Senior Orthotist

Posting date:	15 January 2026
Salary:	£38,682.00 to £46,580.00 per year
Additional salary information:	£38682.00 - £46580.00 a year
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	01 February 2026
Location:	Plymouth, PL4 7QD
Company:	NHS Jobs
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	B9832-2026-PTB-854

Summary

To provideOrthoticclinical inputacross the organisation and to partner organisations. Give clinical and professional advice to relevantmulti-disciplinary teams regarding appropriateorthoticprovision for patients. To participate in the implementation of relevant care pathways within the prosthetic profession To participate with relevant clinical competency frameworks and essential training for the orthotic service and others as required when linked to the profession Accept referrals from medical and healthcare professionals and undertake clinical assessment and examination of patients to provide suitable highly specialistorthotic clinical-technical prescriptions for patients with a wide range of presentations including complex patients. To contribute to discussion around and development of clinical procedures, protocols, guidelines and policies that will support evidence based or best practice for the orthotic profession in line with current organisation policy Use a range of measurement and data acquisition techniques in recording all pertinent information to ensure accuracy of patient prescriptions Specify the design, componentry, materials, fabrication method and suppliers of orthoses and order individual items to meet the patients clinical needs. Perform mechanical and technical adjustments toorthoses Perform positive model and CADCAM rectifications as appropriate 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. Re-evaluate the above following Service agreed time intervals to meet patient needs or requirements of a care plan (review appointments). Provide verbal, visual and written information, explanation and highly specialised clinical advice to the patient and/or carers at every stage of device provision for informed consent. Report patient adverse incidents related to the provision oforthosesto maintain patient safety and engage in national reporting and monitoring procedures for specialised medical devices. Advise and maintain effective liaison with technical support personnel including assistance with training to ensure best current technical practice in meeting patients needs. Use excellent negotiation and counselling skills and other tools to ensure the effective communication of complex, sensitive and emotional information and to overcome barriers to understanding. Such persons will include those At risk, the terminally ill, the vulnerable, those such as Stroke patients, the learning disabled, the deaf and hard of hearing and those possessing poor communication skills. Also non-English speakers and those who speak some English but who have a different first language. To be accountable for the direct delivery of service by providing holistic evidence-based practice to patients and their carers, ensuring maximum independence and quality of life in a constantly changing environment. To achieve positive patient outcomes in partnership with multi-professional agencies and promoting this throughout the clinical team. Utilise a range of specialised clinical skills appropriate to the needs of individual patients and the clinical setting in which they are seen. Exercising a high level of judgement, discretion and decision making in clinical care. To triage and accept appropriate routine and urgent referrals directly from other disciplines, patients, carers, and members of the public and / or refer to other agencies where appropriate.Ensuring all referrals are prioritised accordingly.Whilst working within professional guidelines to make clinical decisions without supervision. To undertake comprehensive risk assessments of all situations associated with the care of patients to ensure patients and the carers safety. Preserve confidentiality and be aware of the Data Protection Act, Access to Health Records and Consent for Treatment. To line manage junior members of the team as and when required, supported by the clinical lead orthotist/principal orthotist Contribute to the learning environment within the department, making suggestions about areas for development in the clinical area to enhance individual development and performance in the delivery of high standards. Acting as a resource and assist in teaching knowledge and clinical skills for other health care professionals/colleagues. Act as mentor for new staff and students, including delivery of a structured induction and training program for new members of staff alongside the service support manager and other senior clinicians. Ensure they are fully aware of their scope within the department. Take part in the process of clinical supervision and support clinical supervision and reflective practice for team members. Participate in recruitment and selection of new staff. Provide guidance for and maintain effective working relationships with service managers and staff to ensure service efficiency. Maintain accurate and comprehensive documentation in line with legal and service requirementsas an autonomous practitioner and to communicate assessment and other clinic outcomes to appropriate persons in the form of reports and letters. Maintain patient clinical records in accordance with HCPC policy and local guidelines. Report any accidents, complaints, defects in equipment, near misses and untoward incidents following Trust procedure. Support the Clinical leadorthotist/Service manager in the recording of accurate clinical activity data for data capture required for reporting. Ensure line management and appraisal documentation is completed for the team members for which they hold manager responsibility. Carry out risk assessments and record these on the organisations risk register. Maintain and update risks on the risk register as required. Ensure adherence to Livewell Southwest Policies. To contribute to the analysis of relevant clinical incidents across the profession and implementing learning from outcomes. To work with the clinical lead/senior clinicians in identifying, assessing and managing risk across the profession/service, utilising the risk register as appropriate. To proactively support clinical leaders with the management and maintenance of health, safety, and security following the relevant legislation and current organisation and service policies Provide feedback upon relevant clinical procedures/ protocols/ polices/ audit guidelines for specific aspects of own service in line with NICE guidance, best practice Guidance and professional forums and support implementation into practice. To proactively support and engage in clinical service improvements,suggesting new ideas, innovations and approaches to develop clinical and service excellence and quality of delivery, taking into account patient and other service users views and opinionsto optimise the use of resources and respond proactively to changes in service needs. Monitor the emergence of new evidence and implement and evaluate research-based recommendations that are expected to improve patient care in own work area. Maintain links with other professional and voluntary bodies to ensure maximum effectiveness of the service and patient care. Partake in audit and research within own specialty. To be aware of budgetary constraints when planning and carrying out care. Contribute to discussions around the implementation of robust prescription guidelines to maximise budget for all patients based on individual needs To ensure consideration of available budgets when prescribing equipment and components and ensuring maintenance and repair is upheld. Contribute to discussion around approval ofdevicesrequested outside of prescription guidelinesor agreed allowances Ensure safe and efficient use of stock and equipment. Ensure equipment is checked appropriately. Report any equipment defects. Advise stores person if low stock noted. Exercise a duty of care in relation to the use of the organisations equipment and resources in a cost-effective manner. To contribute to resource governance through knowledge and appropriate prescribing decisions. To be responsible for organising own time management on a daily basis in line with caseload demands balancing patient needs with the non-clinical aspect of the role. To attend various sites to carry out role, including satellite clinic and in-patient settings as necessary. To participate in an annual appraisal of their work in line with the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) where the job description will be reviewed, and objectives set.In line with the annual development plan the post holder will be expected to undertake any training or development required to fulfil their role. To remain updated and competent and ensure that clinical practice is evidence based. Maintain professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council. To abide by the Statement of Conduct for Prosthetists/Orthotists of the Health and Care Professions Council. Practice in accordance with the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists Guidelines for Best Practice. Participate in Clinical Supervision in accordance with the Organisations Policy.Proactively participate in peer support and supervision which may include for example, reflective practice, case conferences, journal clubs, clinical discussion and supervision sessions with other members of the multidisciplinary team. Participate and propose changes in Quality Assurance Systems, protocols and procedures as relevant and necessary. Ensure that Health & Safety legislation is complied with at all times, being aware of and following Organisational and Service Policies including: Health and Safety Manual Handling COSHH Infection Control Incident and complaints reporting Risk Management