Health and Exercise Practitioner

Job overview

1 Fixed Term contract/secondment opportunity for up to 12 months.

Internal applicants who wish to be considered for a secondment opportunity should discuss with their line manager the suitability of a possible secondment.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the countywide falls assessment and education service for 12 months as it expands. We provide detailed, multifactorial assessments to those who have had falls as well as falls prevention advice and education to the public alongside clinical education to Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust staff.

Our health and exercise practitioners have a clinical caseload providing evidence based falls prevention exercise one to one in people's homes as well as in group settings. This role would be likely to include the running of the active balance class, so would suit someone with a healthcare or exercise instruction background who is confident in delivering group sessions. Experience of teaching would also be beneficial as the post holder would also arrange and deliver falls prevention talks to public groups and an interest in seeking out opportunities to expand this offer would be valuable.

Due to the varied nature of the role, an ability to proactively and independently manage your diary and have a flexible approach is also an asset. The ability to travel to various locations is essential, as is the ability to independently take equipment and resources along to talks from the team office base in Brockworth.

Main duties of the job

The service consistently receives positive feedback from patients and has an aim of ‘reducing the number of people falling or at risk of falling in Gloucestershire through effective falls prevention education, information, assessment and intervention’ which has in part led to the opportunity to expand our offer as well as develop the role and what we provide. Someone who is forward thinking and enjoys contributing to a team approach would therefore be welcomed.

If you have questions regarding this role or would like to have an informal discussion about your suitability please do call 0300 421 6241 to speak to Rachel Stead (Clinical Specialist Falls Physiotherapist) or another member of the team.

Main Duties include:

Deliver education to the general public and non-clinical staff groups about falls prevention and awareness based on National Guidelines and Quality standards

To run a falls prevention exercise group and 1:1 exercise sessions safely and efficiently, ensuring health and safety policies are adhered to at all times

Management and rehabilitation of falls assessment and education service patients – reviewing and progressing exercises, undertake clinical observations as delegated by a qualified health professional e.g. lying and standing blood pressure, repeating outcome measures, referring on and assessing with equipment

Have a good awareness of community and voluntary service organisations in order to be able to signpost on appropriately

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Deliver education about falls prevention to groups and 1:1

Independently run a falls prevention exercise group and 1:1 exercise sessions safely and efficiently, ensuring health and safety policies are adhered to at all times

Manage a patient caseload and engage in clinical supervision regarding these patients and their management

Organise and manage own workload flexibly, in accordance with need and service requirements.

Attend team meetings / in house training sessions

Complete evaluation and audit of interventions / sessions as required

Be responsible for undertaking venue risk assessments and to carry out administrative duties relating to the set up and management of group sessions

Assist in the smooth running of the service by dealing with queries, tasking and relaying messages and responding to upset or worried patients and carers.

Access countywide assistant in service training

Undertake core band 4 competencies applicable to the Falls Assessment and Education Service

Undertake training and development deemed appropriate by your line manager

Ensure knowledge, skills and competencies relating to the role are updated

Engage in appraisal process and actively strive to meet Professional Development Plan

Contribute ideas towards the development of the service, continuously looking to improve the quality and efficiency of the service.