Assistant Practitioner

Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; Cannock; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Cannock is seeking an Assistant Practitioner to support patients on the Discharge to Assess pathway post-hospital. You will assess individuals, collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams, and work towards maximizing patient independence. Essential qualifications include an NVQ Level III in Health and Social Care and strong communication skills. This position requires a commitment to improving health and well-being in community settings.

Benefits

Ongoing training and support

Career development opportunities

Qualifications

• Considerable recent practice as a Therapy Assistant in the NHS or private sector.
• Experience with patients with complex nursing, therapy or social care needs.
• Ability to transport equipment and work in various settings.

Responsibilities

• Assess individuals referred to the service and manage a caseload.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to promote independence.
• Provide advice to service users and maintain accurate records.

Skills

Ability to work in a team

Assessment and provision of equipment

Excellent communication skills

Education

NVQ Level III in Health and Social Care

GCSE Grade C or above in English and Maths

Job description

Overview

The post holder will be a part of the ICAT therapy team providing a comprehensive and holistic service for patients. The role requires the post holder to work in a variety of care home settings including residential and nursing homes. This is a dynamic role that requires working closely with multi-disciplinary teams/agencies to support a range of complex care/issues; care planning will not always be straightforward and may need adjusting from time to time to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and to improve health and wellbeing. The service scope will be determined by local service specifications.

Main duties

The post holder will work with individuals who are on the Discharge to Assess (D2A) pathway following discharge from hospital to a rehab bed in the community. The work will have a rehab focus to support individuals to maximise their potential and independence and to reduce the need for long-term care and support.

Working for our organisation

Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.

We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including perinatal care, eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.

We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow. We are ‘United in our Uniqueness’ and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can ensure every voice is heard and every difference is respected.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities

Main duties and responsibilities

• The Assistant Practitioner works under the supervision/direction of Registered Therapists, Clinical Lead & Team Lead and is responsible for assessing individuals referred to the service who are deemed non-complex. The Assistant Practitioner also manages their own caseload and will receive regular clinical supervision by a Registered Therapist within the team.
• The Assistant Practitioner collaborates with colleagues in MPFT & other agencies, assesses individuals’ functional abilities and provides a treatment plan to maximise independence through rehabilitation, provision of equipment and advice. They enable service users to regain skills and become more independent while reducing dependency on formal and informal care.
• The Assistant Practitioner is an integral member of the Multi-disciplinary Team, working closely with Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Social Care, Home First Support Workers and Administrators.

Systems and Equipment

• Adhere to the Care Certificate standards and all other relevant guidance from the Partnership Trust. Be aware of HCPC guidance/codes of conduct and other AHP Professional bodies' guidance (e.g., College of Occupational Therapists, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy).
• Working knowledge of basic equipment – hoists, slings, walking frames, toileting equipment and transfer aids.

Decisions and Judgements

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships within the Trust and with external organisations to meet service requirements and demonstrate the Trust’s equality values.
• Support registered practitioners to assess service users and contribute to the development and implementation of treatment/care/support plans for individuals, families and carers under guidance. Care/support plans may include:
  • Promoting independence/self-management and maintaining safety
  • Increased functional ability
  • Improvement in health and wellbeing including mental health
  • Holistic improvement of health and wellbeing
  • Interventions in disease/condition management
  • Prevention and reducing health inequalities
  • Admission avoidance
  • Early supported discharge

i. Palliative and end of life care

• Apply skills and knowledge to recognise any significant change in the holistic needs of the service user/carer and feedback to the registered practitioner.
• Maintain contemporaneous and accurate records as required by the Partnership Trust and in line with standards (e.g., HCPC). Support identified team members with guidance and direction where appropriate.
• Use knowledge and judgement to consider care/support packages and treatment options, taking into account each service user’s personal circumstances and preferences to implement and adjust programmes of care and intervention.

Communication and Relationships

• Under supervision of a registered practitioner, provide advice to service users, carers and professionals regarding management and care/support.
• Maintain sensitivity to the emotional needs of service users and their carers, offering reassurance and empathy regarding the condition and its implications.

Physical Demands

• Take responsibility for the safe use and transportation of equipment (e.g., wheelchairs) between locations and in and out of people’s homes. This may require working in cramped or awkward positions and frequent moving and handling of patients and equipment with a wide spectrum of needs.
• Move equipment and therapy items as needed and work in non-purpose built rooms.

Most Challenging/Difficult Parts

• Work with individuals and carers who may find it difficult to engage with the service, resulting in uncooperative or challenging behaviour that has to be managed.

Person Specification

Essential

• NVQ Level III in Health and Social Care or Foundation degree in Health and Social Care or equivalent by experience
• GCSE Grade C or above in English and Maths; good written and spoken English

Experience

Essential criteria

• Considerable recent practice as a Therapy Assistant in the NHS or private sector
• Experience with patients with complex nursing, therapy or social care needs
• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary team and establishing rapport with external agencies

• Desirable criteria
• Experience in community rehabilitation
• Experience with older adults with complex cognitive impairments, limited communication and mental health needs
• Experience in a Nursing/residential home

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

Essential criteria

• Ability to work in a team
• Assessment and provision of equipment
• Awareness of safeguarding, risk assessments and incident reporting

• Desirable criteria
• Basic knowledge of normal movement and rehabilitation approaches
• Working knowledge of assistive technology
• Good observational skills and ability to report to senior staff
• Experience using outcome measures and writing care plans

Personal Attributes

Essential criteria

• Access to a car for work purposes and transporting equipment
• Excellent communication skills

• Desirable criteria
• Demonstrate alignment with the Trust values and behaviours