Trainee Assistant Practitioner

Job summary Are you looking for a career that sparks excitement and fosters your professional growth?
Picture yourself waking up eager to make a real difference in our community, surrounded by teams who value you and will support you alongside your training journey?This is an exciting opportunity for a Trainee Assistant Practitioner to join us in the Sedgemoor Older Person's Mental Health Team as part of our multi-disciplinary integrated neighbourhood teams.Supporting individuals to understand about their health, through health education and health interventions particularly in relation to managing their physical health needs.You will be allocated a college academic mentor for the duration of your programme with Bridgwater & Taunton college, who will work with both you and your line manager to identify opportunities for growth and development and you will also attend a series of workshops to support knowledge development.On successful completion of the course, we would look to you becoming a band 4 Assistant Practitioner in the team.Please note: Essential entry and eligibility requirements for the course: GCSE grade A-C or 4 or above or functional skills at Level 2 for both English and Math's, and a level 3 qualification.
A UK resident or have the right to remain that has been held for the past 3 years.
Main duties of the job Assistant Practitioners work as part of the wider health and social care team and have direct contact with patients, service users or clients providing high quality, safe and compassionate care.
Assistant Practitioners work at a level above that of Healthcare Support Workers and have a more in-depth understanding about factors that influence mental illness and recovery.The Assistant Practitioner supports an identified Registered Health or Social Care Professional in monitoring, supporting and coordinating the care of a caseload of people with mental health care needs, whilst also taking on key working responsibilities for their own named clients as appropriate.
The clients can include those open to the Older Person's Community Mental Health Team, the Dementia Assessment and Support Service and the Therapeutic Groups Service.During the trainee years, the successful candidate will develop in these areas of practice, through working within the team and completing the college course, building up to working independently once deemed competent within the associated competency framework.This post will require travel across rural remote areas, therefore a UK driving licence holder with the ability and willingness to travel as per service requirements is essential.
About us As an organisation, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust offers employees a wide range of benefits including flexible working, NHS pension scheme, generous annual leave allowance and a commitment to career development.You will be eligible for our Blue Light Card and a wide range of NHS exclusive shopping & leisure discounts.We are proud of our skilled, diverse workforce and as an inclusive employer we welcome applications from all backgrounds.Working in Somerset enables you to enjoy the idyllic countryside, areas of outstanding beauty and stunning coastlines whilst still only being a stone's throw away from bustling city centres like Bristol, Bath and Exeter and only two hours away from London.There are excellent educational facilities in the area and, when compared to other regions, house prices are reasonable.Somerset offers the countryside and the cosmopolitan -- there is truly something for everyone!
Job description Job responsibilities The training programme with Bridgwater & Taunton college offers access and progression to higher academic awards or to a career pathway as an Assistant Practitioner.Any offer is also dependant on a successful interview with the college, to be held at a later date - TBAFor those who wish to progress their studies, you may then be eligible to apply for advanced entry to a level 6 BSc (Hons) programme, for example BSc (Hons) Nursing.You will work across all of our services which include:Community Mental Health Team - seeing clients in their own home following an intervention plan created by the key worker.The Dementia Assessment and Support Service - you will offer post diagnostic support sessions for those diagnosed as well as their families/carers.Therapeutic Groups - you will facilitate across our range of group offerings which include Living Well with Dementia, Cognitive Stimulation Therapy and a Sustain your Brain group for those with an MCI.Our Physical Health monitoring service for those prescribed antipsychotic medication.
This includes taking bloods, observations and performing ECG's once trained.Please see the attached document for full details and person specification.
Person Specification Qualifications Essential GCSEs Grade A-C in Maths and English or Grade 4 or above or functional skills level 2 in Maths or English Level 3 in any subject or equivalent in terms of both academic attainment and previous care experience Or, level 2 with a Certificate in Bridging Skills for Higher Education in Health at level 3, or equivalent Essential induction training and experience -- care certificate or equivalent Desirable Previous experience of working within a health / care setting Experience Essential Insight into how to evaluate own strengths and development needs, seeking advice where appropriate Understanding of the scope of the role of the Assistant Practitioner in context of the team and the organisation, and how the role may contribute to service development Understanding of basic physiology, normal vital signs, fluid balance, nutritional requirements etc.
Additional Criteria Essential UK resident or have the right to remain in the UK and held for the past 3 years Ability to move between sites working across health and social care as required by the needs of the development programme.
UK driving licence holder with the ability and willingness to travel as per service requirements Insight into how to evaluate own strengths and development needs, seeking advice where appropriate Understanding of the scope of the role of the Assistant Practitioner in context of the team and the organisation, and how the role may contribute to service development Compassionate - Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with staff, patients, carers and relatives (as appropriate) remaining sensitive and empathetic.
Listens to others' views respecting and valuing individual needs.
Professional and patient focussed approach with inspirational skills, acting as a role model to colleagues and junior staff members.
Excellent organisational skills, ability to manage own time and plan timed activities.
Ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner.
Able to take instruction and direction and work effectively as part of a team.
Ability to record and retrieve information on paper/electronic records as appropriate.
High standards of written communication skills with the ability to use email and internet.
Ability to work effectively as a team player under appropriate supervision, and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Insight into how to evaluate own strengths and development needs, seeking advice where appropriate.
Understanding of the scope of the role of the Assistant Practitioner in context of the team and the organisation, and how the role may contribute to service development.
Evidence of time management skills and ability to prioritise Intermediate IT skills.
Ability to communicate with members of the public and health and care providers.
Courteous, respectful and helpful Ability to deal with non-routine and unpredictable nature of the workload and individual patient contact Able to demonstrate a good standard of English language Compassionate -- Open-minded, treats colleagues, patients, carers and relatives with dignity and respect.
Intuitive and caring nature Act in a way that supports equality and diversity To be able to demonstrate an awareness and responsibility whilst recognising the impact frequent exposure to distressing circumstances has on care and compassion.
Flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of the patients Ability to take part in reflective practice and clinical supervision activities.
Knowledge of when to seek advice and refer to a registered care professional.
To work as a member of the community team within a given geographical area Desirable Understanding of basic physiology, normal vital signs, fluid balance, nutritional requirements etc.
Understanding of evidence-based practice Evidence of recent work based learning or self-directed learning