Assistant Practitioner

Job description

Job responsibilities

To communicate in a skilled and respectful manner with clients, families and carers who may have specific difficulties in understanding and/or communicating and who may be distressed or present with challenging behaviour.

To participate in clinical meetings and to work collaboratively with other colleagues in the multi-disciplinary team.

To maintain appropriate professional boundaries whilst recognising abilities and limitations of own competence

To communicate complex and sensitive condition related information concerning the assessment, treatment and risk factors in relation to a range of mental health difficulties.

To establish and maintain clear and professional relationships with others at all times.

To liaise and work collaboratively with a range of other professionals in statutory and non-statutory organisations agencies.

Provide a high standard of written and verbal communication that is clear and in line with Trust documentation standards.

Analytical and Judgemental Skills

Recognise own clinical competencies, knowledge base and experience, and ensure that you practice within this and seek support as required.

To make informed and well-reasoned decisions, recognising when to seek further advice from a registered practitioner.

Undertake risk assessments and determine the appropriate course of action, which has taken into consideration a range of possible options. Where necessary, ensure that consultation with senior colleagues is undertaken

Recognise and take action to deal with any situations which may provide a conflict of interest.

Planning and Organisational Skills

To organise, plan and prioritise own workload under distant guidance of a registered practitioner.

To provide evidence based advice, guidance and consultancy to patients, family members, carers and professionals within standard protocols.

Planning, co-ordination and review of services including active reviews and review of

July 2014

placements as delegated by other registered practitioners

Organise clinical meetings and ensure that interventions/services are planned in an integrated and co-ordinated manner to best support the client/carers, this may include liaison with external agencies.

Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy

To promote and uphold the privacy, dignity, rights, health and wellbeing of clients and their care givers at all times.

Responsible for the delivery of specific care packages including assessing, planning, intervention and evaluation within standard protocols and accountable for their own actions within the delivery of this care

To comply with Trust policies and procedures and the Code of Conduct for Health Care Support Workers and Adult Social Care Workers in England.

Be able to implement a range of mental health assessments and interventions consistent with a Recovery approach where the needs of the individual and their Carers are held as central and their involvement is proactively encouraged.

Provide evidence based clinical advice in relation to the individuals in the care of the team.

Ensure that appropriate action is taken for safeguarding adults and children under the guidance of a Senior Mental Health Practitioner.

Under the direction of and upon successful completion of any required additional training, can assist (in accordance with NMC delegated authority guidance) a registered nurse to ensure that recommended physical health and other monitoring requirements of mental health medication (in line with relevant trust policy, standards and guidelines ) is completed, recorded and if necessary escalated for further action.

Under the direction of and upon successful completion of any required additional training, can assist (in accordance with NMC delegated authority guidance) a registered nurse and /or the individual in the administration of certain topical and oral medicines as per an individuals care and treatment plan. E.g. creams, eye drops, inhalers, assist in observing successful administration of medicines being administered covertly..

Maintain up to date clinical records in a timely and accurate manner in accordance with Trust policy.

Responsibility for Policy and Service Development Implementation

To follow Trust policy guidance in relation to your team and role and to comment on proposed policy changes and service developments.

Actively embrace change, respond positively to new priorities and challenges and look for opportunities for service development and improvement.

To contribute to service development activities as required by line management in order to improve the quality of care offered by the team.

To contribute to any relevant Research and Development activities as undertaken within the team.

Responsibility for Finance, Equipment and Other Resources

Responsible for the safe use of any relevant equipment/resources in line with Trust Policy.

Responsibility for the handling of monies, medication and individuals valuables if deemed necessary under the indirect supervision of a registered practitioner. (See Responsibility for Patient/Client Care, Treatment and Therapy section above).

Responsible for the ordering of supplies/equipment as necessary under the indirect

July 2014

supervision of a registered practitioner.

Responsibility for Supervision and Training

Demonstrate personal responsibility and initiative for own learning and continuing professional development including core training in line with the Directorates Workforce Plan in accordance with Trust policy.

Engage in reflective practice to monitor their own performance and progress and accept feedback from others in order to continue their ongoing development.

To assist the work of other support workers, students or trainees as required.

Actively engage with line management, clinical supervision and Personal Development Review.

Responsibility for Information Resources and Administrative Duties

To be responsible for using an email account to generate, monitor, and respond to the e-mail traffic by which the Trust conducts much of its internal communication.

Ensure information resources including the Intranet are consulted regularly to maintain a current knowledge of Trust, Directorate and Team priorities and safety initiatives.

Ensure information is shared with key stakeholders and other agencies in a secure manner

Freedom to Act

To work within the Trust operational policies and service specifications of the team.

To organise and take responsibility for own work and caseload under distant guidance of a registered practitioner and within standard protocols/ integrated care pathways.

Any Other Specific Tasks Required

Undertake all necessary academic study and work based training associated with the post.

Undertake any other reasonable management request

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Previous experience working in a range of different mental health care settings
• Working with people with challenging behaviour and complex health needs
• Previous experience of support people with advanced dementia and complex needs.
• Previous experience of supporting people within care home settings

Qualifications

Essential

• Must already hold or obtain the Care Certificate within the first 3 months of employment.
• Level 3 QCF in Health and Social Care or equivalent qualification
• GCSE in Maths and English (Grade C or above) OR Level 2 Key Skills / Functional Skills in Maths and English
• If a Foundation Degree or equivalent qualification is not already obtained, to complete within 2 years of commencing employment.

Desirable

• Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care or qualification to diploma level or equivalent

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Devon Partnership NHS Trust

Address

Chadwell Centre

Torquay Road

Paignton

Devon

TQ3 2DW

Employer's website

https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)