Job summary
An Assistant Practitioner is ‘a worker who competently delivers health and/or social care to and for people. They have a required level of knowledge and skill beyond that of the traditional health care assistant, support worker or a generic physiotherapy assistant. The assistant physiotherapy practitioner would be able to deliver elements of health and social care and undertake clinical work in domains that have previously only been within the remit of registered professionals. The assistant physiotherapy practitioner may transcend professional boundaries. They are accountable to themselves, their employer, and more importantly, the people they serve.’ (Skills for Health 2009: www.skillsforhealth.org.uk)
The post holder will be required to follow a programme of development, which will enable them to complete the required service competencies
Main duties of the job
The post holder will undertake highly skilled support work and rehabilitation within the physiotherapy outpatient departments across the Huddersfield and Calderdale NHS Trust with people who have pain originating from musculoskeletal conditions such as pregnancy related pain, post fracture, post-surgery, post injury and patient’s managing long term conditions. You will also have a responsibility to ensure that supervised exercise sessions and classes are run efficiently by working collaboratively with lower grade assistant therapists and qualified physiotherapists. The post holder will be working under indirect supervision of the registered practitioners in the team. This will involve taking responsibility for an identified and allocated caseload following screening / assessment by a registered practitioner. It will involve a degree of autonomy depending upon the complexity and risk of procedures being undertaken and an ability to identify patients who are not progressing and referring them on to qualified members of staff.
Work will be carried out within physiotherapy out-patient departments across Huddersfield and Calderdale NHS Trust.
Administrative duties and general patient care across departments are required.
The post holder will be expected to undertake the Band 4 competency training, and relevant academic study to level 4.
About us
Calderdale & Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust is a dynamic and successful organisation with a strong organisational and personal development focus. With over 5,500 employees and a turnover of £310 million, the Trust provides a comprehensive range of secondary care services to the people of Calderdale and Huddersfield and has an exceptional reputation for service delivery. The Foundation Trust aims to design and implement services, policies and measures that meet the diverse needs of our service, population and workforce, ensuring that none are placed at a disadvantage over others.
An opportunity has arisen for one full time Band 4 Assistant Physiotherapy Practitioner to work within physiotherapy outpatients. The post will involve working under a competency framework to provide support to patients in an outpatient setting, including having an allocated caseload, providing one to one treatments, rehabilitation (including exercise class settings.)
We can offer CPD and training through In-Service and access to a Personal Development Co-ordinator. We are committed as a team to continue developing and improving our Service to patients.
Applicants must be eligible to work in the U.K and must have NVQ level 3 or equivalent.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The numbers in brackets refer to national Occupational Standards (www.skillsforhealth.org.ok) and can be used as evidence towards educational awards
Clinical Duties
Following appropriate clinical skills training and assessment of competence in the workplace, supported by theoretical knowledge, the post holder will be able to undertake the following duties:
Analysis, Problem Solving & Service Planning
- Act within the limits of your competence and authority (GEN63) e. work to competencies & local protocols and understand local communication networks. This includes making judgments around what may or may not be significant changes in a patients condition, involving observation and engagement skills and whether or not to report to a registered practitioner. This may involve recognition and appropriate response to emergency situations and outcomes from tests.
- Form a professional judgement of an individuals health condition (CHS118) e. undertake assessment or reassessment of an individual to protocols and guidelines and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Able to make a judgement of an individuals progress and act within protocols to problem solve. E.g. assesses a patient following removal of POP post fracture of the wrist or ankle and begins a rehabilitation programme to restore function. Whilst identifying patients who are required to be seen; due to complications, by a qualified member of staff
Patient Care (Plans & Implements Therapeutic Activities)
- Perform hand hygiene to prevent the spread of infection (IPC2) e. ensure full compliance with local hand hygiene policy.
- Determine a treatment plan for an individual (CHS41) following assessment to protocols.
- Plan activities, interventions and treatments to achieve specified health goal (CHS44) following protocols and within the scope of the assistant physiotherapy practitioner role, seeking advice appropriately.
- Assist the qualified members of the team to implement healthcare activities (GEN8) : e.g. Assisting registered practitioners in the delivery of therapy and rehabilitation programme
- Contributes to care planning and review (AG2) e. make changes to interventions and treatments after reviewing patients based on established knowledge and skills and following protocols. Also includes attendance at case conferences and meetings when reports will be made to registered practitioners and referral on to other agencies.
- Contribute to the discharge of an individual into the care of another service (GEN17)
- Implement rehabilitation programmes and treatments with individuals who have pain, restricted movement/mobility or loss of function secondary to musculoskeletal pain or injury (CHS135)
- Implement rehabilitation programmes for individuals to restore optimum movement, strength and function (CHS137) e. carry out intervention following agreed protocols
- Assist in the implementation of programmes and treatment 1:1 or in a group environment independently and alongside qualified members of staff. (CHS136)
- Assist in delivering advice and exercise sessions to patients suffering from pregnancy related pain. (CHS138)
- Implement individualised care plans to meet the needs of children and young people (CS6)
Develop activities and materials to enable individuals to achieve specified functional goals (CHS156)
- Provide advice and information to individuals on how to manage their own condition (GEN14) e. support patients with self-care and self-management of their condition. This may be carried out individually or in groups.
- rovide advice and information to children and young people and those involved in their care on how to manage their own condition (CS30)
- Monitor and manage the environment and resources during and after clinical/therapeutic activities (GEN7) : including participation in infection control procedures when preparing and cleaning clinical areas, and undertake responsibility for stock control (including monitoring & ordering) of clinical & non clinical supplies.
Freedom to Act
- Carry out and provide feedback on specific plan of care activities (HSC25 ) i.e. act on own initiative when delivering patient care, mechanisms in place for supervision/ reference when needed. Follows standard operating procedures (competencies). Exercise a degree of autonomy depending upon the complexity and risk of procedures being undertaken. Plans straightforward tasks and works guided by standard operating procedures and agreed protocols.
- Form a professional judgment of an individuals health (CHS118) e. make judgments requiring a comparison of options within protocols.
Communication
- Promote effective communication with, for and about individuals (HSC31) e. patients, other team members and other services/agencies in a manner appropriate to the setting and the individuals needs. This may involve adapting methods to overcome barriers to understanding. Communication may be verbal, written or electronic.
- Communicate with, and complete records for individuals (HSC21) e. maintain contemporaneous medical records (written & electronic) in line with Trust policy. This includes the ability to take accurate referral information.
- Relate to & interact with individuals (HSC233) using encouragement, sensitivity, support and interventions as necessary. Maintain effective communication with your team and others you come into contact with. Able to give appropriate feedback to referrers as to the relevance of and response to the referral.
- Communicate with all patients, and those involved in their care (CS1) by establishing the most effective methods of communication and enabling all to participate in communication.
- Comply with legal requirements for patient/client confidentiality (HSCD5).
3.2 Professional Duties
Store and retrieve information (CfA105) g. New Patient Registration and use of database e.g. SystmOne to support audits/surveys/patient recall.
- Prepare for and participate in quality audits (M&L14) Contribute to and carry out quality audits as necessary.
- Contribute to the development of organisational policy and practice (BA3) e. make recommendations to implement practice development plan and raise the standards of practice delivery.
- Ensure your own actions, support the equality, diversity, rights and responsibilities of individuals (HSC234): Staff should ensure that their actions support the aim of the Trust/Practice in ensuring that all patients are protected from significant harm, abuse and neglect, within the framework of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
Provide supervision to other individuals (GEN35) e. Demonstrates own activities to new or less experienced employees and demonstrates own duties to new staff or agency staff. May be responsible for supervising the work of other lower grade assistant physiotherapists.
- Facilitate individual learning and development (LLUK L7.2010) including orientation and non-clinical induction of new staff members and students
- Make sure your actions contribute to a positive and safe working culture (ENTO WRV1) : Staff must be aware of and adhere to the provisions of the health and safety at work act and to ensure their own safety and the safety of colleagues and patients.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The numbers in brackets refer to national Occupational Standards (www.skillsforhealth.org.ok) and can be used as evidence towards educational awards
Clinical Duties
Following appropriate clinical skills training and assessment of competence in the workplace, supported by theoretical knowledge, the post holder will be able to undertake the following duties:
Analysis, Problem Solving & Service Planning
- Act within the limits of your competence and authority (GEN63) e. work to competencies & local protocols and understand local communication networks. This includes making judgments around what may or may not be significant changes in a patients condition, involving observation and engagement skills and whether or not to report to a registered practitioner. This may involve recognition and appropriate response to emergency situations and outcomes from tests.
- Form a professional judgement of an individuals health condition (CHS118) e. undertake assessment or reassessment of an individual to protocols and guidelines and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Able to make a judgement of an individuals progress and act within protocols to problem solve. E.g. assesses a patient following removal of POP post fracture of the wrist or ankle and begins a rehabilitation programme to restore function. Whilst identifying patients who are required to be seen; due to complications, by a qualified member of staff
Patient Care (Plans & Implements Therapeutic Activities)
- Perform hand hygiene to prevent the spread of infection (IPC2) e. ensure full compliance with local hand hygiene policy.
- Determine a treatment plan for an individual (CHS41) following assessment to protocols.
- Plan activities, interventions and treatments to achieve specified health goal (CHS44) following protocols and within the scope of the assistant physiotherapy practitioner role, seeking advice appropriately.
- Assist the qualified members of the team to implement healthcare activities (GEN8) : e.g. Assisting registered practitioners in the delivery of therapy and rehabilitation programme
- Contributes to care planning and review (AG2) e. make changes to interventions and treatments after reviewing patients based on established knowledge and skills and following protocols. Also includes attendance at case conferences and meetings when reports will be made to registered practitioners and referral on to other agencies.
- Contribute to the discharge of an individual into the care of another service (GEN17)
- Implement rehabilitation programmes and treatments with individuals who have pain, restricted movement/mobility or loss of function secondary to musculoskeletal pain or injury (CHS135)
- Implement rehabilitation programmes for individuals to restore optimum movement, strength and function (CHS137) e. carry out intervention following agreed protocols
- Assist in the implementation of programmes and treatment 1:1 or in a group environment independently and alongside qualified members of staff. (CHS136)
- Assist in delivering advice and exercise sessions to patients suffering from pregnancy related pain. (CHS138)
- Implement individualised care plans to meet the needs of children and young people (CS6)
Develop activities and materials to enable individuals to achieve specified functional goals (CHS156)
- Provide advice and information to individuals on how to manage their own condition (GEN14) e. support patients with self-care and self-management of their condition. This may be carried out individually or in groups.
- rovide advice and information to children and young people and those involved in their care on how to manage their own condition (CS30)
- Monitor and manage the environment and resources during and after clinical/therapeutic activities (GEN7) : including participation in infection control procedures when preparing and cleaning clinical areas, and undertake responsibility for stock control (including monitoring & ordering) of clinical & non clinical supplies.
Freedom to Act
- Carry out and provide feedback on specific plan of care activities (HSC25 ) i.e. act on own initiative when delivering patient care, mechanisms in place for supervision/ reference when needed. Follows standard operating procedures (competencies). Exercise a degree of autonomy depending upon the complexity and risk of procedures being undertaken. Plans straightforward tasks and works guided by standard operating procedures and agreed protocols.
- Form a professional judgment of an individuals health (CHS118) e. make judgments requiring a comparison of options within protocols.
Communication
- Promote effective communication with, for and about individuals (HSC31) e. patients, other team members and other services/agencies in a manner appropriate to the setting and the individuals needs. This may involve adapting methods to overcome barriers to understanding. Communication may be verbal, written or electronic.
- Communicate with, and complete records for individuals (HSC21) e. maintain contemporaneous medical records (written & electronic) in line with Trust policy. This includes the ability to take accurate referral information.
- Relate to & interact with individuals (HSC233) using encouragement, sensitivity, support and interventions as necessary. Maintain effective communication with your team and others you come into contact with. Able to give appropriate feedback to referrers as to the relevance of and response to the referral.
- Communicate with all patients, and those involved in their care (CS1) by establishing the most effective methods of communication and enabling all to participate in communication.
- Comply with legal requirements for patient/client confidentiality (HSCD5).
3.2 Professional Duties
Store and retrieve information (CfA105) g. New Patient Registration and use of database e.g. SystmOne to support audits/surveys/patient recall.
- Prepare for and participate in quality audits (M&L14) Contribute to and carry out quality audits as necessary.
- Contribute to the development of organisational policy and practice (BA3) e. make recommendations to implement practice development plan and raise the standards of practice delivery.
- Ensure your own actions, support the equality, diversity, rights and responsibilities of individuals (HSC234): Staff should ensure that their actions support the aim of the Trust/Practice in ensuring that all patients are protected from significant harm, abuse and neglect, within the framework of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
Provide supervision to other individuals (GEN35) e. Demonstrates own activities to new or less experienced employees and demonstrates own duties to new staff or agency staff. May be responsible for supervising the work of other lower grade assistant physiotherapists.
- Facilitate individual learning and development (LLUK L7.2010) including orientation and non-clinical induction of new staff members and students
- Make sure your actions contribute to a positive and safe working culture (ENTO WRV1) : Staff must be aware of and adhere to the provisions of the health and safety at work act and to ensure their own safety and the safety of colleagues and patients.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE level English and Maths or equivalent.
- NVQ L3 ( or equivalent ) in appropriate field
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience working and communicating with the public in a social care/health care/educational/public health setting.
- Previous experience working in a Multidisciplinary team in health, social care or education setting.
Desirable
- Experience of work alongside physiotherapy staff or within physiotherapy departments
Training
Essential
- Knowledge of the client group and evidence of related training
- Previous competency based training in a relevant field
Desirable
- Level 4 validated education programme e.g. Certificate in Higher Education. NB Grade progression is dependent upon achievement of this and defined service specific competencies
Special Knowledge/ Expertise
Essential
- Basic computer skills
- An understanding of the needs and issues concerning illness and disability
- An ability to work on own and make appropriate decisions, seeking help appropriately particularly in unforeseen circumstances.
- A good understanding of the concept of rehabilitation
- Experience of teaching and instructing exercise or rehabilitation d instructing exercise or rehabilitation
- Experience of dealing with people of all ages with rehabilitation needs
- An understanding of enabling a person to learn or relearn skills
Desirable
- Understanding & knowledge of specialist equipment
- Understanding of wider interagency issues
Practical/Intellectual Skills/Personal Qualities
Essential
- Demonstrates positive attitudes and behaviours
- Works well within a team
- Able to work with service users without direct supervision
- Able to use initiative and be aware of limitations
- Able to deal sensitively with distressing, emotional situations
- Good communications skills
- Able to motivate others
- Awareness of cultural issues and valuing diversity
- Organisational skills to manage time and case load and to actively participate in the workload management of the team
Desirable
- Problem solving/decision making skills – based on patient’s needs
- Pays particular attention to detail in all aspects of their work, including: particularly during verbal and non-verbal communication with others.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- GCSE level English and Maths or equivalent.
- NVQ L3 ( or equivalent ) in appropriate field
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience working and communicating with the public in a social care/health care/educational/public health setting.
- Previous experience working in a Multidisciplinary team in health, social care or education setting.
Desirable
- Experience of work alongside physiotherapy staff or within physiotherapy departments
Training
Essential
- Knowledge of the client group and evidence of related training
- Previous competency based training in a relevant field
Desirable
- Level 4 validated education programme e.g. Certificate in Higher Education. NB Grade progression is dependent upon achievement of this and defined service specific competencies
Special Knowledge/ Expertise
Essential
- Basic computer skills
- An understanding of the needs and issues concerning illness and disability
- An ability to work on own and make appropriate decisions, seeking help appropriately particularly in unforeseen circumstances.
- A good understanding of the concept of rehabilitation
- Experience of teaching and instructing exercise or rehabilitation d instructing exercise or rehabilitation
- Experience of dealing with people of all ages with rehabilitation needs
- An understanding of enabling a person to learn or relearn skills
Desirable
- Understanding & knowledge of specialist equipment
- Understanding of wider interagency issues
Practical/Intellectual Skills/Personal Qualities
Essential
- Demonstrates positive attitudes and behaviours
- Works well within a team
- Able to work with service users without direct supervision
- Able to use initiative and be aware of limitations
- Able to deal sensitively with distressing, emotional situations
- Good communications skills
- Able to motivate others
- Awareness of cultural issues and valuing diversity
- Organisational skills to manage time and case load and to actively participate in the workload management of the team
Desirable
- Problem solving/decision making skills – based on patient’s needs
- Pays particular attention to detail in all aspects of their work, including: particularly during verbal and non-verbal communication with others.
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.
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) .
Additional information
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) .
