Assistant Respiratory Practitioner

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust

This job is now closed

Job summary

Are you interested in Respiratory Care and would you thrive on making a positive difference to patients' lives?

The Community Respiratory Service (CRS), in Brighton and Hove, has a 30 hour vacancy for an Assistant Respiratory Practitioner. This is a band 4 vacancy, in which you will develop a broad range of clinical skills.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed team player who has outstanding communication skills, a willingness to deliver high quality care and an ability to adapt to change as it happens.

CRS in Brighton and Hove is a dynamic and supportive multidisciplinary team. The aim is to support patients to improve their skills of self-management and reduce unnecessary hospital admissions. As such, your role will be varied. You will be primarily involved in the Pulmonary Rehabilitation programme. Tasks may include assessment, screening for suitability and commitment, supporting with exercises (at home and in a class setting), taking observations and blood gases, teaching of skills to patients and other staff, contribution to MDT discussions and completion of audit.

You will be expected to come into post with previous experience and skills, perhaps from another clinical field. You will be supported to develop your potential, and broaden and deepen your specialist skills.

It is necessary that applicants hold a full UK driving licence and have a car available for work.

Main duties of the job

The Assistant Practitioner (AP) will provide a mixture of general and specific care to a group of patients and will be proficient and competent to work at a higher competency level than a Clinical support worker/Rehabilitation assistant. They will work alongside a registered nurse and allied health professionals.

They will be central to the smooth running of the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Service, by providing advice, education and guidance to patients, and having an excellent awareness and involvement in ensuring the patient journey is smooth, from the point of referral to discharge.

They will be expected to have Foundation degree in Health and Social care or similar level qualification. They will also become proficient and competent in their area of practice by undertaking competency assessment specific to the area of clinical practice.

They will be supported and supervised by a registered nurse or allied health professional.

Supervision and teaching of junior clinical support workers will be part of the role.

Maintaining at all times a kind, caring and professional attitude towards patients, relatives and colleagues within the clinical setting, taking into consideration dignity, privacy, and confidentiality, cultural and religious needs.

About us

We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex. Our 6,000 staff serve a population of 1.3 million providing essential medical, nursing, and therapeutic care to adults and children.

Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community, helping people plan, manage, adapt to changes in their health, supporting avoidable hospital admissions and reducing hospital stay times.

We have opportunities for everyone across our wide variety of services including medical, clinical, support and corporate services.

Why work for us?

Positive 2023 NHS Staff Survey results, scoring highly in compassionate culture & leadership, and staff wellbeing support
Variety of working environments across the community, in patients' homes, within our community hospitals and bases across the county
Supportive flexible working patterns such as: part time, flexi time, annualised hours, and flexi retirement options
Excellent training and development opportunities
Research opportunities
Cost-effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove and Brighton
Thriving BAME, Disability and Wellbeing, LGBT+ and Religion and Belief staff networks
Level 3 accredited Disability Confident Leader, committed to creating inclusive workplaces
Veteran Aware Trust, achieving accreditation from Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA)
Located in stunning Sussex, with easy access to the South Downs and the coast
Access to a wide range of benefits and discounts for NHS staff

Date posted

24 July 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£25,147 to £27,596 a year Per annum/pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

150-OM1120-EAS

Job locations

Brighton

D0, Dyke Building, Brighton General Hospital, Elm Grove

Brighton

BN2 3EW

Job description

Job responsibilities

Form a professional judgement of an individuals health condition. Recognise changes in a patients condition and seek assistance from a registered nurse/ allied health professional as appropriate

Deliver a high standard of clinical and therapeutic care to a caseload of patients within set guidelines and within the role and competence of the individual AP.

Perform specific interventions as identified by competency achievement to enhance the delivery of care, such as but not exclusively: ambulatory oxygen assessment, capillary blood gases, and nutritional risk assessment.

To be competent in progression of exercise programmes within a structured format and in liaison with specialist physiotherapists

Maintain clear concise and legible documentation adhering to standards in accordance with trust policies.

Develop further clinical skills relevant to the area via training with achievement of competencies.

Undertake specific and holistic assessments, as delegated by a registered nurse/therapist within the set guidelines of the role and competence of the individual practitioner.

Be responsible for own personal development, including keeping up to date with mandatory training and training relevant to the area of practice, taking into account organisational needs and objectives. Keep and up to date CPD portfolio.

To attend organised training sessions and complete all relevant competencies within agreed time frames.

Attend regular reviews with your team leader/supervisor and have yearly appraisals following the Knowledge Skills and Framework review process.

Undertake a link role as required and act as a professional role model.