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Job summary

Main area
Orthotics
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 4
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
224-PA20240501627
Employer
The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopeadic Hospital
Town
Gobowen, Oswestry
Salary
£25,147 - £27,596 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
Today at 23:59
Interview date
05/08/2024

Employer heading

The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust logo

Orthotic Technician

NHS AfC: Band 4

Here at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Trust, we are very proud of our reputation for providing outstanding care to our patients. Our continued success is accomplished through the skills and expertise of our staff, which is underpinned by our values: Friendly, Caring, Excellence, Professional and Respect. If your values align to ours, and you would like to join us in aspiring to deliver world class patient care, we would love to hear from you.

Job overview

The Orthotic service provides the assessment and provision of equipment and on-going care for individuals requiring external bracing supports. This key role within the Production department would suit a technically efficient person with good hand, machine and manufacturing skills.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker Sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. Job seekers should be aware that not all roles will be eligible for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. For further information visit UK Visas and Immigration - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Main duties of the job

The role comprises of the fabrication of a wide range of bespoke medical devices 'Orthoses'. Relevant experience within in a similar environment would be desirable however training both internal and external would be provided.

The post holder will produce/manufacture custom made Orthoses/ Podiatry appliances, repair, and adapt custom and semi custom made Orthoses and will produce positive and negative casts used for the manufacture of Orthotic/Podiatry custom made devices, as prescribed by the professional staff.

The post holder will be able to demonstrate excellent hand skills with an attention to detail while working under pressure to meet the departments service demands.

The post holder will be working as part of an established multi-skilled production team and will be working in all areas of the manufacture process.

The successful candidate will have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively within a multi-disciplinary team working closely with technical, clinical and administrative staff.

Working for our organisation

The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic NHS Trust (RJAH) is one of the leading orthopaedic hospitals in the country, with some of the highest levels of staff and patient satisfaction, as well as a strong reputation for research and innovation.

Joining RJAH is more than just a job – we want our people to have the best opportunities to thrive in their role. 

We have a range of fantastic staff benefits on offer to everyone who joins RJAH and you'll have access to outstanding professional development opportunities and state-of-the-art facilities – including our recently-opened £6 million Headley Court Veterans’ Orthopaedic Centre (the first unit of its kind in the UK).

RJAH has strong links with a range of universities including Staffordshire, Keele, Glyndwr, Chester and Birmingham.

The hospital is located on a site outside Oswestry in Oswestry, just off the A5. The nearest train station is in Gobowen, approximately two miles from the hospital. The station is part of the Chester to Birmingham line.

We are based in North Shropshire, close to the border with North and Mid Wales. It is one of the most attractive parts of the country, with a rich historic culture and excellent transport links. It offers outstanding opportunities for anyone who enjoys an outdoor lifestyle or is looking to raise a family.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

1. Evaluate interpret and analyse orders /requirements , specification sheets and prescriptions from customers to manufacture Orthoses/appliances which meet current MHRSA, European Legislation and Departmental Quality assurance standards.
2. Manufacture complex devices such as KAFOs and CCDs and a complete range of Orthoses using appropriate work procedures for all skeletal areas, including routine & non routine devices. 
3. Plans and prioritise own work load and that of other technicians in the absence of the orthotic production manager, also ensure lead times for production are adhered to.
4. Carry out “on the spot” (done on day-DOD) repairs, adaptations whilst patient waits and ensure delivery of goods to relevant clinical area, as requested by line manager, clinician or administration staff.
5 Prepare and maintain a conducive work environment and confirm the work area is in a fit and ready state for production.
6. Ensure a professional working relationship is provided to Orthotists/Podiatrists, by means of offering advice of specific requirements to meet the needs to produce orthotic devices. Also by attending a number of Orthotic/Podiatry clinics to supervise the Orthotist/Podiatrist and offer this advice of particular devices 
for the patient, including those patients with distressing conditions and special needs.
7. Move and handle devices, casts, components and materials in an appropriate and safe manner which is consistent with current legal and organisational requirements.
8. Ensure equipment and machinery is clean, set correctly and in working order, reporting defects to line manager.
9. Dispose of waste both clinical and industrial, in a suitable container in an environmentally safe manner.
10. Produce positive casts using the appropriate type of material.
11. Identify all relevant anatomical land marks accurately and in detail. Rectify casts which meet the prescription and have the potential to achieve the required function for the user.
12. Confirm the completed cast is free from defects is rectified to provide the correct bio mechanical forces required from the completed device.
13. Act as an intermediary to the clinical staff concerning any queries regarding orders/ specifications / incorrect or of any defects of the negative cast(s) raised by the technical staff and advising the clinical 
staff of any alternative suggestions.
14. Identify and select the components to meet the function of the device
15. Accurately fit components and material to positive cast(s) and or device, confirm their fit, security and compliance with the functional and aesthetic requirement of the prescription and user.
16. Clearly and accurately identify the cast(s) and or a device with the user’s unique reference number, ensuring identification remains consistent during production of device 
17. Evaluate the type of machinery and cutting implements for trimming and finishing the appropriate type of material during construction of the device.
18. Evaluate the finished device for its freedom of defects functional effectiveness, fit to cast / pattern or profile before, correcting any defects before the device is sent for inspection.
19. Apply production techniques and methods that are consistent with the assessed risks and reduce possibility of contamination from hazardous substances.
20. Complete relevant inspection documentation for each order, to meet QA requirements.
21. Minimise any likelihood of damage to surrounding tissue of the user.
22. Asses fastening requirements and evaluate location, once applied confirm strength and integrity of the fastening method selected.
23. Effectively clean and disinfect devices returned from user for repair or adaptation.
24. Produce devices using safe working practice methods, departmental technical data and work instructions as outlined in relevant manuals.
25. Carry out regular stock level checks of all manufacturing products ensuring all stocks levels are correct and order any shortages in the absence of the Production manager check in all order deliveries, authorise payment of invoices.
26. Impart technical knowledge of work processes to subordinates to assist with skill mixing in the department.
27. Comply with all aspects of current relevant Health and safety, manual handling and COSHH legislation.
28. Demonstrate own activities and provide spontaneous advice to fellow technicians and supervise their work where their knowledge is restricted to a particular process or resource.
29. Liaise with Production manager and administration assistant to ensure all devices meet the production lead times and all appointed orders are despatched prior to the appointment to all clinics including RTT appointments.
30. In the absence of the production manager ensure all completed devices are compliant with the specification sheet and meet the required standard set out in the department’s quality assurance 
procedure.

Person specification

Qualifications/Training

Essential criteria
  • Completion of NVQ Level 3
  • Orthotic manufacturing based training
  • GCSE Maths and English C or above or equivalent experience
Desirable criteria
  • Level 3 NEBSM or equivalent supervisory certificate

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Minimum 5 years manufacturing complex Orthotic Devices
  • Effective written & verbal communicator
  • Exchanges technical orthotic/podiatry information relating to patient/client requirements
  • Experience of working with patients. Analyse requirements for a large range of orthotic devices

Skills and Competencies

Essential criteria
  • Highly skilled at Orthotic manufacturing. Including cast rectification, working with all types of thermoplastics
  • Excellent organisational & time management skills. Experience using high speed machinery
  • Use of hand tools for precision cutting, shaping and assembly of componentsHighly developed precision hand/eye co-ordination and good attention to detail
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills to work alongside a range of other professionals
Desirable criteria
  • To have an understanding knowledge of Orthotic Administration systems
  • IT skills/ Presentation skills/ Audit/data collection skills
  • To be able to work within a team

Knowledge (including specialist or technical knowledge required)

Essential criteria
  • Basic knowledge of upper and lower limb anatomy and Physiology
  • Extensive knowledge of material science and manufacturing process
  • Practical knowledge of manufacturing of orthotics, use of tools acquired through training
  • Provide training and technical knowledge to other Orthotic Technicians
Desirable criteria
  • Current NHS issues
  • Knowledge of complex orthotic components
  • Good organisation and time management skills

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveCare quality commission - GoodArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardDisability confident committedStep into healthHappy to Talk Flexible WorkingArmed Forces Covenant

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Steven Bishton
Job title
Technical Lead
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01691 404627
Additional information

Or contact Ben Parrish

[email protected]

01691 404627

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