating clinics, under the guidance of the specialist wheelchair therapist.

You will manage a small defined caseload of clients under the supervision of the specialist wheelchair therapist.

Experience within the basic assessment and provision of standard wheelchairs would be an advantage, as well as an understanding of how posture management and cognition impacts on successful postural and mobility management. There will be a requirement as part of the post to commit to continued learning.

Main duties of the job

- To carry a defined case load of clients and be responsible for the assessment, prescription, provision and maintenance of mobility, basic posture, and seating equipment to users in Kent and Medway under the supervision of senior therapist.

- To prioritise, plan and deliver a clinical caseload.

- Provide a key role in partnership working with patients, carers, the MDT, and wider statutory, private, and voluntary sector services.

- To work with clients of all ages who have a wide variety of physical disabilities.

- To carry out assessments on individuals with basic postural and pressure needs

- To carry out initial environmental assessments for clients with wheelchair needs

- To maintain a high standard of practice and professionalism with basic postural assessment and interventions

About the Client

Our client brings over 60 years of experience in delivering high-quality wheelchair services and approved repairs across the UK. They currently manage 40 long-term contracts in England and Wales, covering 45% of the population, and serve around 400,000 wheelchair users.

In June 2024, they were awarded the Contract to continue to serve as the Provider of the Kent and Medway wheelchair service. The contract is currently run from two service centres Ashford and Gillingham. Ashford is the main hub with the Customer care team, Warehouse and Field service engineers operating from here.

The Kent and Medway wheelchair service have in the region of 23,000 active wheelchair users.

Job responsibilities

Clinical:

To provide assessment and advice to clients with low level postural needs
To support with the triage of new referrals as part of their direct issues process.
To carry out routine assessment clinics for standard and basic modular wheelchairs within agreed competency levels
To assist Therapists when required in Therapy Clinic and continue with agreed client goals as directed by therapist.
To be responsible for preparation of materials and equipment in order to carry out clinic assessments.
To carry out initial environmental assessments for clients referred for powered wheelchairs, discuss criteria and complete allocation, ordering and handover of non-complex powered chairs.
Complete basic visual and cognitive assessments during powered chair assessment.
Carry out post-handover outdoor driving assessment of clients to assess visual and cognitive driving skills.
To carry out minor modifications / repairs as agreed with the Therapists.
To be involved in the assessment of children with basic postural needs and liaise with the WCS therapist to discuss.
Assess and advice on basic pressure relief and relevant cushions.
To participate in more complex assessments with the Therapists
To deliver and fit equipment as required and within role limitations.
To instruct and advise clients and carers in the correct use of issued equipment.
To follow treatment plans as prescribed by Wheelchair Therapist and report back when further action is required.
To work independently in a community or clinical setting with an assigned routine caseload, under the direction of a Wheelchair Therapist.
To carry out community visits to patients homes and be responsible for handover or equipment as per protocol.
To liaise with relatives / carers and clients to arrange visits to the home
Understanding and Basic speed set up of Standard powered chairs

Non-Clinical:

To assist in information collection from patients/relatives as requested by Wheelchair staff.
To maintain Health and Safety regulations as laid down in the Business, and Wheelchair Service
To ensure adverse incidents are reported in line with procedures
To carry out safety checks on wheelchairs and seating as per local protocols
To keep up to date with current legislation on wheelchairs
To keep up to date with new products available in line with role skill and limitations
To suggest changes to protocols in light of new equipment or guidance
Ability to prioritise allocated tasks and caseload
Effective communication with WCS team and outside agencies as necessary
To work as a pro-active member of the Wheelchair team
To maintain good working relationships
To establish therapeutic relationships using negotiating and reasoning skills in order to complete treatment activities
To assist therapists in the supervision of students in standard clinics
To keep accurate and clear patient treatment records in line with Policies and the Royal College of OT and national Wheelchairs Standards
To work within the Royal College of OT Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, and their Policies and Procedures.
To respect the individuality, values and cultural / religious diversity of clients
To assist in the day-to-day organisation of activities within the team to ensure the smooth running of the service
To be responsible for specific routine tasks as delegated
To identify deficits in resources required to carry out the job and bring to the attention of senior staff
To exercise good personal time management, organisation, punctuality and consistently reliable attendance
To attend regular meetings and development groups
To participate in in-service training
To maintain a portfolio of competencies showing evidence of lifelong learning and development of self and in accordance to annual PDR
To actively participate in supervision
To assist in Staff induction and training of new staff
To support Wheelchair service, as requested, in quality activities within the team
To participate in the yearly notes audit as requested by their procedure

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

NVQ III in a related area and / or equivalent experience.
Evidence of further training / development to this level
Evidence of achievement of competencies. Additional qualifications eg knowledge of specific conditions

Desirable

Application of skills and knowledge in a varied setting

Experience

Essential

Evidence of experience of a working with a range of clients with differing disabilities/ levels of mobility.
Experience of working with a range of ages both adults and children.
Proven ability to undertake range of clinical duties appropriately, safely, and effectively.
Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning

Desirable

Experience of working within a Wheelchair Service as an assessing and prescribing clinician.
Experience working with people with disabilities.
Experience working with a broad range of wheelchairs

Job Specific Requirements

Essential

Able to problem solve.
Able to work as part of a team.
Able to assist with aspects of personal care.
Have good written, verbal and non-ver