Senior Orthotist in Plymouth

To provide orthotic clinical input across the organisation and to partner organisations. Give clinical and professional advice to relevant multi-disciplinary teams regarding appropriate orthotic provision for patients. To participate in the implementation of relevant care pathways within the prosthetic profession. To participate with relevant clinical competency frameworks and essential training for the orthotic service and others as required when linked to the profession.

Responsibilities

• Accept referrals from medical and healthcare professionals and undertake clinical assessment and examination of patients to provide suitable highly specialist orthotic clinical-technical prescriptions for patients with a wide range of presentations including complex patients.
• Contribute to discussion around and development of clinical procedures, protocols, guidelines and policies that support evidence-based or best practice for the orthotic profession in line with current organisational policy.
• Use a range of measurement and data acquisition techniques in recording all pertinent information to ensure accuracy of patient prescriptions.
• Specify the design, componentry, materials, fabrication method and suppliers of orthoses and order individual items to meet the patient's clinical needs.
• Perform mechanical and technical adjustments to orthoses; perform positive model and CAD/CAM rectifications as appropriate.
• Evaluate the completed device on the patient to ensure the desired quality of body-device interface, functional alignment, comfort, cosmetic appearance and mechanical integrity and safety; re-evaluate at service agreed time intervals.
• Provide verbal, visual and written information, explanation and highly specialised clinical advice to the patient and/or carers at every stage of device provision for informed consent.
• Report patient adverse incidents related to the provision of orthoses to maintain patient safety and engage in national reporting and monitoring procedures for specialised medical devices.
• Advise and maintain effective liaison with technical support personnel including assistance with training to ensure best current technical practice in meeting patients’ needs.
• Use negotiation and counselling skills to communicate complex, sensitive and emotional information and overcome barriers to understanding for groups including at-risk individuals, the terminally ill, vulnerable individuals, stroke patients, the learning disabled, the deaf and hard of hearing, those with poor communication skills, non-English speakers, and those with another primary language.
• Be accountable for the direct delivery of service by providing holistic evidence-based practice to patients and carers, promoting maximum independence and quality of life in a changing environment.
• Work in partnership with multi-professional agencies to achieve positive patient outcomes and promote this throughout the clinical team.
• Utilise specialised clinical skills appropriate to individual patients and exercise high-level judgement, discretion and decision making in clinical care.
• Triage and accept appropriate routine and urgent referrals directly from other disciplines, patients, carers, and the public; refer to other agencies where appropriate and prioritise referrals accordingly.
• Undertake comprehensive risk assessments to ensure patient and carer safety; preserve confidentiality and abide by data protection, access to health records and consent for treatment.
• Line-manage junior team members as required, supported by the clinical lead orthotist/principal orthotist; contribute to the learning environment and development within the department.
• Act as a resource and assist in teaching knowledge and clinical skills for other healthcare professionals; act as mentor for new staff and students, including induction and training programs.
• Participate in recruitment and selection of new staff; maintain effective working relationships with service managers and staff to ensure service efficiency.
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive documentation in line with legal and service requirements as an autonomous practitioner; communicate assessment outcomes through reports and letters; keep patient records in accordance with HCPC policy and local guidelines.
• Report accidents, complaints, equipment defects, near misses and incidents following Trust procedures; support accurate clinical activity data recording for reporting.
• Contribute to risk management and ensure line management and appraisal documentation is completed for team members; carry out risk assessments and record on the organisation’s risk register.
• Maintain and update risks on the risk register; adhere to Livewell Southwest policies; contribute to analysis of clinical incidents and implement learning outcomes.
• Support clinical leaders in health, safety and security; provide feedback on procedures, policies, audit guidelines and NICE guidance; support implementation into practice and drive clinical service improvements.
• Monitor new evidence and implement research-based recommendations to improve patient care; maintain links with professional and voluntary bodies to maximise service effectiveness.
• Partake in audit and research within own specialty; be aware of budget constraints when planning care and consider budgets when prescribing equipment and components; ensure safe stock use.
• Ensure equipment is checked, report defects and advise stores on low stock; exercise cost-effective use of equipment and resources.
• Contribute to resource governance and manage own time in line with caseload demands; attend various sites as necessary and participate in annual appraisal and development plans.
• Remain updated and competent; maintain HCPC registration and abide by professional conduct and guidelines.
• Participate in clinical supervision and peer support; contribute to Quality Assurance systems and ensure Health & Safety compliance across policies including Manual Handling, COSHH, Infection Control, incident reporting and risk management.

Qualifications and Standards

• Maintain professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council; comply with the HCPC Standards of Conduct.
• Practice in accordance with relevant professional guidelines and best practice frameworks as applicable.
• Documentation of all activities should align with organisational policy and relevant legal requirements.