Advanced Practitioner/Hand Therapist

About Us

Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford). Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within people’s own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).

Our state-of-the-art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world-class care to our local communities.

Our values are at the heart of everything we do, click here to find out more

It has never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as you will help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.

Role Summary

We are looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapy Advanced Practitioner to continue to develop a Hand Therapy Service across North Devon for the surgical and non-surgical treatment of conditions relating to the hand, wrist and elbow.

About the Role

For more information on the Job Description and Responsibilities please click the link below.

More detail about the role:

The post holder should be either at Band 7 level or an experienced  Band 6 able to progress to Band 7 within 6 - 9 months. The post holder will receive a caseload of patients referred by the Orthopaedic Hand Surgeons, General Orthopaedic Surgeons, Orthopaedic Interface Service, AHPs, the Emergency Department and GPs within North Devon.

The Plastic Surgery team in Exeter, as well as the Plastic Surgery Satellite Clinic at North Devon District Hospital also refer Hand Therapy patients to the department. The post holder will be required to provide clinical supervision to other team members and training to other teams across North Devon. They'll be expected to work closely with the Hand Surgeons in clinics, providing an MDT approach to ensure high quality patient care.

You will be expected to have previous experience working in Hand Therapy, and ideally have completed a British Association of Hand Therapy accreditation, or be willing to undertake this training. You will be expected to demonstrate knowledge of conditions affecting the hand and upper limb, core assessment and treatment skills and advanced splinting skills. Further training in injections, assisting in theatre, x-ray requesting and gaining other advanced skills can be discussed with the post holder as part of their continuing professional development once they are in post.

If the successful applicant is an Occupational Therapist, there will be a requirement to cross cover the Rheumatology Outpatient Service during periods of absence.

This post will enable you to consolidate and build on skills and academic knowledge by participating in Continual Professional Development and other training opportunities. The post holder will receive regular clinical supervision. This also includes the opportunity to attend the Trust’s biannual OT and PT Professional Forum which involves Therapists from across acute, community. social care, mental health, learning disability, outpatient and paediatric services, coming together to network, learn and share best practice.

Working Pattern: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday. The post holder will be expected to work occasionally at the weekends and bank holidays to support the current Inpatient rota's.

Interview Date: Wednesday 18th September 2024

For further information please contact: Liz Richards; Therapy Service Manager - Outpatients (Northern) Clinical Support & Specialist Services Division, on lizrichards2@nhs.net

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Preference will be given to staff with ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

Benefits

Looking after you is important to us.

We strive to help our staff create a healthy work-life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.

If you are starting out in the NHS, you’ll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays.

You will benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we will help you get there.

Salary is not the only financial benefit

You will have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers. You will also have access to other benefits including:

• National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
• Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter
• Car lease schemes.
• The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
• Cycle to work scheme

These are just a few of the benefits available – if the role is something you are interested in, we would love to hear from you.