Assistant Practitioner: ADHD and Autism Assessment

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Skills

 ·       Work alone at times in the clinical environment and in the community, under the direction of the registered member of the multi-disciplinary team and always with access to support and supervision.

• ·       Modify intervention as needed depending on risk assessment, the situation and own skills and knowledge. Refer back to the registered member of the multi-disciplinary team for support and advice ensuring that they are aware of any modifications made.
• ·       Inform patients of facts using empathy, understanding and reassurance, adjusting communication style to the needs of the patient. This includes promoting and upholding the rights and diversity of individuals.
• ·       Deal calmly and professionally with direct/indirect exposure to angry or distressed patients or sensitive information about services and staff performance (e.g. complaints and serious incidents).
• ·       Develop knowledge of clinical skills, using competency frameworks as appropriate to the setting, and to patients on the caseload.
• ·       Understand and deliver care in line with NELFT Safeguarding Policies (Adults and Children) and the Whistle Blowing Policy. Discuss issues of safeguarding with staff and ensure appropriate advice is sought and received when required.
• ·       Work collaboratively with other services, which may include children’s services. Ensure robust communication and liaisons where relevant information, relating to a child or young person (0-19), is obtained during the course of their work.
• ·       Order equipment & resources as agreed or directed
• ·       Understand and apply the eligibility criteria for services and adhere to organisational standards of practice.
• ·       Reflect on and evaluate your own values, priorities, interests and effectiveness.
• ·       Promote health, safety and security in the work setting.
• ·       Understand how to enable, move and position individuals in accordance with their plan of care.
• ·       Demonstrate, and instruct, on the use of equipment to ensure safety.
• ·       Report any incident/untoward incidents/near misses to self, patients or carers to the manager.
• ·       Minimise the risk of spreading infection by cleaning, disinfecting and maintaining environments. Perform hand hygiene and use personal protective equipment to prevent the spread of infection.
• ·       Recognise the need for further advice, guidance and support as appropriate
• ·       Administering clinical assessments such as Qbtest and obsevrations that can be analysed by qualified members of the MDT. 
• ·       Administering medical measurements such as height weight and blood pressure that can be analysed by qualified members of the MDT
• Leadership
• ·       Be responsible for a delegated patient group following initial assessment and advice by a registered member of the multi-disciplinary team
• ·       Undertake duties identified in each client’s individual care plan which the post holder is trained, competent and confident to perform.
• ·       Monitor patient’s progress, taking account of their environment and adjust own clinical interventions accordingly.
• ·       Follow the treatment plan and feedback on the patient’s progress and highlight need for re-assessment when needed.
• ·       Implement, evaluate and modify support as directed. Administration
• ·       Organise own day to day activity in liaison with the line manager and supervisor, including co-ordinating patient appointments,  liaising with patients, carers and educational services.
• ·       Exercise good personal time management, punctuality and consistent reliable attendance.
• ·       Manage frequent interruptions to respond to requests from other staff.
• ·       Analyse basic patient information to make informed decisions.
• ·       Maintain accurate and complete patient records.
• ·       Keep up to date with relevant Health and Social Care developments.
• ·       Participate in the planning, reviewing and development of services.
• ·       Contribute to research and development being carried out, collect information and evidence as requested. This includes maintenance and dissemination of information (written and electronic).
• ·       Undertake and assess risk assessments providing feedback to the team as necessary e.g. in relation to lone working. Manage risk effectively within various settings.
• ·       Maintain stocks of equipment and ensure safe, competent and efficient use of equipment which is well maintained. Report any defects.

Communication

• ·       Form professional relationships with patients and carers and communicate with them in a way that respects their views, autonomy and culture.
• ·       Communicate with other staff and agencies as appropriate in written and oral format to report on patient performance and progress.
• ·       Contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings and case conferences, helping to ensure that there is an integrated approach, which benefits the patient’s overall care and discharge plans.
• ·       Ensure that service users engage effectively with the agreed care plan and access appropriate services.
• ·       Constructively manage barriers to effective communication.
• ·       Assist in obtaining valid patient consent and work within a legal framework with patients who lack capacity to consent to treatment.
• ·       Instruct and guide individuals/groups of patients in therapeutic programmes and activities.
• ·       Report effectively to the relevant team on patients’ performance and progress.
• ·       Attend meetings and feedback relevant information.
• Training
• ·       Participate in the Trusts Performance Appraisal scheme and be responsible for own personal CPD (continuous personal development) by identifying own areas of development, and undertaking relevant activities to meet objectives.
• ·       Keep a record of own training and development.
• ·       Share knowledge and experiences both formally and informally.
• ·       Take a flexible approach in supporting colleagues during times of workload pressures.
• ·       Participate in the training, induction and teaching of related skills and techniques to other support staff.
• ·       Actively participate in managerial and clinical supervision.