Assistant Practitioner

Job Purpose To work as part of CityCare partnership, providing integrated health and social care support to patients and carers, in care home environments across professional boundaries. Working hours to meet the needs of the service, including statutory bank holidays and weekends where appropriate To work at any of the CityCare bases in line with service needs and requirement of the service. To undertake technical, clinical and a variety of other appropriate activities following training and demonstration of competency, delegated by the relevant professional To provide a seamless service working collaboratively with care home staff, to deliver and evaluate planned interventions to improve the health and well-being of adults living with dementia in care homes, and to undertake additional assessments to establish the appropriate therapeutic approach suitable for the service users level of dementia To work within local protocols and across professional boundaries including nursing, occupational therapy and physiotherapy. To work without direct supervision undertaking delegated tasks in order to support the team, in the provision for mental health needs of adults living with dementia in care homes, including lone working in the community.

To report back to the team anything that may affect or contribute to the future care of the patients or carers To ensure infection control guidance is adhered to at all times to minimise risk to staff and patients. To be part of a multi-disciplinary team working in a community setting providing assessment, support, and nursing or rehabilitation treatment programmes for adults with dementia within care homes. To provide specialist support to adults with dementia and their carers within residential/nursing homes during times of crisis or difficulty, with the emphasis on improving quality of life and mental well-being. To participate actively in the services training strategy, including in-service training, trust and multi-agency training.

Dimensions Key Responsibilities ADDRESSING HEALTH AND SOCIAL NEEDS Provide healthcare input for adults referred to the service, including prioritisation, assessment, planning, advice, treatment, evaluation and discharge. To be responsible for own caseload. To accept clinical responsibility for designated caseload taking an active role in promoting well-being and meeting the needs of the patient. To carry out written treatment plans for clients referred to the service.

To work independently and manage own case load using effective time management Implement programmes of care assessed by Health and Social Care professionals, to address peoples health and social care needs in a variety of settings Contribute to the reduction of health inequalities through the delivery of agreed health promotion interventions e.g. Smoking cessation To undertake a range of mental health nursing, OT and physio competencies as outlined in competency framework for Dementia Outreach Team and review and adapt individual care plans as appropriate To promote wellbeing, safe mobility, and transfers by providing instruction, advice and intervention to service users and care staff employed in care homes To demonstrate a wide range of therapy equipment to service users and care staff to enhance mental and physical wellbeing PATIENT AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT Actively encourage comments and feedback about the services provided QUALITY Ensure that own actions help to maintain the quality of the service. Maintain a professional image To recognise and respond to the needs and choices of the individual when delivering care RECORD KEEPING Ensure that standards of record keeping meet CityCare and national standards To keep accurate records within the multidisciplinary notes. COMMUNICATION Establish and maintain communication with people about routine and daily activities, modifying communication to overcome any difficulties with people involved Provide the team with accurate and timely feedback on interventions Contributes to the provision of education/teaching related to dementia care across a range of healthcare needs to surrounding residential and nursing homes.

Communicating with patients with poor communication and barriers to understanding e.g. people with dementia and poor motivation e.g. people with depression. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT To ensure knowledge, skills and competencies are in line with the band 4 competency framework.

To be involved in formal appraisal systems, supervision, and be active in identifying aims and objectives for personal development in line with CityCare policy, keep an up to date CPD portfolio. To maintain own development needs through participation in the appraisal process, competency framework and regular supervision. To undertake mandatory and other identified training. TEAMWORKING Support effective team working within the team Act as an effective team player To attend and contribute to team meetings and case discussions using effective communic