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Job summary

Main area
Therapy Assistant Practitioner
Grade
Band 4
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Weekend working on a rota)
Job ref
839-7220394-PG
Employer
Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Norwich Community Hospital
Town
Norwich
Salary
£26,530 - £29,114 pa
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
10/06/2025 23:59

Employer heading

NHS

Community Assistant Practitioner - Central Norfolk Home First Hub

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

The Central Norfolk Home First Hub is recruiting

Do you have excellent interpersonal and clinical skills? Are you flexible, approachable and a team player? 

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to join our Norwich Therapy Teams. We are looking for an experienced and reliable Assistant Practitioner to join us in providing high quality therapy services. Primarily the role is to provide support to the Central Norfolk Home First Hub which covers the Norwich, South and North places and will involve working across a 7 day week.  There will be opportunities to maintain clinical competencies by supporting work in the community; which could include community home visits.

The Central Norfolk Home First Hub is operational during the following hours Monday to Friday 08.00 – 18.00, Saturday 09.00 – 17.00, Sunday 10.00 – 16.00. 

If you thrive on variety in the working day, enjoy multi–tasking and also being part of a supportive team then this role is for you.

Main duties of the job

You will use your clinical skills and knowledge to complete the triage of therapy referrals for individuals being discharged from both acute and community hospitals. The role will include telephone assessments and reviews of individuals abilities living in their own homes or in care homes following discharge, and arranging appropriate therapy intervention.

Ideally you will be familiar with these clinical databases; Systmone, TCES Medequip, Liquid Logic though training will be provided.

As an Assistant Practitioner it is essential that you can prioritise your own workload, possess effective communication skills, work as part of a team, and use your own initiative.  

Working for our organisation

The Central Norfolk Home First Hub is an integrated multidisciplinary team of health and social care staff.  It consists of clinical leads, practice consultants, OT's Physio's, SW's, Therapy Assistant Practitioners and Social Care Assistant Practitioners. It is also supported by Integrated Care Coordinators and Business Support. 

The successful applicants will be supported within the team and receive regular supervision.

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.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

  • To support the Central Norfolk Home First Hub Service with triage of referrals for patients on Discharge to Assess pathways, assessing the patient’s needs, determining the priority of care, processing and allocating referrals accordingly, liaising with multidisciplinary team to ensure timely responses to referrals on an individual patient needs-based basis utilising the knowledge, skills and expertise of others in the Integrated team
  • To contribute in the delivery of high standards of health care to patients within their own homes, care homes, the travelling community, Community Hospitals and clinics, by assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating packages of care
  • To work within a reablement philosophy, using strengths based assessments and actively promoting independence for the patients.
  • To work within the integrated team to facilitate early discharge from hospital.
  • To work within the integrated team to prevent unnecessary admission to hospital.
  • To work, liaise and communicate with all health care professionals, and statutory/non statutory agencies to provide a seamless, integrated service to our service users on the Discharge to Assess pathway and in community teams.

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
  • 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 peoples homes

Other

Essential criteria
  • Must have full UK driving license and have access to a vehicle
  • Professional appearance
  • Be able to kneel, bend & stoop, and work in cramped environments
  • Able to manoeuvre limbs of around 5-6kg
  • Able to manoeuvre patients using handling aids
  • Be reliable
  • Able to communicate effectively in written and verbal English Language

Skills knowledge and ability

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

communication

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

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

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 show initiative
  • Able to work alone
  • Assertive
  • Good listening skills

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
Rosemary Sawyer
Job title
Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07767008140
Additional information

Sarah Grinnell

[email protected]

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