Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust (CHFT) are implementing the Home First Model for patient care. This utilises the principles of discharge to assess which aims to ensure that patients who are medically optimised and no longer need a hospital bed, can leave hospital. The frailty therapy assistant role will be pivotal in shaping these services and asking the question " why not home and why not today"
The post holder will provide a single point of contact for patients, families, carers and associated people and co-ordinate/contribute to the safe and timely hospital discharge in partnership with other multi-disciplinary colleagues/agencies. The post holder will be supported to develop therapy skills through competency training such as walking aid assessment and assessing for basic equipment
This post will work Monday to Friday 8am-4pm
The post holder will maintain momentum of discharge planning throughout the entire process; supporting and working in partnership with other members of the MDT. The post holder will act as a trusted assessor for health and social pathways and complete relevant referral pathway documentation, such as trusted assessor forms.
The postholder will have a more in-depth education and understanding about factors that influence health and ill-health and knowledge of the wider health and social care services available to support people living with frailty.
We employ more than 6,500 staff who deliver compassionate care from our two main hospitals, Calderdale Royal Hospital and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary as well as in community sites, health centres and in patients’ homes. We also are incredibly proud to have almost 150 volunteers here at CHFT.
We provide a range of services including urgent and emergency care; medical; surgical; maternity; gynaecology; critical care; children’s and young people’s services; end of life care and outpatient and diagnostic imaging services.
We provide community health services, including sexual health services in Calderdale from Calderdale Royal and local health centres. These include Todmorden Health Centre and Broad Street Plaza.
We continue to modernise and invest in our health services to build on our strong reputation. Foundation trusts are public leaders in improving quality in health services. They are part of the NHS – yet decisions about what they do and how they do it are driven by independent boards. Boards listen to their Council of Governors and respond to the needs of their members – patients, staff and the local community.
Foundation trusts provide what the health service wants, yet are also free to invest quickly in the changes to the local community needs, in striving to be the best, and in putting their patients first.
1. Formal knowledge and experience
Formal qualifications and experience expected of a new candidate ( see person specification)
1. Supporting patients and service users
Supporting patients and service users and their families, and providing care throughout their care and care pathways
• Will involve assessing for, ordering, and issuing basic equipment
• Will involve discharge planning from services in conjunction with MDT and registered practitioners.
• To support / lead on onward referrals to other health related teams within CHFT /external agencies
• To complete administrative duties and general patient care across departments as required
• Will take part in manual and handling training and subsequently contribute to the moving and handling of patients
1. Clinical, technical and scientific roles and responsibilities
The underpinning knowledge and practice, support and interventions required of support staff to safely assist service users in meeting their optimum potential.
• Determine a treatment and/or discharge plan for an individual following a needs-based assessment, taking into account both health and social care needs.
• May require preparing and co-ordinating patient information regarding reason for admission/ referral, social history and current needs, to document this information accordingly and share with the MDT as required.
• Carry out baseline assessment, in relation to health and social care support, record those assessments and request simple services or alterations to packages of care for service users.
1. Communication and information
The ability to communicate clearly, respectfully, and effectively using a range of methods – written, verbal and non-verbal. Maintaining confidentiality and protection of data and overcoming physical, sensory, cognitive and language barriers to understanding.
• Working in conjunction with the MDT, support the completion of the comprehensive and relevant discharge documentation /including onward referrals to other agencies
• At times, demonstrating good negotiation, support and conflict resolution skills where there may be disputes surrounding a plan for discharge/ treatment or assessment
• Supporting patients and relatives during stressful and emotional times
• Work closely with the patient’s family and friends to ensure accurate information is recorded on electronic systems and that they are happy and confident to provide consent to other services
• Ensuring compassionate care and excellent communication is at the forefront of all interactions and assessments
1. Safe and inclusive environments
The principles of equality, diversity and inclusion, safeguarding, protection, personal wellbeing and safety, along with the importance of duty of care and candour.
• To ensure that documented information is accurate, up-to-date and reflective of the department’s involvement with individual service users and to use computerised records accordingly
• Ensure all relevant systems are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure safe care of all patients – including safe discharge from services
• Carry out duties with due regard to the Trust’s Equal Opportunity Policy
1. Research and service improvement
Participation in research, audit, evaluation and service improvement projects. Eg supervision, training, developments
• Attend all mandatory training and be responsible for maintaining up to date additional training and responsibilities relevant to the post (e.g. medical devices, competency training etc)
1. Leadership
The importance of being a role model, identifying areas for self improvement and supervising others, and leading on patient safety, improvements and support for others.
• Will take the responsibility for the training of others, including delivering training
1. Personal and professional values and behaviours
Understanding and demonstration of the values in the NHS Constitution and NHS People Promise, as well as self-development and personal well being
• Participate in regular supervision
• Participate in an appraisal annually identifying, developing and agreeing your own development plan with your Line Manager using the Trust Appraisal
• Comply with all Trust policies, procedures and protocols
• Seek advice and support from Line Manager whenever necessary
• Maintain professional conduct including appearance at all times
• Be responsible for good time management and attendance.
This advert closes on Sunday 10 Nov 2024