Clinical Equipment Advisor Occupational Therapist

This is an exciting new position within the Clinical Equipment advice team (based at Medequip). The role supports the clinical management of the Community Equipment Service, assisting equipment prescribers across multiple professions and organisations to deliver an effective community equipment service.

Main duties:

• Review and authorise equipment orders and re-issuances.
• Assist with the facilitation of community equipment training programmes.
• Provide high level support and advice from a therapeutic/nursing perspective, including in‑person assessments where required.
• Contribute to service development, evidence‑based audit and maintain clinical practice within the specialism.
• Make recommendations to the Clinical Lead that may lead to changes in practice or service protocols.
• Maintain autonomy as a practitioner, being personally, professionally and legally accountable for the services provided to patients and for Associate Practitioners, Care and Therapy Support workers.
• Develop and maintain close working relationships with Medequip and multi‑agency prescribers.

Job responsibilities:

• Review and authorise equipment requests from multiple professions and organisations, deputising for the Clinical Lead in their absence, and supporting resource management.
• Support the Clinical Lead with service development and audit.
• Provide expert clinical support to the multi‑disciplinary team concerning community equipment.
• Support governance and incident management related to community equipment.
• Collaborate with Medequip to ensure high service quality.
• Assist in the delivery and content of community equipment training.
• Develop high‑quality relationships with equipment prescribers from NHS, ICB and local authorities, including education.
• Maintain a high level of product knowledge.

Person specification:

• Statutory Registration: HCPC registered Occupational Therapist, Member of appropriate professional bodies.
• Qualifications: BSc Occupational Therapy, Evidence of CPD, including attendance at recent postgraduate courses relevant to the clinical fields in the specialism, Understanding of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust culture, strategic direction, achievements and NHS standing, Involvement in specific interest groups.
• Experience: Comprehensive and relevant qualified experience in physical rehabilitation, including recent general rehabilitation experience, Experience of collaborative working within multidisciplinary teams, Evidence of communication skills in a variety of settings, Experience in staff appraisal, Experience in working in a variety of settings, Experience of crisis management, Experience in delivering training/public speaking.
• Special Skills & Knowledge: In‑depth and up‑to‑date knowledge of assessment and treatment of a wide range of physical disabilities, Understanding of, and ability to manage, mental health and psychosocial issues related to rehabilitation, Knowledge of community equipment service, Remain updated with professional practice and new research, Understand clinical governance and its implications for services, including experience of quality issues and audit, Understand and comply with the Trust’s policies on data protection, equal opportunities, health and safety, Ability to perform moderate to intense physical effort throughout the working day and carry out concurrent activities, Ability to cope with a stressful environment and deal with emotional or aggressive patients and carers, Ability to work independently, organise, prioritise and delegate workload to meet service demands, Understand legal responsibilities of the profession, Evidence of self‑directed learning and critical appraisal skills, Commitment, motivation and flexibility within a multidisciplinary service.

Special Requirements:

• Ability to travel and carry small items of equipment on a daily basis.
• Driving posts must have a valid full UK driving licence.
• Ability to meet physical demands of the post.
• Commitment, motivation and flexibility within a multidisciplinary service.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check to confirm no prior convictions.

EEO Statement: County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust welcomes applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates, who are currently under‑represented.