About this role
Job summary
A Frailty Practitioner provides input in all aspects of holistic patient care at the front door. This will involve the management of frail, older adults through the acute frailty service pathway within the Emergency Department and Acute Assessment Unit service with further scope to expand the service in various clinical areas within the hospital. The post-holder is expected to deliver high-quality, evidence based care in a variety of acute care settings, working as part of the multidisciplinary team.
Main duties of the job
Active participation in multi-disciplinary care including screening for frailty, providing a comprehensive geriatric assessment [CGA] at the front door with an aim of early supported discharge and admissions avoidance. Keeping accurate records of patient contact. Providing skilled assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of frailty conditions within defined guidelines and protocols. Providing specialist care to patients living with frailty within the Trust. Ordering, performing and interpreting relevant clinical test and investigations. Providing expert frailty advice and guidance to nursing, allied health and medical colleagues and other MDT colleagues as required. Recognise SPC (specialist palliative care team) as a key relationship and consider Advance Care Planning and use of the UCP (urgent care plan, London care record Cerner etc) as patient centred, admission avoidance tool. Participating and leading in quality improvement initiatives. Active participation towards service and practice development.
About us
Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites--Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital--along with award-winning clinics across North West London.
Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E, and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us 'Good' in safety, effectiveness, care, and responsiveness, and 'Outstanding' in leadership and resource use.
We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex.
We are committed to equal opportunities and believe that diversity drives innovation and excellence. As part of our dedication to equity, we actively welcome applications from individuals from the global majority, veterans and underrepresented communities. We value the unique perspectives and experiences that diverse teams bring and are committed to creating an environment where all voices are heard, respected, and empowered to succeed."
If you haven't heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probationary period.
Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.
Job description Job responsibilities
Clinical/ direct patient care-Work both autonomously and as part of the wider MDT in the management of a caseload of patients across the Acute Frailty Service.-Maintain effective communication with patients, carers and professionals to ensure optimal service delivery.-Provide expert knowledge of frailty and work within an agreed job plan to meet service delivery needs.-Be an expert in the screening and assessment of frailty conditions including falls and delirium.
-Be able to respond urgently and undertake a rapid assessment safely and effectively to prevent hospital admission, facilitate timely discharge or prevent clinical deterioration.-Undertake an MDT led comprehensive geriatric assessment including ordering, performing and interpreting relevant clinical examinations under the supervision of senior clinician, as well as providing advice and education to patients and the wider multi-disciplinary team.-Maintain awareness of own professional limitations, act within own scope of practice and agreed guidelines and protocols. Make use of professional judgement when managing complex or unpredictable situations.
Leadership and Collaborative Practice- Work pro-actively as part of a team to provide a visible presence and act as representative of the Acute Frailty Service in all clinical areas covered.-Provide specialist frailty advice, guidance and support to the wider hospital MDT to enable best practice in care and treatment of people who have frailty.-Communicate effectively and work collaboratively with colleagues, patients and families to seek their views and to develop and improve the acute frailty service.- Evaluate and reflect on own practice and competencies to meet the evolving needs of the patient group and service.-Develop professional networks and work collaboratively across professional and organisational boundaries to develop, integrate and coordinate the acute frailty service.
-Line management responsibilities within the service.-Participate in the development of Trust, regional and national frailty policy and guidance and objectives.
Improving Quality and Developing Practice-Develop valid and reliable methods to continually evaluate and audit own practice and acute frailty service outcomes. Utilise findings to develop and improve the service.- Develop knowledge and understanding of contemporary epidemiological, demographic, social, political and professional factors relevant to frailty and associated complications-Utilise relevant evidence base in everyday practice.-Disseminate and share knowledge and developments with others to improve quality of frailtycare.-Facilitate and enable service change to reflect the best possible model for service delivery.- Ensure the appropriate and effective use of resources to ensure both cost effectiveness and quality in all aspects of frailty care provision.-Participate in business and service development related to the acute frailty service. Participate in review of own practice and practice of all members of the MDT through case review and clinical supervision.-Develop and provide patient education and information which is appropriate and responsive to individual needs.-Evaluate knowledge and develop specialist frailty practice, identifying learning opportunities and continuing development through appraisal and personal development planning.-Support and act as a mentor to colleagues in their learning and application of theory to practice through assessment, teaching and clinical supervision.-Contribute actively to the education, training and development programmes for frailty in both internal and external organisations.
-Participate/lead on quality improvement initiatives within the service and/or trust wide.
This job description may be subject to change according to the varying needs of the service. Such changes will be made after discussion between the post holder and his/her manager
Person Specification
Registration Essential
HCPC or NMC registration Demonstrates understanding and application of CGA within in an acute setting Experience of working in Care of the Elderly area and patients living with frailty Able to work as part of the MDT Experience of service development/audit/ quality improvement
Desirable
Experience in managing falls Experience in managing delirium/ cognitive impairment Experience in managing complex patients Ability to demonstrate a certain level of clinical reasoning and judgement
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
369 Fulham Road
London
SW10 9NH
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.chelwest.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)