Senior Hand Therapist
| Company: | NHS Jobs |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Negotiable |
| Hours: | Full-time |
| Location: | London, SW5 0TU |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Posting date: | 13 Aug 2026 |
| Closing date: | 31 Aug 2026 |
Summary
JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Senior Hand Therapist Job equivalent: Band 7 Reports to: Lead Occupational Therapist/ Therapy Manager Accountable to: Therapy Manager Working Hours: 37.5hrs/week Role Summary: This post is for a highly skilled Hand Therapist able to undertake all aspects of clinical duties as an autonomous practitioner. The post-holder will provide a client-centred and evidence-based service to adult and paediatric patients, mostly in an outpatient setting, but will occasionally also offer assessments and intervention to inpatients to meet their Hand Therapy needs. They will receive referrals from consultants, GPs, other clinicians, embassies, wards and self-referrals. Through experience and post-graduate training the post-holder will have developed specialist knowledge, clinical skills and confidence required for the holistic assessment and management of a variety of conditions including but not limited to soft tissue conditions, tendinopathies and fractures. They will be competent in managing post-operative wounds and scars, splint provision and fabrication, and in provision of various braces. The post-holder will be a resource for specialist advice to the MDT within their field of practice. They will actively participate in activities such as service development and quality improvement projects, business growth, clinical governance, learning and development, and supervision. They will support senior staff with their responsibilities and will work in close collaboration with the Therapies leadership team. The post-holder will establish and maintain efficient communication within the multi-disciplinary team (both internal and external) to ensure a holistic and complete duty of care. This includes verbal, non-verbal or written communication, both in expression and active listening, to facilitate accurate comprehension of information. The Hand Therapist will participate in hospital and departmental processes that support and encourage professional and personal development of yourself and your colleagues. You may be directly responsible for junior staff within your service, supporting their professional development and educational needs. The post-holder will support Bupa's vision, mission statement, code and values, and inspire others by leading by example. Clinical responsibilities To practise as an autonomous and accountable professional using reflective practice and clinical reasoning to provide each patient referred to Hand Therapy services with an individualised assessment and interventions. To be competent in managing a variety of hand conditions using a holistic approach including but not limited to soft tissue conditions, tendinopathies, fractures, wound care and scar management. To be competent in splint provision and fabrication, and confident in provision of various braces. Experienced in working in an outpatient clinic and familiar with an acute hospital setting To be an active member of the MDT that provides a high quality; evidence-based hand therapy service To obtain informed, valid consent on an ongoing basis which endeavours to keep them involved in their own health care plan. This includes education to support ongoing management. To ensure ongoing and long-term care for the patient by liaising with external support services and other clinicians. To ensure clinical effectiveness by reflecting current evidence base, national guidelines and use of outcome measures in clinical management of your caseload. To advise and prepare patients to return to work, leisure, functional, sporting, and other meaningful activities. To be responsible for the sourcing and maintenance of adequate stock levels required within your speciality and to assist with ensuring adequate stock levels in the wider Department. To comply with confidentiality policies as set out by Bupa, Cromwell Hospital, HCPC and the CSP or RCOT. To respect a patients right to be chaperoned and appropriately implement the hospital chaperone policy. To accept accountability for your clinical and non-clinical actions. To maintain accurate, comprehensive, and timely patient treatment records which include recording if a patient could not be seen/was not seen. To ensure compliance with company charging policies for the Therapy department and to be responsible for the completion of thorough and accurate charging documentation. To always manage clinical risk within your caseload and ensure potential clinical risk is effectively communicated and managed. To always promote dignity, privacy, and safety, with particular consideration of the patients cultural, spiritual, and personal needs and preferences. To maintain the highest standards of professional expertise and efficiency. To keep abreast of the latest evidence within your specialty to maintain best clinical practise To be aware of the limitations of your own clinical practice/experience and seek support appropriately. Leadership To support the Therapy Manager and other senior staff with their duties and responsibilities and to contribute to the smooth running of the Therapy department. To participate in the hospitals appraisal system and ensure a structured supervision programme. To provide guidance, support, mentorship, coaching to your colleagues and to assist with supervision of others when required. To promote opportunities for team and service development, and the Hand Therapy scope within the Hospital. To be visible and proactive for your team and in the wider hospital, including any specialty MDTs, symposia and GP events To actively contribute to recruitment and staff retention within the Therapy department To assist in the implementation of policies and strategies which aim to improve Therapy and Hospital services for all. To provide sound clinical opinion to support strategic development of clinical services as required by Management including revenue generating and cost saving initiatives. To participate in creating and developing specialist Standard Operating Procedures, clinical pathways and information handouts with the wider therapy team To provide an efficient and appropriately flexible service with appropriately managed staffing levels To participate in clinical audit and quality assurance programmes within the Therapy Department and Cromwell Hospital. To participate in hospital-guided projects and innovations as required. To support responsible utilisation of the Therapy Department budget. To assist in the promotion and marketing of the Therapy Services. This includes participation in appropriate internal and external marketing activities, in conjunction with the Marketing Department. To participate in the induction of new staff members as required. To behave in a way that promotes the participation of all colleagues to enhance the individual attributes and collective strengths of the team. To initiate, promote and adhere to all hospital and departmental policies and procedures To endeavour to achieve effective communication in all your interactions with patients, clients, and colleagues. To utilise support systems in the Hospital in the event of exposure to distressing circumstances. To accurately utilise the Hospital's charging systems for treatment and equipment provided. To endeavour to prevent or diffuse potentially hostile and antagonistic situations with staff, patients and relatives and other visitors to the department. To make reasonable efforts to manage verbal complaints in the department and to utilise hospital systems and procedures for reporting and managing customer feedback including concerns and formal complaints. To ensure accurate recording of appropriate departmental data as required by Management. To inspire others through your actions. PERSON SPECIFICATION Attribute Expectation Qualification & Registration Essential HCPC registration Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy qualification Enhanced DBS clearance Desirable Member of regulatory body and/or a specialist interest group BAHT qualification Experience, Knowledge & Competencies Essential Proven experience as a Hand Therapist with knowledge, skills and competencies in all aspects of Hand Therapy. Advanced and confident splinting competencies incl. both provision and fabrication of splints, and provision of finger/hand/wrist orthoses/braces. Experience with wound care and scar management Awareness of current evidence pertaining to Hand Therapy and application to clinical practice Sound anatomy and physiology understanding and knowledge. Experience of using outcome measures UK work experience Evidence of ongoing CPD Record of mandatory training Participation in governance and service development activities Sound computer skills Commitment to multi-disciplinary teamwork Knowledge of health and safety issues in a therapy setting Personality Essential Reflects and embodies Bupas values Brave, Caring, Responsible Honest, open-minded, ethical and treats colleagues with dignity and respect. Able to work under pressure and remain calm. Self-motivated and able to inspire and engage others Enthusiastic with the desire to be involved and develop in role Leads by example