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Job summary

Main area
Tracheostomy Support Services
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 4
Contract
11 months (fixed term contract / secondment opportunity until 31st March 2027)
Hours
  • Full time
  • Flexible working
37.5 hours per week
Job ref
234-25-B2328
Employer
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital
Town
Norwich
Salary
£28,392 - £31,157 per annum, pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
04/05/2026 23:59
Interview date
21/05/2026

Employer heading

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Tracheostomy Assistant Practitioner

NHS AfC: Band 4

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) is a 1,200-bedded teaching hospital with state-of-the-art facilities for modern patient care: 1100 beds in the PFI and 100 in Cromer Community Hospital.

The NNUH is part of Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group which includes the James Paget Hospital, in Great Yarmouth and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King Lynn.

We carry out nearly one million outpatient appointments, day case procedures and inpatient admissions annually. The population we serve is predominantly the people of Norfolk and north Suffolk, although some patients are referred from further afield especially to access specialist services available at this Trust.

Our staff of c10,000 care for and support patients who are referred to us by around 100 local GP practices and from other acute hospitals. We run more than 60 specialist services as a tertiary centre, including more than a dozen specialist cancer and radiotherapy treatments, and we are one of the biggest cancer centres in the country.

We provide complex spinal surgery services, specialist Neonatal Intensive Care, neurosciences services and specialist cardiac services. Our Trust runs specialist dermatology, rheumatology, endocrinology, adult congenital heart disease services, treatment of complex liver and pancreatic diseases in adults, cystic fibrosis services and intestinal failure services. We are enhancing our urgent and emergency care specialist services for patients with significant injuries as a result of trauma and have an ambition to become a Major Trauma Centre. NNUH is currently the busiest Trauma Unit in the East of England caring for almost 850 trauma patients annually many with complex care needs. 

At NNUH it is our privilege to provide healthcare, and our vision is to ‘provide the best care for every patient’. If this inspires you and you share our values, we really want you to join our team. 

Our values support our vision and guide the behaviour of everything we do, these are:

People-focused

We look after the needs of our patients, carers and colleagues, to provide a safe and caring experience for all.

Respect

We act with care, compassion and kindness and value others’ diverse needs.

Integrity

We take an honest, open and ethical approach to everything we do.

Dedication

We work as one team and support each other to maintain the highest professional standards.

Excellence

We continuously learn and improve to achieve the best outcomes for our patients and our hospital. 

Wish you were here? So do we.


We want all our staff to achieve a balance between work and personal life and understand how important flexible working can be.  We welcome applications on a full or part time basis, various shift patterns and hybrid working, where roles allow.


At the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NNUH), we know the benefits diversity can bring to our organisation such as creativity, innovation and compassion. All of which have a direct impact towards our staff and patient experience. We are committed to being a Hospital for All – being equitable and inclusive, and a place where all feel a sense of belonging. We therefore particularly encourage and welcome applications from candidates who are underrepresented in NNUH’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities and long term conditions and people within the LGBT+ community.

Job overview

Fixed term contract/secondment opportunity for 12 months

We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated Assistant Practitioners to join our Tracheostomy Support Service in delivering acute and community-based care as part of the Regional Tracheostomy Home Care Service across Norfolk and Waveney. This post has been developed as part of a pilot project and will work fluidly across the acute and community care settings delivering a responsive and patient focussed service within this interesting and challenging speciality. 

The role will require the post holder to undertake patient assessments and provide care delivery under the direct supervision of the Tracheostomy Support Practitioner within both the acute and community. You will be expected to function as a patient advocate and to support the team in continuously striving to improve the patient experience whether in hospital or within their own home.

We seek applications from Assistant Practitioners who can demonstrate a sound understanding of the specialist requirements of this patient group and have the potential to develop the required knowledge and skills within a Band 4 role.

If you are considering applying for this post on a secondment basis, please discuss with your Line Manager prior to applying to ascertain whether this could be supported.

Main duties of the job

  • Perform patient assessment under remote supervision and after appropriate delegation from the Tracheostomy Support Practitioner
  • To communicate effectively at all times within the Tracheostomy Support Service team, with other health care professionals (both acute and community) and with the patient, family, carers and all visitors
  • Under the delegation of the Tracheostomy Support Practitioner to undertake clinical skills as generally agreed to be appropriate for the role and for which competency has been assessed e.g., wound care, second checking of approved medications, removal of wound sutures, Tracheostomy and Laryngectomy care.
  • Assist in the preparation of patients and equipment for treatment, investigations or procedures as directed by the Tracheostomy Support Practitioner.
  • Communicate effectively within the wider multidisciplinary team and other departments to ensure that patient care is well planned and co-ordinated.
  • Welcome patients, visitors and relatives to the clinical area, providing assistance, support and information where required, being aware of barriers to effective communication.

Working for our organisation

Join us at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and be part of a workforce of over 10,000 staff!

The NNUH is one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK, providing first-class acute care for around one million people, living in Norfolk and surrounding areas. We are a teaching and research hospital, at the forefront of innovation, home to state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Quadram Institute. We are pleased to work closely with the University of East Anglia, providing teaching opportunities for our staff and placement opportunities for their students. We attract some of the best and leading professionals from across the country and are proud that our workforce represents 94 countries from across the world.

We are a friendly, collaborative hospital, working with local services and home to N&N Hospitals Charity

We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:

  • Flexible working hours
  • Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service
  • Multi Faith prayer room
  • Discounted gym memberships
  • Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
  • Wagestream - access up to 40% of your pay as you earn it
  • Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH site
  • Free 24-hours confidential counselling support
  • On-site Nursery
  • On-site cafes offering staff discounts
  • Support in career development
  • Flexible staff bank
  • Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

  • Deliver clinical and therapeutic care to patients as required within set protocols and within the scope of the Tracheostomy Assistant Practitioner remit.
  • Perform patient assessment under remote supervision and after appropriate delegation from the Tracheostomy Support Practitioner
  • Plan and deliver high standards of individualised personal care in accordance with Essence of Care benchmarks and Trust and Community policies
  • To communicate effectively at all times within the Tracheostomy Support Service team, with other health care professionals (both acute and community) and with the patient, family, carers and all visitors
  • Accurately and responsibly carry out the instructions of the registered members of the Tracheostomy Support Service and wider multidisciplinary team who are professionally accountable for the delivery of care.
  • Under the delegation of the Tracheostomy Support Practitioner to undertake clinical skills as generally agreed to be appropriate for the role and for which competency has been assessed e.g., wound care, second checking of approved medications, removal of wound sutures, Tracheostomy and Laryngectomy care.
  • Coordinate and undertake the safe admission, transfer and discharge of patients as delegated by the Tracheostomy Support Practitioner. Assist in effective and timely discharge planning.
  • Assist patients in maintaining their personal hygiene, grooming and dressing needs with specific concern for their religious, cultural and personal preference ensuring dignity and privacy at all times.
  • Ensure the appropriate nutritional intake of all patients with due consideration to dietary and cultural needs and be competent in enteral feed administration via NG/RIG/PEG.

Please refer to the Job Description for the full specification of responsibilities and requirements for this post.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Foundation degree in Health Studies (Science) or academic equivalent; e.g. Diploma in Higher Education OR Registered nursing associate on the NMC register

Experience

Desirable criteria
  • Experience of tracheostomy and laryngectomy care

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
  • Highly motivated and able to use initiative
  • Understanding of and adherence to boundaries of practice and professional conduct
  • Ability to organise and prioritise workload

Attitude, aptitude

Essential criteria
  • Flexible and adaptable to changing needs of the service
  • Effective role model, demonstrating NNUH’s PRIDE values of People focussed, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence
  • Positive attitude
  • Demonstrates understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Apprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveInvestors in People: GoldImproving working livesStonewall Health ChampionsMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.We offer Wagestream - A financial wellbeing benefit which lets you access your pay as you earn it.Disability confident employerNHS Pastoral CareStep into healthArmed Forces Covenant

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Erica Everitt
Job title
Consultant Nurse and Tracheostomy SP
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01603 287581
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