Job Description

Would you like to work within a welcoming team in a fantastic location in the South West? Would you like a flexible approach to your clinics for a healthier work/ life balance?Dorset County Hospital Hand Therapy Service wishes 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 being 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.We are truly an integrated team who are Hand Therapists first and foremost. We have a wide scope of practice within our specialty providing patient centred care. Through CPD, research, and audit, the department is committed to advancing the service to meet the future needs of its surrounding community.The applicant will hold a BSc in Physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy or equivalent UK recognised qualification. They should have a broad range of experience in hand therapy ideally at a band 7 level (but Band 6 or 6-7 would be considered). The successful applicant must also display a confident approach to all clinical situations, be well organised, an excellent communicator at all levels.Hours: 30 hours per week ideally over 4 daysFor more information please contact: nicola.green@dchft.nhs.uk, 01305254408Main duties of the jobo The specialist hand therapist is an experienced clinician who carries and independently manages a full specialist clinical caseload. They are responsible for supervising designated members of staff within the specialist team.o As the Team Lead, the post holder participates in a rolling programme of education, clinical evaluation, audit and research across the speciality.o 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.o To fully participate in whatever pattern of working is required by the service in the future.o The postholder may be required to work at weekends on a roster basis should the service need.o Once deemed competent the post holder will be required to participate in weekend working.About usAt 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 staffOur 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 posted28 April 2025Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 7Salaryxc2xa346,148 to xc2xa352,809 a year Pro Rata Per AnnumContractPermanentWorking patternPart-timeReference number405-25-AHP199HANJob locationsDorset County Hospital, Therapy Department.Williams AvenueDorchesterDT1 2JYJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesOur DCHFT and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.Please contact us at Recruitment@dchft.nhs.uk if you are unable to view or download the attachment.For all our roles, we are looking for staff who hold our Trust Values of Integrity, Respect Teamwork and Excellence, and who are passionate about providing the best patient care. To read more about our Trust and our Values search Dorset County Hospital online. Job descriptionJob responsibilitiesOur DCHFT and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. When completing your application please make sure to tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification.Please contact us at Recruitment@dchft.nhs.uk if you are unable to view or download the attachment.For all our roles, we are looking for staff who hold our Trust Values of Integrity, Respect Teamwork and Excellence, and who are passionate about providing the best patient care. To read more about our Trust and our Values search Dorset County Hospital online.Person SpecificationEducation, Qualifications and TrainingEssential

• Diploma or Degree in an Allied Health Profession
• Registered with HCPC

Desirable

• Undertaken a range of relevant postgraduate courses ie: BAHT level I or 2
• Professional body member
• Member of Special Interest Group
• Undertaken clinical educators training

Knowledge and ExperienceEssential

• Experience in the specialist area i.e. minimum experience at band 6 level in hand therapy department for 2-3 years

Desirable

• B7 hand therapy experience
• 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
• 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 clinical governance and its implication for hand therapy
• Awareness and understanding of NHS structure, current issues and developments
• Understanding of the legal responsibilities of the profession
• Experience in managing limited resources and high workloads
• Experience of supervision and appraisal of junior staff and students with ability to give constructive feedback

Skills and AbilitiesEssential

• Experience of working with patients following hand surgery, hand injury and/or rheumatology
• The ability to discuss clinical reasoning in the management of complex hand/wrist cases
• Ability to fabricate thermoplastic splints and good knowledge of off-shelf splints

Desirable

• Demonstrate the ability to assess and diagnose hand/wrist conditions
• Formulate and carry out effective treatment plans and progress appropriately in a timely manner for hand/wrist conditions
• The ability to identify and act upon adverse clinical signs
• Able to communicate complex information to patients, carers other health professionals and team
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment
• 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
• Able to provide a high standard of clear concise, written and verbal reports in English
• Good teaching and presentation skills
• IT skills, including using hospital data bases, word processing, excel, email and power point
• Ability to manage own stress and work in a stressful and unpredictable environment. To show empathy and fairness to give support to others
• Self motivated with a clear vision of the role
• Demonstrate professional independence
• Work across sites in a flexible manner and adapt to changing environments
• Physically fit and able to comply with Trusts moving and handling guidelines, therapeutic handling
• Professional manner and appearance
• Available for on-call, weekend duties and altered working patterns where clinically appropriate

Person SpecificationEducation, Qualifications and TrainingEssential

• Diploma or Degree in an Allied Health Profession
• Registered with HCPC

Desirable

• Undertaken a range of relevant postgraduate courses ie: BAHT level I or 2
• Professional body member
• Member of Special Interest Group
• Undertaken clinical educators training

Knowledge and ExperienceEssential

• Experience in the specialist area i.e. minimum experience at band 6 level in hand therapy department for 2-3 years

Desirable

• B7 hand therapy experience
• 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
• 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 clinical governance and its implication for hand therapy
• Awareness and understanding of NHS structure, current issues and developments
• Understanding of the legal responsibilities of the profession
• Experience in managing limited resources and high workloads
• Experience of supervision and appraisal of junior staff and students with ability to give constructive feedback

Skills and AbilitiesEssential

• Experience of working with patients following hand surgery, hand injury and/or rheumatology
• The ability to discuss clinical reasoning in the management of complex hand/wrist cases
• Ability to fabricate thermoplastic splints and good knowledge of off-shelf splints

Desirable

• Demonstrate the ability to assess and diagnose hand/wrist conditions
• Formulate and carry out effective treatment plans and progress appropriately in a timely manner for hand/wrist conditions
• The ability to identify and act upon adverse clinical signs
• Able to communicate complex information to patients, carers other health professionals and team
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment
• 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
• Able to provide a high standard of clear concise, written and verbal reports in English
• Good teaching and presentation skills
• IT skills, including using hospital data bases, word processing, excel, email and power point
• Ability to manage own stress and work in a stressful and unpredictable environment. To show empathy and fairness to give support to others
• Self motivated with a clear vision of the role
• Demonstrate professional independence
• Work across sites in a flexible manner and adapt to changing environments
• Physically fit and able to comply with Trusts moving and handling guidelines, therapeutic handling
• Professional manner and appearance
• Available for on-call, weekend duties and altered working patterns where clinically appropriate

NHS