Hand Therapist Band 6 (Physiotherapist/Occupational Therapist)

EAST LANCASHIRE HOSPITALS NHS TRUST; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare organization in England is seeking a Band 6 Occupational Therapist/Physiotherapist to manage complex cases related to hand and wrist rehabilitation. The successful candidate will utilize evidence-based approaches to assess and design client-centered interventions, including bespoke splint fabrication. The role requires strong leadership and communication skills to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and enhance patient outcomes. This position promises professional development opportunities and a supportive working environment.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Supportive working environment

Competitive salary structure

Qualifications

• Uphold an occupational therapy or physiotherapy degree and appropriate UK professional registration.
• Experience managing complex caseloads, including assessment and rehabilitation.
• Strong understanding of biopsychosocial assessment for enhancing hand function.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of patients with complex hand/wrist needs.
• Fabricate bespoke splints and functional fracture braces.
• Liaise with multidisciplinary team members and lead group rehabilitation sessions.

Skills

Evidence-based practice

Client-centered principles

Advanced splinting skills

Clinical prioritisation

Leadership

Communication skills

Education

Occupational therapy or physiotherapy degree

Tools

Clinical documentation systems

Job description

Overview

The Hand Therapy Service receives referrals from a variety of sources including orthopaedic and fracture clinics for the assessment and rehabilitation of hand/wrist injuries and disorders. It also accepts referrals for the provision of bespoke splinting and functional fracture braces as part of multidisciplinary care. Hand therapy specialist Occupation Therapists (OT) and Physiotherapists (PT) are autonomous independent practitioners who undertake biopsychosocial assessment to maximise hand function in line with the individual’s occupational priorities and independent living. Where optimal function cannot be achieved due to chronic dysfunction or deformity, a hand specialist OT/PT will provide targeted intervention, education and recommendations to support acceptance and adaptation, leading to agreed levels of physical, psychological and social functioning. The OT/PT remains accountable for the intervention and its outcome.

Band 6 Responsibilities

The Band 6 OT/PT will manage a caseload of patients with complex needs and provide highly specialised treatment, using evidence‑based and client‑centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions, including the fabrication of bespoke splints. They will develop advanced splinting skills—including dynamic, corrective and functional splints—and be trained in the fabrication of functional fracture braces. With supervision, they will triage and manage cases sent directly from the fracture clinic at least one day a week, requiring strong clinical prioritisation and time‑management skills. The Band 6 may lead or participate in hand/wrist rehabilitation and osteoarthritis of the hand groups, and will contribute to the development of the hand therapy service within ELHT in collaboration with senior therapists and other MDT members. This may include involvement in clinical audit, guideline development and service/operational projects. They will provide leadership, supervision and support to junior staff, take responsibility for their caseloads, support and train junior and student OTs and other health‑care professionals, and promote close working relationships with other professionals, disciplines, service users, external organisations and voluntary groups.

Communication

Liaise effectively with all multidisciplinary team members, departments, services and external agencies to ensure coordinated delivery of care. Gather information from patients, relatives and other services, maintain clinical documentation in line with the Code of Conduct and Trust policies, and attend team meetings—taking the lead when required. Communicate appropriately in person, by email, Teams or over the phone with patients who may be distressed, in pain or unwell, using listening and empathetic skills. Advise and educate patients and carers, acting as an advocate and dealing with challenging situations, including verbal aggression or complaints, using conflict resolution and negotiation skills. Provide comprehensive clinical reports to the multidisciplinary team and external partners, and collate feedback to inform service evaluation and improvement. Communicate over telephone or video to complete triage, assessment and interventions, using advanced communication and coaching skills to negotiate treatment plans and overcome barriers to delivery of safe personal care.

Training and Development

Take part in regular supervision and provide supervision for junior staff. Own professional development, maintain a development portfolio and assist others in theirs. Undertake teaching and education of others and share knowledge. Support and supervise junior staff, students and assistants as outlined in supervision guidance. Review, update and produce guidelines, procedures and educational resources that reflect national guidance, clinical standards and evidence‑based practice in conjunction with the Clinical Team Lead. Plan, organise and deliver training to students, assistants, junior staff and colleagues, including the wider multidisciplinary team and other agencies. Ensure the safe and competent use of equipment by patients, clinicians and students through teaching, training and supervision, and lead specialist training to patients/families and carers where appropriate. Continue to develop specialist skills to a specialist level, underpinned by professional and clinical standards.

Organisational Responsibilities

Lead service improvement, clinical audit, governance activities and actively engage others in shared learning. Identify quality and service improvement opportunities and contribute to implementing change in collaboration with the Clinical Team Lead. Actively contribute to clinical research, including multidisciplinary activities and journal clubs. Maintain written or electronic clinical documentation in line with relevant policies, legislation and guidance. Contribute to the delivery of service and organisational objectives, ensuring quality and safety of care interventions. Manage own e‑roster, travel and annual leave within policies. Produce accurate and timely clinical reports for medical staff and other health and care professionals, consistent with policies and procedures. Develop and update policies and procedures for the designated service area as delegated by and with support from the Clinical Team Lead. Participate in recruitment and selection of clinical staff and assistants, and support induction, supervision and coordination of junior staff and assistants. Regular access to patient and staff digital and online systems, including e‑roster, education sites and SharePoint.

Professional Responsibilities

Ensure practice and that of supervised staff adhere to HCPC standards of conduct and professional proficiency. Respect and uphold the rights, dignity and values and autonomy of every service user. Operate within the codes of practice outlined in the Trust Behavioural Framework. Recognise own limitations in knowledge, skills and experience, seek support and address learning needs through appraisal and continued professional development. Assess and maintain competencies required for the role, demonstrating specialist knowledge. Be a role model and ally in challenging discrimination and support staff and patients with protected characteristics. Hold a sound working knowledge of clinical care pathways and ensure best practice. Interpret and contribute to the development of local guidelines, protocols and procedures, referencing NICE guidelines and Clinical Standards. Undertake collection of data for audit and research projects. Promote awareness of the professional role within the Trust and externally.

Application Information

• Uphold occupational therapy or physiotherapy degree and appropriate UK professional registration.
• Salary is for full‑time hours; pro‑rated for part‑time. New NHS staff normally commence on the first pay point of the relevant band.
• Vacancy may close earlier if sufficient applications are received. Apply early to avoid disappointment.
• Check the account from which you apply regularly; the Trust will contact you regarding your application.
• Shortlisting is anonymous, assessing applicants against essential criteria. Only candidates who clearly demonstrate meeting the person specification will be shortlisted.
• Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS): For controlled or regulated activities, a satisfactory DBS check is necessary. The cost of an Enhanced Disclosure is £55.38 and for a Standard Disclosure £27.38. The Trust now passes the charge for successful candidates.

Equal Opportunities

The Trust is an equal opportunities employer, committed to improving the working lives of our staff and operates a 'Zero Tolerance' policy to aggression, violence, bullying and harassment. We aim to protect children and vulnerable adults by providing a first‑class service to the recruitment of people into positions of trust. We welcome applications from everyone irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability or social background. We especially welcome applications from members of our BAME communities, as we have identified that ELHT has an under‑representation of BAME employees. Appointments will be made on merit.

Trust Vision

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT) as a large integrated health care organisation provides high‑quality acute secondary healthcare for the people of East Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen. We treat over 600,000 people across East Lancashire and the surrounding area and employ over 9,500 staff. Our vision is to be widely recognised for providing safe, personal and effective care.