Assistant Practitioner – Stroke Services

Job Description

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is one of the largest healthcare systems in the United Kingdom, employing approximately 40,000 staff across a wide range of clinical and non clinical professions and roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health services to a population of over 1.15 million people, and to a wider population of 2.2 million when regional and national services are included.

The role

The post holder will be responsible for their own caseload, as agreed with qualified staff. The assistant practitioner, for Physiotherapy, will carry out a range of therapeutic interventions within agreed frameworks, and underpinned by core competencies and report back to senior clinicians within the service. This will include the patient’s acceptance, participation, responsiveness and progress at that intervention. The assistant practitioner will document any other changes noted in relation to the wider treatment plan and alter accordingly. An active role with patients requires effective communication with patients, relatives, professionals and other agencies. The assistant practitioner will play a key role within the service in facilitating efficient and effective discharge planning.

The Assistant practitioner will be required to be flexible and, in addition to their clinical duties, deliver a wider support function for the service which can include patient administration duties, patient appointments, electronic data recording, audits and literature searching.

The individual will be required to use specialised technical skills to coordinate, plan, develop and facilitate a flexible, patient centred programme of therapeutic activities for individuals in an efficient and effective manner.

Duration, Location, and Working Pattern

• Location based in North East Sector Offices, 300 Balgrayhill Road, G21 3UR
• Permanent Contract
• Full time (36 hours per week)
• Shift Pattern for this post is Monday – Friday

Key responsibilities

• To complete a defined range of therapy interventions as delegated by the Physiotherapist/Occupational Therapist/SLT.
• Contribute to the implementation, evaluation, modification and monitoring of patient interventions, using clinical reasoning skills and outcome measures.
• To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of your own work. This will include planning, prioritising and managing your workload.
• Introduce designated patients to specified rehabilitation programme, assess patient understanding and expectations of treatments and gain valid consent.
• In conjunction with qualified therapists, undertake skilled therapeutic and specialised support work to engage patients and their carers in an active approach to regaining and maintaining optimal personal independence.
• To manage clinical risk within own caseload. This will include assessing moving and handling risks for patients, and communicating recommendations effectively.
• To implement, evaluate, modify treatment programmes within agreed parameters.
• To utilise knowledge, experience and sound judgement in situations where there is often limited information while working alone in the community.
• Work closely within a multi disciplinary team, liaising and providing regular feedback to the Occupational Therapist/Physiotherapist/SLT on physical, functional, developmental and leisure performance.
• Advising on identified physiotherapy techniques and specialist equipment to patients, carers and multi agency staff.
• To demonstrate highly developed dexterity and coordination skills for manual treatment of patients.
• To be flexible in working day to meet the needs of the service.

Knowledge, training, qualifications and/or experience required to do the job

• SVQ Level 3 or equivalent experience in Health/Sport Sciences
• Life skills gained through work or personal experience.
• Membership with British Association of Occupational Therapists or Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (desirable).
• Good general education.
• Disclosure Scotland Clearance.
• Good communication skills both written and verbal.
• Evidence of continuing personal development, achievement of competencies and willingness to attend further training.
• Outline knowledge of Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000.
• Current UK Driving Licence.

What we offer

We offer a wide range of supportive policies designed to enhance your employee journey, including a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, bursary scheme and extensive learning and development opportunities.

• A minimum of 27 days annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus public holidays.
• Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme, including life insurance benefits.
• Salary Sacrifice Car Benefit Scheme.
• Development opportunities including study bursaries, e learning and classroom based courses.
• Enhanced pay for working public holidays.
• NHS discounts on a wide range of goods and services.
• Confidential employee support and assistance, including counselling and psychological therapies.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and are proud of the diverse workforce we employ.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde recognises the importance of work life balance and is committed to offering a range of flexible working options where service needs allow. For roles where less than full time hours can be accommodated, and where the tenure is listed as “various”, we encourage applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements. Flexible working will be included as a topic for discussion during the recruitment process.

By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, NHSGGC has pledged its commitment to being a Forces Friendly Employer. We welcome applications from across the Armed Forces Community and recognise military skills, experience and qualifications throughout the recruitment and selection process.