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Job overview

We are looking to recruit a proactive full time Band 6 Orthotist. The successful candidates will be part of the Orthotic Department at Sandwell & West Birmingham (SWB) NHS Trust. The majority of our clinical work is Outpatient based at the Sandwell General Hospital (SGH) site, with some satellite clinics at the City Hospital site, Rowley Regis Hospital and Victoria Health Centre. We currently also provide Inpatient support across the three sites (Sandwell, City and Rowley). The opening of the new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital (MMUH) in Autumn 2024 will result in the majority of our inpatient work being on one site. it is an interesting and exciting time to join this Trust and develop your career. Orthotists at SWBH work closely with other teams in the Trust including; Diabetic Foot Care, Adult and Paediatric Neuro-Physiotherapists, MSK Physiotherapists and community based AHPs.

We aim to provide a high quality clinical Orthotic service. As part of our role, we are responsible for providing patient centre care with a person-centred approach to their independence and well –being. Orthotists are required to liaise with Consultants, other clinicians, Therapists, Orthotic colleagues and Managers to support the provision of an effective and efficient Orthotic service. We aim to inform our practice with recognised examples of current good practice and evidence based Orthotic approaches.

Main duties of the job

Orthotists are expected to manage their own case load of patients. This may be as a single clinician or as part of a Multi-Disciplinary team. Our practice incorporates detailed assessment, measurement, fitting and review of patients, informed by sound biomechanical and neurophysiological reasoning. We are responsible for providing appropriate advice and guidance to patients and carers, alongside clinical support to referrers, medical staff and AHPs.

As part of the role, the successful Orthotists should demonstrate an understanding of patient’s presenting pathologies together with a precise knowledge of indications and contra-indications in relation to the orthosis and the clinical condition. They will need to order the most appropriate stock orthosis or for the manufacture of custom-made orthosis with an appropriate supplier in terms of quality and cost effectiveness within the established guidelines for approved manufacturers.

Orthotists will need to ensure compliance with our local clinical governance framework and provide and maintain documented patient information. This is in line with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO) guidelines.

Working for our organisation

Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust (SWB) is an integrated care organisation with a budget of approximately £600 million and over 7,000 staff. Diversity and social care is at the core of what we do as the Trust provides Community and Acute Services to over half a million people in an urban centre that demands massive regeneration and has substantial premature mortality. 

Our new acute hospital, the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital (MMUH), opens in 2024 and will provide care to our local population from first class, purpose-built premises. As a result, the base of this role may change to MMUH from 2024 (or beyond). If this is applicable to your role, you will be informed during the recruitment process and continuing your application with this understanding. The development of the new hospital will play an important role in the regeneration of the wider area and in improving the lives of local people and reducing health inequalities. 

We have three newly emerging strategic objectives:

1. Our People – to cultivate and sustain happy, productive and engaged staff
2. Our Patients – to be good or outstanding in everything we do
3. Our Population – to work seamlessly with our partners to improve live