Assistant Practitioner duties and responsibilities
An Assistant Practitioner is a part of the support team in a clinical or hospital setting. They assess, support, signpost and monitor patients and their carers with the goal of enabling them to manage their long-term health independently, prevent hospital admissions and enhance the quality of their lives. Other duties and responsibilities include:
- Participating in clinical audits as necessary and establishing and performing routine monitoring of patients
- Keeping accurate patient records and using relevant IT systems
- Maximising capacity by communicating with Service Registered Practitioners regularly
- Advising, supporting and educating patients and their carers appropriately and within their own knowledge and competency
- Learning where to ask for help when needed and as necessary, seeking advice from licenced practitioners for matters outside their skills, knowledge and responsibility
- Reporting back information from professional contact and patient to make sure patient care is consistent
- Referring patients to appropriate agencies with the consent of the patient
- Assessing patients and their carers within their sphere of competence, including mental and physical health assessment
- Recording patient information such as vital signs, weight and changes in medical history, prior to each appointment
- Cleaning and preparing examinations room prior to patient appointments
Assistant Practitioner skills and qualifications
A successful Assistant Practitioner candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications to perform their duties effectively, these include:
- Being caring, kind and compassionate
- Ability to lift patients and equipment
- Ability to follow directions and procedures with a commitment to quality care
- Teamwork skills for mentoring Student Nurses, Healthcare Assistants and Trainee Assistant Practitioners
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills to explain procedures to patients
- Organisation skills and attention to detail
Assistant Practitioner experience requirements
A strong foundation of the philosophy and principles of health and social care and the organisation, function and physiology of the human body is required for an Assistant Practitioner position. Previous experience in a clinical support role, such as a Maternity Support Worker, Dietetic Assistant and Healthcare Assistant, is preferable.
Assistant Practitioner education and training requirements
An Assistant Practitioner must complete on-the-job training or apprenticeship and obtain a healthcare qualification, such as the NCFE Council for Awards in Care Health and Education (CACHE) Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support, Level 5 Diploma of Higher Education, a Foundation Degree and the Level 5 Diploma for Assistant Practitioners in Healthcare.
Assistant Practitioner salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary of an Assistant Practitioner in the UK is £20,774 per year. This figure varies depending on several factors, including experience, the healthcare facility and its geographical location.
No salary date could be found on indeed.com/uk/salaries
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