The Wellington Hospital in London is the largest independent hospital in the United Kingdom. It has an international reputation for outstanding care in areas of medicine including cardiac services, neurosurgery, liver Critical Care Services and HPB medicine, rehabilitation, gynaecology, orthopaedics and many others.

The London Hand and Wrist Unit (LHWU) specialises in the surgical and non-surgical treatment of all conditions relating to the hand and wrist. Orthopaedic and Plastic Surgeons, with specific hand and wrist training, provide the medical and surgical care together with occupational therapists (OTs) and physiotherapists (PTs) providing rehabilitation services. The London Hand and Wrist Unit has five sites across central London, including The Platinum Medical Centre, The Portland, London Bridge Hospital, The Lister and Chelsea Outpatients Clinic.

Job Description

The post holder will have a full caseload of patients from all the referring consultants.  The therapist will be expected to acquire the knowledge and the skills to enable him/her to perform clinical tasks with competence.  These skills include those traditionally from the professions of occupational therapy, physiotherapy, nursing, plaster technicians and medical team.  The post holder will also develop areas of responsibility within the department including tasks for quality improvement and general administration.

Clinical Areas covered: Orthopaedics, Plastic Surgery, Burns and Rheumatology, Paediatrics, Upper Limb conditions

MAIN PURPOSE OF THIS POST:

To maintain a clinical case load and provide high quality treatment to patients with upper limb conditions.

To participate in the smooth running of the department and maintain customer focus at all times

Assist in the development and promotion of the Hand Unit

This is a full time position, 37.5 hours.

Duties & Responsibilities

Principle Duties:

To provide comprehensive and ongoing assessment for each patient in areas including movement, function, dexterity, oedema and sensation.

To maintain accurate, up to date and concise treatment records detailing individual treatment plans and progress using the standard hand therapy documentation protocol.

To ensure the patient, their family and carers are involved in the planning and delivery of their own care.

To plan and implement appropriate treatment regimes using hand therapy treatment media (using modalities from both physiotherapy and occupational therapy).

To evaluate clinical outcomes.

To provide a theoretical background for each patient about their injury/disease and, where appropriate, to advise the patients for future management.

To accompany patients to their consultant appointments when appropriate and liaise with the consultants regarding the progress of their patients.

To support and maintain open channels of communication at all times with the Hand Therapy Manager and the other members of the hand therapy team and multi disciplinary team

To promote positive communication with all medical, administrative and support personnel within the hospital.

To liaise with patients, relatives and referring agents including provision of information about the provision of equipment and cover of hand therapy by the insurance companies and other sponsoring agents.

To ensure that a high standard of patient care is provided and that treatment is safe and effective.

To ensure that correct recording of staff time statistics, patient charges and patient notes are performed daily and ensuring the registering of our patients.

To participate in the appraisal system, attend all mandatory training and abide by corporate policy, rules and regulations.

To provide written reports for the referring agents and consultants when appropriate.

To maintain professional standards within the unit and keep up to date with current theory and practice in the field of hand therapy and ensure that the treatment that is offered is based on best clinical practice, research and evidence.

To participate in in-service training, supervision and professional support with the other hand therapists to increase and develop the specialist knowledge and skills required.

To attend external courses to improve knowledge and skills.

To be involved in the training of elective OT/Physio students and other relevant personnel.

To participate in supervision sessions with the Manager

To participate in audit, research and quality initiatives within the hospital and department.

To assist in stock control and ordering of goods.

To abide by the health and safety regulations, infection control and clinical risk management and to respond appropriately to untoward accidents / incidents that arise and provide accurate documentation.

To attend departmental meetings and assist in the smooth running of the department.

To adhere to the dress code and local practices of the hand unit and be aware of the Standards of Practice issued by your professional body and the HPC.

To be proficient in using the hospital computer systems.

Skills & Experience

• Degree or Diploma in Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy
• Previous experience in Hand Therapy
• Ideally BAHT validated courses at levels I and II
• Knowledge of core hand therapy skills for own profession
• Understanding and enthusiasm to learn core skills of other profession
• Knowledge of conditions affecting the hand and upper limb
• Skills in splinting
• Knowledge of health & safety and lifting & handling
• Awareness of cultural issues as working with a multicultural client group

About The Individual

All employees are required to acquaint themselves with health, safety and fire regulations whilst taking all possible steps to safeguard the health safety and welfare of staff, patients, visitors and colleagues during their presence in the hospital.

The above duties will be subject to annual review with the post holder.

This job description is not an exhaustive document but is a reflection of the current position. Details and emphasis may change in consultation with the post holder in line with the needs of the service.

This job description may be subject to alteration and amendment at any time.