Wheelchair Therapy Technician

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a full-time Wheelchair Therapy Technician. The role covers Brighton, Bognor, and Horsham, with remote, clinic and community working to support assessment and equipment for children and adults.

Training is provided. A full driving licence is essential, and the successful candidate will join a friendly team committed to high-quality care and service delivery.

Qualifications

• GCSE English or equivalent.
• NVQ in Health Care or equivalent.
• Full valid car driver's licence.
• Experience in NHS or healthcare preferred.
• Ability to work in a team and independently.

Responsibilities

• Provide support for clinical staff within the Wheelchair Service and assist with wheelchairs, seating and accessories.
• Identify equipment needed for wheelchair/accessories trials under supervision.
• Instruct users and carers in the safe use of wheelchairs and related equipment.
• Maintain a clean, organised work environment and assist with equipment maintenance.
• Update client records accurately after assessments and report any issues.

Skills

Teamwork

IT skills

Communication

Education

GCSE English

NVQ in Health Care

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full-time Wheelchair Therapy Technician to join our small, friendly and hard-working team providing assessment and equipment for children and adults. The role is well suited to those with a technician or therapy assistant background. The post is based between the wheelchair service localities in Brighton, Bognor and Horsham with the administrative base being negotiable. The post includes remote, clinic and community working. The successful applicant will have a practical, organised and flexible approach to working. Experience with equipment and tools is an advantage but not essential, as training will be provided. Previous experience of working in healthcare is not a requirement, but the successful applicant will have the ability to communicate well with people of all ages and needs, and have an understanding of the challenges faced by our service users. Full induction and training will be provided. A full valid driving licence is essential, as is the ability to work well alone and within a team.

Please note: Due to recent changes in UK immigration and visa rules, this role may not be eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be considered. Candidates requiring sponsorship should review the eligibility criteria on gov.uk websitebefore applying to assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship for this role.

Main duties of the job

To provide support for clinical staff within the Wheelchair Service and toparticipatein the provision of wheelchairs, seating and accessories for children and adults with along termmobility need.

To monitor/review delegated clients' current wheelchair and related accessories under direction of thetherapists and engineers. Todeliver, set up and fitthese accessories/equipmentin response to any change in the clients' medical condition.

To work with the clinical team in providing a high levelof service to registered users.

To report to the therapists or engineersall aspects of theclientsperformance and clinical needs following assessment and report anyrepair/servicing requirements to the approved repairer.

To use personal /communication skills and previousexperience asappropriate toenhance the service offered to clients, family members/carers.

About us

We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people. We deliver essential care to adults and children, helping them manage their health, avoid hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays.

Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community. We offer opportunities across medical, clinical, support, and corporate services.

Why work for us?o Positive 2024 NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and wellbeingo Varied environments: community hospitals, patients' homes, and bases across Sussexo Flexible working options: part-time, flexi-time, annualised hours, and flexi-retiremento Excellent training, development, and research opportunitieso Accredited Living Wage Employer, we ensure fair pay for all our staffo Cost-effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove, and Brightono Active EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA+, and Religion & Belief networkso Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trust

Our values--Compassionate Care, Working Together, Achieving Ambitions, Delivering Excellence--guide everything we do.

We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from ethnically diverse, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment.

This post may close early if sufficient applications are received.

Job responsibilities

a) To carry out basic manual wheelchair and basic Electrically Powered Indoor Wheelchair assessments on designated clients allocated by the therapists or rehabilitation engineers, independently or in conjunction with the therapists or rehabilitation engineer, within clinic or in the community.

b) To identify under direction of the therapists or rehabilitation engineers appropriate equipment/materials required to carry out assessments for wheelchair/accessories trials for clients.

c) To instruct users and carers in the use of manual and powered wheelchairs and accessories, identifying manual handling, environmental and health and safety risks.

d) Develop/plan/organise a system ensuring returned items collected from clients adhere to the departments Infection Control policy and to dispose of any items identified as clinical waste appropriately.

e) To identify returned equipment that can be cleaned and repairedif necessary liaising with various suppliers of equipment known the Wheelchair Service. f) Maintain a clean, tidy and organised working environment especially in clinical areas.

g) Report any untoward incidents at the time to the therapist or Rehabilitation Engineer or Approved Repairer.

h) To participate in clinical audits.

i) To assist the clinical team in the retrieval of wheelchairs and other equipment from residential and care homes.

j) To be responsible for the basic maintenance and safety checks of the departments leased van ensuring it is roadworthy/ maintained.

k) To independently update computer records and complete accurate clients notes after assessments.

l) To be responsible for maintaining specialist equipment such as the charging of the departments power chairs and any other equipment as directed by the Team Leader.

m) To attend staff meetings when required, to contribute to departmental decisions and restructuring.

n) To be aware of and work with the team to effectively manage the budget.

o) To collect and clean used wheelchairs and ancillary equipment.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• GCSE or equivalent in English
• NVQ in Health Care

Experience

• Full valid car driver's licence
• Previous experience in NHS
• Previous experience in healthcare

Skills and knowledge

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and alone
• Basic IT skills
• Ability to communicate well with people of all ages and needs

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

Employer name

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Sussex Rehab Centre - Brighton General Hospital / Rose Wing - Horsham Hospital / Richard Hotham Unit - Bognor Regis Hospital

Sussex Rehab Centre - Brighton General Hospital / Rose Wing - Horsham Hospital / Richard Hotham Unit - Bognor Regis Hospital