Frailty Practitioner

Job overview

Exciting opportunity to join a team of Frailty Practitioners based in the Emergency Department.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, Paramedic or Registered Nurse with a passion for working with older people, to embrace this role within the Emergency Department.

The frail elderly population requires specialist clinical care.  The service aims to improve the frailty pathway at the front door of the hospital.  Frail elderly is one of the biggest cohort of patients seen in the acute trust and lends itself naturally to innovative ways of working.  We are looking for clinicians with NHS experience working in Emergency Medicine, Acute Medicine, Elderly Care or community based admission avoidance services.

The Trust is part of the Acute Frailty Network which provides opportunity to network nationally through events and conferences and lead on new ways of working with the Frail Elderly population.

There is 1x post available for 1 year to cover maternity leave (WTE).

Main duties of the job

The successful applicant will screen older patients attending the Emergency Department to identify those living with frailty, commence Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) and consider alternative pathways to acute hospital admission.

Promoting awareness of frailty and educating the wider Emergency Department team about the impacts of living with frailty forms part of this role.  Excellent communication skills and a passion for the continued improvement in the quality of care given to frail older people are key.

The service operates between 8am and 8pm, 7 days a week.  There is a requirement for regular weekend and bank holiday working across the team.  The rolling shift pattern will enable consistent, predictable work pattern for staff to manage a good home and work life balance.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To work at an advanced level by receiving referrals and independently assessing and treating own caseload of patients, ensuring evaluation and progression of treatment programmes to a high standard, and in line with National and Trust clinical guidelines, protocols and pathways where they exist.

To have clinical responsibility for patients under your care, including those who require highly complex admission avoidance support, and prioritise that work efficiently taking into account clinical and service priorities, using advanced clinical knowledge to underpin decisions.

To formulate and deliver an individual discharge plan based on advanced clinical knowledge of current practice, evidence based practice and community support options, using advanced clinical assessment and reasoning skills.

The post requires a flexible approach to working and requires the post holder to undertake weekend and evening commitments as required. This includes being active member of the weekend duty rota, and cover of statutory and public holidays, maintaining the competency required to work as the sole Frailty Practitioner within this clinical area.

Please see attached job description for further details.