Community Assistant Practitioner

NHS; Norwich; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Norwich is seeking a Community Assistant Practitioner. This role involves assessing and supporting patients living with long-term conditions in their own homes, promoting independence and rehabilitation. Successful candidates will possess excellent communication and problem-solving skills, as well as relevant qualifications, such as NVQ Level 3. The position offers 22.5 hours of work per week with regular supervision from qualified therapists. The deadline for applications is 11 January 2026.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with people in health or social care settings.
• Experience of working in a community setting.
• Evidence of ongoing learning.

Responsibilities

• Assess patients based on department protocols.
• Monitor patients and alert qualified practitioners of changes.
• Liaise with GPs and other health professionals to meet patient needs.

Skills

Good communication skills

Problem solving skills

Tact and diplomacy

Empathy and sensitivity

Organisational skills

Ability to use own initiative

Education

NVQ Level 3 or equivalent

GCSE Grade C in English and Maths

Job description

Community Assistant Practitioner

The closing date is 11 January 2026

An exciting opportunity has arisen within Norwich Community Therapy team to work as a Community Assistant Practitioner.

The role requires good communication and problem solving skills to support patients with varying and complex conditions in their own community setting.

The hours of work are 22.5 hours a week working 09.00am – 17.00pm. A qualified therapist can provide daily support within these hours and regular supervision will be provided.

Main duties of the job

We require an enthusiastic and motivated Community Assistant Practitioner to join our established friendly therapy team. The role will require a reliable and flexible individual who is able to work independently and support others to ensure the delivery of a quality service.

The role is working with patients above the age of 18 to promote independence for those living with long‑term conditions or have had a short‑term injury and require rehabilitation. Patients include those who have had falls, those with neurological conditions, palliative patients and those with chronic health conditions. It is a community post so visiting patients at home, however we also offer clinic appointments at Norwich Community Hospital. There is also an opportunity to triage the band 4 referrals that come in to the service. This involves clinical reasoning to possibly provide equipment and exercises, and also decide on urgency.

We provide an initial assessment and then a tailored programme to increase independence and reduce falls in patients.

About us

Apply now to join an organisation that has been awarded an ‘Outstanding’ rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the highest possible rating and the first stand‑alone NHS community trust in the country to be awarded the title.

Job responsibilities

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical

• Assess patients with straight forward requirements based on predetermined department protocols.
• Prepare for, carry out and monitor assessments and treatments in specified clinical areas, and discharge in line with predetermined departmental protocol.
• Apply competency based treatment techniques/care to patients with specific conditions under the supervision of a qualified practitioner, following a prescribed /treatment care plan.
• Modify and progress intervention/treatment using own clinical reasoning, notifying a qualified practitioner accordingly.
• Prepare for and develop individual /group activities to meet defined intervention needs.
• Monitor patients and promptly alert a qualified practitioner when there are unexpected changes.
• Demonstrate problem solving, and contribute to the solution, working with colleagues.
• Make basic judgments on patients response to prescribed treatment, and report findings to a qualified practitioner.
• Plan and prioritise own visits to delegated patients, and ensure these are documented on SystmOne.
• Ensure inputting into SystmOne/patient held records (where appropriate) is completed on a daily basis.
• Where there are barriers to understanding, such as hearing impairment, mental capacity impairment and other difficulties in comprehension, explanations require adjustment in order to gain understanding, consent and concordance.
• Be required to use tact and persuasive skills in order to gain the patients cooperation in their treatment /care/management plan.
• Liaise with GPs, Social Services, inpatient team, other allied health care professionals and the voluntary sector to ensure identified needs are met and care co‑ordinated appropriately.
• To participate in multi‑disciplinary /multi‑agency meetings as appropriate, e.g. Gold Standard framework.
• Communicate with patients/carers by exchanging factual information, reassurance, tact and empathy.
• Establish and maintain appropriate working relationships with colleagues, patients, carers and other health professionals.
• Demonstrate dexterity and coordination when undertaking treatment of patients where accuracy is important eg taking blood sugars, venepuncture, supervising transfers, passive exercises.
• Be responsible for ensuring equipment is used safe , following appropriate training, and that it is maintained appropriately.
• Contribute to the requisitioning of supplies and equipment through electronic ordering systems.
• Work predominantly independently on specified tasks, with regular clinical support and clinical supervision by a qualified practitioner.
• Work with qualified practitioners with group work/clinics as required.
• Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of consent, and gain consent as appropriate following departmental policy.
• Share responsibility for maintaining store cupboards, pool cars, cleaning specialist equipment and general housekeeping tasks.
• Share responsibility for indirect patient contact tasks, such as answering telephones, arranging appointments, processing referrals and inputting activity data.
• Will be exposed to bodily fluids, infected material, blood products, therefore must use universal precautions and adhere to infection control policies.
• Demonstrates basic IT and standard keyboard skills.

Professional

• To be an active member of the in‑service training programme by attendance at and participation in staff meetings, training sessions, courses and reflective practice.
• To participate in the staff appraisal scheme as an appraisee, maintaining a dynamic personal development plan.
• To demonstrate an awareness of clinical governance and risk management and apply to work situations.
• To provide peer support to other carers.
• To develop competencies to enhance practice and ability to meet needs of patients and the service.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• NVQ 3, or equivalent knowledge and experience
• Foundation degree programme, or equivalent demonstrable knowledge and skills acquired through training and experience
• GCSE education, Grade C or equivalent in English and Maths

Experience

• Experience of working with people, in the statutory/voluntary/private sector
• Experience of working with people at the end of life
• Evidence of ongoing learning
• Experience of working in a health or social care setting
• Experience of working in people's homes

Skills, Abilities and Knowledge

• Knowledge of additional specialist areas through inhouse training & short courses
• Highly motivated
• Knowledge of multidisciplinary team roles
• Experience of working in a community setting

Communication

• Tact & diplomacy
• Empathy & sensitivityAbility to use own initiative
• Able to communicate effectively using the English language in both verbal and written forms

Personal and People Development

• Ability to manage stressful situations
• A team player
• Awareness of own limitations
• Good organisational skills
• Open to change and development

Personal Attributes / Behaviours

• Able to identify with the Trust's commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults
• Able to show initiative
• Able to work alone

Other

• Professional appearance
• Be able to kneel, bend & stoop, and work in cramped environments
• Must have a full UK driving license and have access to a vehicle
• Able to manoeuvre limbs of around 5-6kg
• Able to manoeuvre patients using handling aids
• Be reliable

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.

Employer name

Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust