Job SummaryAre you a skilled hand therapist with post graduate training and the ability to provide a client-centred service to adult and paediatric patients (mostly outpatients, but occasionally inpatients) for their hand therapy management?
This is a new position and provides an exciting opportunity to develop the hand therapy service in a private hospital. The service has recently moved to the Lexham Gardens site within Cromwell Hospital, where you will be part of the wider MSK and therapies team. Diagnoses seen will vary, but the majority will be soft tissue conditions, sprains, tears, tendinopathies and fractures as well as post operative wound care.
You will receive referrals from consultants, GPs, other clinicians, embassies, wards and self-referrals.
Main Duties of the Job- Be responsible for the hand therapy of patients referred to you and to practise as an accountable professional using reflective practise and clinical reasoning in order to provide an individualised treatment programme for each patient.
- Ensure ongoing and long-term care for the patient by liaising with external support services and other clinicians.
- Advise patients on return to work, leisure, functional, sporting and other activities.
- Obtain informed, valid consent on an ongoing basis which endeavours to keep them involved in their own health care plan. This includes education to support ongoing management.
- Maintain accurate, comprehensive and timely patient treatment records which include recording if a patient could not be seen/was not seen.
- Ensure clear and efficient communication, whether verbal, non-verbal or written, both in expression and active listening, to facilitate comprehension of information
- Comply with confidentiality policies as set out by the Cromwell Hospital, HCPC and the CSP or RCOT.
About UsWere a health insurer and provider. With no shareholders, our customers are our focus. Our people are all driven by the same purpose helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world. We make health happen by being brave, caring and responsible in everything we do
Job ResponsibilitiesJob Title: SeniorHand Therapist
Job equivalent: Band 7
Reports to: Lead Occupational Therapist/ Therapy Manager
Accountable to: Therapy Manager
Working Hours: 37.5hrs/week
Role Summary:This post is for a highly skilled Hand Therapist able to undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner. The post-holder will provide a client-centred and evidence-based service to adult and paediatric patients, mostly in an outpatient setting, but will occasionally also offer assessments and intervention to inpatients to meet their Hand Therapy needs. They will receive referrals from consultants, GPs, other clinicians, embassies, wards and self-referrals.
Through experience and post-graduate training the post-holder will have developed specialist knowledge, clinical skills and confidence required for the holistic assessment and management of a variety of conditions including but not limited to soft tissue conditions, tendinopathies and fractures. They will be competent in managing post-operative wounds and scars, splint provision and fabrication, and in provision of various braces.
The post-holder will be a resource for specialist advice to the MDT within their field of practice. They will actively participate in activities such as service development and quality improvement projects, business growth, clinical governance, learning and development, and supervision. They will support senior staff with their responsibilities and will work in close collaboration with the Therapies leadership team.
The post-holder will establish and maintain efficient communication within the multi-disciplinary team (both internal and external) to ensure a holistic and complete duty of care. This includes verbal, non-verbal or written communication, both in expression and active listening, to facilitate accurate comprehension of information.
The Hand Therapist will participate in hospital and departmental processes that support and encourage professional and personal development of yourself and your colleagues. You may be directly responsible for junior staff within your service, supporting their professional development and educational needs.
The post-holder will support Bupa's vision, mission statement, code and values, and inspire others by leading by example.
Clinical Responsibilities- To practise as an autonomous and accountable professional using reflective practice and clinical reasoning to provide each patient referred to Hand Therapy services with an individualised assessment and interventions.
- To be competent in managing a variety of hand conditions using a holistic approach including but not limited to soft tissue conditions, tendinopathies, fractures, wound care and scar management.
- To be competent in splint provision and fabrication, and confident in provision of various braces.
- Experienced in working in an outpatient clinic and familiar with an acute hospital setting
- To be an active member of the MDT that provides a high quality; evidence-based hand therapy service
- To obtain informed, valid consent on an ongoing basis which endeavours to keep them involved in their own health care plan. This includes education to support ongoing management.
- To ensure ongoing and long-term care for the patient by liaising with external support services and other clinicians.
- To ensure clinical effectiveness by reflecting current evidence base, national guidelines and use of outcome measures in clinical management of your caseload.
- To advise and prepare patients to return to work, leisure, functional, sporting, and other meaningful activities.
- To be responsible for the sourcing and maintenance of adequate stock levels required within your speciality and to assist with ensuring adequate stock levels in the wider Department.
- To comply with confidentiality policies as set out by Bupa, Cromwell Hospital, HCPC and the CSP or RCOT.
- To respect a patients right to be chaperoned and appropriately implement the hospital chaperone policy.
- To accept accountability for your clinical and non-clinical actions.
- To maintain accurate, comprehensive, and timely patient treatment records which include recording if a patient could not be seen/was not seen.
- To ensure compliance with company charging policies for the Therapy department and to be responsible for the completion of thorough and accurate charging documentation.
- To always manage clinical risk within your caseload and ensure potential clinical risk is effectively communicated and managed.
- To always promote dignity, privacy, and safety, with particular consideration of the patients cultural, spiritual, and personal needs and preferences.
- To maintain the highest standards of professional expertise and efficiency.
- To keep abreast of the latest evidence within your specialty to maintain best clinical practise
- To be aware of the limitations of your own clinical practice/experience and seek support appropriately.
Leadership- To support the Therapy Manager and other senior staff with their duties and responsibilities and to contribute to the smooth running of the Therapy department.
- To participate in the hospitals appraisal system and ensure a structured supervision programme.
- To provide guidance, support, mentorship, coaching to your colleagues and to assist with supervision of others when required.
- To promote opportunities for team and service development, and the Hand Therapy scope within the Hospital.
- To be visible and proactive for your team and in the wider hospital, including any specialty MDTs, symposia and GP events
- To actively contribute to recruitment and staff retention within the Therapy department
- To assist in the implementation of policies and strategies which aim to improve Therapy and Hospital services for all.
- To provide sound clinical opinion to support strategic development of clinical services as required by Management including revenue generating and cost saving initiatives.
- To participate in creating and developing specialist Standard Operating Procedures, clinical pathways and information handouts with the wider therapy team
- To provide an efficient and appropriately flexible service with appropriately managed staffing levels
- To participate in clinical audit and quality assurance programmes within the Therapy Department and Cromwell Hospital.
- To participate in hospital-guided projects and innovations as required.
- To support responsible utilisation of the Therapy Department budget.
- To assist in the promotion and marketing of the Therapy Services. This includes participation in appropriate internal and external marketing activities, in conjunction with the Marketing Department.
- To participate in the induction of new staff members as required.
- To behave in a way that promotes the participation of all colleagues to enhance the individual attributes and collective strengths of the team.
- To initiate, promote and adhere to all hospital and departmental policies and procedures
- To endeavour to achieve effective communication in all your interactions with patients, clients, and colleagues.
- To utilise support systems in the Hospital in the event of exposure to distressing circumstances.
- To accurately utilise the Hospital's charging systems for treatment and equipment provided.
- To endeavour to prevent or diffuse potentially hostile and antagonistic situations with staff, patients and relatives and other visitors to the department.
- To make reasonable efforts to manage verbal complaints in the department and to utilise hospital systems and procedures for reporting and managing customer feedback including concerns and formal complaints.
- To ensure accurate recording of appropriate departmental data as required by Management.
- To inspire others through your actions.
Person SpecificationQualification & RegistrationEssential- HCPC registration
- Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy qualification
- Enhanced DBS clearance
Desirable- Member of regulatory body and/or a specialist interest group
- BAHT qualification
Experience, Knowledge & CompetenciesEssential- Proven experience as a Hand Therapist with knowledge, skills and competencies in all aspects of Hand Therapy.
- Advanced and confident splinting competencies incl. both provision and fabrication of splints, and provision of finger/hand/wrist orthoses/braces.
- Experience with wound care and scar management
- Awareness of current evidence pertaining to Hand Therapy and application to clinical practice
- Sound anatomy and physiology understanding and knowledge.
- Experience of using outcome measures
- UK work experience
- Evidence of ongoing CPD
- Record of mandatory training
- Participation in governance and service development activities
- Sound computer skills
- Commitment to multi-disciplinary teamwork
- Knowledge of health and safety issues in a therapy setting
PersonalityEssential- Reflects and embodies Bupas values Brave, Caring, Responsible
- Honest, open-minded, ethical and treats colleagues with dignity and respect.
- Able to work under pressure and remain calm.
- Self-motivated and able to inspire and engage others
- Enthusiastic with the desire to be involved and develop in role
- Leads by example
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK RegistrationApplicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
We are an equal opportunities employer. 
