Therapist - Postural Management and Wheelchairs

Overview

Go back South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Therapist - Postural Management and Wheelchairs

The closing date is 19 February 2026

We are looking for an Occupational or Physiotherapist with relevant experience to work as part of the Gateshead Wheelchair Services Team. It is a fixed-term contract until 23 December 2026 to cover maternity leave and would also be an excellent secondment opportunity for a therapist to build on previous experience working in WCS. It is a full-time role, 37.5 hours a week working Monday to Friday.

You will work with clients of all ages with long-term mobility problems across settings including clinic and community. You will have your own clinical caseload and will work with clients, their families, other health professionals, Rehabilitation Engineers and other product specialists. You will assess service users who need manual or powered wheelchairs for long-term use, including physical abilities, lifestyle, environmental factors and any specialist postural and seating needs, and will select and configure equipment to meet these needs.

You will demonstrate safe and effective wheelchair use, including transfers and propelling techniques, to service users and their support staff. You will also triage referrals, plan the rota of work for the team, support training delivery and assist supervision of student placements. You will be responsible for ensuring that all mandatory training is up to date and undertake appropriate CPD in line with the role.

Providing clinical input to wheelchair services, working closely with service users, their families and carers and the multi-disciplinary teams supporting service users.

Work as an autonomous practitioner, managing a caseload including complex service users.

Demonstrate clinical competence, effectiveness and best practice in all areas of clinical service delivery, including -

• Triage.
• Clinical interventions, including assessment of mobility, posture and pressure care needs, prescription, review, and handover/set up of prescribed equipment, demonstrating evidence of service user involvement and collaboration in care planning.
• Documentation, ensuring compliance with agreed record keeping systems and standards.
• Caseload management.
• Use of outcome measures.
• Take responsibility for maintaining safe clinic environments.
• Safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults with whom the service comes into contact.
• Carry out physical/postural assessments and interventions which may involve kneeling, squatting, crouching, bending, twisting and maintaining static or awkward postures for short periods of time.
• Lift, carry or adjust wheelchairs and other equipment on a daily basis, potentially several times a day.

This post is subject to enhanced DBS disclosure.

Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under-represented groups. Looking after our workforce’ health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.

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