Job summary Are you interested in an opportunity to work within our Hand therapy department?Dorset County Hospital Hand Therapy Service wish to offer the right person an exciting opportunity to join the dynamic hand therapy team. As a successful NHS in-house service, we provide high quality services in West Dorset. The post advertised will be based at Dorset County Hospital, with a focus on covering adult and paediatric orthopaedic elective and trauma clinics, as well as rheumatology patients. Our dedicated MDT means we work closely with orthopaedic consultants in hand surgery, nursing staff, plaster technicians and orthotists.We are truly an integrated team who are Hand Therapists first and foremost and therefore welcome applications from both Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists. We have a wide scope of practice within our specialty providing patient centred care. Prior experience working within the hand therapy department and making thermoplastic splints is essential. The successful candidate will be part of the Hand therapy team and receive structured supervision and training to carry out their role effectively. Main duties of the job The hand therapist is a Specialised clinician, responsible for independently managing a full clinical caseload. They are responsible for supervising junior members of staff within the specialist team. In conjunction with the Team Lead, the post holder participates in a rolling programme of education, clinical evaluation, audit and research across the speciality. The clinician works as an integral part of the hand therapy team and the wider multi-professional hand team. The postholder may be required to work at any of the sites within the trust. Should the service require it this post may become rotational and be filled by specialist staff rotating within the service. To fully participate in whatever pattern of working is required by the service in the future. The postholder may be required to work at weekends on a roster basis. About us The clinician works as an integral part of the hand therapy team and the wider multi-professional hand team.The post holder may be required to work at any of the sites within the Trust. Should the service require it this post may become rotational and be filled by specialist staff rotating within the service. At DCHFT, we pride ourselves on the care we provide for our patients, and on the culture, we are creating for our staff. We work hard to create a fair, inclusive environment for our staff Our Mission is to work in partnership to provide high quality, compassionate services and to nurture an environment where people can be at their best. We are a Trust that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups. Date posted 13 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 6 Salary £37,338 to £44,962 a year Pro Rata Per Annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Part-time Reference number 405-25-AHP144THER Job locations Dorset County Hospital Williams Avenue Dorchester DT1 2JY Job description Job responsibilities To undertake all aspects of clinical duties and to carry a significant caseload of patients as an autonomous practitioner, including those with complex presentations Liaise with consultants, nurses and other therapy staff to ensure best outcomes To work at an advanced level and be professionally and legally accountable for a specialised patient caseload, and decide priorities for own work area, without direct supervision. To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of work, and the work of staff under the postholders supervision. This will include management of clinical risk, clinical governance, knowledge of indications and precautions of chosen techniques in line with National and Trust clinical guidelines and protocols where they exist. Be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities and maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development. Ensure that your practice meets the required professional standards. To facilitate implementation and evaluation of clinical outcomes within a designated pathway and monitor adherence with professional and national standards. To work to trust and professional clinical guidelines and have a good working knowledge of relevant national standards to which quality of practice should be monitored. Participate in the staff appraisal scheme as an appraisee and an appraiser and be responsible for complying with your agreed personal development programme to meet set knowledge and competencies. To be responsible for the appraisal and professional development of designated pathway therapy staff in line with the requirements of the Trust. Be an active member of the in-service training programme by attendance at, and participation in, in-service training programmes, tutorials, individual training sessions, external courses and peer review. Be actively involved in professional clinical groups such as Clinical interest groups. Attend trust mandatory training sessions and adhere to trust and departmental policies and procedures. Maintain state registration with HCPC and provide evidence of registration on request. Once considered competent to participate in the on-call, weekend, bank holiday and extended working rotas where clinically appropriate. To fully participate in whatever pattern of working is required by the service in the future. To contribute to clinical induction of hand therapy staff. To undertake other duties commensurate with the grade as requested by Team Lead. Job description Job responsibilities To undertake all aspects of clinical duties and to carry a significant caseload of patients as an autonomous practitioner, including those with complex presentations Liaise with consultants, nurses and other therapy staff to ensure best outcomes To work at an advanced level and be professionally and legally accountable for a specialised patient caseload, and decide priorities for own work area, without direct supervision. To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of work, and the work of staff under the postholders supervision. This will include management of clinical risk, clinical governance, knowledge of indications and precautions of chosen techniques in line with National and Trust clinical guidelines and protocols where they exist. Be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities and maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development. Ensure that your practice meets the required professional standards. To facilitate implementation and evaluation of clinical outcomes within a designated pathway and monitor adherence with professional and national standards. To work to trust and professional clinical guidelines and have a good working knowledge of relevant national standards to which quality of practice should be monitored. Participate in the staff appraisal scheme as an appraisee and an appraiser and be responsible for complying with your agreed personal development programme to meet set knowledge and competencies. To be responsible for the appraisal and professional development of designated pathway therapy staff in line with the requirements of the Trust. Be an active member of the in-service training programme by attendance at, and participation in, in-service training programmes, tutorials, individual training sessions, external courses and peer review. Be actively involved in professional clinical groups such as Clinical interest groups. Attend trust mandatory training sessions and adhere to trust and departmental policies and procedures. Maintain state registration with HCPC and provide evidence of registration on request. Once considered competent to participate in the on-call, weekend, bank holiday and extended working rotas where clinically appropriate. To fully participate in whatever pattern of working is required by the service in the future. To contribute to clinical induction of hand therapy staff. To undertake other duties commensurate with the grade as requested by Team Lead. Person Specification Education, qualifications & Training Essential Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy or physiotherapy. Registered with professional body council Evidence of other relevant and recent CPD/ training pertinent to specialty. I.E BAHT level I Experience Essential Understanding of clinical governance and its implication for hand therapy Desirable Knowledge of evidenced based practice pertaining to the specialist area of hand therapy Knowledge of national guidelines and standards relevant to the specialist area of hand therapy Understanding of the legal responsibilities of the profession Minimum of 2 years wide ranging rotational experience at band 5 level including experience in the specialist area Experience of participating in audit and evidence based projects. Evidence of actively participating in in -service training and MDT groups, and evaluating effectiveness of training Skills & Competencies Essential Ability to present information, written and orally, in a clear and logical manner Ability to keep accurate and legible clinical notes. Ability to demonstrate clear depth of clinical reasoning and knowledge of assessment and interventions with those with neurological conditions, commensurate with Band 6 level Ability to work autonomously, prioritising case load effectively To show an understanding of clinical governance and its implication for the Hand Therapy service. Experience in completing local projects Evidence of supporting team members Ability to work effectively in a team environment Desirable Experience of working with patients following hand surgery, hand injury and/or rheumatology Demonstrate the ability to assess and diagnose hand conditions Ability to fabricate thermoplastic splints and good knowledge of off - shelf splints Excellent time management skills with ability to organise, prioritise and delegate. Ability to self direct learning, be critical and evaluate own learning needs, demonstrated in a CPD portfolio. IT skills, including using hospital data bases, word processing, excel, email and power point Person Specification Education, qualifications & Training Essential Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy or physiotherapy. Registered with professional body council Evidence of other relevant and recent CPD/ training pertinent to specialty. I.E BAHT level I Experience Essential Understanding of clinical governance and its implication for hand therapy Desirable Knowledge of evidenced based practice pertaining to the specialist area of hand therapy Knowledge of national guidelines and standards relevant to the specialist area of hand therapy Understanding of the legal responsibilities of the profession Minimum of 2 years wide ranging rotational experience at band 5 level including experience in the specialist area Experience of participating in audit and evidence based projects. Evidence of actively participating in in -service training and MDT groups, and evaluating effectiveness of training Skills & Competencies Essential Ability to present information, written and orally, in a clear and logical manner Ability to keep accurate and legible clinical notes. Ability to demonstrate clear depth of clinical reasoning and knowledge of assessment and interventions with those with neurological conditions, commensurate with Band 6 level Ability to work autonomously, prioritising case load effectively To show an understanding of clinical governance and its implication for the Hand Therapy service. Experience in completing local projects Evidence of supporting team members Ability to work effectively in a team environment Desirable Experience of working with patients following hand surgery, hand injury and/or rheumatology Demonstrate the ability to assess and diagnose hand conditions Ability to fabricate thermoplastic splints and good knowledge of off - shelf splints Excellent time management skills with ability to organise, prioritise and delegate. Ability to self direct learning, be critical and evaluate own learning needs, demonstrated in a CPD portfolio. IT skills, including using hospital data bases, word processing, excel, email and power point 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Address Dorset County Hospital Williams Avenue Dorchester DT1 2JY Employer's website https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)