Assistant Practitioner Orthopaedics - AHP

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

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Band 4 assistant practitioner with an interest in Orthopaedics to work alongside an established highly respected and experienced team.

This post involves supporting the occupational therapy and physiotherapy staff in delivering a high quality service to patients. The work will be based mainly in a ward environment however this may vary according to the service and patient group.

The applicant will be expected to carry their own patient caseload and to treat patients while following protocol led guidelines.

Candidate Requirements

Candidate must have previous experience of working as a therapy support worker at Band 3 level and have the skills to engage with and motivate others. You should be able to demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills and a commitment to health care. Candidates should display flexibility and evidence a strong team work ethic.

Training will be provided to allow you to undertake clinical and non-clinical duties. You will be fully supported by the occupational therapy and physiotherapy staff and will participate in supervision and personal development planning to help fulfil continuous professional development.

Duration, Location, and Working Pattern

This is a permanent, part-time post of 28 hours per week.

Please note the salary is Pro Rata for part time hours.

This post’s primary base will be Gartnavel General Hospital with cover to the other sites in the South Sector.

This post will include weekend working with the expectation of working pattern of 2/ 3 weekdays and a Saturday. It may also require the post holder to participate in extended hours working, work patterns can be discussed with candidates.

Key Responsibilities

• Is legally accountable and responsible for all aspects of own work including direct and indirect patient care, within scope of practice.
• Gains valid consent for each intervention and has the ability to work within a legal framework with patients who lack the capacity to consent.
• Assists the physiotherapy and/or occupational therapy team in the rehabilitation of patients to maximise functional independence and rehabilitation potential.
• Manages own caseload and is responsible for assessing patient progress and reporting back to the physiotherapist and/or occupational therapist where required.
• Treats patients individually or in a group in a ward, gym, clinic or ADL (activities of daily living) suite environment.
• Act independently to assess, plan, implement, evaluate, treat and progress patient care within scope of practice, to maximise functional independence and rehabilitation potential including decision making regarding discharge from care.
• Delegate appropriate caseload and tasks to band 3 Healthcare support worker (HCSW).
• Undertakes skilled support e.g. mobility treatment progression without the presence of a physiotherapist, transfer and ADL treatment progression without the presence of an occupational therapist.
• Liaise with the physiotherapist and/or occupational therapist as necessary regarding patient care. In particular highlighting any issues out with scope of practice.