Job responsibilities
MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
To be responsible for organising and prioritising designated caseload, demonstrating effective clinical reasoning and safe provision of appropriate prostheses/orthoses with support from the prosthetics and orthotics clinical teams at several sites.
To contribute to decision-making related to patient/service user care through active participation in communication networks, which may include multi-disciplinary/multi-agency meetings, case conference or providing written reports.
The Apprentice will also be required to provide support to the smooth running of the prosthetics and orthotics departments. This can include (but is not limited to) organising appointments, dealing with goods and maintaining stock levels at all sites where clinics are held.
Develop and improve practical and theoretical knowledge, competence and skills throughout the Prosthetics and orthotics degree, Higher Apprenticeship programme and maintain all evidence required.
Complete the level 6 degree qualification.
Take part in regular tripartite learning reviews with your employer and degree Apprenticeship Team/Practice educators.
Engage in reflective practice including management of self and reflection on own reactions, asking questions, and reflecting on answers given.
Is proactive in seeking opportunities to develop own knowledge and skills, achieving clinical competencies and Degree / Level 6 qualification within agreed timeframes
To ensure timely completion of electronic patient record reflecting any activities undertaken as well as recording of care plans
To undertake physical assessment, and data capture in the form of casting, scanning and measuring to facilitate the provision of prostheses and orthoses
The apprentice will have responsibilities across multiple sites within our commissioned areas and will need to be able to travel to each. These will include (but may not be limited to) The Thornberry centre, Mount Gould Hospital, South Hams Hospital, University Hospitals Plymouth, Plymouth child development centre, Local schools and Cambourne and Redruth community hospital
To work under both direct and indirect supervision from other members of the prosthetics and orthotics clinical team and with the guidance of workplace clinical educators.
To organise own time, manage and prioritise referrals, caseload and treatment ensuring that appropriate decisions are made regarding patient care.
To respond to referrals and identify patients requiring prosthetic/orthotic intervention, in line with specific team priorities, ensuring that any intervention is timely.
Develop by the end of the degree Apprenticeship Programme the ability to work without direct supervision, delivering care independently in line with the individuals defined plan of care, within the parameters of practice of the apprentice prosthetist/orthotist, accessing clinical and care advice when needed.
To attend all components of the Degree programme and complete assignments and assessments in and out of the workplace as directed.
5.1Responsibility for People Management
To exercise good personal time management, punctuality and a consistently reliable attendance record.
To participate in the staff appraisal scheme and supervision as an appraisee, establish a personal development plan and fulfil objectives set within the specified timescales.
To attend all mandatory training sessions and actively participate in departmental in-service training.
To attend all Apprentice training alongside any other training opportunities as appropriate.
To attend regular supervision and mentor sessions reflecting on practice and formulating Action Plans for practice.
To maintain own Continual Professional Development (CPD) Portfolio in line with Trust and departmental guidelines, review and reflect on own practice and performance through regular participation in professional supervision and appraisal, evaluate own work using evidence based practice and be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through CPD activities.
Prepare and provide feedback to therapy/orthotics team colleagues on any courses / training sessions attended.
To participate in supervision of assistants or students and to allocate appropriate tasks to them relating to patient care and administration and take responsibility for the delegated work.
To participate in the induction, training and education of students and other staff within this setting.
To participate in departmental research as required
5.2Responsibility for financial and/or physical resources
To be aware of financial limitations and provide a service in consideration of the resources available.
To be responsible for maintaining stock, advising on resources required to carry out the role.
To ensure areas are well maintained and comply with health and safety guidelines, ensuring the safe use of equipment and storage of materials. Any concerns must be reported to the Orthotic/Therapy Leads.
5.3Responsibility for administration
To keep up-to-date statistics and participate in audits regarding own clinical work.
To ensure any onward referrals are made in a timely manner and following appropriate Trust policies
To report and record any incidents or accidents to line manager in line with Trust policy.
To ensure you are in compliance in line with the trusts Information Governance Policy regarding sensitive information handling.
5.4Responsibility for people who use our services
To be responsible for the delivery of Prosthetic and orthotic assessment and treatment to a high professional standard in accordance with HCPC and BAPO Professional Standards. Be responsible and accountable for own practice, working within limits of competence and within professional boundaries.
To ensure accurate and comprehensive assessment and treatment records are maintained for patients
To manage clinical risk within own patient caseload.
Exercise personal responsibility and work independently within defined parameters of practice, taking the initiative in a variety of situations and performing a range of clinical and care skills consistent with the roles, responsibilities, and professionalism of an apprentice prosthetist/orthotist.
Raises any concerns to a registered care professional or appropriate person.
Exercise judgment in assessing patient/service users condition, comfort and wellbeing using analysis of a range of possible factors. To be responsible for the safe and competent use of casting and manual handling equipment, as well as be responsible for the safe provision of prostheses and orthoses as determined by degree programme and departmental competencies.
5.5Responsibility for implementation of policy and/or service developments
To demonstrate an understanding of clinical governance and risk management and apply this to the work situation.
To actively contribute and participate in the planning and evaluation of service development reviews/audits within the department.
To contribute to the Trust, directorate and team clinical governance arrangements and quality agenda and participate in the delivery of treatment plans.
5.6Analytical and Judgement Skills
To ensure that patients receive appropriate treatment to a high standard in accordance with HCPC Standards of Registration and the BAPO Professional Standards.
To provide prosthetic/orthotic assessment of patients with diverse clinical presentations.
To use clinical reasoning skills and manual assessment to identify problems on which to base an appropriate patient-centred plan regarding prosthetic/orthotic provision. This may include patient education and advice on exercises and lifestyle.
To work with the individual to identify treatment goals, and to monitor, evaluate and modify provision in order to measure progress, ensure effectiveness of intervention.
Use judgement in the management of a patient caseload and for a defined area of the service or a particular patient type and working with access to senior staff for support as required. Clinical work and competencies will be routinely reviewed with a senior member of staff.
To assess the patients understanding of treatment, gain valid informed consent to treatment and to work within the legal framework with patients who lack the capacity to give informed consent.
To assess risk and manage it effectively within clinical and community settings.
To have a sound basic knowledge, underpinned by theory, of clinical presentations and their implications within specific areas of practice.
To use appropriate manual handling techniques ensuring the safety of patient, staff, relatives and carers.
5.7Other Responsibilities
The post holder will work with an increasing amount of autonomy as they progress through the apprenticeship programme, accepting increasing responsibility for their own actions.
The post holder will manage their own academic and workplace demands adhering the Standards, Policies and Procedures of the Trust and Department, the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO) Standards of Practice and the Health and Care Professions Councils Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics.
To demonstrate basic understanding of national guidelines / legislation relating to health and social care and their impact on service provision.
To assist with relevant departmental audits and Quality Improvement Projects.
