Assistant Practitioner - Acute Respiratory Virtual Ward

Job summary

This is a new and exciting opportunity to join the Hillingdon Integrated Respiratory Service (HIRS) to develop new and innovate ways of working. This is initially a six-month fixed term post to support the delivery of the recently funded Acute Respiratory Virtual Ward, with a potential view to extension pending funding confirmation. Patients with COPD and COVID-19 can be admitted to the Virtual Ward, and there are plans to widen this to include Community Acquired Pneumonia.

Virtual Wards allow patients to be supported at home safely and conveniently, rather than being admitted to hospital. Patients can be monitored using apps, technology platforms, wearables, and medical devices. This allows clinicians to recognise early deterioration and monitor recovery. Support may also involve face-to-face reviews by the HIRS Team at home, or a combination of both.

The appointee will work in conjunction with the existing team to coordinate and develop the service. You will work within clearly defined boundaries, under Assistant Practitioner competencies, and carry out specifically delegated clinical tasks and responsibilities.

An interview date is yet to be confirmed.

Please note: a driving licence and access to a car for work purposes is required as part of the role. Part Time hours may also be considered.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be expected to help identify patients suitable for virtual ward monitoring and be proficient in fitting the appropriate technology following training and support from the team. The post holder will be expected to work autonomously in a variety of settings including the patient's own home and on inpatient wards to do this. The post holder may often be working alone without direct supervision of a Registered Nurse or Physiotherapist and will be expected to carry out specific aspects of assessment of patients within set parameters using skills gained through experience and/or relevant training.

We are looking for enthusiastic, innovative and engaging individuals who have a passion for the delivery of high quality patient care within the community. The candidates will have to be able to prioritise their own workload without supervision, have an excellent patient focused approach and be able to use their initiative as well as work as part of a multidisciplinary team. The post holder should have excellent interpersonal and patient skills, and be confident with technology and IT. Previous experience with respiratory conditions and treatments, clinical assessment skills and experience working as an Healthcare Assistant is desirable.

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for a full list of main responsibilities and duties.

About us

The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the only acute hospital in the London Borough of Hillingdon and offers a wide range of services, including accident and emergency, inpatient care, day surgery, outpatient clinics, and maternity services. The Trust's services at Mount Vernon Hospital include routine day surgery, delivered at a modern treatment centre, a minor injuries unit, and outpatient clinics.

The safety and well-being of our patients and staff is paramount and we are making urgent improvements to address this - particularly in infection prevention and control. We are making progress by working in partnership with local GPs, charities, community services, academic partners, our local authority, neighbouring hospitals, and the wider North West London Integrated care system, and ensuring that we listen and work in partnership with our local population. We are focused on ensuring that our hospitals provide high quality, safe, and compassionate care, while we drive forward with the building of the new Hillingdon Hospital.

We have over 3,500 members of staff that are proud to care for nearly half a million people, with a vision to be an outstanding provider of healthcare through leading health and academic partnerships, transforming services, to provide the best care where needed.