Main area Community Assistant Practitioner Grade Band 4 Contract 5 months (Fixed term/secondment until 31/3/2026) Hours Part time - 22.5 hours per week (Monday - Friday- negotiable days) Job ref 839-7368509-AB
Employer Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust Employer type NHS Site Norwich Community Hospital Town Norwich Salary £25,147 - £27,596 per annum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 04/08/2025 23:59
Community Assistant Practitioner – Post Covid Service
Band 4
NCH&C is proud to be the first standalone NHS community trust in the UK to achieve an ‘Outstanding’ rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Our focus is on continually improving the quality of care we offer to local people and on improving access to that care, helping people to move seamlessly from one service to another. Praising NCH&C’s “compassionate, inclusive and effective leadership at all levels”, the CQC observed that our staff are well supported to make positive changes and innovations.
Norfolk Community Health & Care NHS Trust is committed to continuing to create a modern and inclusive work environment. As part of this commitment we actively promote flexible working opportunities where possible, to meet the needs and wishes of our workforce to maintain and improve their wellbeing. The trust offers a range of flexibility, including flexible working patterns, and we would encourage you to discuss this with the recruiting manager before or during the application process if this would interest you.
We welcome applications from people who share our values and can help us deliver outstanding care in our local community.
Job overview
Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust are able to offer an exciting opportunity for a band 4 Community Assistant Practitioner to join the Post Covid Service. This integrated pathway of care supports patients on their Post Covid recovery journey. This role offers partnership working between the MDT and other external agencies to ensure the delivery of a seamless high quality service.
Part Time
Fixed term/ secondment until 31/3/26
* Do you want to deliver patient centered rehabilitation?
* Are you an experienced assistant with qualifications to fulfillthis role?
* Are you keen to support people to develop their independence and maximise their quality of life?
* Are you interested in working as a team to establish a specialist service for post COVID syndrome?
* Are you able to empower others to achieve their goals?
* Are you interested in working in and learning from a team of experienced Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Nurses, Psychologists and more?
If you have answered yes to any of the above please read on and consider applying for this post.
Main duties of the job
For more information on this role please see the attached support information. This will give you a better overview of the job role and requirements.
The Post Covid team are based at Norwich Community Hospital but work remotely from home and other trust sites countywide; providing assessment and intervention to Post Covid patients with a GP registered in Norfolk and Waveney.
You will be an integral part of a friendly and supportive pathway, providing basic observations, self-management strategies to patients, facilitating lifestyle management, assisting with education/ breathlessness, fatigue and exercise groups, working with house bound people in their own homes, working face to face and virtually.
This post will offer you with opportunity to consolidate and develop existing clinical skills and knowledge in Therapy and Nursing. You will work closely with the Therapists and Nurses within the team to support high standards of patient care and service delivery aligned to the Trust Visions and Values. The team has strong leadership with experienced Therapy and Nursing staff that will support your development through Value Based Appraisal, joint visits, one to one support meetings, caseload management and supervision.
Working for our organisation
Apply now to join an organisation that has been awarded an Outstanding rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the highest possible rating and the first stand-alone NHS community trust in the country to be awarded the title.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Main Duties & Responsibilities
* To assist the clinical team in organising and running the Post Covid Service education and intervention pathway
* Prepare for and deliver individual and group activities to meet defined intervention needs.
* To deliver, monitor and progress education activity and exercise programmes for patients with Post Covid Syndrome using own clinical reasoning, notifying a qualified clinician accordingly
* To provide an individualised exercise programme or group programme suitable for the patient’s level of ability, increasing the level of intensity for patients as they improve.
* To advise patients on a home activity programmes and other community programmes after they have completed the course in order to maintain benefits.
* To participate in patient education sessions.
* To work without direct supervision within a specialist clinical area undertaking tasks delegated by a qualified clinician.
* To establish and maintain links with local community-based exercise and activity providers.
* To demonstrate problem solving and contribute to the solution, working with colleagues.
* To undertake baseline physical observations and record results correctly. In addition, be able to identify anomalies that should be referred to a qualified clinician
* To plan and prioritise own work and visits and ensure these are recorded accurately in ledgers.
Specific Duties
* To assist the clinicians and participate in assessment, treatment and discharge of patients with Post Covid Syndrome.
* Develop, adapt, monitor, and progress Post Covid exercise programme for individual patient and groups increasing the level of fitness as patients’ clinical symptoms improve.
* Carrying out group work, including education and prevention work.
* To implement treatment plans to more complex patients as delegated by clinical team member when needed.
* Take responsibility of patients without direct supervision, but under the direction of qualified staff in the performance of specific tasks for an individual or group of patients with chronic condition, as part of their treatment.
* To be aware at all times of the needs of the patients during illness or disability and to promote and encourage independence and restoration of function.
* To communicate with all other members of the multidisciplinary team, regarding changes in the patient’ condition or any other useful / important information.
* To communicate effectively with patients and carers. Communication skills of encouragement, motivation and explanation will be needed. Barriers to communication within the client group may include loss of hearing, pain, altered perception, fear, loss of confidence, psychological / cognitive issues and sensory impairment, language difficulties e.g.: English not as a first language, etc.
* To update patients’ records in a concise, accurate and timely manner in line with legal requirements and Trust Policies and Procedures. To communicate assessment and treatment results where appropriate to clinical colleagues in the form of reports and letters.
* To be actively involved in the collection of appropriate data and statistics for use by the Trust and / or department e.g.: inputting on SystmOne and to be involved in the audit process.
* To be involved with service updates, evaluate outcomes, and assist with service audits as necessary.
* To be involved with the training, development, and supervision of other unregistered staff as appropriate.
* To maintain accurate up-to-date documentation in line with legal and Trust Policies and Procedures and communicate assessment and treatment results where appropriate.
* To undertake delegated duties without direct clinical supervision at venues within Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust or at Leisure / community centres or patients own home as necessary.
* To undertake administrative / clerical duties as necessary. This may include maintaining stock levels, registration of patients, filing, dealing with telephone calls, cleaning equipment, photocopying, etc.
* In conjunction with the MDT, take responsibility for the general care, cleaning and safety of the equipment and work areas.
* To undertake other duties which might be considered as appropriate by the Clinical Lead, Registered staff, or the Team Lead of the Post Covid Service
* The duties of the post may require visits to other venues. You must be able to make your own transport arrangements.
* Be required to use tact and persuasive skills and health coaching style, to support patient engagement, goal setting and encouraging the patient’s co-operation in their treatment/care/management plan
* Work predominantly independently on specified tasks, with regular clinical support and supervision by a qualified practitioner
* Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of consent, and gain consent as appropriate following department policy.
* To be an active member of the staff meetings, and where appropriate, training sessions, courses, and reflective practice.
* To establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with patients and carers, incorporating motivation, encouragement, and confidence building.
Trust BehaviorFramework
* All post holders are required to adhere to the Trust’s Behavior Framework in the undertaking of their duties.
Research & Development (Should the post require more than this level then the requirement should be clearly described and referred to the AfC Panel for Evaluation)
* May be required to undertake surveys or audits, as necessary to own work; may occasionally participate in R&D, clinical trials or equipment testing.
* Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Rigorous recruitment checks are carried out and where applicable to the role successful applicants will be required to undertake a criminal record check via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Infection Control
* Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust staff are responsible for protecting themselves and others against infection risks. All staff regardless of whether clinical or not are expected to comply with current infection control policies and procedures and to report any problems with regard to this to their managers. All staff undertaking patient care activities must attend infection control training and updates as required by Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust.
Health and Safety
* Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed upon them under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), to ensure the agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe environment for employees and visitors.
* To ensure that the Trust’s Health and Safety Policies are understood and observed and that procedures are followed.
* To ensure the appropriate use of equipment and facilities and the environment is maintained in good order.
* To take the necessary precautions to safeguard the welfare and safety of themselves, patients, staff, and visitors, in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act.
* To undertake appropriate Health and Safety training to support safe working practice including, where appropriate, its management.
General
* All staff are required to respect confidentiality of all matters that they learn as a result of the employment with the Trust, including matters relating to other members of the staff and members of the public/patients.
* Maintain appropriate patient and clinical records in line with the Trusts policies and procedures, and in line with the agreed service specification.
* The post holder will be expected to participate in an annual appraisal of their work where the job description will be reviewed, and objectives set. In line with the annual personal development plan the post holder will be expected to undertake any training or development required to fulfil their role.
* Ensure that all patients, clients, and colleagues are treated at all times in an equitable manner, respecting diversity and showing an understanding of diversity in the workplace.
* The post holder must carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the Trust’s Equality and Diversity Policies, Procedures and Schemes and must ensure that equality is promoted at all times.
* NCHC is committed to supporting our voluntary workforce and all apprentices, and all staff are expected to welcome and support volunteers and apprentices in their teams.
This job description is not exhaustive and may be amended from time to time in consultation with the post holder. The post holder will be required to undertake any other duties as may be required for the effective performance of the post.
Person specification
Qualifications
* Foundation degree programme or equivalent
* Exercise or activity qualifications
Experience
* Band 3 or 4 experience working with community health or social care services or equivalent
* Experience of working in clinical area of activity/exercise
Skills, Abilities & Knowledge
* Knowledge of practice through in-house training
* Willingness to develop self and undertake training as identified
* Ability to modify communication to allow for patient presentation; eg comprehension level, hearing
* Highly motivated
* Able to provide high standards of care
* Empathy & sensitivity
* Ability to use own initiative
* Good observational & reporting skills
* Ability to manage stressful situations
* Excellent organisation skills and the ability to manage own caseload and prioritise workload
* Computer literate with ability to use a full range of software packages.
Communication
* Excellent communication skills (verbal, listening and written)
* Ability to deal with people in a sensitive manner using empathy and tact.
* Ability to modify communication to allow for patient presentation; eg comprehension level, hearing
* Ability to compile and produce written and verbal reports confidently and articulately.
Personal Attributes
* Professional appearance
* Good interpersonal skills/ Team player
* Work flexibly to accommodate patient/service needs
* Be reliable
* Able to identify with the Trust’s commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
Other
* Must hold full and valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle (if applicable)
* Able to communicate effectively in written and verbal English Language
Equal Opportunities - We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome all applications irrespective of age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race or religion. Additionally, people with disabilities that fall under the Disability Confident Scheme will be offered an interview providing they meet the minimum criteria for the post (outlined in the Person Specification). All sites are Smoke Free.
If you need this application in an offline format, please let us know.
Immigration Status- Norfolk Community Health & Care NHS Trust is a diverse employer and welcomes all job applications. However, potential applicants should note that although the Trust is registered with the Home Office as a sponsor organisation for migrant workers, sponsorship can only be offered against Skilled Worker visas. If you are an applicant from outside the UK and do not already hold a self-gained right to work, we recommend you check the Home Office eligibility requirements before making an application.
Please note: Although we are a registered sponsor organisation, we are unable to offer sponsorship for some job roles, and this will be identified through filtering questions at the start of any job application on the Trac recruitment system.
Redeployment - Please note that in the first instance priority for this vacancy will be given to NCH&C staff who are on the Trusts Redeployment Register.
DBS - If this post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and you are not a current employee of Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust or being recruited as an Apprentice then the cost of the DBS check will be automatically removed from your first month’s salary. However if you are registered with the update service this may not be required.
Closing and Interview Dates -This vacancy may close early if sufficient applicants are received.
Data Protection -A privacy notice detailing how we will handle your data is attached to this advert as a document. Your application will be transferred to our recruitment management system (Trac) once the advert has closed and you will receive notification then detailing how Trac will handle your data.
On April 1st 2025, the Boards of Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust and Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust will come together to deliver services as a group, with a singular board operating across both organisations. Both trusts are high performing specialist community health and care providers working in the East of England. Both have a strong track record, with the highest ratings from the Care Quality Commission, best in class NHS staff survey outcomes, and a decade of experience in innovation and clinical development.
The group model provides health and care services to a population of 3.2 million in their homes and neighbourhoods. We provide care that supports people from the very beginning to the very end of their lives.
We will remain two separate employers until further notice, and this role being advertised will be employed by Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Name Kate Steel Job title Service Lead Post Covid Assessment Service Email address [emailprotected] Telephone number 01603 785 860 Additional information
Please contact by email as preference Tuesday-Wednesday
If you have problems applying, contact
Address Room 218, Norwich Community Hospital
Bowthorpe Road
Norwich
NR2 3TU
Telephone 01603 272489
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