Advanced Practitioner (Physiotherapist/Occupational Therapist) Hand & Plastics

teri.loftus@nhs.net - Therapy service lead for Hands & Burns

henry.lusby@nhs.net - Physiotherapy advanced practitioner clinical for Hand Therapy

laura.cooper39@nhs.net - Occupational Therapy Advanced Practitioner for Hand Therapy.

About The Role

We need a Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist to help make a real difference in specialist hand trauma and rehabilitation.

Are you an experienced Hand Therapist looking for an opportunity to work at an advanced level within a dynamic, multidisciplinary team? We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled clinician to play a leading role in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and ongoing management of patients with acute hand trauma and complex hand conditions.

The role requires a minimum of 27 hours worked over 3 days per week, with the option to work up to 33.5 hours worked over 4 days per week. Availability on both Monday and Friday is essential.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a forward-thinking service where you will work alongside Plastic Surgeons, Therapists, Emergency Department teams and wider multidisciplinary colleagues to deliver exceptional patient care and shape future service development.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and forward-thinking clinician who can demonstrate:

• Significant post-registration experience in hand therapy and upper limb rehabilitation
• Work
• Advanced assessment, diagnostic and clinical reasoning skills
• Experience managing complex and acute hand trauma patients
• The ability to work autonomously whilst recognising the limits of professional scope of practice
• Excellent communication and multidisciplinary working skills
• A commitment to evidence-based practice, continuous learning and service improvement
• Experience providing supervision, mentorship and clinical leadership.
  
  

In return, we offer

• The opportunity to work within a highly specialised hand therapy and plastics service
• Close collaboration with expert surgical and multidisciplinary colleagues
• Support for advanced practice development and ongoing professional development
• Opportunities to influence service design and innovation
• A rewarding role where you can make a significant impact on patient outcomes and recovery
  
  

If you are passionate about delivering outstanding hand therapy care, leading service development, and working at the forefront of advanced clinical practice, we would love to hear from you.

Main duties

As an Advanced Hand Therapist, you will provide expert assessment and management of patients referred to the Hand Therapy Service, taking a key role in delivering high-quality, evidence-based care across the patient pathway.

You will independently assess patients, establish clinical diagnoses, formulate advanced management plans and determine the most appropriate treatment pathway based on patient need, clinical urgency and complexity. Working within an agreed competency framework, you will utilise advanced clinical reasoning skills to ensure patients receive timely, effective and person-centred care.

The role offers the opportunity to work at an advanced level, including:

• Assessment and management of complex hand trauma and upper limb conditions
• Advanced clinical decision-making and diagnosis
• Interpretation of diagnostic imaging, blood tests and neurophysiology investigations
• Requesting and progressing investigations to support diagnosis and treatment planning
• Non-Medical Prescribing (where qualified and appropriate)
• Discussing surgical options with patients and supporting surgical decision-making within agreed competencies
• Leading the acute hand trauma pathway for patients referred through Emergency Department and Plastic Surgery services
• Delivering follow-up care and specialist rehabilitation to maximise patient outcomes
  
  

Leadership and Service Development

This position offers the opportunity to influence and shape specialist hand therapy services.

You Will

• Demonstrate and role model inclusive attitudes and behaviours to pro-actively initiate and develop relationships, fostering clarity of roles within teams, to encourage productive working.
• Provide expert clinical leadership, supervision and support to therapy colleagues
• Contribute to competency development and professional growth of the wider therapy team
• Share specialist knowledge and create learning opportunities across the multidisciplinary team
• Support the development of clinical pathways, protocols and service improvements in line with current evidence and national guidance
• Build and maintain excellent working relationships with Plastic Surgery, Emergency Department and wider clinical teams to ensure seamless patient care
  
  

Essential Person Specification Requirements

Degree in relevant therapy profession or equivalent and registered with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC)

Educated to Master’s degree level in advanced clinical practice or equivalent level of experience in a specialist area including having relevant Master’s modules.

All health and care professionals working at the advanced practice level are expected to have developed the knowledge, understanding and skills required to meet all the capabilities outlined in the Advanced Practice framework. These capabilities define a consistent standard of practice across professions, roles and settings, ensuring uniformity and fostering confidence in the development and deployment of the advanced practice workforce.

The Expected Capabilities Are Organised Under 4 Pillars

There is an expectation to achieve The Centre of Advancing Practice Digital Badge if not obtained already.

Desirable

Independent prescriber (if applicable to profession or willingness to complete)

Management/leadership course

Research qualification

Injection therapy qualification or willingness to complete.

Be part of MY team

We are an acute trust caring for over one million people in Wakefield and Kirklees. Our 10,000 staff work in patients’ homes, the community, and our three hospitals in Pontefract, Dewsbury, and Pinderfields (Wakefield). We prioritise our people and values so we can deliver the best possible care to patients. Our team is friendly, passionate, and innovative, always seeking better ways to work.

We support work-life balance and foster a diverse, inclusive environment where everyone belongs. Our staff networks offer safe spaces to share ideas and concerns so we can increase awareness and appreciation of equality, diversity, and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and especially encourage members of the LGBTQ+ community, ethnic minority groups, and people with disabilities or neurodivergence to apply, as they are currently underrepresented in the Trust.

If you value caring, high standards, improvement, and respect, join the MY team to make a difference every day.

Application Guidance

We understand that more applicants are using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to help with their applications. While these tools can be useful, they cannot fully capture your skills, knowledge, and experience. It’s important that you personalise your application. Relying solely on AI is not recommended, as it may reduce your chances of success. Our screening process is thorough, so if you have used AI, please make sure to disclose this on your application form.

Application Tips

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Our Benefits

• Access to the NHS pension plan
• Generous holiday allowance of 27 days plus bank holidays, increasing with 5 and 10 years of service
• Exceptional employee health and wellbeing services
• Extensive benefits and support, including:
• Onsite nurseries and childcare salary sacrifice scheme
• Home electronics scheme
• Cycle to work scheme - subject to eligibility criteria
• Car lease salary sacrifice scheme - subject to eligibility criteria
• Working carers support and advice, carers network and carers passport
• Flexible working options and family and carer-friendly policies
• Established staff networks, including LGBTQ+ and Race Equality
• Career progression, training and support
  
  

Skilled worker sponsorship

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