About this role
Job summary
Are you wanting to develop your autonomy as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner?
We are a growing multidisciplinary service leading in the clinical management of patients within our Community Inpatient Units and Community Virtual Wards across Norfolk.
Our ACP workforce is from a variety of disciplines including nursing, paramedic and physiotherapy with backgrounds in primary, secondary and tertiary care covering a multitude of specialties.
This is an ACP led model which provides additional clinical and technology enabled support to a complex caseload of patients in their own homes and within a community inpatient setting who would otherwise be admitted to an acute hospital, or supporting patients being discharged.
You will make initial and follow up assessments of patients both in stable and unstable phases of their disease. Implementation of diagnostic skills including full history, appropriate clinical examination and request of investigations where required, as such this is a highly autonomous role.
This role involves travelling to various inpatient units and Virtual Ward bases / patient homes across the entirety of Norfolk, therefore a driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential.
We welcome applications from both established ACPs and those able to demonstrate significant potential to be successful in a developmental position.
Main duties of the job
Main Duties & Responsibilities
Clinical
In order to work at this level, professional requirements for advanced practice must be met.
1) The ACP will lead and maintain a culture which is open to change, new ideas, concepts and innovation.
2) Act as an advanced practitioner, demonstrating advanced clinical competence and a knowledge base beyond those associated with conventional healthcare role.
3) Undertake comprehensive clinical consultations with patients as an autonomous practitioner using their own clinical judgement to diagnose, treat, refer and/or discharge patients.
4) Make direct referrals to primary, secondary and social referrals within locally agreed pathways, guidance and protocols.
5) Ensure that patients receive high quality clinical care, delivered in a timely manner.
6) Prescribe, supply and administer medicines as indicated to address patient needs in accordance with own practice or within PGD's. Use handwritten or electronic prescribing as appropriate.
7) Ensure accurate and complete documentation of each and every patient contact.
8) Work as part of a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency team in order to ensure patients' needs are met.
9) Utilise critical thinking and problem-solving skills including critical reflection.
Apply now to join an organisation that has been awarded an Outstanding rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the highest possible rating and the first stand-alone NHS community trust in the country to be awarded the title.
About us
East of England Community Health & Care NHS Trust (EEC) provide compassionate care from the start of life through to the end of life. Working in people's homes, local clinics, and community hospitals, our 5,500 colleagues serve a population of 3.5 million people across the East of England.
We believe that people are better looked after locally and this belief drives us to work hard to bring expert care to patients in our seven community hospitals, within GP surgeries and in patients' own homes. Working in the community will provide you with the opportunity to develop longer-term and more personal relationships with patients, carers, and other professionals.
We have brought together 2 outstanding community providers - Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust (CCS) and Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust (NCH&C).
We welcome applications from people who share our values and can help us deliver outstanding care in our local community.
Job description Job responsibilities
Clinical
1) Work within the Advanced Clinical Practitioner Team across the Community Inpatient Units and Community Virtual Ward across Norfolk you will provide a variety of step-down care and admission avoidance with the shared goal of providing high level care out of the acute hospital setting, wherever possible
2) Lead complex decision making, challenging conversations and balance risk management as part of your role. We work closely with service providers across the healthcare setting to prevent unnecessary admissions to acute hospitals.
3) Assess patients within the community and inpatient units providing both medical and supportive care.
4) We invite applications for full time or part time posts, flexible working and we consider trainee opportunities.
5) Trainee posts will be Band 7 and negotiated based upon learning needs. Post holder will need to complete a masters pathway and personalised training before attaining an 8a ACP position.
8) Rotations across both services are an expectation of the role
Professional
1) Combine theory and experience to operate as an expert practitioner. Your expertise will be clearly visible in clinical practice.
2) Work within your scope of practice, follow Trust policy and procedure. Conduct venepuncture / cannulation, catheterisation, ECG recording and interpretation, blood gases/ cultures and verification of expected death as well as interpreting pathology results including bloods & radiology.
3) Clerking of newly referred patients, some of which are acutely unwell and have had no prior workup, ensuring necessary investigations are requested and treatment plans commenced.
4) Provide specialist and advanced skills in patient assessment and scope of practice across a range of specialties such as history taking and physical examination.
5) Lead complex discussions with MDTs / patients / next of kins to identify appropriate locations of care, escalating where appropriate whilst advocating patient wishes
6) Where appropriate lead advanced care planning discussions, lead ReSPECT conversations and plan accordingly
7) Maintain accurate, contemporaneous, and timely care records.
8) Discharge of patients compiling discharge summaries and prescribing medications to take home.
9) Leading on discharge processes ensuring appropriate follow-up / communication
10) Prescribe, administer, and dispense appropriate medications for management and treatment of patients symptoms within Trust PGDs or own boundaries as a prescriber.
11) Respect and promote dignity, choice and autonomy of patients, families and carers.
12) Provide leadership and support during daily Red to Green and MDT meetings to support patient flow.
Clinical governance and service improvement
1) Work with clinical leads, ward managers, matron and medical staff to provide clinical leadership to other members of the team, investigate adverse clinical incidents and complaints.
2) Develop and implement clinical audits and research projects, identifying areas of best practice and areas for quality improvement.
3) Provide support and supervision to assist both internal and external learners to develop knowledge, skills and abilities.
4) Contribute to quality improvement within the service through the identification and indication of changes, which lead to evidence-based practice and improved standards of care.
5) Work with associate Directors of primary care to contribute to patient pathways in line with the EEC Clinical and Care Strategy
Human Resource Management
1) Participate in the recruitment and development of staff in the medical directorate ensuring patient care is high quality.
2) Comply with Trust policies and requirements, undertaking duties in accordance with relevant codes of professional conduct.
3) Creating a healthy working environment, focusing on health and safety policies and risk assessment.
Financial Management
1) Develop services combing high-quality patient care with effective resource allocation/utilisation.
2) Understand business planning and its utilisation in securing funding for service development.
Information Management
1) Manage information processes within the unit and use information to make timely and effective decisions.
2) Educate, understand and abide by the implications of relevant legislation and policy.
3) Provide accurate information to support and develop improvements in services. Contributing to the development of information systems, interpret and analyse data to support decision making.
4) Comply with the data protection act and Caldicott principles.
General Points
1) Carry out duties and conduct yourself in accordance with professional Codes of Conduct reflecting an attitude and appearance that promote the profession.
2) Show evidence of continual professional development using available resources, keeping up to date with current developments within the Health Service.
3) Provide cover across North, West, South and Central Norfolk. We endeavour to maximise efficiency, reducing travel where possible allocating individuals to work in geographically appropriate areas, however if needed, individuals will be required to cross-cover to ensure patient safety and service needs are met.
Care and compassion
Post holders must be able to actively demonstrate and proactively deliver effective and personal care which is safe for patients in a calm, caring and compassionate manner to every patient, every time. This should be at the core of all care planning which actively involves the patient and where appropriate their relatives/carers. With the ability to escalate areas of inter professional and multi-agency care concerns to the Ward Manager, Matron or Director of Nursing in a timely manner.
Equal Opportunities- We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome all applications irrespective of age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race or religion. Additionally, people with disabilities that fall under the Disability Confident Scheme will be offered an interview providing they meet the minimum criteria for the post (outlined in the Person Specification). All sites are Smoke Free.
Immigration Status- Norfolk Community Health & Care NHS Trust is a diverse employer and welcomes all job applications. However, potential applicants should note that although the Trust is registered with the Home Office as a sponsor organisation for migrant workers, this is only against Tier 2 (General) visas. If you are a migrant worker from outside of the European Economic Area and do not already hold a self-gained right to work, we recommend you check the Home Office eligibility requirements before making an application.
Redeployment- Please note that in the first instance priority for this vacancy will be given to NCH&C staff who are on the Trusts Redeployment Register.
DBS- If this post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and you are not a current employee of Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust or being recruited as an Apprentice then the cost of the DBS check will be automatically removed from your first months salary. However if you are registered with the update service this may not be required.
Closing and Interview Dates-This vacancy may close early if sufficient applicants are received.
Data Protection-A privacy notice detailing how we will handle your data is attached to this advert as a document. Your application will be transferred to our recruitment management system (Trac) once the advert has closed and you will receive notification then detailing how Trac will handle your data.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Registered First Level Nurse/Therapist/Pharmacist/Paramedic Degree in Healthcare Master's in advanced practice (or working towards) Enhanced Clinical Assessment at L7 or working towards Independent prescriber (or working towards) Independent prescriber (or working towards)
Desirable
Long term conditions qualification Mentoring/leadership qualification
Experience Essential
Significant years post Registration experience in a variety of settings Experience of working to protocols and guidelines Evidence of on-going personal and professional development Previous experience of developing clinical guidelines and clinical care pathways Experience of clinical audit Evidence of successful management of change
Desirable
Previous experience in an ACP role
Skills, ability and knowledge Essential
Ability to work autonomously and manage own workload Management of patients with complex needs Clinical examination skills Accountability of own role and other roles in an ACP-led service Management and Leadership skills / effective change agent Evidence of advanced clinical practice Awareness of the need to focus on continuous quality improvement Able and willing to use Information Technology systems
Communication Essential
Excellent written and Verbal communication skills using the English language Ability to communicate with patients and families with regard to diagnosis, treatment and care planning Negotiation and conflict management skills
Personal and People Development Essential
Teaching and mentoring skills
Personal Attributes/Behaviours Essential
Awareness and understanding of the NHS issues relevant to advanced clinical practice Understanding of the Clinical Governance Framework Aware of the political and organisational drivers that impact on the service
Other Essential
Must hold full and valid driving license and have access to a vehicle Ability to be creative innovative and adaptable Organised and motivated Positive role model Flexibility to work evenings and weekends in order to meet service needs Required to rotate through Community Units, Admission Avoidance and Virtual Ward services
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 East of England Community Health and Care NHS Trust
Address East of England Community Health and Care NHS trust
Bowthorpe Rd, Norwich
Norwich
NR2 3TU
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.eastofenglandcommunityhealthandcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)