Job responsibilities
Job Context
Weldmar
Hospicecare is an independent charity that provides specialist end of life care
to patients and those that are important to them throughout Dorset. This care
is given in the comfort of patients own homes by Weldmar Community Nurses, our
Weldmar at Home Team and via Wellbeing Support Session held across the county
or as inpatients at our hospice in Dorchester. Our team of dedicated staff and
volunteers ensure that we can continue to support patients through one of
lifes most difficult journeys. We work closely with other health care
providers including the NHS to ensure that our patients receive the highest
possible care.
We do
receive some funding from the NHS but the majority of our income is generated
by our fundraising and retail teams, which plays a vital part in securing
income to fund our care, both now and in the future.
The role of AHP Assistant
Practitioner is to support the Weldmar Allied Healthcare Practitioners (AHPs)
in Central, South or North Dorset in the delivery of high quality and
palliative care to patients and their families predominantly in their own
homes, at Wellbeing Support Services, on the Inpatient Unit or as out patients.
Job Purpose
As a
key member of the AHP Team, work closely with the team providing a high
standard therapeutic intervention to enable patients to maintain and or improve
their quality of life.
To
assist AHPs to deliver specialist therapy in the IPU, community and outpatients
as required. This may be supporting rehabilitative techniques and activities
that support independence and empowerment.
To
provide feedback using accurate documentation and accurate observations to AHP,
on assessments and treatments undertaken.
To be a
key member of the team in the day to day organisation of AHP team work and
service provision.
To
co-ordinate and facilitate discharges from the IPU in a timely, appropriate and
professional manner.
To
liaise with the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) and all relevant external agencies
in order to plan complex transfers of care from the IPU.
To
participate in the IPU MDT meeting in order to identify the need for care
provision and the means whereby care provision can be accessed.
The
post holder will be required to work in patients homes, the inpatient unit in
Dorchester or outpatient clinics and be expected to work flexibly across care
settings when this is conducive to meeting the holistic needs of the patient
and their family.
The
post holder to be able to lead group therapy sessions, or have a willingness to
do so.
Scope and Limits of Authority
The post holder will be an
experienced Allied Health Professional Assistant Practitioner who has the
ability to:
Deliver
therapy with minimum direct supervision within the Inpatient Unit, patients
own home, or Wellbeing Support Service.
To
ensure all relevant professionals are updated and aware of current discharge
plans for patients on IPU via discharge update, handover sheet, MDT meetings
and SystmOne
In
liaison with the whole MDT proactively identify, report and manage delayed
transfers of care and delayed transfer of care records and participate in audit
as stipulated by Clinical Governance Steering Group
Promote
a holistic and individualised approach to care.
Attain
full competence in the knowledge and skills outlined in the Band 4 Skills
Profile associated with this role.
Recognise
their own limitations and know when to refer onto a senior health care
professional.
The
post holder has no direct budget responsibility but must be aware of cost
implications and make effective use of resources.
Job tasks
To
deliver quality therapy according to the therapy plan to a diverse caseload of
patients, as delegated by AHP or Weldmar Community Nurse (WCN) working with
minimum direct supervision.
To be
able to recognise and appropriately report changes in a patients condition or
symptoms that requires the input of a senior registered health care
professional.
To
co-ordinate the timely and effective transfer of care of patients from the IPU
to an agreed destination. To communicate effectively with the patient and
families, MDT members and relevant external health & social care providers
to ensure the relevant care package is in place.
To
attend Take 5 every day and update the wider MDT concerning relevant changes in
various funding application and discharge process.
To
maintain accurate, legible and contemporaneous records on all patients, to
ensure documentation meets agreed standards and adheres to Caldicott guidelines
and Weldmar Policies and standards.
To
communicate with AHP colleagues regarding changes and ongoing therapy and care
needs of patients and their families on a regular basis.
To
establish and maintain effective communication with other members of the
multi-disciplinary team and members of the wider health and social care
community teams such as Adult Social Care (Community Rehabilitative Teams),
DAIRS and Orthotics.
To
provide emotional support allowing patients and families to express their
feelings/ concerns utilising listening and empathetic skills.
To
promote independence and well- being by ensuring:
- Involvement of patients in their plan of care
- Ongoing assessment of the home environment to identify any additional
needs including equipment, care packages or carers support.
To
undertake and record on Weldmars electronic patient database system (SystmOne)
clear and precise notes of observations and therapies conducted.
To
contribute to symptom management through the utilisation of appropriate
assessment tools, observation, monitoring or patient feedback, reporting the
outcome to the appropriate registered professional.
To
alert a senior member of the AHP or MDT if patients or their familys behaviour
causes concern and merits referral onto Weldmar Patient and Family Support
Services.
To
initiate appropriate action in the event of an emergency situation
Organisational and
Administration Responsibilities
To
ensure that appropriate accurate and up to date records are documented
according to Weldmar policies and procedures.
To
ensure all other information, documentation and reporting requirements are
completed including service related communication e.g. VANTAGE (Weldmars
accident and incident reporting system)
To work
flexibly to provide cover for absent colleagues when required
To participate
in supervision and performance review processes
Communications and
Relationships
To
establish and maintain effective communication with other Weldmar team members
and members of the wider health and social care community team.
To
communicate relevant information to patients and families whilst maintaining
confidentiality.
Communicate
effectively with patients, carers and HCPs. Be able to communicate effectively
with the AHP, extended MDT and outside agencies such as Social Services, CRT,
DAIRS and Orthotics ensuring and facilitating continuity of delivering AHP care
across the different care settings i.e. IPU, community, and outpatients.
Personal and
Professional Development
To act
in a manner to safeguard and promote the interests of individual patients.
To
practice safely according to all Weldmar Hospicecare policies, procedures and
competencies ensuring no action or omission within the sphere of post holder
responsibility is detrimental to the interests, condition or safety of the
patient or their family.
To
continue own personal and professional development within palliative and end of
life care and the provision of integrated services to patients and families.
To
proactively participate in opportunities for shared learning and personal and
professional development
