Specialist Hand Therapist

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Hand Therapist (either Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist) to work as part of a well-established and dynamic multi-disciplinary hand team. We seek an individual who is autonomous, forward thinking and enthusiastic.

This position offers an important opportunity and challenging career move for you to advance your clinical skills and expertise. You will manage a busy clinical caseload of non-surgically and surgically managed patients with traumatic and elective hand and upper limb injuries. Additionally, you have the opportunity to assess and manage non-surgical conditions referred from the community. You should expect to participate in local and national Hand Therapists' activities. There are opportunities for additional training.

Our large and dynamic Hand Therapy team will support the successful candidate in developing specialist hand therapy assessment, intervention and clinical decision making skills. Hand Therapy is part of the therapies directorate with a supportive and progressive management structure. Departmental objectives are founded upon the core principles of the clinical governance framework and Trust Core Values. Research activity, robust evidence based practice and national guidelines drive forward our vision and direct service delivery.

• To manage a specialist caseload of both conservatively and surgically treated plastics Inpatients and Outpatients with trauma and elective hand and upper limb injuries using clinical reasoning, critical thinking, reflection and analysis to support assessments using a client-centred approach and current evidence base to assess, treat, implement, evaluate and document Hand Therapy interventions.
• Assessments and Therapeutic interventions may occur in the Hand Therapy Department, wards, outpatient clinics.
• To be responsible for Hand Therapy interventions within Hand Therapy and Plastic Surgery.
• To develop positive and collaborative working relationships across Health and Social Care.
• To be responsible for the maintenance and development of CPD and continuous learning.
• To supervise and develop Junior Hand Therapy Staff and assistants.
• To be responsible for the education of Occupational Therapy and physiotherapy Students on Fieldwork Practice.

• Able to present information logically (written and oral).
• Able to work as part of a team, delegate and motivate others.

• Experience in treating acquired and traumatic upper limb conditions.
• Experience in fabrication of hand, wrist and forearm orthoses.
• Experience in implementing exercise programmes for UL patients.
• Post graduate Hand Therapy Outpatient experience at Band 6 level.

• Degree or equivalent Physiotherapy/Occupational Therapy.
• Post-graduate education in Hand Therapy.
• BAHT Membership.
• Accredited Hand Therapist.

Guy’s and St Thomas’ celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitably according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or studies at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity/paternity, or marital/civil partnership. Applications are welcomed from applicants with a disability. We can make reasonable adjustments and offer support and advice in a variety of ways throughout the application process. Equality of opportunity is our policy.

As an organisation we are committed to developing our services in ways that best suit the needs of our patients. This means that some staff groups will increasingly be asked to work a more flexible shift pattern so that we can offer services in the evenings or at weekends. We are committed to supporting all employees to achieve a healthy work life balance and to work in a way that is best for them and our patients. We will consider all requests to work flexibly, taking into account the individual’s personal circumstances as well as the needs of the service.

Your e-mail address is important to us - We communicate to all job applicants via the e-mail address which has been provided on the application form. Please ensure that you check your e-mail on a regular basis.

Please apply for this post by clicking "Apply Online Now."