Assistant Practitioner - Stoma

Integrated Care System; Carmarthen; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity for a Band 4 Assistant Practitioner at a health board in Carmarthen, providing compassionate care alongside a multi-disciplinary team. The role involves supporting post-operative patients through education and assessments while ensuring efficient use of resources across various hospital settings.

Qualifications

• Must have significant clinical care experience and knowledge of health care procedures.
• Welsh language skills are desirable, with training options available.
• Demonstrates understanding of health care codes and safeguarding legislation.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for patient assessment and implementing care programs.
• Assist with stoma clinics and manage resources within care settings.
• Facilitate care for allocated patients under supervision.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Clinical care experience

Education

Level 4 vocational qualification

GCSE Maths and English Grade C or above

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 4 Assistant Practitioner to join our compassionate, friendly and forward-thinking team. The stoma nurses in Hywel Dda care for patients before and after emergency/elective colorectal surgery which is delivered within acute/community hospitals, nurse led clinics, patient's homes and nursing/residential homes.

This post would involve reviewing patients post operatively, teaching patients, relatives and primary care staff stoma care and under the supervision of the stoma CNS assist with nurse led stoma clinics as well as some administration relevant to the service.

You will be based in Carmarthen and there will be an expectation to travel to other hospital sites to meet the service demand.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be expected to work alongside the All Wales Assistant Practitioner Core Competencies. Within the role the post holder will:

Be responsible for some elements of patient assessment, undertaken in conjunction with the registrant, implementing programmes of care, and modifying programmes of care as delegated by a registered practitioner.

The assistant practitioner will be allocated a group of patients to care for, in the same way that patients are allocated to a registered nurse.

Report regularly to the registered practitioner, recognising own limitations and seeking advice if they are unsure.

Work in support of the multi-disciplinary team: registered nurses, doctors and allied health professionals to provide a seamless service to patients with proximal supervision from a registered nurse/practitioner.

Provide general/specific care as specified below for a specific client group and will be competent to work with other professional disciplines, referring patients for allied health professional assessment and treatment or to other agencies as required.

Exercise personal duty of care in the safe use and storage of equipment and the maintenance of a safe working environment.

About us

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.

We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.

We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.

Our services are provided in:

Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest

Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire

Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings

47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers

Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services

Job responsibilities

Maintain adequate levels of stock, equipment and materials and facilitate the efficient, effective use of resources. Report when availability falls below an acceptable standard or level, taking appropriate action and ensuring prudent use of resources and energy.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Interviews to be held on 31/07/2025.

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

• Level 4 vocational qualification in a relevant health care associated subject/Certificate in Health Care Support Worker Education
• GCSE Maths and English Grade C or above or equivalent level 2 or above essential skills qualifications
• Evidence of continuing personal development relevant to the role in health care
• Able to demonstrate understanding of the HCSW Code of Conduct, All Wales Delegation guidelines and the all Wales Band 4 Assistant Practitioner Governance Framework
• Clinical knowledge which is relevant to the role
• Demonstrates understanding of the importance of following procedures and treatment plans
• Demonstrates an understanding of the legislation related to Safeguarding e.g. adults/children, The Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberties Safeguards to keep adults within their care safe
• Local knowledge of statutory and voluntary services
• Teaching or assessment qualification

Experience

• Significant and recent experience of providing relevant clinical care
• Interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to manage/diffuse challenging or threatening situations
• Experienced in undertaking a range of clinical skills relevant to the post as per role scope of practice and the national governance framework e.g. Catheter care (including removal)
• Experienced in undertaking a range of clinical skills relevant to the post as per role scope of practice and the national governance framework e.g. Monitor and record vital observation and interpret results
• Experienced in undertaking a range of clinical skills relevant to the post as per role scope of practice and the national governance framework e.g. Reviewing risk assessments
• Experienced in undertaking a range of clinical skills relevant to the post as per role scope of practice and the national governance framework e.g. Monitor and interpret blood glucose
• Experienced in undertaking a range of clinical skills relevant to the post as per role scope of practice and the national governance framework e.g. Experience of supporting an RN with wound care
• Experience in a range of clinical skills including palliative care
• For community roles: experience of providing care in a community or primary care setting
• Administration of medicines via oral, topical, SC, IM routes
• Skills in non-complex wound care

Language Skills

• Welsh Speaker (Level 1)

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.