Pulmonary Rehabilitation Community Assistant Practitioner

Job overview

This is an exciting opportunity for an Assistant Practitioner to join the  Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Community Neurology Teams based in King's Lynn building skills and knowledge within respiratory and neurology  exercise prescription.

Both services deliver specialist  intervention including  group education and exercise to people living with chronic respiratory disease and complex neurological conditions. Care is delivered face to face, via virtual platforms and telephone.

You will have the opportunity to work alongside a multi-disciplinary team assisting in delivering exercise and education classes to patients with respiratory and neurological disease in a variety of venues across Norfolk.

Training opportunities will be offered and encouraged. Please refer to the job description and person specification for further details.

Knowledge of long term health conditions including respiratory and neurological disorders would be beneficial to the role.

Community Neurology team exercise provision runs on Mondays.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Main duties of the job

To contribute to the organisation and delivery of Pulmonary Rehabilitation (exercise, lifestyle, lung education) by a multi-disciplinary team for people who have a diagnosed long term lung condition including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Pulmonary Fibrosis. This will include assessing, planning, implementing and reviewing patients referred to the programme delegated by the registered clinicians in a variety of community settings (face to face and virtual).

To contribute to assessment, treatment and review for patients with long term Neurological conditions to achieve quality of life and independence where possible, in a number of settings e.g. patient home, gym.

Please see job description and person specification for full role and requirements.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Professional / Clinical responsibilities

• Assist the registered healthcare professionals in the delivery of the Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Neurology programmes in a variety of settings (including virtual and face to face).
• To undertake core clinical observations (BP, respiratory rate, heart rate, pulse oximetry, temperature)
• To undertake delegated duties at venues within East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust or at leisure/community centres across Norfolk. This will include administering respiratory assessment tools (CAT score, BORG score, walk tests) and support with assessing patients to determine their suitability/safety to exercise alongside a registered healthcare professional.
• Work within established national guidelines
• To monitor patient’s responses to interventions and liaise with appropriate clinician to decide on appropriate action.
• Provide a suitable individualised home exercise programme with the support of clinicians, following completion of the course of Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Neurology exercise groups.
• Carry out group work including education and health promotion, leading specific tasks where appropriate.
• To be aware at all times of the needs of the patients during illness or disability whilst promoting, encouraging independence and restoration of function.
• To communicate with the registered health professionals in the team regarding changes in the patient’s condition or any other useful/important information.
• Communication skills of encouragement, motivation and explanation will be needed to maximise rehabilitation potential. Recognise barriers to communication within the client group identified and reasonable adjustments made to facilitate participation in the Pulmonary Rehabilitation programme.
• To work alongside non-registered staff/volunteers.
• To undertake administrative/clerical duties as required. This may include maintaining stock levels, registration of patients, filing, managing telephone calls and photocopying/printing.
• Involvement in the local support groups for patients as required
• The role will involve good working relationships with a wide range of system partners (such as GPs, Practice Nurses, Consultants and community colleagues).

Information management

• Ensure comprehensive, accurate patient records are completed using SystmOne in line with the trusts policies.
• To collect data and statistics as directed.

Education & Professional Development

• Participate and actively seek clinical supervision and mentorship.
• Attend mandatory training as required.

Service Development

• Involvement in service review and evaluation as undertaken by the team and East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust.
• Participation and contribution to achieving and maintaining national Pulmonary Rehabilitation accreditation.
• Attend and contribute to team meetings including broader service development such as changes to the Pulmonary rehabilitation programme content.
• Demonstrate problem-solving and contribute to the solution, working with team colleagues.

Risk & Governance Management

• Completion of service audits this includes mandatory Trust audits and audits specific to Pulmonary Rehabilitation such as the National Respiratory Audit Programme (NRAP)
• In conjunction with the clinical team take responsibility for the general care, cleaning, maintenance and safety of therapy equipment and work areas.
• Promptly report any accidents/incidents/concerns to a relevant Health Care Professional and clinical lead by use of DATIX.