Senior Specialist Hand Therapist

NHS; London; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity for a Senior Specialist Hand Therapist to join a dynamic team at NHS for a 12-month maternity cover. The role involves managing complex cases, leading junior staff, and contributing to quality improvement initiatives. Ideal candidates will possess strong clinical skills and a commitment to professional development.

Qualifications

• Experience supervising and managing junior hand therapy staff.
• Experience in research relevant to Hand Therapy.
• Participation in departmental audits.

Responsibilities

• Manage a clinical caseload of hand and upper limb injuries.
• Lead supervision and teaching of junior staff and students.
• Participate in evidence-based projects and clinical governance.

Skills

Assessment and management of hand therapy patients

Fabrication of splints

Exercise prescription for upper limb conditions

Education

BSc Physiotherapy or BSc Occupational Therapy

Post-registration Hand Therapy/Upper Limb MSK CPD

HCPC Registration

Job description

Job summary

12 month maternity leave cover: Senior Specialist Hand Therapist (band 7) Full time (37.5 hours). An exciting opportunity has arisen for a hand therapist (either Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist) to join our well-established and dynamic multi-disciplinary team to provide maternity leave cover. We seek an individual who is autonomous, forward thinking and enthusiastic.

We are a large team of thirty therapists supported by three assistants. We are a busy service supporting our plastic and orthopaedic hand surgery colleagues with elective and trauma activity as well as managing patients referred from rheumatology and the community.

This position offers an important opportunity and challenging career move for you to advance your clinical and leadership skills. Your role will include supporting junior staff, delivering education and assisting with quality improvement and research. We pride ourselves in supporting our team through education, training and development opportunities.

Does this sound like the challenge that you are looking for?

Main duties of the job

1. You will manage a clinical caseload of non-surgically and surgically managed patients with traumatic and elective hand and upper limb injuries. Additionally, you have the opportunity to assess and manage patients with non-surgical conditions referred from the community.
2. As a senior specialist hand therapist, you will be involved in triaging referrals, formulating and discussing management plans with therapy and surgical colleagues, and assisting with problem solving on an ad hoc basis. We are looking for someone with excellent communication skills who can be flexible, responsive, and a strong team player.

About us

We are a large, busy but very supportive team that work across the Guys and St Thomas' hospital sites. We strive to provide an excellent service that we would be happy to recommend to our friends and family, with patient care at the heart of everything we do.

Hand Therapy is part of the Therapies Directorate with a supportive and progressive management structure. Departmental objectives are founded upon the core principles of the clinical governance framework and Trust Core Values. Research activity, robust evidence-based practice, and adherence to national guidelines drive forward our vision and service delivery.

Details

• Date posted: 21 May 2025
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 7
• Salary: £54,320 to £60,981 a year p.a inclusive of HCA
• Contract: Fixed term
• Duration: 12 months
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: 196-LIS9549
• Job locations: Guys and St Thomas' Hospital, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 9RT

Job responsibilities

• Performs advanced musculo-skeletal assessments of plastic surgery/hand patients, including complex cases, formulating diagnoses and treatment plans as an autonomous practitioner.
• Leads supervision, teaching, and appraisal of senior, junior, and assistant physiotherapists/occupational therapists, including students at various levels, within a multidisciplinary team.
• Responsible for operational management and overall development of the designated team, including clinical governance, and deputises for the service manager as required.
• Supervises, initiates, and participates in evidence-based projects, implementing changes and setting standards of practice within the team/area.

Person Specification

Skills (Essential)

• Skilled in assessment and management of surgically and non-surgically managed Hand Therapy patients
• Skilled in fabrication of splints for various conditions
• Skilled in exercise prescription for upper limb conditions

Experience (Essential)

• Supervising and managing junior hand therapy staff
• Supervising hand therapy students
• Working effectively in pressured environments with strict time management
• Involvement in research relevant to Hand Therapy
• Participation in hand therapy service development and departmental audits

Desirable

• Management courses in clinical settings
• Clinical educator courses
• Published research within HT/upper limb field
• Led service development or audits within HT/upper limb service

Qualifications (Essential)

• BSc Physiotherapy or BSc Occupational Therapy (or equivalent)
• Post-registration Hand Therapy/Upper Limb MSK CPD
• HCPC Registration

Qualifications (Desirable)

• BAHT Membership
• MSc in relevant area
• Accredited Hand Therapist
• Post-registration CPD in splinting or exercise prescription within Hand/Upper Limb

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a Disclosure to the DBS is required.

Applications from job seekers requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome. Further info at UK Visas and Immigration website.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. Details at NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Guys and St Thomas' Hospital, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 9RT

Website: https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/careers/careers.aspx