Senior Hand Therapist: Sponsorship Available

Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust

Job summary

Surrey Downs Health & Care

We are looking for a dynamic, enthusiastic and motivated Hand Therapist to join our wonderful MSK Hand Therapy Team. Experience of working within a Hand Therapy Service is essential, preferably within the NHS and with experience of managing patients from Acute Elective, Acute Trauma, Plastics and Rheumatology.

We have an active In-Service training programme and excellent links with our Consultant Surgical colleagues who also provide training for the team.

The caseload is varied with the majority being acute trauma or post-elective surgery but also includes community referrals from local GPs and FCPs.

The Hand Therapy unit is very busy but the team are very cohesive and supportive of one and other. The Hand Therapy Service is also part of the wider Surrey Downs Health & Care MSK Service.

Main duties of the job

  • To provide specialist hand assessments and treatment for clients who have had trauma/surgery to their upper limb and/or have chronic conditions. Provide and/or fabricate static and dynamic splints for individual patients, in order to prevent impairment and/or improve function, independence and quality of life.
  • Applying specialist knowledge and skills across the total range of impairments, procedures and practices gained through practical experience, underpinned by theoretical knowledge.
  • To assess and implement specialist treatment programmes as an autonomous practitioner, maintaining associated clinical records.
  • To work unsupervised reporting back and receiving guidance and teaching from the senior hand therapist / team leader on a regular basis.
  • To participate in the day-to-day management of the specialist service provision undertaking tasks as delegated by the Team Leader, supporting less experienced therapists, and non-registered staff members on a daily basis.
  • To provide formal supervision to nominated staff members and students.
  • Where required this role may include cross site working with St Helier Hospital and/or provision of Hand Therapy within Consultant Led Clinics at Epsom General Hospital or at St Helier and the post holder must be able to make the necessary travel arrangements.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Diploma or Degree in Occupational Therapy or Physiotherapy
  • Registration with Health Professions Council e.g. HCPC
  • Evidence of CPD specific to Hand Therapy, including relevant post-graduate specialist training courses in appropriate clinical fields

Desirable

  • BAHT Member
  • Completion of BAHT Level 1 course

Experience

Essential

  • Relevant and significant post graduate Hand Therapy experience with a variety of client groups and service settings to include: an acute hospital environment or a physical community service working with orthopaedic patients
  • Completed a previous rotation (or equivalent) in a Hand Therapy Dept.
  • Experience with Hand Therapy referrals from acute elective, acute trauma, plastics and rheumatology.
  • Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team

Desirable

  • Knowledge of the wider MDT related to Hand Therapy patients e.g. intermediate care, social care and other therapies
  • Involvement in audit, research and understanding quality issue
  • Experience of working within a Hand Therapy service within the NHS (or equivalent)

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

  • Able to provide bespoke Hand/Wrist splints for patients.
  • Able to manage hand/wrist wounds and remove stitches where necessary
  • Able to provide personalised recovery and rehabilitation plans to a broad range of Hand/wrist related pathologies.
  • Awareness of College of Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy standards
  • oGood written and verbal communication skills in providing and receiving complex information, and able to use skills of negotiation and motivation
  • Ability to analyse, evaluate and make rapid accurate clinical decisions in a fast paced clinical environment, specific to Hand Therapy
  • Prioritisation of workload, good time management and ability to work to protocols and deadlines
  • Ability to delegate appropriately to others to maximise use of skill mix, whilst remaining responsible for outcome and completion of task
  • Computer literate

Desirable

  • Valid Driving licence to enable driving in UK
  • Access to a suitable vehicle for work purposes

Personal Qualities

Essential

  • Excellent time management
  • Commitment to personal, professional and service development
  • Professional approach and appearance
  • Flexible, reliable, team worker
  • Empathetic
  • Initiative and problem solving skills
  • Physical fitness to undertake manual activities
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Self directed learner

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Closing Date: 20 September 2026

To apply for this job please visit apps.trac.jobs.