Job summary
Are you a graduate with a lifestyle related degree, looking for an opportunity to support people living with obesity?
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated Assistant Practitioner to join the Aintree LOSS specialist Tier 3 Weight Management team for Liverpool, based at Aintree Hospital. Applicants must have a Health & Social Care Assistant Practitioner Foundation Degree (or suitable equivalent qualification, NVQ level 4,5, HNC, HND). A keen interest in weight management, health promotion and behaviour change is essential.
The varied Assistant Practitioner role involves supporting individuals in both 1:1 and group settings, and will include face-to-face, telephone and virtual appointments.
You will be part of a wider multi-disciplinary team (MDT) and will work closely with and be supported by physiotherapists and dietitians in an effective and safe manner. You will attend monthly operational meetings and actively participate in MDT meetings.
The service has a strong commitment to providing a high standard of care and the post holder will work flexibly to meet the service needs. In return, we offer a flexible approach to working patterns and a structured staff development programme, which will enable you to gain relevant competencies for the role.
This is a great opportunity to gain new skills and work in a highly rewarding role alongside a committed multi-disciplinary team.
Main duties of the job
You will support the physiotherapists, dietitians and wider MDT in the delivery of the service to adults living with obesity , including the implementation of personalised plans for the service users.
You will use behaviour change techniques such as motivational interviewing skills to support patients to make positive lifestyle and dietary changes, and facilitate a positive and open dialogue to help them achieve their personal goals.
You will have the opportunity to work closely with service users in both group and 1:1 settings (telephone and face to face) to help them manage their weight.
You will be delivering educational topics and exercise circuits at the group sessions, as well as assisting other health professionals in the safe running of groups.
You will take an active role in MDT meetings, and be an open communicator with the wider team.
About us
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital & Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients.
UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond.
For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.
Aintree University Hospitalis the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility.Broadgreen Hospitalis home to elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation.Liverpool Women's Hospitalspecialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK's largest single site maternity hospital each year. TheRoyal Liverpool University Hospitalis the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.
For roles at Liverpool Women's, visit theircareers page.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Qualifications: Health and Social Care Assistant Practitioner Foundation Degree or suitable equivalent.
Knowledge, Training & Experience:
Broad understanding of what constitutes healthy/unhealthy lifestyles; general understanding of clinical conditions relevant to team specialty; effective written/oral communication skills; awareness of external agencies within the local community; practical working knowledge of health/ social care environments; willingness to work towards specified competencies; basic administrative skills, including use of Information Technology (including Internet, e-mail and word processing packages); commitment to personal development/willingness to learn;
Skills and aptitude:
Ability to work independently and as part of a team; demonstrate diplomacy, tact and empathy; ability to be reliable and responsible and to demonstrate initiative; ability to demonstrate problem solving approach; good organisational skills and ability to plan and manage own time, demonstrate good interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with others
The attached job description and person specification will go into further detail on the keyresponsibilities of the Assistant Practitioner role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Qualifications: Health and Social Care Assistant Practitioner Foundation Degree or suitable equivalent.
Knowledge, Training & Experience:
Broad understanding of what constitutes healthy/unhealthy lifestyles; general understanding of clinical conditions relevant to team specialty; effective written/oral communication skills; awareness of external agencies within the local community; practical working knowledge of health/ social care environments; willingness to work towards specified competencies; basic administrative skills, including use of Information Technology (including Internet, e-mail and word processing packages); commitment to personal development/willingness to learn;
Skills and aptitude:
Ability to work independently and as part of a team; demonstrate diplomacy, tact and empathy; ability to be reliable and responsible and to demonstrate initiative; ability to demonstrate problem solving approach; good organisational skills and ability to plan and manage own time, demonstrate good interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with others
The attached job description and person specification will go into further detail on the keyresponsibilities of the Assistant Practitioner role.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Foundation degree/equivalent qualification
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of care agencies and how to access them
Desirable
- Able to demonstrate awareness of current NHS issues
Experience
Essential
- Experience of therapy work in a health care setting
Desirable
- Experience of issuing and retrieving patient equipment
- Experience of carrying out mobility and exercise programmes
Skills
Essential
- Capable of working on own initiative
- Able to communicate written information clearly - Excellent communication skills
- Ability to work flexibly and prioritise workload
- Good level of admin/clerical skills
- Able to work as a team member
- Evidence of organisational abilities
Other
Essential
- Willingness to work flexibly
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Foundation degree/equivalent qualification
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of care agencies and how to access them
Desirable
- Able to demonstrate awareness of current NHS issues
Experience
Essential
- Experience of therapy work in a health care setting
Desirable
- Experience of issuing and retrieving patient equipment
- Experience of carrying out mobility and exercise programmes
Skills
Essential
- Capable of working on own initiative
- Able to communicate written information clearly - Excellent communication skills
- Ability to work flexibly and prioritise workload
- Good level of admin/clerical skills
- Able to work as a team member
- Evidence of organisational abilities
Other
Essential
- Willingness to work flexibly
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
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).
