Acute Liaison and Frailty Assessment (ALFA) Practitioner Band 5

Croydon Health Services NHS Trust; Croydon; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

A local healthcare organization is seeking a Band 5 Acute Liaison and Frailty Assessment Practitioner. In this role, you will provide high-quality care to older patients living with frailty within the Emergency Department and associated areas. You will participate in assessments, care coordination, and mentoring staff. Applicants must be registered with either HCPC or NMC, with experience in older people's care and a commitment to quality improvement. This position offers a competitive salary ranging from £35,763 to £43,466 per annum.

Qualifications

• Registration with HCPC or NMC is essential.
• Experience in working with older people and patients with frailty is required.
• Knowledge of relevant national policies related to older people's health.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of high‑quality, person‑centred care for older people living with frailty.
• Participate in early frailty identification and care coordination.
• Supervise students and junior staff as required.

Skills

Ability to work autonomously

Organisational skills

Mentoring skills including supervision of staff and students

Understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion

Education

Registration either HCPC or NMC

Post registration training or equivalent experience

Substantial NHS experience in a range of core specialities

Job description

Acute Liaison and Frailty Assessment (ALFA) Practitioner Band 5

Acute Liaison and Frailty Assessment Service (ALFA) Practitioner Band 5

The Acute Liaison and Frailty Assessment (ALFA) Team provides a responsive, safe, and effective service, commissioned to reflect the needs of the local community. The team's aims include urgent case management, proactive case management, supporting self-care, and adopting a co‑produced approach with patients and service users.

The Band 5 Frailty Practitioner will spend most of their time in direct clinical practice, supporting patients living with frailty under the guidance of senior practitioners. The post‑holder will contribute to patient assessment and care planning, and support service delivery within an evolving frailty pathway.

Interviews - TBC

Main duties of the job

The role involves supporting the delivery of high‑quality, person‑centred care for older people living with frailty within the Emergency Department (ED), Frailty Same Day Emergency Care (FSDEC), and other front‑door areas where frail patients may present.

The post‑holder takes part in early frailty identification, assessment, and care coordination to improve outcomes, reduce avoidable admissions, and enhance patient flow across the acute setting.

They will provide a supportive and responsive clinical role within the ALFA Front Door Frailty Service, working flexibly to meet patient and service needs.

The post‑holder will be an active team player in the implementation of quality improvement initiatives and audits within the team. They will supervise students and other more junior staff as required.

They will participate in maintaining an overview of the standards of care being delivered, instigating remedial action to improve practice as necessary. Under supervision, they will begin to develop the skills and competence required for autonomous practice as a Frailty Practitioner, including acting up in the absence of a Band 6 colleague where appropriate.

About us

Croydon Health Services NHS Trust provide hospital and community services from a number of community and specialist clinics throughout Croydon. The Trust was formed on 1st August 2010 through the integration of Croydon Community Health Services and Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust. Around 4,100 staff provide services for a population of over 360,000 people who are relatively young with a high level of ethnic diversity.

Our main hospital site, Croydon University Hospital is one of the busiest in London. We're also leading the way in providing more healthcare outside hospitals at clinics, specialist centres and in people's homes. Our experienced district nursing teams, Allied Health Professionals and community matrons look after people of all ages across Croydon and our Children's Hospital at Home cares for children with long‑term conditions without them having to come to hospital.

Across the NHS everyone is working hard to meet growing demand and we're no exception. But with the right people on board, we are rising to this challenge, putting our people in the driving seat, encouraging innovation and transforming our services to give local people the quality of care they deserve.

Croydon Health Services puts a great deal of importance on education and training throughout the careers of all of our staff. As well as offering access to a range of core skills training and professional development.

Person Specification

• Registration either HCPC or NMC
• Post registration training or equivalent experience working with older people and patients with frailty
• Knowledge of relevant national policies and guidelines related to older people's health and management
• Knowledge of community services
• Substantial NHS experience in a range of core specialities
• Experience in deputising and taking charge in absence of senior colleagues

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work autonomously
• Understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion within the workplace
• Be able to actively develop strong links with health system partners
• Organisational skills
• Mentoring skills including supervision of staff and students

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.

£35,763 to £43,466 a yearper annum, pro rata, inclusive of HCAS (Outer)