Weight Management Advanced Practitioner

NHS; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health organization is seeking an experienced Advanced Practitioner in Weight Management. This role involves managing a specialist caseload and providing complex clinical interventions for obesity patients. You will work in a multidisciplinary team, ensuring high-quality treatment and support for patients. Applicants should possess NMC or HCPC registration and relevant experience in weight management. This position may offer full-time, part-time, or flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Protected CPD time

Training pathways

Leadership programs

Qualifications

• Experience in weight management setting with relevant clinical and management skills.
• Current knowledge in weight management clinical practice.
• Experience in mentoring and supervising other staff.

Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate a specialist weight management caseload.
• Provide professional clinical support to the weight management team.
• Act as a resource of specialist expertise for patients and the wider MDT.

Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication

Empathy and compassion

Active Listening

Conflict resolution

Cultural sensitivity

Education

NMC Registration or HCPC registration

Minimum degree level qualification

Teaching qualification

Job description

Would you like to work with people who have adiverse range of needs, who also struggle to manage their health and weight?The Weight Management team are an experienced multi-disciplinary team, offeringsupport to patients using individual and group interventions. We work closelywith other agencies and together withthe local Bariatric Surgical Team.

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic AdvancedPractitioner with experience in Weight Management to be an integral part of allaspects of the service. This will include working with Weight Managementpatients and patients that are either preparing for or who have undergonebariatric surgery. You will be providing a wide range of complex clinicalinterventions to support the health and wellbeing of this complex group ofpatients, including clinical assessment and non-medical prescribing whererequired. You will be an excellent source of support for the MDT and assist in enablingservice development and delivery.

Main duties of the job

• Manage and co-ordinate a specialist weight management caseload within Livewell WeightManagement Team in accordance with national and local policies and guidelines, in line withthe Nursing and Midwifery or HCPC Standards of conduct.
• Planning, coordinating, delivery and evaluation of high-quality assessment, treatment andmanagement of patients with obesity
• To provide patients with advanced specialist advice and education regarding independent management of their obesity
• To facilitate the provision of high-quality specialist care to patients with obesity andcoordinating the treatment and follow up care with support from endocrinology specialistwhere required
• Assist in Developing the weight management team based on patient experience feedback,audit and research.
• To act as a resource of specialist expertise for patients and the wider MDT within LivewellSouthwest, Primary and Secondary Care partners.
• Provide professional clinical support to the weight management team and advise onpractice. Identify training needs of staff working in partnership with the Weight ManagementTeam Lead.
• This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route; please refer to the Direct Gov website for more information with regards to eligibility.
• Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline.
• All Livewell staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.

About us

Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning socialenterprise delivering integrated health and social care services acrossPlymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts ofDevon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sportscentres, and health hubs.

As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values,kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, andcollaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, whileempowering staff and those we serve.

We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, inshaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the righttime and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people leadhealthy, independent lives.

We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, trainingpathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the CareCertificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorshipprograms ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.

Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from allsections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mentalhealth, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during theapplication process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.

Job responsibilities

• Responsibility for People Management;
• Manage and prioritise a defined complex obesity caseload of patients and delegatewhere appropriate.
• To support and participate in the induction and supervision of new staff and otherteam members.
• Acting as an advanced specialist obesity resource and assist in teaching knowledgeand clinical skills for other health care professionals including specialist weightmanagement practitioners.
• Be responsible for the day-to-day management of the weight management teamwithout direct supervision in the absence of the team manager.
• Mentor and give advice on the management of weight management patients to thespecialist team and provide regular caseload reviews/supervision
• Take individual responsibility for personal and professional development, maintaincompetencies, knowledge and skills commensurate with the role and NMC code /HCPC standards
• Provide and maintain a learning environment and maximise opportunities foreducation and development in the clinical area to support and enhance individualdevelopment and performance in the delivery of high standards of care.
• Act as role model for other staff and students demonstrating high standards ofspecialist practice and professional conduct according to the NMC code/HCPCstandards
• Responsibility for financial and/or physical resources;
• Responsible for identifying when stock is low and making requests for ordering.
• Identifying when equipment is not fit for use or new equipment is required.Responsibility for administration
• To report and record all incidents and near misses relating to health, safeguarding,safety, security, fire, physical violence, aggression and verbal abuse.
• Review and sign-off clinical incident reports where required.
• Maintain accurate records, which are confidential, up to date, legible and mustensure care given is documented at the earliest possible time.
• Documentation records may be paper or IT based and must be maintained asspecified in the Organisational Policies, NMC / HCPC guidelines and Governmentdirectives.
• Responsibility for people who use our services;
• Works as an independent autonomous practitioner within a defined scope of highlyadvanced specialist practice in accordance with the NMC code / HCPC standardswith the support of endocrinology
• Maintain V300 Non-medical Prescribing competence and take responsibility forprescribing in line with the non-medical prescribing policy and within DevonFormulary.
• Access the appropriate clinical supervision in line with policy.
• Work within the framework of / National Guidance for the administration ofemergency drugs
• Working within professional guidelines (local and national) to develop specialisedprogrammes and pathways of care for patients with obesity
• To provide spontaneous and planned advice, teaching and instruction to patients,relatives, carers and other professionals, to promote understanding of their condition,drugs and self-management to ensure a consistent and individualised approach topatient care.
• To enable patients to be managed in the community by making clinical decisions aspart of the patient management plan which may involve optimising and de prescribingof specialist drugs.
• Benchmark the quality of care being delivered in the weight management serviceagainst national guidelines and other services.
• Give highly specialised advice to people living with obesity
• Deal effectively with arising clinical issues and emergency situations as anindependent autonomous practitioner.
• To interpret clinical and complex information and use these to consider a variety ofoptions when planning the patients care.
• Providing clinical support and guidance to the rest of the team ensuring theappropriate referral and assessment of patients to the prescribing pathway
• To be professionally and legally accountable for all aspects of your work includingmanagement of patient care within NMC / HCPC guidelines
• Work within Livewell guidelines and have an excellent working knowledge of nationalstandards, NICE Guidance and current research in the field
• Co-ordinates and uses analytical and judgment skills to provide specialist caredelivery across the multi-disciplinary team.
• Acts as a case-manager for the patient ensuring smooth communication betweenprimary and secondary care services.
• Attend and contribute to the development of the weight management service as amember of the multi-disciplinary team, advocating patient issues.
• Demonstrate advanced communication skills required to enable case discussionsconcerning service users in their caseload.
• Responsibility for implementation of policy and/or service developments;
• Propose policy changes and service development ideas which have impact beyond own area and role.
• Support the team lead and implement the development of policies and protocols to improve patient care.
• Fosters collaboration with key stakeholders when developing new services or patientpathways.
• Use change management skills to implement new practices and service changes.
• Other Responsibilities;
• Take a leading role with the team manager in the planning, development and day-today running of the weight management service.
• Take responsibility for your own personal and professional development; maintaincompetence, knowledge and skills commensurate with role
• Access regular supervision to maintain prescribing competencies and other advancehealth care practice within the scope of the role.
• To develop, plan, implement and evaluate educational programmes for serviceusers.
• To undertake all required training to develop competencies required for the role
• Integrate theory into practice by bringing new knowledge around obesity into thepractice environment.
• Maintain attendance at mandatory and statutory training as per organisationguidelines.
• Work within the NMC Code / HCPC standards
• Have a personal development plan and professional portfolio

COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS;

• Explaining diagnoses and treatment plans: Communicating complex conditions andtreatment options in a clear, understandable manner.
• Providing emotional support: Offering empathy, reassurance and support to patients duringpotential stressful times.
• Facilitating shared decision-making: Helping patients understand their choices andparticipate in care decisions.
• Providing information about lifestyle changes, medicationmanagement disease progression.
• Addressing concerns and answering questions: Acting as a point of contact for patient andfamily inquiries.
• Managing challenging or aggressive behaviour: utilising communication skills to de- escalatepotentially difficult situations.
• Interprofessional Communication:Collaborating with the multidisciplinary team: Communicating with doctors, nurses and otherhealth care professionals to coordinate patient care.Sharing information and updates: Providing regular updates on patient progress and anysignificant changes in condition.
• Advocating for patients: Representing patient needs and preferences within thehealthcare team.Participating in team meetings and case conferences: Discussing complex patient casesand contributing to care planning.
• Networking with Specialists: Connecting with other experts in related fields.Liaising with Primary Care: Maintaining communication with GPs and secondary care whererequired and other community healthcare providers.Developing and delivering presentations: Sharing knowledge and best practice withcolleagues and other healthcare professionals.

Skills Required

• Excellent verbal and written communication: Being able to clearly articulate information inboth spoken and written formats.
• Active Listening: Paying close attention to patient and family concerns and questions.
• Empathy and compassion: Demonstrating understanding and sensitivity towards patientsemotional needs.
• Persuasion and motivational skills: Encouraging patients to adhere to treatment plans andmake healthy lifestyle choices.
• Conflict resolution: Effectively managing challenging or aggressive behaviour.
• Cultural sensitivity: Being aware of and respecting cultural differences in communicationstyles and beliefs.
• Develop an accessible service that promotes effective communication links throughout thepatients journey across the health community. Develop collaborative and advisory workingrelationships with multidisciplinary teams and all stakeholders in patient care. Include GPs,community nursing, palliative care teams, consultants of cardiology and other specialitiespresent and discuss complex patient issues within the MDT for optimum patient care andmanagement.Discuss and advise GPs, medical teams and other healthcare professionals on significantchanges in patients condition and influence changes to management plans, in a sensitiveand effective manner, to ensure best practice care and outcomes.Communicate highly sensitive and obesity- related issues to patients and take intoconsideration any barriers to communication or understanding.Using advanced communication skills effectively and sensitively communicate thecomplexity of managing the patients condition whilst also providing psychological support.Compassionate approach to highly sensitive discussions with patients about their condition.

Please see supporting information for full Job Description and Person Specification.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• NMC Registration or HCPC registration.
• To hold a minimum of a degree level qualification with significant, relevant experience.
• Teaching qualification.
• Experience in mentoring.
• Qualifications in education or health promotion at degree level or equivalent.
• Qualification in advanced communication skills.
• Qualification in advanced care assessment.

Experience

• Experience of specialist clinical and
• management skills in weight
• management setting
• Leadership Skills
• Innovative and assertive
• Current experience and knowledge
• in all relevant areas of weight
• management clinical practice
• Experience in supervising students
• and other members of staff
• Previous experience in a specialist
• weight management / obesity role.
• Coaching and mentoring experience

Knowledge

• taking and ability to develop
• therapeutic relationships.
• Ability to assess patients and
• implement appropriate care as an
• Knowledge of national and local
• frameworks and strategies
• pertaining to
• the speciality
• Understanding of clinical
• Governance.
• Evidence of being able to work as
• Caseload / team management skills.
• Highly motivated with ability to
• influence and inspire others.

Specific skills and additional requirements

• Works independently and makes autonomous decisions with regular caseload reviews and MDT meetings within a defined scope of specialist practice in accordance with the NMC code/HCPC standards
• Team player who supports other members of the team.
• Develop specialist plans for the care for weight management patients.
• Able to travel throughout the Livewell footprint.
• IT literate
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Highly motivated and the ability to inspire others
• Demonstrates commitment to promote high standards and quality
• of care to consistently improve patient outcomes.
• Evidence of using initiative to put innovation into practice; management
• of change

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.

Full-time,Part-time,Job share,Flexible working