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Job description

The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital Trust is looking for an Orthotist Apprentice to join our experienced team. We specialise in assessing & managing complex problems including lower limb, spinal & congenital conditions. Utilising a collaborative approach the Orthotists work with other members of the multi-disciplinary team. We have on site manufacturing facilities which is invaluable.

The main Orthotics Department is located on the hospital site at Stanmore. A satellite clinic also operates in central London.

This is a full-time position. The successful applicant must meet the essential criteria below;

• Be able to produce certificates before interview, to evidence the Essential Qualifications listed in the PS
• Have the right to live and work in the UK, in line with government apprenticeship guidance,sponsorship cannot be offered
• Undertake enrolment activities with the HEI which includes interview, leading to a successful offer to study
• Be able to start in the Trust in December 2023.
• Commit to study the full 3 year programme , which includes one week per academic year at the University of Derby–with student accommodation available.
• Willing to attend virtual university lectures one day per week. Attendance of training at the associated HEI is considered to be essential & annual leave must be arranged outside these sessions.
• Failure to complete any aspect of the academic or clinical components within the set time scale will result in removal from the course*

An Apprentice Orthotist is a developmental role within the Therapies Directorate at the RNOH. Your job will be to support the Orthotics team with the delivery of the service whilst completing a Level 6 Apprenticeship qualification to become a registered professional.

As an apprentice, you will attend university to complete all required modules of study, and undertake some clinical placements in a non-dominant discipline. The university will be the University of Derby, whilst most provision is online – learners will be required to travel to Derby for one week per academic year, with student accommodation provided by the university.

To provide a high standard of Orthotic care to patients referred to the service. To work cohesively within the Orthotic team. To support the MDT, deliver evidence based care and ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.

The RNOH NHS Trust is the largest orthopaedic hospital in the UK and a global leader in our field. We provide a dynamic working environment where we support frontline staff to implement improvements so that we can realise our vision of being a world leading neuro musculoskeletal hospital providing the best patient care and staff experience in the NHS, delivering world leading research, and offering a strong foundation of education, training and career progression. Our dedicated staff come from diverse backgrounds, and our patients benefit from the wide range of experience they bring to the Trust. The RNOH brings unrivalled expertise together in one place allowing us to deliver some of the world's most complex and innovative care to our patients.

Main Duties and Responsibilities (to be developed over the course of the apprenticeship)

• To perform good quality assessment of patients using advanced communication skills
• To collaboratively identify patient centred goals
• Use measurement and data acquisition techniques in recording all information to ensure accuracy of patient prescriptions.
• Perform positive model rectifications as appropriate
• Perform risk assessments in the selection of components for customised devices to ensure patient safety.
• 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• To be responsible for own caseload working without direct supervision and work as an autonomous professional
• To be responsible for maintaining accurate and comprehensive patient treatment records in line with professional standards of practice and department procedure
• To liaise with other members of the RNOH multi-disciplinary team (MDT) and in other organisations to ensure the best level of care for each individual
• Promote the Orthotist role within the clinical unit by undertaking evidence based audit and research projects to further own and teams clinical practice. To promote the Orthotist role as a career option and support in recruitment of future students
• To make recommendations to the clinical lead/manager for changes to practice that could enhance patient or staff experience
• Contribute to the smooth running of the Orthotics service through regular supervision of students
• To participate in the staff appraisal scheme as the person being appraised and be responsible for complying with your agreed personal development programmes to meet set knowledge and competencies.
• Under direction, collect data for use in service audit and research projects.
• Under direction, manage and undertake research into specific areas of clinical practice and service delivery using appropriate methodologies
• Maintain, develop and record own CPD activities to ensure you strive to meet professional and service standards of care E.g. Participate in regular supervision, formal training and clinical reasoning sessions, problem case sessions and peer review. Access advice and support from senior colleagues as required
• Contribute to the learning and development of the team through IST
• Assist more CSW staff in the development of their IPR objectives
• Assist in the training and induction of new staff according to their learning needs
• Assists senior staff in presenting educational sessions to the MDT
• Shares good practice with all grades of staff formally & informally
• Provides specialist advice and education to AHP’s in other organisations who may be specialists in the field. Discuss complex queries with peers and senior staff as appropriate.
• Support the work experience programme providing the opportunity for students to observe, thereby promoting the profession
• To be aware of and comply with all RNOH policies and procedures
• To actively participate in professional and departmental duties
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade and in line with the requirement of this post including cover for administrative, managerial and clinical tasks in the temporary absence of another member of the team, as appropriate to own level of experience. This job description gives a general outline of the post and is not intended to be inflexible or a final list of duties. It may therefore be amended from time to time in consultation with the post holder.
• Be able to plan and successfully undertake the academic components of the Degree Apprenticeship course whilst continuing to achieve clinical competencies.

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship period, the apprentice will receive their Orthotic Degree Qualification from their awarding university and will be free to apply for the next Band 5 vacancy.