Assistant Practitioner

Job summary Hours per week.Livewell Southwest has an exciting opportunity for a Band 4Assistant Practitioner Occupational Therapy based within the CommunityLearning Disabilities Team (CLDT).
The CLDT are based at Westbourne, Scott Business Park,Plymouth and work with adults who primary need related to their LearningDisability.
As an Assistant Practitioner based with the Occupational Therapists,you will be working to provide support to undertake occupational focusedassessments, develop creative solutions to enable people who use the service toparticipate in meaningful activities, co-facilitate groups and support theOccupational Therapists in delivering and developing occupational focusedhealth outcomes for people with a Learning Disability.
The successful candidate be passionate about working with people who have Learning Disabilities and/or communication difficultiesand skills in using multi-media resources to create accessible information forpeople who may need this.
The team works Monday to Friday during usual office hours,covering the area of Plymouth city.
The post holder will be required to travelaround the community and transport equipment at times.
There are opportunitiesfor hybrid and flexible working as part of this post.This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under theSkilled Worker route, please refer to the Direct Gov website for moreinformation with regards to eligibility.
Main duties of the job The role includes:Working aspart of a team delivering therapeutic interventions that focuses on the directneeds of the patients/service users.
They will carry out specific plannedclinical tasks and responsibilities to facilitate, assessment, treatment,planning and evaluation of patients in a specific clinical team.The postholder will work independently within the defined scope of practice under thedelegation and guidance of a registered professional.
Applying specialistevidence-based knowledge of principles and procedures within this specificfield of healthcare.Assistant Practitioners will have undertaken a broad range oftheoretical and practical learning regarding healthcare and wellbeing toFoundation Degree level.Please note that Livewell may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline if a high number of applications are submitted.
Therefore, we recommend you submit your application at the earliest opportunity.All Livewell Southwest staff are expected to able andwilling to work across a 7 day service.
Job Share(s) Considered "please note that 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" About us Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise providing integrated health & social care services for people across Plymouth, South Hams & West Devon, as well as some specialist services for people living in parts of Devon & Cornwall.
With teams in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, health & wellbeing hubs.As an organisation with a strong social conscience, we always value being kind, respectful, inclusive, ambitious, responsible and collaborative.
Transforming services to make them sustainable, ensuring that we value, support & empower each other.We are committed to involving the people we care for, families & carers in everything that we do, working towards co-production where we can.
Helping us to deliver the right care for people, in the right place & at the right time.
By putting people at the centre of what we do, we ensure to support people to lead, healthy independent lives & be the very best at helping people to live well.Valuing our employees making an investment in their development a priority.
We offer:Protected CPD time for registered staffVarious development pathways and ongoing regular training packages for all staffLeadership & mentoring programmesAccess & funding for training including Care Certificate, Assistant Practitioners Course & Scholarship Into Nurse TrainingA Robust PreceptorshipA bespoke induction programmeExisting members of the NHS Pension Scheme can continue their membership when they join the organisation.
Job description Job responsibilities Responsibility for People ManagementDemonstrate own duties to new or less experienced staff, and where appropriate participate in induction and support programmes in relation to new staff and volunteers.Develop skills in relation to coaching/teaching individuals/carers/other staff.To be actively involved in team effectiveness by attending staff meetings and contributing as a team player to team development.Support and supervise junior members of the team as required - to participate in providing instruction, learning opportunities and assessment of Bands 2/3 staff, students and other trainees as required.Responsibility for financial and/or physical resourcesTo use and maintain resources efficiently and effectively and to provide evidence of these efforts.Exercise personal duty of care in the safe use and storage of equipmentTo adhere to relevant trust policies on financial issues.Responsibility for administrationPrioritises workload effectively; this could include scheduling your workday appropriately or managing your own diary of appointments and visits (as well as mileage if applicable).
This requires a high level of time management and organisation skills.To undertake any non-clinical / clerical duties as necessary.
This may include maintaining stock levels, ordering equipment, and filing, dealing with telephone calls, and cleaning.To comply with legislation, policies, procedures, and other quality approaches relevant to the work being undertaken.To report accidents, incidents or complaints following LSW procedures and policies and to comply with the most recent Health and Safety at Work Act.To actively participate in the planning and implementation of operational policies, projects, and service development within the team.Responsibility for people who use our servicesWork as part of a designated clinical team delivering care and/or therapy that focuses on the direct needs of the individual.To manage a defined group of patients using evidence based/client centred principles to assess, plan, implement and evaluate interventions and contribute to the service provision.To demonstrate a working knowledge and understanding of conditions relevant to the clinical area and those patients presenting with multi pathology.To work under the direction of registered staff in the performance of specific tasks for patients, as part of their treatment and plan of care.You may be involved, dependant on clinical team, in the use of technical and creative skills to assist in the provision of a flexible based therapeutic activity programme as part of the therapy service provision to adults using the service.
For example, assessment for mobility aids and basic falls assessments as required.You may have involvement in the completion of non-standardised and standardised cognitive assessments, capacity assessments and clinical risk assessments.You may use a selection of both standardised and non -standardised assessments to assist and aid diagnosis of cognitive, sensory, perceptual, behavioural, physical psychosocial and social functioning.Knowledge and understanding of the Mental Capacity Act and use this to conduct basic mental capacity assessments and participate in MDT processes such as DST completion and CHC.To be responsible for the holistic assessment, treatment, evaluation, and modification of a treatment plan and make the clinical decision of when to discharge.If applicable to your team, to assess, prescribe and authorise a range of agreed equipment and make recommendations for minor and major adaptations to increase/enable or compensate for independent function, teaching compensatory techniques as required.To take the appropriate action to manage an emergency situation and summoning appropriate assistance and complete accurate reporting systems.Depending on clinical area you may be responsible for medication management for a group of patients, including stock checking, ordering medication, transcribing medication onto a system.If applicable to your role you may be responsible for the administration of medication to patients via different routes.Depending on clinical area, to competently risk assess patients to support self-administration of medications and/or to provide support to those regaining independence with managing own medicationsDemonstrate the ability to recognise changing priorities seeking advice and guidance from the registered care professionals as appropriate.To act as the patient's advocate to facilitate the patient's own choices.To use person centred goal planning processes and outcome measures to review progress of the patient.Assist in the implementation of appropriate action to meet the specific physical, emotional, and psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual needs of individuals and carers.Have a working knowledge of other providers resources and referral systems to ensure individuals needs are met, within scope of practice.To form a rapport and professional relationship with patients, maintaining clear boundaries for effective working practices.To use knowledge and skills to engage patients in therapeutic activities to promote healthy psychological and physiological well-being.
Encouraging self-management techniques where able.Safely carry out moving and handling of individuals and equipment.Responsibility for implementation of policy and/or service developmentsTo participate in research and clinical audit as appropriate keeping up to date with changing practices.To understand how to apply changes in legislation, policies and procedures.To be aware of the Health and Safety aspects of your work and abide by policies including the prompt recording and documentation of incidents and accidents.Contribute to the improvement of service by reflecting on own practice and supporting that of others.Regularly attend workplace and staff engagement meetings and contribute positively to discussions about the improvement of care.Other ResponsibilitiesParticipate in development opportunities.To contribute to and work within a safe working environment.The post holder is expected to comply with Livewell Southwest Infection Control Policies and conduct him/herself at all times in such a manner as to minimise the risk of healthcare associated infection.To participate in staff appraisal and works in partnership with manager to develop and deliver on Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound (SMART) objectives for personal development plan.To undertake practice supervision in line with practice supervision policy.Engage in reflective practice including management of self and reflection on own reactions, asking questions, and reflecting on answers given.To take responsibility for maintaining and further developing knowledge and skills through recognised Continuing Professional Development activities enabling flexibility in practice and responsiveness to changing service demands.If applicable, adhere to the Lone Working Policy and ensure procedures are adhered to.To undertake any other duties considered reasonable and appropriate by team manager.To participate in all mandatory training required for the role and participate in training that is role specific.Advocate for the role of the Assistant Practitioner and act as an excellent role model by upholding and implementing good practice in the workplace.There may be other certain defined skills, tasks, and responsibilities that you undertake as part of your role as an Assistant Practitioner within your specific clinical team/area that cannot be defined within this document.
These may be linked to a competency framework document if availableCommunications & RelationshipsTo be responsible of own behaviour and its effect on others.Recognise and report any situations, behaviours or errors that could result in poor outcome offering solutions is possible.Liaise with and ensure good communication with statutory/voluntary bodies to ensure continuation of care once discharged from the service.Liaise and communicate effectively in a courteous and helpful manner, with other team members and service users of different backgrounds and levels of understanding.Communicate effectively across a wide range of channels and with a wide range of individuals, the public, health, and social care professionals, maintaining the focus of communication on delivering and improving health, care and therapy services.Ensure clear, concise, accurate and legible records and all communication is maintained in relation to care delivered adhering to local and national guidance.To communicate effectively with patients and carers.Physical demands of the jobFrequent moderate effort is required when undertaking the moving and handling of individuals and objects in line with organisational guidelines.Mental effortFrequent concentration is required, as work patterns can frequently be unpredictable with regular interruptions, some requiring immediate response.Emotional effortMust maintain a professional approach while working in challenging, distressing situations or dealing with challenging behaviour.Support individuals, their families and carers when faced with unwelcome news and life changing diagnoses.Working ConditionsDependent on setting, trainee may be exposed to working in a confined space and/or awkward position to undertake some care activities.May be exposed to frequent episodes of driving to travel around the Livewell Southwest service footprint.The post may involve lone working and staff will be required to adhere to lone working procedures including the use of lone working devices.Deal safely and effectively, in accordance with Livewell Southwest policy, exposure to hazards and highly unpleasant working conditions including face to face physical/ verbal aggressive behaviour from patients or relatives and contact with body fluids, using the incident reporting system to report any incidents or near misses.
Person Specification Qualifications Essential Level 5 Foundation degree Assistant Practitioner OR Level 5 qualification in health and social care plus relevant clinical experience.
GCSEs grade 4-9 in English and Maths OR Functional skills level 2 in English and Maths, evidenced by certificate of achievement.
Experience Essential Previous experience of working within specific area of health/social care.
Experience of and the ability to work effectively as a team player under appropriate supervision, and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Ability to work independently with a delegated caseload, use initiative whilst understanding limits of scope.
Experience of providing and receiving complex, sensitive information Insight into how to evaluate own strengths and development needs, seeking advice where appropriate.
Conducts clinical tasks within Assistant Practitioner scope of practice to a high level of competency.
Ability to support the development Knowledge Essential To understand and always uphold Livewell Southwests Values of being Kind, Respectful, Inclusive, Ambitious and Responsible.
Understanding of and providing evidence-based practice.
Understanding of the importance of following procedures and treatment plans.
Knowledge of when to seek advice and escalate to the appropriate professional for expert help and advice.
Understanding of the scope of the Assistant Practitioner in context of the team and the organisation, and how the role may contribute to service development.
Intermediate IT skills.
Understanding of the importance of the promotion of health and wellbeing.
Evidence of recent work-based learning or self-directed learning.
Knowledge of relevant clinical conditions.
Working knowledge of national guidelines and legislation relating to health and social care and their impact on service provision.
Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance.
Statutory requirements understanding of Mental Health Act appropriate to role.
Understanding of the principles of Confidentiality, Data Protection, and Information Governance.
Understanding of vulnerable adults/child protection.
and computer literacy.
Skills Essential Ability to autonomously manage caseload as delegated by line manager.
Ability to assess and treat patients using evidence-based practice.
Demonstrate commitment to and focus on quality, promotes high standards to consistently improve patient outcomes.
Evidence of good record keeping and accurate clinical documentation.
Effective written, oral, and electronic communication skills.
Ability to organise and prioritise own workload and that of other staff.
Ability to work in a team and alone.
Good time management skills.
Ability to work under pressure and support others under stress.
Demonstrates ability to use own initiative but knows when to seek guidance.
Group working skills.
Ability to travel to various settings.
Ability to problem solve.
Courteous, respectful, and helpful at all times.
Ability to communicate effectively (written, verbal and non-verbal communication) with patients/relatives and carers and all members of the multi-disciplinary team.
Ability to develop effective and appropriate relationships with people, their families, carers, and colleagues.
Flexible approach to working.
Attention to detail.
Highly motivated with ability to influence and inspire others.
Empathic and able to handle emotionally intensive situations.
Good attendance and punctuality Demonstrates motivation, integrity and compassion and self-awareness.