Go back East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust
Rapid Assessment & Frailty Team Practitioner
The closing date is 26 May 2026
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Band 6 Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, Nurse or Paramedic to join the Rapid Assessment & Frailty Team (RAFT) working within the emergency care settings at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn. This post is integral to supporting the delivery and development of RAFT, in providing urgent and unplanned discharge planning and admission avoidance assessments.
The post holder will work alongside an existing integrated multi-disciplinary team including a co-located Social Worker, using a fusion-skilled hybrid approach, focusing on high quality frailty care, promoting comprehensive assessments and supporting hospital teams in appropriate admission avoidances over a 7‑day service. A willingness to work flexibly, undertake tasks traditionally allocated to specific disciplines and a sense of humour are all requirements of the role.
You will be supported by experienced leads employed by the 2 stakeholder organisations, giving insight into true integrated partnerships and the benefits this brings.
If you are looking for a development opportunity and can work well in a time‑pressed environment, have great interpersonal skills and are able to think innovatively, then we need you.
It is essential that applicants have UK NHS experience and are preferred to have worked as a Professional within the Acute setting.
Main duties of the job
The key features of the role are to provide:
* Comprehensive specialist assessment, diagnosis and discharge care planning for patients within the speciality with an emphasis on those with highly complex multi‑co‑morbidities and/or chronic presentation.
* A prompt and effective assessment within agreed standards to ensure the appropriate and safe, timely & effective discharge of patients to home or other suitable environment.
* Assist in the planning, co‑ordination and evaluation of clinical input from the team within all clinical areas covered by the Rapid Assessment & Frailty Team.
* Seek guidance from a senior team member for more highly complex situations. Provide specialist assessment, diagnosis and discharge planning for patients within their own caseload, further consolidating knowledge and skills gained. This work is carried out in hospital with referrals being made to external agencies as appropriate. Maintain records as an autonomous practitioner and assist and support service development within the specialities.
* Be supervised on a regular basis by more senior members of the Rapid Assessment & Frailty Team. Supervision, either formal or informal, evaluates and develops practice. Advice, training and support are available as required.
Qualifications
* Degree in Nursing, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Paramedic Practice or Paramedic Science
* Registered General Nursing Registration, Health & Care Professions Council registration
* Demonstration of a variety of postgraduate courses to increase levels of skill and knowledge
* Practice Educator course and ability to supervise undergraduate students from your profession
Experience
* Covered a variety of specialities as a postgraduate Nurse, Therapist or Paramedic
* Experience of working with older people
* Experience of multi‑professional working
* Broad range of NHS experience
* Experience of working in the emergency care environment
* Experience of community care
* Excellent clinical reasoning skills
* Ability to use a wide range of assessment skills
* Sound working knowledge of diagnoses and interpretation of disorders
* Ability to make sound clinical judgements & decisions in response to complex or crisis situations
* Ability to use initiative & to work as an autonomous practitioner
* Ability to work within a multi‑agency team
* Ability to prioritise one’s own workload and utilise the skill of delegation as appropriate
* Ability to problem‑solve and use initiative
* Organised approach to clinical & managerial work
* Excellent communication skills both written and verbal
* Understanding of clinical governance and evidence‑based practice
* Committed to life‑long learning and continued professional development through postgraduate education
* Knowledge of the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment process
* Understanding of the Frailty speciality
* To have a very good understanding of the role and responsibilities of the post
* Knowledge of working with older people
* Experience of staff supervision and appraisal
* Experience of Mental Capacity Assessments & appropriate usage
* Positive approach to data collection and clinical audit
* Have a flexible/adaptable approach to work & the needs of the Acute Hospital Service including evening, weekend and bank holiday working
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with an ability to handle difficult conversations
* Ability to empathise, use tact and diplomacy when required
* To have actively gained an understanding of the Rapid Assessment & Frailty Team and service provision at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital
* Honest, polite, punctual and professional in appearance and manner at all times
* Good multi‑disciplinary team worker with evidence of leadership qualities
Physical Effort
* Maintain one's own fitness to carry out the duties associated with the post which will require significant periods of standing, walking and physically supporting patients throughout each shift.
Mental Effort
* Ability to deal with emotional and stressful situations in relation to patient care
* Ability to deal with and dispose safely of all bodily secretions encountered during the treatment of patients, including sputum, urine and faeces
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.
East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust
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