Assistant Practitioner

Job description

Job responsibilities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

To assist the caseload holder in the management and delivery of care to clients autonomously. Duties may include:

• Building on existing assessment of families needs and deliver packages of planned care with no direct supervision.
• To provide and receive complex and sensitive child related information from health and social care staff.
• To decline referral if not appropriate which requires excellent negotiation skills and appropriate sign posting.
• Support to clients with more complex/ additional needs.
• To demonstrate ability for motivation and behaviour change with children and families enabling self-efficacy, resilience and strength-based relationship.
• To recognise and report any health and safety or risk issues

To write records in a concise, accurate and timely manner in line with Cambridgeshire Community Services Record Keeping Policy.

To independently carry out specified assessment and intervention as allocated and discussed with the Health Visitor/ School Nurse and using own initiative and experience to modify according to the clients needs.

To hold own caseload with support from Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (SCPHN) for those families with planned packages of care.

To hold a special interest role and support other staff within the locality and service.

To promote peoples equality, diversity and rights.

To contribute to the care of all clients, ensuring safety and dignity at all times.

To be aware at all times of the needs of client groups and to promote and encourage positive health choices.

To plan and manage own day to day tasks which may include organisation of health education events.

Duties will include working independently in a variety of settings and at times dealing with emotional and distressing circumstances.

Undertaking independent decision making regarding specific referrals in relation to the 6 high impact areas to improve outcomes for children, young people and families within Cambridgeshires 0-19 HCP Teams.

To attend mandatory and relevant training courses and to maintain up to date clinical knowledge and skills in order to perform in the role.

To provide support and guidance, and practical training to new members of staff.

To engage in weekly allocation meetings and to work across a specific locality according to service need.

To assist in the prioritisation of referrals and booking appointments and independently assess clients in clinic and outreach locations.

To identify unmet needs and gaps in service provision and highlight these to SCPHN or Team Manager.

Ensure all equipment used is safe, clean and suitable standard according to policies.

To provide timely data on referrals and clinical activity.

To take individual responsibility for any health and safety issues and undertake obligations under the Health and Safety Act.

To liaise as appropriate with members of 0-19 HCP locality team.

Develop good working relationships and liaise as appropriate with parents/ carers, and other health, social or voluntary agencies.

To communicate effectively with clients in complex situations. Communication skills of engagement, negotiation, motivation, and explanation will be required to enable the management of potential barriers to communication.

To be actively involved in the communication of complex information regarding clients needs and any other useful information to the Health Visitor/ School Nurse or other members of the team.

Take responsibility to minimise incurred expenditure e.g. Mileage, telephone calls use of stationary etc.

Actively participate in annual performance reviews providing evidence of attaining the relevant knowledge and skills required for the job.

To attend mandatory and relevant training courses and to maintain up to date clinical knowledge and skills in order to perform in the role.

To participate in staff and service development through attendance at service meetings and in service training.

Observe and maintain strict confidentiality with regards to any information in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act.

Any data that is taken/shared as part of a phone call or transported, faxed or transferred electronically must be undertaken with regard to the Trust Information Governance and Information Security policies.

The post holder must adhere to the Trust risk assessment and risk management processes.

To contribute in programmes of support for new staff or students.

To actively participate in programmes of supervision to maintain own development and reflective practice.

To actively engage in developing own practice through annual clinical observations.

The post holder must adhere to infection control policies and procedures.

The post holder must participate in clinical and other audits as required.

The post holder is required to participate in relevant emergency preparedness process for their team.

Safeguarding people responsibility

• Safeguarding children and adults at risk of abuse or neglect is a collective responsibility.
• There is an expectation that all staff develop and maintain their role relevant safeguarding people competencies and comply with local safeguarding partnerships practice. Alongside this employee who are registrants are reminded of their professional duty of care.
• Safeguarding means protecting a citizens health, wellbeing and human rights; enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. It is an integral part of providing high-quality health care.

• Those most in need of protection include:
  • Children and young people
  • Adults at risk, such as those receiving care in their own home, people with physical, sensory, and mental impairments, and those with learning disabilities.

The post holder must at all times carry out their duties with regard to Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Policy.

To be aware of the responsibilities of all employees to maintain a safe and healthy environment for patients, visitors, and staff.

All post holders must adhere to the code of conduct on confidentiality and be aware of and adhere to all Trust policies and procedures.

This job description is intended only as a guide to the range of duties involved. The post holder will need to be flexible and adaptable in order to respond to other duties that may be required from time to time and the changes and developments within the Trust.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exemptions) Order 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure of Barring Service to be made to check for any previous criminal convictions. Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust is committed to the fair treatment of its staff, potential staff, or users in line with its equal opportunities policy and policy statement on the recruitment of ex-offenders.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

Essential

• NNEB / or equivalent

Desirable

• Child protection training
• Additional training in child development

Experience

Essential

• Community experience
• Experience of working with children, young people and their families
• Able to undertake autonomous and independent working
• A comprehensive & sound awareness of child development
• Understanding of the public health agenda

Desirable

• Working as part of a 0-19 team
• Experience or an awareness of multidisciplinary agencies

Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Ability to work flexibly as part of a team.
• Knowledge of IT packages such as Word, Outlook or SystmOne
• Demonstrates understanding of safeguarding issues
• Good communication/ interpersonal skills

Desirable

• Presentation skills
• Knowledge of social exclusion and multi-cultural issues

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust

Address

The Peacock Centre (Cambridge)/The Oak Tree Centre (Huntingdon)

Mill lane

Cambridge

CB1 3UG

Employer's website

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