Specialist Hand Therapist

Nhs-1; Kendal; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Job summary

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust invites applications for a Specialist Hand Therapist (NHS AfC Band 6) to join our outpatient therapy team at Westmorland General Hospital in Kendal. The post offers both full-time and part-time posts with flexible working and travel to outreach clinics.

You will work with qualified Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists, provide hand therapy assessment and treatment, fabricate splints, and participate in education, audits and

Qualifications

• HCPC registered and eligible to practice in the UK.
• Honours degree in Physiotherapy or Occupational Therapy.
• Evidence of postgraduate specialist clinical education.
• Outpatient hand therapy experience and splinting experience.

Responsibilities

• Undertake comprehensive hand therapy assessment of complex problems.
• Formulate and implement individual treatment plans with evidence‑based practice.
• Prescribe exercises and fabricate custom splints as required.
• Collaborate with Advanced Hand Therapists and trauma/orthopaedics teams.
• Contribute to planned research and audits as required.

Skills

Outpatient hand therapy experience

Splint fabrication experience

Effective written and oral English

Education

HCPC registered Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist

Honours Degree or equivalent in Physiotherapy or Occupational Therapy

Postgraduate specialist clinical education

Tools

Thermoplastic splint fabrication

Job description

Main area Hand Therapy Grade NHS AfC: Band 6 Contract Permanent: Full time and Part time post Hours

• Full time
• Part time
• Flexible working

37.5 hours per week (Full time post 37.5hrs and part time post 22.5hrs Service covers Monday to Friday) Job ref 331-8254484-UHMB

Employer University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Westmorland General Hospital Town Kendal Salary £39,959 - £48,117 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 05/10/2026 23:59

Specialist Hand Therapist

NHS AfC: Band 6

''Creating a great place to be cared for and a great place to work''

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay has a firm commitment to strengthening the diversity of our workforce, and therefore welcome and encourage applications from likeminded people who can support our ambition to become effortlessly inclusive. We are particularly keen to hear from protected groups – including BAME, LGBT+ and people with a disability.

Job overview

We have an exciting opportunity for Specialist Hand Therapists to join our outpatient therapy service. We welcome applications from qualified Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists with outpatient experience and/or splinting experience and valid HCPC registration. You will work with our Advanced Hand Therapists alongside our outpatient therapy team working closely with Trauma and Orthopaedics.

You will have the opportunity to learn from a team of experienced Advanced and Specialist Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists and through in-service training and external courses. We will support the successful candidate with relevant development needs for the post. Following induction and training the successful applicant will be expected to prescribe exercise programmes, fabricate custom made splints and undertake hand dressings.

Our primary focus is to deliver quality, patient-centred care which is evidenced based and sustainable for the future in an ever changing NHS landscape. To achieve this, we aim to give you the opportunity to develop your skills in a supportive, dynamic and varied environment and to be involved in service development.

We are in the process of expanding and developing our hand therapy team with a spoke model based at Westmorland General Hospital, the role will require travel to support outreach clinics at Royal Lancaster Infirmary and Furness General Hospital.

Main duties of the job

To undertake comprehensive hand therapy assessment of physical problems of a complex nature which may also include psychological and social problems, using specialist clinical reasoning and assessment skills to provide an accurate diagnosis and treatment with the consent of patients and guidance of senior staff if required.

To formulate an individual and agreed treatment plan based on sound knowledge of evidence based practice and carry out appropriate treatment in a manner that respects people’s privacy, dignity and individuality. Reassessing patients’ progress and altering treatment plans as required .

To demonstrate highly developed physical skills inclusive of dexterity, co-ordination and palpatory (sensory) skills to carry out appropriate assessment and interventions including manual hand therapy techniques and therapeutic handling , mobilisation techniques, complex dressings, thermoplastic custom‑made splint fabrication requiring precise use of tools to mould the splint.

To use a range of verbal and non‑verbal communication tools to educate and communicate effectively with patients, carers information regarding their diagnosis, treatment plans and discharge plans. This includes using motivational/persuasive skills and giving specialist advice.

To participate in planned research and audit as required.

Working for our organisation

We operatefrom three main hospitals-Furness General Hospital (FGH) in Barrow, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary (RLI), and Westmorland General Hospital (WGH) in Kendal, as well as a number of community healthcare premises including Millom Hospital and GP Practice, Queen Victoria Hospital in Morecambe, andUlverstonCommunity Health Centre.

FGH and the RLI have a range of General Hospital services, with full Emergency Departments, Critical/Coronary Care units and various Consultant-led services.

WGH provides a range of General Hospital services, together with an Urgent Treatment Centre, that can help with a range of non-life threatening conditions such as broken bones and minor illnesses.

All three main hospitals provide a range of planned care including outpatients, diagnostics, therapies,daycase and inpatient surgery. In addition, a range of local outreach services and diagnostics are provided from community facilities across Morecambe Bay.

Our Community Service for adults are provided in people's homes ,community centres, clinics, GP Practices, community hospitals. Our aim is to work with people to help them remain independent , improve their health and manage their conditions through high quality care , advice and support.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To work as an individual within the Outpatient Therapy team providing specialist hand therapy assessment, diagnosis, treatment and advice for a range of frequently complex conditions for patients on their caseload.

To work as an autonomous practitioner taking responsibility for the management of patients on own caseload without direct supervision.

To regularly assist in the planning & delivery of departmental training and education sessions, to further professional and personal development for staff, working with the guidance and support of senior members of staff if required

To maintain effective communication links with patients, carers and all associated professional practitioners regarding patients condition, including the completion of accurate clinical records in line with trust and professional body codes of practice.

To supervise, and assist senior staff in the management o f occupational therapists and physiotherapists and therapy support staff

To be responsible for the whole or part of the clinical education and practice of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy Undergraduates accepted on clinical placement.

To be responsible for the correct and safe use of equipment including the safe manufacture and provision of custom made and off the shelf splints and orthosis .

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

• Health and Care Professions Council registered Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist
• Honours Degree or equivalent in Physiotherapy or Occupational Therapy approved by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy/Royal College of Occupational Therapy/Health and Care Professions Council
• Evidence of relevant post graduate specialist clinical education

Experience

• Comprehensive rotational experience as a Staff grade in the core competencies within physiotherapy or occupational therapy
• Evidence of effective written and oral communication skills in English in a variety of settings.
• Experience of working within a team
• Post graduate clinical experience in hand therapy

Skills, Ability and Knowledge

• Ability to think quickly, assess clinical situations and make decisions upon that information
• Must demonstrate a knowledge of team / group dynamics and understand the role of a Specialist Hand Therapist within a team.
• Must be able to demonstrate the confidence to take independent action within expected capabilities
• To have a clear understanding of the role of a Specialist Hand Therapist in their approach to their professional duties
• Must be able to demonstrate basic awareness of current NHS issues
• Ability to motivate patients and other staff.
• To have a knowledge of audit tools and awareness of organizational and clinical standards in Hand therapy
• Ability to liaise effectively within the multi-disciplinary team
• Manufacture and fitting of custom thermoplastic splints

Personal Qualities

• Must be willing and able to travel in and around the Morecambe Bay Area

PLEASE NOTE THAT SHORTLISTED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED BY EMAIL.

The trust promotes flexible working opportunities where ever possible to enable staff to balance their work and home life. We are committed to Equal Opportunities and aim to be EffortlesslyInclusive .

The trust operates a No Smoking Policy.

Only those applicants who demonstrate clearly how they meet our Person Specification will be shortlisted for Interview.

We reserve the right to close a job advert early where sufficient applications have been received.

The Trust does not offer interview expenses to shortlisted candidates unless indicated in the advert

If the post is subject to Disclosure & Barring Service checking, (formally CRB) a charge of £49.50 for Enhanced and £21.50 for Standard clearance and additional to this a £4.90 administration fee will be made to the successful candidate(s). This currently only applies to roles Band 6 and above and Medical & Dental posts.

Anyone newly appointed to the trust under the Agenda For Change contract, will be subject to the completion of a satisfactory 4 month probationary period. This will give the new staff member an opportunity to become familiar with the role and working environment.

We have introduced a new system called Pre-Onboarding, specifically to support you right the way through to your first few months in your new role with us atUHMB. This bespoke site has lots of useful information to help you settle into your new roleincluding: what to expect from the recruitment clearances process, where to get a uniform, when you'll get paid etc. As well as information on a number of our services i.e. Infection Prevention, Anti-fraud, Inclusion and Diversity, Care Certificates and much more. To access click on this link https://www.uhmb.nhs.uk/uhmbt-pre-onboarding .

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name Helen Smith Job title Advanced Hand Therapist Email address [e-mail] Telephone number 01539 715535 Additional information

Rebekah Wilkinson, Advanced Hand Therapist

[e-mail]

Please contact to discuss the role or arrange an informal visit.

If you have problems applying, contact

Address Level 1
Fusion House
Evolution Park
Blackburn
Lancashire
BB1 2FD
Telephone [phone]