About this role
Job summary
The Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) has been assessed as competent in practice using their expert clinical knowledge and skills. They have the freedom and authority to act and make autonomous decisions in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients.
The post holder works at the level of advanced clinical practice and has developed and can evidence the underpinning competencies applicable to the specialty or subject area, i.e., the knowledge, skills and behaviours appropriate to the healthcare professionals (HCP) setting and job role.
The role provides an opportunity for patients to avoid the need to be referred to a GP, thereby enabling them to receive timely care and negate unnecessary delay in receiving treatment.
An ACP is autonomous in making decisions based on assessment, diagnosis and interpretation of test results and will initiate, evaluate and modify a range of interventions which may include prescribing medicines, therapies, lifestyle advice and care.
Main duties of the job
The ACP will work under the supervision of duty doctors:
To work independently or as part of the Duty Team to triage, assess, plan and treat emergency or same day presentations in the surgery, ensuring high quality, accessible, evidence based and clinically effective care to our patients.
Provide advanced clinical skills and advice, demonstrating a sound understanding of the issues related to identification, assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of patients, whilst working autonomously.
Identify the need for, initiate and interpret relevant diagnostic investigations and results.
To safely and competently undertake evidence-based procedures to establish a diagnosis.
To demonstrate critical thinking in the clinical decision-making process.
To work collaboratively with the Duty Doctors and other urgent care/minor illness clinical team members, to meet the needs of patients, supporting the delivery of policies and procedures, and providing leadership as required.
There are opportunities to rotate into planned care and visiting services if desired.
About us
St Austell Healthcare has a strong multidisciplinary team comprising GPs, ANPs, Nurses, Paramedics and Pharmacists and an ethos for innovation and collaboration with health and social care partners.
We are an award winning, happy team and take pride in our work and the care we offer our 38,000 patients.
We are constantly seeking new ways of working to enhance service provision and the patient experience, introducing new technologies and methods of working to meet the expectations of our patient group. We are ambitious and wish to provide the best service we can for the people of St Austell & Mevagissey
Benefits Include:
6 weeks holiday plus bank holidays (pro rata)
NHS pension scheme membership
Electric car and bike salary sacrifice schemes
Job description Job responsibilities
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Clinical practice
As part of the multi-disciplinary team, and under the non-direct supervision of the practice GP lead for advanced practice, the post-holder will utilise their advanced level knowledge and skills to:
Assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate treatment and interventions and care for patients presenting with an undifferentiated diagnosis, including those with complex needs, whilst demonstrating safe clinical decision making skills.
Under-take advanced physical and mental health examination as indicated by the patients condition; analysing complex clinical signs and investigating results to consider differential diagnoses and diagnose conditions, initiating any treatment as required.
Perform accurate clinical procedures appropriate to the history and examination of the patient, including further invasive testing, diagnostics and treatments requiring highly developed skills and precision within their competence.
Request investigations such as blood, urine and other laboratory tests, electrocardiographs (ECGs), ultrasound scans, x-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans in accordance with IR(ME)R regulations and as local policy allows (the ACP should be signed on to the Cornwall imaging policy)
Analyse and respond to highly complex information from multiple sources in making clinical judgements and decisions regarding diagnoses, treatment and management plans. This may involve responding to conflicting views and opinions, seeking advice when scope of practice is exceeded.
Prescribe and review medication for therapeutic effectiveness, appropriate to patient needs and in accordance with evidence-based practice, national and practice protocols, and within scope of practice
Integrate both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment in patient care/management plans
Assess patients with mental health needs and refer to appropriate services within locally agreed policy
Produce accurate and complete documentation and patient records consistent with legislation, policies and procedures
Receive, process and communicate highly complex information requiring persuasive, motivational, reassuring and empathetic communication skills to maximise co-operation with care and treatment programmes, often about complex, sensitive and potentially distressing information
Anticipate and effectively respond to barriers to communication, ensuring patients, families and carers are kept fully informed and consent to treatment and care plans is maintained. This may include managing and reconciling inter and intra-professional differences of opinion
Act as a resource for primary care staff advising on practice, primary care network, integrated care area and national policy, procedures and guidelines ensuring patient safety and clinical governance
Understand and apply the legal safeguarding framework that supports the identification of vulnerable and abused adults/children and be aware of statutory vulnerable patients health procedures and Primary Care guidance. Ensure appropriate referral if required.
Proactively identify, diagnose and initiate treatment plans for patients at risk of developing a long-term condition (as appropriate).
Diagnose and manage both acute and chronic conditions, integrating both drug- and non-drug-based treatment methods into a management plan.
Work with patients to support compliance with and adherence to prescribed treatments.
Prioritise health problems and intervene appropriately to assist the patient in complex, urgent or emergency situations, including initiation of effective emergency care.
Professional Responsibility
Recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct as regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)/ Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC).
Take every opportunity to expand ones practice in line with the principles contained within their professions Code of Conduct (or equivalent). Identify personal career development pathway as part of formal appraisal system.
Ensure that all elements contained within their professions Code of Conduct are adhered to and, in particular, those relating to professional accountability and revalidation.
Through supervision and mentorship, identify personal learning needs; participating in personal continuing education and other activities to promote ones own personal growth.
Develop and further clinical knowledge and professional skills through relevant training and study.
Adhere to occupational health guidelines at all times.
Work on own initiative, independently and as a team. Read and interpret policy documentation, sometimes of a clinical nature requiring periods of intense concentration.
Prioritise, organise and manage own workload in a manner that maintains and promotes quality.
Deliver care according to practice protocols, current national guidelines and evidence-based care.
Participate in planning and implementing changes within the area of care and responsibility.
Assess effectiveness of care delivery through self and peer review, benchmarking and formal evaluation.
Follow infection-control measures within the practice according to local and national guidelines.
Participate in the maintenance of quality governance systems and processes across the organisation and its activities.
Utilise the audit cycle as a means of evaluating the quality of work, implementing improvements where required.
In partnership with other clinical teams, collaborate on improving the quality of health care responding to local and national policies and initiatives as appropriate.
Evaluate patients response to health care provision and the effectiveness of care.
Participate in shared learning across the practice.
Review and identify learning from patient complaints, clinical incidents and near-miss events.
Understand and apply legal issues that support the identification of vulnerable and abused children and adults and be aware of statutory child/vulnerable patients health procedures and local guidance.
Understand own role and scope and identify how this may develop over time .
Work as an effective and responsible team member, supporting others and exploring the mechanisms to develop new ways of working.
Use clear referral mechanisms to meet patient need.
Input on the delivery of specifically identified services or projects as agreed with the GP Partners and Management team.
Adhere to own professional body requirements and at all times work within the scope of professional practice. Ensure that professional practice adheres to organisational policies, procedures and guidelines. Maintain a professional manner and act as a role model and mentor for junior staff including trainees and student nurses. Maintain confidentiality with regard to information pertaining to patients and staff. Ensure that the service interfaces with all other departments in a professional and productive manner, providing an effective service to partner organisations and other service providers.
Education and Research
Take responsibility for own learning and performance including participation in clinical and professional supervision and maintaining awareness of relevant research evidence.
Develop education in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team ensuring that all patient care is based on current research and best practice.
Act as a constant source of clinical and theoretical knowledge for all grades and disciplines of staff as well as patients and their significant others, providing support and clinical advice.
Responsible for initiating and developing research and development programmes or activities.
Teach and support nursing, medical and other members of the multi-disciplinary team.
Freedom to act
Work autonomously making highly complex clinical decisions with minimal supervision from Primary Care GPs working within local and national policies and being responsible for how these policies are interpreted.
Autonomously assess patients; receive and make referrals; assess, order, interpret and act upon investigative tests; consider differential diagnosis; evaluate, treat, plan, refer and discharge patients/clients.
Person Specification
Experience Essential
Evidence of a range of clinical expertise. Experience of working under supervision or within scope of practice in unscheduled or primary health care. Experience of multidisciplinary working. Ability to take full responsibility for the clinical care of patients Evidence of clinical competence in a wide range of relevant clinical skills Health Promotion experience Experience of working as an autonomous practitioner Experience using clinical computer systems Understanding of current Urgent Health care issues and initiatives Ability to work effectively under pressure, intense conditions and within time constraints Understanding and awareness of CQC compliance and essential standards of quality and safety Able to organise own learning and development Ability to manage change Able to develop others within the team Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills Ability to develop effective interpersonal relationships with colleagues across health and social care settings Able to present information to professional groups Demonstrate dexterity and accuracy in undertaking clinical skills, use of equipment and documentation Competent and capable of using medical equipment Able to undertake patient manual handling manoeuvres and non-patient manual handling manoeuvres
Desirable
Experience of TPP SystmOne clinical system Experience of working within a community setting and/or previous experience of working in urgent care An appreciation of the nature of primary care prescribing, concepts of rational prescribing and strategies for improving prescribing Innovative practice to deliver patient centred care
Qualifications Essential
MC/HCPC registration Educated to Masters level or equivalent University qualification in autonomous practice/clinical skills (eg University Advanced Clinical Practice Masters/Advanced Clinical Skills PGCert) Non-medical prescribing qualification
Desirable
Advanced Life Support (ALS) Leadership qualification Teaching/assessment/mentoring qualification Eager to teach both formally and informally Five years recent experience in acute / primary care nursing Recent experience of face-to-face patient care
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.
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 St Austell Healthcare
Address 1 Wheal Northey
St Austell
Cornwall
PL25 3EF
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.staustellhealthcare.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)