Community Assistant Practitioner

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Clinical

The post holder will:

1. Assess patients with straightforward requirements based on predetermined department protocols.
2. To assist the patient with personal care as appropriate.
3. To provide care as per the care plan and in liaison with the supported care team.
4. To be able to provide care for patients with complex needs.
5. Ability to use moving and handling equipment i.e. glide sheets, handling belts.
6. To observe pressure areas and apply treatment as prescribed.
7. To administer catheter care.
8. Ability to recognise symptoms of a UTI and to acquire urine specimens, carry out urinalysis and interpret results
9. To report any changes in the patients condition or functional status to the senior clinician on duty.
10. To be able to respond appropriately in the event of a medical emergency.
11. To progress interventions using own clinical reasoning supported by the supervision process.
12. To work independently whilst in the patients home with clinical support and supervision as necessary from the team either in person or via the telephone.
13. To contribute to the assessment, goal setting and discharge planning of patients.
14. To carry out specified observations and information gathering to contribute to patient care.
15. To demonstrate an understanding of problem solving and contribute to the solution, working with your colleagues.
16. To work to set protocols e.g., infection control.
17. To be aware of limitations of own scope of practice and when to involve qualified staff.
18. To observe patients carrying out daily activities in their own homes as well as giving advice on equipment or methods they may use to make these tasks easier.
19. To identify gaps in care provision.
20. Discuss ability to self-administer drugs with patients and refer problems to co-ordinator.
21. To be able to assess home environment for safety issues.
22. To actively assess risk to yourself and others and complete necessary paperwork to share with the team.
23. To demonstrate an awareness of patient consent and to gain as appropriate following Trust Policies.
24. To identify and explore own contribution to team working and reflect on own practice.
25. To demonstrate the required understanding of manual handling issues and safety in practice.
26. Demonstrate basic IT and standard keyboard skills.

Professional

The post holder will:

1. 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.
2. To participate in the staff appraisal scheme as an appraisee, maintaining a dynamic personal development plan.
3. To demonstrate an awareness of clinical governance and risk management and apply to work situations.
4. To provide peer support to other carers.
5. To develop competencies to enhance practice and ability to meet needs of patients and the service.
6. To provide peer support to other practitioners, demonstrating leadership skills as required.
7. Identify and explore own contribution to team working, reflect on own practice.
8. Actively contribute to the working of the team and express ideas on improving services for users and the team.

Organisational

The post holder will:

1. Undertake mandatory training as required.
2. Participate in the Personal Development Review process
3. Follow Trust policies, and local procedures.
4. Undertake Personal Development Plans for more junior staff members.
5. Take part in clinical supervision as per Trust Policy.
6. Ensure absence reporting is undertaken as determined by Team Leader and Trust Policy.
7. Contribute to clinical audit as required.
8. Complete the staff survey as required.
9. Complete risk assessments and incident forms as required.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ 3, or equivalent knowledge and experience
• Foundation degree programme, or equivalent knowledge and skills acquired through training and experience
• Good general education
• Experience of working in a health or social care setting

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with people, in the statutory/voluntary/private sector.
• Experience of working with people at the End of life
• Literacy skills
• Evidence of ongoing learning

Desirable

• Experience of working in people's homes.

Knowledge, skills and ability

Essential

• Knowledge of additional specialist areas through in-house training & short courses
• Good communication skills
• Highly motivated
• IT skills to utilise mobile working and maintain electronic patient records

Personal attributes / behaviours (linked to the Trust's Behaviour Framework

Essential

• Able to identify with the Trust's commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults.
• Professional appearance
• Ability to: Kneel, bend & stoop, and work in cramped environments ,Manoeuvre limbs of around 5-6 kg oManoeuvre patients using handling aids
• Be reliable
• Able to show initiative
• Able to work alone
• Assertive
• Good listening skills

Desirable

• Shows an awareness of the Trust's Behaviour Framework and demonstrates ability to live these behaviours

Other

Essential

• Shift working over a 7 day week
• Good IT and keyboard skills
• Must hold full and valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust

Address

Norwich Community Hospital

Bowthorpe Road

Norwich

NR2 3TU

Employer's website

https://www.norfolkcommunityhealthandcare.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)