Associate Continuing Healthcare Practitioner

The broad purpose of the Associate Continuing Healthcare Practitioner is to work as part of a continuing healthcare team which provide packages of on-going care that are arranged and funded solely by the NHS. The associate continuing healthcare practitioner plays a key role in the assessment of individual’s complex health and social care needs that have arisen as a result of disability, accident or illness, and the planning and commissioning of the services for these individuals. They also act as the first point of contact for individuals and their carers offering support, care and advice about the service and for young adults and their family who are transitioning from children’s continuing care into this adult continuing healthcare service.

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We need to ensure you require substantial learning and development to access a funded apprenticeship. You do not need to research topics to answer. This is about what you may already know or do, so we can get a baseline and create a personal learning programme. You may also wish to state areas you would like to develop further.

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Please note if you answer Yes or Some to any of the questions, a drop-down box will appear and you will need to write about what you already know and/or do. If you have any qualifications, competency evidence or certification appliable to the question, it is very important you attach these to the OneFile learning assessment record (LAR) that you have opened to access this skills scan. Please ensure you always maintain confidentiality and avoid putting any names of colleagues/patients.

Skills & Knowledge - Undertaking the management and review of an individual’s care package is essential to ensure that it remains effective, relevant, and aligned with their agreed health and social care needs. This involves continuous monitoring and regular reassessment of the care provided, taking into account any changes in the individual’s condition, preferences, or circumstances.

The process requires close collaboration with the individual, their family, and the multidisciplinary team to gather feedback and adjust the care plan as needed. By identifying gaps, addressing new challenges, and updating interventions promptly, practitioners can ensure that the care package remains person-centered and responsive. Effective management also involves maintaining clear documentation and open communication, which helps coordinate services, prevent issues, and ensure that the care provided supports the individual’s overall well-being and promotes their independence and quality of life:

Skills & Knowledge - Contributing to the planning of an individual’s care plan involves actively engaging with the individual, their family, and the multidisciplinary team to ensure the plan is tailored to meet their agreed health and social care needs. This collaborative approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of the person’s physical, emotional, and social requirements, ensuring that the care plan is not only clinically appropriate but also aligned with their personal goals and preferences.

Practitioners assess current needs, set realistic objectives, and recommend appropriate interventions, therapies, or services that support the individual’s well-being and independence. By incorporating feedback and making adjustments as necessary, the care plan remains dynamic and responsive, providing a personalized roadmap that promotes optimal health outcomes and enhances the individual’s quality of life:

Skills & Knowledge - Contributing to the continuing healthcare assessment of an individual’s health and social care needs using the mandated tools outlined in the National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded Nursing Care involves a systematic and evidence-based approach. Practitioners play a critical role in gathering, analysing, and presenting relevant information using standardised tools such as the Decision Support Tool (DST) to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of the individual’s eligibility for continuing healthcare.

This process requires detailed knowledge of the individual's medical history, current health status, and social care needs, along with effective collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. The practitioner’s input helps ensure that the assessment accurately reflects the complexity and intensity of the individual’s needs, supporting a lawful and fair decision-making process regarding their entitlement to continuing healthcare funding:

Skills & Knowledge - Supervising staff according to organisational policies and procedures is a crucial responsibility that ensures effective team performance and high-quality service delivery. This role involves guiding, supporting, and monitoring staff to ensure they adhere to established standards, protocols, and best practices. Supervisors provide clear direction, set expectations, and offer constructive feedback to help staff improve their skills and address any challenges they encounter in their roles.

They are also responsible for fostering a positive and inclusive work environment, encouraging open communication, and promoting professional development through training and mentoring opportunities. By closely aligning staff activities with organisational goals and policies, supervisors play a key role in maintaining compliance, enhancing efficiency, and ensuring that care or services provided meet the highest standards of quality and safety:

Skills & Knowledge - Managing the continuing healthcare referral process is essential to ensure that all referrals align with the standards set out in the National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS-funded Nursing Care. This involves overseeing the entire referral pathway, from the initial submission to the assessment stage, ensuring that all documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant with national guidelines.

Practitioners must collaborate closely with referrers, including healthcare professionals and social care teams, to verify that referrals are appropriate and supported by necessary evidence of the individual’s health and social care needs. Effective management also includes providing guidance on eligibility criteria, addressing any discrepancies, and ensuring timely processing to avoid delays in care. By maintaining a structured and transparent referral process, practitioners help ensure that individuals receive a fair and thorough assessment of their continuing healthcare needs, promoting equitable access to funded care and support services:

Skills & Knowledge - Collating and analysing evidence and assessment documentation from various health and social care teams is a critical step in facilitating lawful eligibility decisions for individuals seeking continuing healthcare. This process involves systematically gathering comprehensive information, including clinical assessments, care plans, and progress notes, to create a holistic view of the individual’s health and social care needs. Practitioners must ensure that all documentation is accurate, relevant, and up-to-date, providing a clear narrative of the individual's condition and the interventions implemented.

By critically evaluating this evidence, practitioners can identify patterns, strengths, and gaps in the care provided, which supports informed decision-making. This thorough analysis is essential for ensuring that the eligibility decision reflects the individual's true needs, upholds the principles of fairness and transparency, and complies with legal and regulatory requirements, ultimately leading to appropriate access to necessary care and services:

Skills & Knowledge - Coordinating and guiding a multidisciplinary, multi-agency team in undertaking assessments for continuing healthcare eligibility is a pivotal role that requires specialised policy knowledge and strong leadership. Practitioners must facilitate collaboration among diverse professionals, including healthcare providers, social workers, and other stakeholders, ensuring that each team member understands their responsibilities and the processes involved. By leveraging their expertise in relevant policies, practitioners can advise the team on appropriate methodologies for conducting assessments that adhere to the standards set forth in the National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare.

This guidance ensures that the assessment process is comprehensive, transparent, and compliant, ultimately leading to well-informed recommendations regarding eligibility. Effective coordination also involves monitoring the assessment's progress, addressing any challenges that arise, and ensuring that all voices are heard, fostering a cohesive approach that prioritises the individual’s needs and supports equitable access to healthcare services:

Skills & Knowledge - Contributing to the resolution of disputed eligibility funding decisions is a vital aspect of ensuring fairness, consistency, and legality in the healthcare system. Practitioners play a crucial role in addressing conflicts by facilitating open communication between the involved parties, including the individual, their family, and the relevant health and social care teams. By employing a thorough understanding of the guidelines and criteria established in the National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare, practitioners can review the case details objectively, identifying any discrepancies or misunderstandings in the eligibility assessment process.

It is essential to ensure that the resolution process respects the individual’s rights and follows established protocols, providing clear rationales for funding decisions while actively seeking to understand the perspectives of all parties involved. This approach not only fosters trust and transparency but also contributes to the overall integrity of the decision-making process, ensuring that individuals receive the appropriate support and care they need:

Skills & Knowledge - Contributing to the commissioning of services required to meet an individual's health and social care needs is a collaborative effort that emphasises partnership with both the multidisciplinary team and the individual receiving care.

This process begins with a comprehensive assessment of the individual’s needs, preferences, and goals, as identified by the multidisciplinary team. Practitioners play a pivotal role in translating these needs into actionable service requirements, ensuring that the commissioned services are tailored to support the individual’s specific health and social care objectives. By engaging the individual and their family throughout the commissioning process, practitioners ensure that their voices are heard, promoting a person-centered approach that respects the individual’s autonomy and preferences.

This collaboration fosters a seamless integration of services, enhancing the quality of care and support provided, while also aligning with organisational and regulatory standards to ensure that resources are utilised efficiently and effectively to improve overall outcomes for the individual:

Skills & Knowledge - Monitoring continuing healthcare provider service and personal health budget (PHB) contracts is essential to ensure compliance with procurement law, national policy, and local agreements.

Practitioners are responsible for overseeing these contracts to ensure that the services delivered align with the agreed-upon standards and effectively meet the health and social care needs of individuals. This involves regularly assessing the performance of service providers, evaluating their adherence to contractual obligations, and identifying any areas for improvement. By employing robust monitoring mechanisms, practitioners can gather data on service quality, patient satisfaction, and outcomes, enabling informed decisions about the continuation or adjustment of contracts.

Additionally, maintaining transparent communication with stakeholders, including service users and providers, is vital for fostering trust and collaboration. Ultimately, effective monitoring ensures that resources are utilised efficiently and that individuals receive high-quality care that adheres to legal and regulatory frameworks:

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Reminder: your completed skills scan will be emailed to you immediately, please upload to the skills scan learning assessment record on OneFile, with any other evidence. This is very important as your allocated coach will review before the planning meeting.

Please inform your manager they will receive your skills scan.

At the planning meeting with your coach, your line manager will be asked to confirm it is correct and /or identify further areas of development.