Job Description

Main duties and responsibilities 1. 2. The Assistant Practitioner role works under the supervision/direction of the Registered Therapists, Clinical Lead & Team Lead and is responsible for assessing individuals referred to the service who are deemed to be non complex. The Assistant Practitioner is also responsible for managing their own caseload and will receive regular clinical supervision by a Registered Therapist within the Team.



3. The Assistant Practitioner will work closely with colleagues in MPFT & other agencies, assessing individual's functional abilities and providing a treatment plan to enable the person to maximise their independence through a combination of rehabilitation, provision of equipment and advice and information. The Assistant Practitioner will enable service users to regain skills and become more independent whilst reducing dependency on formal and informal care. 4.



The Assistant Practitioner will be an integral member of the Multi-disciplinary Team working closely with Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Social Care, Home First Support Workers and Administrators. Systems and equipment To adhere to the Care Certificate standards and all other relevant guidance from the Partnership Trust. To be aware of the Health and Care Professions Councils (HCPC) guidance/codes of conduct and other AHP Professional bodys guidance/codes of conduct such as those of the college of Occupational Therapists (COT) or Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) Working knowledge of basic equipment hoists, slings, walking frames, toileting equipment and transfer aids Decisions and judgements To establish and maintain effective working relationships both within the Trust and with external organisations in order to meet service requirements and support and demonstrate the Trusts equality values. To support registered practitioners to assess service users to support registered practitioners in the service user assessment To contribute to the development and implementation of programmes of treatment/ care/support for individuals, families and carers under the guidance of a registered practitioner.

The care/support plans may include the following:

Promoting independence/self-management and maintaining safety Increased functional ability Improvement in health and wellbeing including mental health Holistic approach to improvement of health and wellbeing Interventions in disease/condition management Prevention and reducing of health inequalities Admission avoidance Early supported discharge Contribute to case management/ treatment /care plans i. Palliative and end of life care 9. To apply skills, knowledge and competences to recognise any significant change in the holistic needs of the service user/carer and feedback to the registered practitioner. To maintain contemporaneous and accurate records as required by the Partnership Trust and in line with standards (e.g.



HCPC). Support identified team members giving guidance and direction where appropriate. To use own knowledge and judgement to take into account a range of care/support packages and treatment options available. To consider each service users personal circumstances and preferences in order to implement and adjust programmes of care and intervention.



Communication and relationships Under the supervision of a registered practitioner provides advice to service users, carers and professionals regarding the management and care/support of service users. To maintain sensitivity at all times to the emotional needs of the service user and their carers offering reassurance and empathy. This may be in regard to the nature/prognosis of their condition and implications of the same. Physical demands of the job To take responsibility for the safe use and transportation of equipment (e.g.



wheelchairs) between locations and in and out of peoples homes. This may require the post holder to work in cramped or awkward positions e.g. raising furniture (beds, chairs, toilets, therapy equipment etc.). This is a significant part of the job role and will involve frequent moving and handling of patients and equipment with a wide spectrum of needs.



This may be required on a regular basis or at least once a week. To work in non-purpose built rooms involving the necessity to move furniture, therapy equipment etc. To use problem solving and innovation to deliver a high standard of intervention within competences whilst managing the demands of unplanned aspects of the role where appropriate. Most challenging/difficult parts of the job To work with individuals and carers who may find it difficult to engage with the service or aspects of the service resulting in uncooperative or challenging behaviour that has to be managed.