Therapy Assistant Practitioner (Intermediate Care)

Hywel Dda Health Board present an exciting opportunity to join our NHS & Public Health Award Winning – “Home First Team” (Intermediate Care Services) in Carmarthenshire as a ‘Therapy Assistant Practitioner’.

Hywel Dda University Health Board - Introduction of an Intermediate Care MDT, Carmarthenshire - Public Health Wales (nhs.wales)

Who are we?

We are an innovative, comprehensive team of Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Therapy Assistant Practitioners (TAP), Dietitians, Nurses, GP’s, Advanced Paramedic Practitioners (APP), Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANP’s), Physician Associates (PA), Social Workers, Senior Reablement Workers, and Third Sector Agents striving to deliver the right support, at the right time in the right place as close to home as possible.

This role will form part of the “Home First” Multidisciplinary Team (MDT), all of whom work together to provide early intervention, period of rehabilitation and assessment in the community to immediately mitigate loss in function, risk of deconditioning, nutritional deficit, deterioration in their mental health to increase people’s time spent at home rather than hospital.

Our approach is to deliver patient care in a holistic, person-centred manner, supporting patients, when possible, to stay/return in a safe manner to their own homes where they may continue to be a valued member of their own community.

As part of the therapy service, you will work directly with our existing Therapy Assistant Practitioners, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists and Dietitian to provide high quality, evidence-based care for patients in the community that are receiving intermediate care.

The role includes assessing, planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating exercise and education programmes and nutritional care plans according to the needs of the referred individuals. The roles are largely community based and can include working independently and with other members of the multidisciplinary team.

You will have considerable experience of working with patients with complex healthcare or rehabilitation needs and you will able to demonstrate clinical reasoning skills, to enable you to assess and treat patients within service protocols without immediate direct supervision.

Your energy and drive will be rewarded with the support of a dedicated team that strives to create a progressive, friendly and considerate environment. We recognise that our staff are our strongest asset and investment into the individual as a person as much as their professional development is important. You will be provided informal and formal training with the opportunity to complete the Level 3 and Level 4 Rehabilitation Diploma.

Hywel Dda University Health Board is the planner and provider of NHS healthcare services for people in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and its bordering counties. Our 11,000 members of staff provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services for around 384,000 people across a quarter of the landmass of Wales. We do this in partnership with our three local authorities and public, private and third sector colleagues, including our volunteers, through:

Four main hospitals: Bronglais General in Aberystwyth, Glangwili General in Carmarthen, Prince Philip in Llanelli and Withybush General in Haverfordwest;

Seven community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron, Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire Hospital Health and Social Care Resource Centre in Pembrokeshire;

48 general practices (four of which are managed practices), 47 dental practices (including three orthodontic), 99 community pharmacies, 44 general ophthalmic practices (43 providing Eye Health Examination Wales and 34 low vision services) and 17 domiciliary only providers and 11 health centres;

Numerous locations providing mental health and learning disabilities services;

Highly specialised and tertiary services commissioned by the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee, a joint committee representing seven health boards across Wales

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

To apply you should have a NVQ Level 3 or equivalent plus relevant clinical experience working in a therapy service.

We are looking for a proactive, motivated and compassionate individual who’s passionate about the value of community rehabilitation and to maintain momentum in transforming our community services across organisations for the people of Carmarthenshire and future generations.

The post holder will be required to participate in the provision of a flexible 7 day service, based on service need. This will be on a rota basis.

The pandemic has taught us more than ever the importance of work life balance and we encourage remote working when appropriate and flexible working arrangements.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Interviews will be held on 24/04/2023.