Advanced AHP Practitioner/Team Leader

Job responsibilities

JOB SUMMARY

The AHP Practitioner will be a member of the Neighbourhood Rehabilitation Service responsible for the delivery of safe and effective therapy practice across the community pathway for Intermediate Care.

The AHP Practitioner will ensure clinical systems are in place to support and monitor practice and performance and support the service manager in the operational delivery of the service.

The AHP Practitioner will hold their own clinical caseload.

Working with other lead therapists the post holder will provide trust wide leadership and support within their own discipline.

KEY RESULT AREAS:

Clinical:

Ability to: deliver a comprehensive and effective service to clients within the Neighbourhood Rehabilitation service. This will be achieved by:

• Leading in the delivery of the therapy service within the team.
• Providing specialist therapy assessment and intervention within individuals professional expertise to an allocated caseload of more complex cases held by the team.
• Utilising specialist and advanced knowledge of therapy models of practice to guide intervention and assessment methods appropriate to individual service user needs.
• Working with service users to identify goals as part of the overall care plan, using assessment tools based on current evidence based best practice.
• Supporting the culture and implementation of service user led care plans to achieve therapeutic goals.
• Ensuring the therapy team monitors, evaluates and modifies treatment in order to measure progress and ensure effectiveness of intervention.
• Showing a working knowledge of current legislation e.g., safeguarding adults/Vulnerable Adult, Mental Capacity Act, Mental Health Act 1983 etc.
• Ensuring that the therapy team keep abreast of new approaches and treatment developments, ensuring that staff establish and maintain effective documentation processes in line with Trust and Professional standards regarding Clinical Record Keeping.

Speciality Clinical Responsibilities

• Providing expertise, leadership and supervision to Therapists and support staff working within the team.
• Utilising resources effectively to resolve complex clinical and non-clinical situations.
• Broadening clinical research and development skills by leading on the evaluation of the service via service evaluation, audit and research projects to promote evidence-based practice.
• Promoting reflective practice amongst the team in light of new professional guidance and best practice.
• Working with the Therapy Leads to incorporate emerging research into positive clinical outcomes for service users.
• To liaise with other health professionals and local partnership organisations, to deliver interventions for patients across the pathway.

Clinical Leadership

Ability to: Facilitate a professional culture which is open to change, new ideas, concepts and innovation whilst reflecting Trust strategy and direction. This will be achieved by:

• Ensuring all staff within the therapy service work as a team across the service.
• Developing and maintaining clear structures to reinforce and deliver all the components of Clinical Governance.
• Influencing developments by demonstrating the ability to keep up-to-date with current practice using available evidence.
• Acting as a specialist resource for information and support.
• Ensuring wherever possible that all practice is evidence based and delivered to an agreed standard.
• Contributing to the training and development of others as and when required to improve service provision.
• Encouraging an environment which facilitates appropriate education and training through the organisations appraisal system and the Clinical Supervision policy to support staff to be accountable practitioners
• Initiating and participating in research and audit, disseminating findings and recommending changes to practice where applicable.
• Using networks locally, regionally, nationally and with higher education establishments in order to share information, research and good practice.
• Working and co-ordinating service provision in a collaborative, co-operative manner with other health care professionals and relevant agencies.

Alongside other senior therapists provide Trustwide leadership and advise as required.

To act as a source of professional expertise to other teams where required.

To lead in staff and student training and development and contribute to training of the multi-disciplinary team.

To advise the leadership team of relevant national policy and guidance specific to Intermediate Care.

To participate in the investigation of complaints and other formal processes as directed by the Operational Service Manager/General Manager

Management and Leadership

Ability to: create, maintain and enhance effective working relationships. This will be achieved by:

Managing and Leading People

• Participating in the recruitment and selection of staff, taking the lead role where agreed with the Operational Service Manager.
• Leading the appraisal process within their area of responsibility, ensuring the Trust policy is followed and that regular monitoring and feedback is delivered.
• Participating, under the direction of the Operational Service Manager, in disciplinary or grievance investigations as appropriate.
• Recognising and utilising individual skills and knowledge within their area of responsibility, delegating as appropriate.
• Actively involving staff in service planning and encouraging feedback.
• Encouraging and supporting staff to take responsibility for their own learning and development including the use of individual portfolios.
• Encouraging a positive learning culture within the therapy team and being actively involved in facilitating the education of students where appropriate.
• Participating under the direction of the Operational Service Manager in the absence management process within their area of responsibility.
• Monitoring and advising on the appropriate skill mix within their area of responsibility.
• Ensuring a balance of activity to meet service needs.
• Ensuring the Clinical Supervision process is implemented complying with the Trust and Professional guidelines

Managing Self

• Actively participating in Clinical, Professional and Managerial Supervision
• Adhering to all Trust policies and procedures, seeking clarification from the service manger if required.
• Prioritising work and managing time effectively
• Acting professionally at all times in line with professional and trust standards.
• Developing the skills and knowledge to act up in the absence of the service manager as required.

Demonstrating Team Working Skills

• Establishing and maintaining productive working relationships within their area of responsibility and across other agencies as appropriate.
• Dealing with differences in ways that maintain productive working relationships.
• Encouraging others within their area to offer ideas and views
• Recognising the skills and strengths of others.

Managing Resources

• Having responsibility for delegated budgets.
• Having responsibility and controlling the use of resources through effective systems of stock control.
• Ensuring effective use of resources

Effective Communication

Ability to: Impart knowledge plans and proposals clearly and effectively. This will be achieved by:

• Having an awareness of current national developments within their area of responsibility, developing these in line with local policies and procedures in discussion with the service manager.
• Establishing and maintaining clear lines of communication with others to enhance good working relationships.
• Ensuring effective channels of communication are in place across the Trust and other agencies, as appropriate.
• Tailoring communication to meet the needs of individuals and groups.
• Organising and conducting meetings, which have clear purposes and outcomes.
• Having the skills required to undertake good communication and using them to express ideas and information clearly.
• Ensuring a culture of open and honest communication.
• Using available resources, and encouraging others to meet the differing communication needs of the population, e.g. ethnic minorities and the hearing impaired.
• Establishing good communication with patients/carers

Managing Information

Ability to: identify, collect and report on information relating to your area of responsibility. This will be achieved by:

• Ensuring effective systems are in place to enable appropriate data collection
• Ensuring accurate and timely collection of data.
• The provision of reports interpreting and analysing the information in a clear and concise manner drawing conclusions and making recommendations to the service manager.

For full details of the role please see the supporting documents attached.

Personal Attributes

Essential

• A current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability).
• Leadership skills.
• Good timekeeper.
• Maintain a high degree of professionalism at all times.
• Ability to work flexibly including weekend, evening and Bank Holiday working.

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Allied Health Professional.
• Relevant Teaching Qualification or willing to undertake within an agreed timeframe.
• Postgraduate study to Masters Level or equivalent in a field related to Therapy.
• Current HCPC Registration.

Experience

Essential

• Experience at senior level and ability to demonstrate development of advanced management skills.
• Experience of working with individuals with complex health needs and behaviours that challenge.
• Experience of managing and assessing risk whilst working independently.

Desirable

• Work with individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
• Experience of providing therapy services to patients in community settings.
• Leadership and supervisory experience.
• Management experience.
• Experience of working in a multi- disciplinary environment.

Training

Essential

• To be willing to undertake post graduate training to further skills, knowledge and expertise.
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development.

Desirable

• Moving and Handling training.
• Positive Behaviour Management Training.
• Specialist training in areas relevant to the patient group, e.g. elderly care, rehabilitation, dementia care.
• Relevant qualification Community Therapy Management training.

Physical Attributes

Essential

• Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post.
• A satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where the sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy).

Special Knowledge/Skills

Essential

• Evidence of a wide range of clinical skills, abilities and experience.
• Understanding of the specific health needs of people with complex therapy / rehabilitation needs.
• Awareness of current philosophies and legislation relating to Intermediate Care.
• Knowledge and understanding of current government legislation and NHS policy.
• Awareness of up to date Therapy practices.
• Ability to lead and motivate a team of staff.
• Ability to work within budget frameworks.
• Ability to self-motivate and work independently.
• Ability to organise team and delegate appropriately.
• Ability to manage caseloads on short and longer term basis.
• Analytical and problem solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and negotiation skills.
• Able to direct junior staff and students as appropriate.
• Ability to represent the service in the absence of senior managers.
• Effective time management.
• Good communication skills and can adapt working practices to meet the cross-section of society.
• Flexibility.
• Good team worker.
• Reliable and caring.
• Able to work unsupervised.

Desirable

• Knowledge and understanding of cultural and diversity issues.
• Able to demonstrate evidence based practice.
• Experience of service improvement and change management.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).