Job responsibilities
Assistant Practitioners (AP) required to work autonomously and also as part of a wider clinical team, supporting the Tissue Viability team.
AP are required to provide effective evidence-based care for patients referred to the service under the indirect supervision of qualified clinicians. By using personal effectiveness and knowledge contribute to the development and delivery of high quality and cost-effective services.
Working as part of Luton Tissue Viability team the AP will be responsible for reassessments and follow up visits in a variety of settings.
AP will also assist with the development of and mentoring of trainee Assistant Practitioners and other colleagues of a similar level of experience within a specific clinical area.
Accept delegated assessment responsibility, developing individual care plans to meet the immediate and on-going needs of the service user and carers.
Demonstrate knowledge of specific physical, emotional, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual needs of the service users and carers and taking these into account, implementing the appropriate action to meet those needs, in line with own competency.
Prescribe, order and review pressure relieving equipment and mobility aids i.e. commodes, beds, Zimmer frames and walking sticks as delegated by the regulated professional and in line with own training and competences.
Initiate, organise, and plan chronic disease management e.g. diabetic and respiratory reviews, follow ups from designated caseload holder. Provide specific education to those patients relevant to their long-term condition management.
May occasionally be required to undertake phlebotomy as delegated by the regulated professional and in line with own training and competences.
Administer medication as delegated by the regulated professional and in line with own training and competences.
Undertake lower limb re-assessments using the appropriate documentation following the full training and assessment of own competence levels by a regulated professional.
Undertake continence assessments and reassessments using the appropriate documentation following full training and assessment of own competence levels by a regulated professional.
Required to undertake, record and analyse the following clinical tasks using existing clinical knowledge and experience; Measure and record blood pressure, pulse rate & rhythm, temperature, height & weight body mass index, venepuncture, ECG, glucose tolerance test, T-Purpose assessments, nutritional assessment using Must tool as delegated by the regulated professional and in line with own training and competences.
Undertake wound management as delegated by the regulated professional and in line with own training and competences, ensuring that patients who do not fit with established protocols are referred back to the service.
Assist in raising awareness of health and wellbeing through informing and educating patients/carers on public health related subjects to help them to manage their health needs with the indirect supervision of a regulated professional and in line with own training and competences.
Assess patients readiness to change and provide motivational support as appropriate in cases e.g. smoking, obesity and healthy living for older people in line with own training and competences
Plan, develop and implement health promotion / education as appropriate e.g. smoking, exercise and diet, inhaler technique and foot care in line with own training and competences
Identify needs and advise on equipment and resource, requisitioning where there is delegated authority and ensuring effective on-going use of equipment is monitored.
Communication
Required to communicate with a range of people including patients, colleagues and other healthcare professionals on a range of complex and sensitive matters, using the appropriate and relevant methods of communication i.e. verbal, written and IT.
Required to demonstrate and develop effective listening skills and a high level of customer care, with the aim to obtain relevant and occasionally complex information from the patient in order to ensure a high standard of care is delivered ensuring barriers to communication are removed.
Is required to provide education to patients, carers, family members, health and social care providers in a range of settings; lower limb care, skin care, donning and doffing of compression garments.
Ensure that all relevant information required is recorded accurately in the appropriate record system and that all records are complete in line with the organisations record management procedures.
Ensure that patient confidentiality is always kept and that all records and communications are kept in line the Data Protection Act 1998 protocols, this includes the use of the appropriate email address when sending patient identifiable information through the system.
Be available to take action in an emergency, calling the emergency services if and when required. In addition, be willing to assist in an emergency situation when appropriate and required, and where competently trained to do so.
Ensure that all organisational-wide communication is accessed and adhered to accordingly via the @ccs.nhs.uk and/or nhsmail.net account given upon start of employment. This also applies to communication sent via internal or external mail, fax or memo and LCS Intranet
Budgetary Responsibility
Adheres to the local wound care formulary and Community Equipment Services prescribing.
Orders and maintains the stock control of the tissue viability wound care stock.
People Management
Required to plan straightforward tasks guided by the organisations local Standard Operating Procedures and protocols.
Occasionally be required to supervise other staff, giving guidance and support to Band 3 staff when required, in addition delegating tasks and giving clear instructions under the supervision of line manager or supervisor.
Undertakes a certain level of responsibility for training others and may be required to deliver agreed training packages to staff within their areas of expertise.
Fully prepare for and take part in regular appraisals with the line manager / supervisor, ensuring all required competences are met and development plans are agreed in partnership with the appraiser.
Take ownership for all learning activities outlined in development plans and keep an up to date record of progress, highlighting any potential constraints and further opportunities for development. Ensure that learning is evaluated and shared with colleagues and demonstrate the ability to share knowledge and skills with others, explaining its effectiveness.
Ensure regular attendance at clinical supervision and update sessions identifying areas for improvement in line with service needs and wider personal and professional development.
Make suggestions for any changes or improvements necessary for improved service delivery to the line manager and contribute to implementing new processes and practices. In addition, ensure feedback is given to the line manager of the result of the improvements made and its effectiveness on patient care showing a good level of evaluation and feedback skills.
Be flexible and show willingness to undertake new roles and tasks when required and request support when needed. Take full advantage of opportunities to occasionally undertake tasks above the AP role for career development purposes, ensuring that work is undertaken confidently within the scope of own skills and competence.
Required to work under distant guidance and work as a lone worker where appropriate and in line with the organisations Lone Working Policy.
Required to attend and contribute to regular team meetings.
Maintaining own professional development and requirement to take part in appraisal and KSF process.
