Job summary
Clinical Lead Orthotist: Full time (37.5 hours)

The Orthotics Service at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust provides specialist orthotic assessment, treatment and rehabilitation across acute and community settings. An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and motivated Orthotist to join the service as a Clinical Lead Orthotist based primarily on the Acute Site.

The post holder will provide highly specialised orthotic assessment and management for patients with complex clinical needs, whilst delivering clinical leadership for the Orthotics Service. Working across hospital and community settings when required , the successful candidate will support the delivery of an efficient, effective and high-quality service, promoting evidence-based practice, innovation and continuous improvement.

Main duties of the job

• Act as Clinical Lead for the Orthotics Service, providing clinical leadership and specialist advice to colleagues and multidisciplinary teams.
• Undertake advanced specialist assessment, diagnosis and management of patients with complex orthotic needs.
• Prescribe, supply and review a wide range of orthoses, specialist footwear and pressure-relieving devices.
• Manage a specialist caseload across acute, outpatient and community settings.
• Lead service development, clinical audit, quality improvement and implementation of evidence-based practice.
• Support service demand and capacity management to ensure timely access to orthotic interventions.
• Supervise, support and develop students, assistant practitioners and colleagues within the service.
• Contribute to policy development, governance activities and service transformation initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with primary care, community teams, hospital clinicians and wider multidisciplinary services to deliver seamless patient-centred care

About us
We hold a unique position in the Stockport community as the provider of healthcare and we are one of its largest employers.

We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We are therefore seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce to make it truly representative of our local population.

We actively encourage applications irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage & civil partnership, or pregnancy or maternity. Recognising those communities that are underrepresented within our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from you.

If you require support with your application please contact a member of the recruitment team, who can discuss alternative application methods.

We recognise that flexible working is important. We take requests for flexible working seriously, consider any request we receive and try to work with you, so we can explore if your request may fit with the needs of the service.

Benefits we offer to you:

• Between 27-33 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
• NHS pension scheme membership
• Salary sacrifice schemes for lease cars, home electronics and more, to make your salary go further
• NHS Staff discounts
• Cycle to work scheme
• Salary finance - for loans, savings, budget planning and tips on managing debt
• Stockport Credit Union- for local financial advice

Job responsibilities
The Clinical Lead Orthotist will provide expert clinical leadership and act as the named lead for the Acute Orthotics Service.

The job description gives an overview of the main tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specifications focuses on the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. These documents are attached on the page and can be downloaded.The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed

Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential

• BSc (Hons) in Prosthetics and Orthotics (or equivalent recognised qualification).
• Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• Evidence of post-registration professional development

Desirable

• Postgraduate qualification or evidence of Master's level study.
• Membership of the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO).

Knowledge
Essential

• Comprehensive knowledge of orthotic assessment, prescription and management of complex clinical conditions
• Demonstrable knowledge of clinical audit
• Demonstrable knowledge of health and safety requirements relating to self, patients and others within the work environment.
• Understanding of clinical governance and its relationship to Orthotics.
• In-depth knowledge of evidence-based treatments and interventions relevant to Orthotics.
• Evidence of self-directed learning through relevant professional literature, research and other appropriate sources.
• In-depth understanding of related national guidance and NHS frameworks.

Desirable

• Highly skilled in undertaking literature searches to answer clinical and non-clinical questions.
• Knowledge and understanding of NHS Trust structures and organisation.
• Knowledge and understanding of research and development.

Experience
Essential

• Extensive experience working at Band 6 level or equivalent.
• Demonstrable experience in the assessment and management of a range of complex conditions.
• Experience of liaising and working collaboratively with a range of healthcare professionals, including GPs and consultants, and with patients.
• Experience of using own initiative and professional judgement.
• Experience of supervising and appraising staff and supporting students.
• Experience of delegating duties appropriately.

Desirable

• Experience of change management.

Skills and Abilities
Essential

• Able to prioritise work effectively.
• Ability to work effectively in a challenging environment.
• Ability to demonstrate a high standard of clinical practice.
• Self-motivated, with a commitment to ongoing development of skills and knowledge.
• Conscientious and able to demonstrate a professional approach to work.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to use persuasion and negotiation in relation to treatment and management options.
• Caring and sensitive approach, with the ability to communicate effectively with patients with a poor prognosis or where information may be sensitive or distressing.
• Demonstrable knowledge and theoretical understanding of current evidence-based practice
• Ability to identify and implement appropriate solutions to problems relating to caseload management.
• Effective time-management skills, with the ability to manage a caseload within agreed timescales. o Demonstrable leadership skills, including the ability to motivate and support others.
• Ability to present to a variety of audiences.

Additional Requirements
Essential

• Ability to travel independently across Trust and community locations.
• Willingness to work across acute, community and paediatric services.

This 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.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Operational Lead
George Bryson
George.Bryson@stockport.nhs.uk
07730619464

Supporting documents
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