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Job summary

Main area
Assistant Practitioner Intermediate Care
Grade
Band 4
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
  • Flexible working
35.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday)
Job ref
839-7315026-AB
Employer
Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
St James Clinic
Town
Kings Lynn
Salary
£26,530 - £29,114 per annum pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
11/08/2025 23:59
Interview date
18/08/2025

Employer heading

NHS

Community Assistant Practitioner - Therapy

Band 4

NCH&C is proud to be the first standalone NHS community trust in the UK to achieve an ‘Outstanding’ rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Our focus is on continually improving the quality of care we offer to local people and on improving access to that care, helping people to move seamlessly from one service to another. Praising NCH&C’s “compassionate, inclusive and effective leadership at all levels”, the CQC observed that our staff are well supported to make positive changes and innovations.

Norfolk Community Health & Care NHS Trust is committed to continuing to create a modern and inclusive work environment. As part of this commitment we actively promote flexible working opportunities where possible, to meet the needs and wishes of our workforce to maintain and improve their wellbeing. The trust offers a range of flexibility, including flexible working patterns, and we would encourage you to discuss this with the recruiting manager before or during the application process if this would interest you.

We welcome applications from people who share our values and can help us deliver outstanding care in our local community.

Job overview

As part of the growth and development of The Intermediate Care team, we have an exciting opportunity to recruit additional Community Assistant Practitioners, working out of St James Clinic serving the Intermediate Care beds in the Kings Lynn area .

The role as an autonomous practitioner involves patient assessment, goal setting, implementation of therapy treatment plans with guidance from qualified OT and Physiotherapist. The team cover a wide variety of conditions within a intermediate care setting, a current UK driving licence and access to a vehicle will be essential for this role.

Opportunities to be involved in Home visits and contribute to discharge planning is a key aspect of this role along with delivering rehabilitation programs.

Main duties of the job

Key Areas of Responsibility

  1. To contribute to the delivery of care packages for patients with long term conditions, palliative care and rehabilitation needs for example, to achieve quality of life and independence where possible.
  2. To work within the integrated team to facilitate early discharge from hospital
  3. To work within the integrated team to prevent unnecessary admission to hospital
  4. To work with all health care professionals, and statutory/non statutory agencies to provide a seamless, integrated service to our service users.
  5. To liaise and communicate with the general public, other health care professionals, and multi-agencies on a daily basis.

Working for our organisation

Supervision will be provided by Band 6 Occupational Therapist or Band 7 Clinical Lead Physiotherapist. We offer the opportunity to work in an experienced and supportive team with opportunities for on-going professional development.

Apply now to join an organisation that has been awarded an 'Outstanding' rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the highest possible rating and the first stand-alone NHS community trust in the country to be awarded the title.

Find out more about working for our organisation here: https://online.flippingbook.com/view/226719057/

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical

The post holder will:

  1. Assess patients with straightforward requirements based on predetermined department protocols.
  2. Prepare for, carry out and monitor assessments and treatments in specified clinical areas, and discharge in line with predetermined department protocols.
  3. Apply competency-based treatment techniques/care to patients with specific conditions under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. 
  4. Modify and progress intervention / treatment using own clinical reasoning, notifying a qualified practitioner accordingly.
  5. Prepare for and develop individual/group activities to meet defined intervention needs.
  6. Monitor patients and promptly alert a qualified practitioner when there are unexpected changes.
  7. Demonstrate problem solving, and contribute to the solution, working with colleagues.
  8. Make basic judgements on patients’ response to prescribed treatment, and report findings to a qualified practitioner.
  9. Plan and prioritise own visits to delegated patients, and ensure these are documented in personal work diary.
  10. Ensure patient held records are completed for each visit, and that SystmOne inputting is completed on a daily basis.
  11. Where there are barriers to understanding, such as hearing impairment, mental capacity impairment and other difficulties in comprehension, explanations require adjustments in order to gain understanding, consent and concordance.
  12. Be required to use tact and persuasive skills in order to gain the patient’s co-operation in their treatment/care/management plan.
  13. Liaise with GPs, Social Services, inpatient teams, other allied health care professionals and the voluntary sector to ensure identified needs are met and care co-ordinated appropriately.
  14. To participate in multi-disciplinary/multi-agency meetings as appropriate, e.g. Gold Standard Framework.
  15. Communicate with patients/carers by exchanging factual information, reassurance, tact and empathy.
  16. Establish and maintain appropriate working relationships with colleagues, patients, carers and other health care professionals.
  17. Demonstrate dexterity and coordination when undertaking treatment of patients where accuracy is important, e.g. taking blood sugars, venepuncture, supervising transfers, passive exercises.
  18. Be responsible for ensuring equipment is used safely, following appropriate training, and that it is maintained appropriately.
  19. Contribute to the requisitioning of supplies and equipment through electronic ordering systems.
  20. Work predominantly independently on specified tasks, with regular clinical support and supervision by a qualified practitioner.
  21. Work with qualified practitioners with group work/clinics as required.
  22. Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of consent, and gain consent as appropriate following department policy.
  23. Share responsibility for maintaining store cupboards, pool cars, cleaning specialist equipment and general house keeping tasks.
  24. Share responsibility for indirect patient contact tasks, such as, answering telephones, arranging appointments, processing referrals and inputting activity data.
  25. Will be exposed to bodily fluids, infected material, blood products on a daily basis, therefore must utilise universal precautions and adhere to infection control policies.
  26. Demonstrate basic IT and standard keyboard skills.

Person specification

Qualifications

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

Experience

Essential criteria
  • 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 criteria
  • Experience of working in people’s homes.

Skills, Abilities and Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Knowledge of additional specialist areas through in-house training & short courses
  • Good communication skills
  • Highly motivated
Desirable criteria
  • Knowledge of multi-disciplinary team roles.
  • Experience of working in a community setting.

Communication

Essential criteria
  • Tact & diplomacy
  • Empathy & sensitivity
  • Ability to use own initiative
  • Able to communicate effectively using the English language in both verbal and written forms

Personal and People Development

Essential criteria
  • Ability to manage stressful situations
  • A team player
  • Awareness of own limitations
  • Good organisational skills
  • Open to change and development

Personal Attributes / Behaviours (linked to the Trust’s Behaviour Framework)

Essential criteria
  • Able to identify with the Trust’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults
  • Able to work alone
  • Assertive
  • Good listening skills.

Other

Essential criteria
  • Professional appearance
  • Be able to: Kneel, bend & stoop, and work in cramped environments.
  • Be able to: Manoeuvre limbs of around 5-6kg
  • Be able to: Manoeuvre patients using handling aids
  • Be able to: Be reliable
  • Must have a full UK driving license and have access to a vehicle

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Carers Friendly Tick award EmployersSunflower Hidden DisabilitiesApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveDisability confident leaderMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Care quality commission - OutstandingStep into healthArmed Forces Covenant Bronze AwardArmed Forces Covenant

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Philip Ward
Job title
Clinical Lead Physiotherapist
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07710393647
Additional information

All enquiries, and potential applicants are encouraged to make contact to discuss the role.

 

If you have problems applying, contact

Address
Room 218, Norwich Community Hospital
Bowthorpe Road
Norwich
NR2 3TU
Telephone
01603 272489
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