Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 3 Surgical Appliance Officer to join our team.



This role will be based across our services at both University Hospital Lewisham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital.



You will join a small and enthusiastic team of administrators who are passionate about Orthotic care. You will also work alongside our team of Orthotists from an external provider and be supported by the Deputy Head of and Head of Podiatry and Orthotics. We offer regular supervision, team meetings and opportunity for protected learning time.

PLEASE NOTE:

We are unable to offer sponsorship for this post



To provide administrative support for the Orthotics Service, ensuring all the correct procedures are carried out with regard to the appointing of patients, preparation of clinic sessions, ordering of orthotics and processing invoices



To ensure all patient records are maintained and available on request



To be responsible for the collection of prescription charges from patients, adhering to the Trusts 'standing financial instructions'



Ordering and receiving orthotics and surgical appliance products



Fitting of a limited range of orthotic products



To work across sites (QEH & UHL) providing appropriate support to the lead Surgical appliances officers and absence cover

PLEASE NOTE:

We are unable to offer sponsorship for this post



Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:



Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development



Widening access (anchor institution) and employability



Improving the experience of staff with disability



Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development



Making equalities mainstream

Key Result Areas & Performance::

Day to day running of surgical appliances



To deal effectively with correspondence, telephone enquiries and queries from patients, contractors, trust staff and other referrers to the service



Act as a liaison between the patient, orthotist and referrer



Contribute to and support the completion of monthly order reports



Use the Trusts patient administration system for booking and outcoming appointments



Administrative support for the Orthotics Service



Organise patients products for that days work



Liaise with specialist contractors to arrange wig fitting clinics



Patient care



Responsible for fitting a limited range of orthotics products (e.g: wrist splints and tennis elbow straps)



Maintain patient records



Maintain the Trusts patient administration system



To promptly initiate action following the patients attendance at the clinic e.g. the raising of any necessary orders



Maintain the patients records including the input of data/orders onto relevant spreadsheets



Maintain the patients paper record file



Collection of prescription charges



Collect prescription charges from patients when appropriate, ensuring all issues/payments are correctly documented



Advise patients on entitlement to exemption from prescription charges ensuring all official forms are completed



Ordering and receiving orthotic products



Check that the scheduled items on order, conform to the description given by the prescriber



Follow the departments ordering and receipting process, using SBS oracle and appropriate excel spreadsheets. Ensuring all goods are ordered and receipted in a timely manner.



Monitor the progress of outstanding orders, ensuring their timely delivery is on schedule and any delays brought to the attention of the lead surgical appliances officer any potential delays that may impact on patient care



Work force



To work as a Band 3 Surgical appliances officer, under the guidance and support of band 5 & 4 surgical appliances officers,



To provide care (fitting of wrist/elbow splints) in a clinical setting, which will involve at times the ability to work unsupervised:



To have the necessary skills to support the orthotist in the movement and handling of patients who maybe wheelchair or bed-bound,



To be responsible for the day-to-day co-ordination and management of orthotist clinics. This will involve maintaining good working relations and communication with the orthotists.



To monitor and ensure adequate stock, levels are maintained.



To actively participate in the appraisal process and the development of a Personal Development Plan.



To deputise for the lead surgical appliances officer as required



Financial



To monitor the use of stick, ensuring the lead surgical appliance officers are informed of any shortages, and ordering any necessary items during their absence



To be aware of the cost of, whilst ensuring effective and efficient use of all consumables



Partnerships - Communications and Relationships



To work effectively and efficiently with the senior surgical appliances officers and contracted orthotists



To communicate effectively with all service users (Patients, Carers, Medical Practitioners, Nursing staff, Allied Health Professionals), providing information to all in an appropriate manner.



To use Information Technology to enhance communication (for example using the Trusts internal email network



To be able to listen effectively and take account of others points of view.



To effectively manage patients complaints, trying to resolve locally at the point of contact, escalating those that cannot be resolved locally



To deal with distressed or angry patients either face to face or over the telephone



General



To work across both Trust sites in University Hospital Lewisham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital



To be willing to travel between sites during the working day.



Good IT skills (Xcel, word and patient administration systems)



To wear identification badge at all times whilst on duty



The post holder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the Trusts' equal opportunities, confidentiality and all other policies and procedures.



To carry out any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post. This is an outline job description and should not be regarded as an inflexible specification. Priorities may change in line with service needs and new duties introduced after consultation with the post holder