Advanced Nurse / Clinical Practitioner

Job responsibilities

The post holder will contribute to development and delivery of a high quality innovative service to the patients of the practice within the community through the implementation of evidence based clinical practice, supported by continual professional development, and provide support and mentorship to all healthcare professionals.

The function of the Practice is to provide a high standard of quality care and safety to our patients and all service users.

The post holder will be responsible for recognising, negotiating and implementing change processes to enhance the delivery of care, both within the Practice and when completing home visits.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Clinical care is provided by a team comprising of Advanced Nurse / Clinical Practitioners; Telephone triage / consultations, Nurses and General Practitioners (GPs), supported by administrative staff who work together to deliver Primary care within the Practice.

The Advanced Nurse / Clinical Practitioners will work together as a team to provide peer support and deliver training sessions to enhance clinical knowledge, competence and skills, whilst working closely with the GPs and Nursing Team.

The Advanced Nurse / Clinical Practitioner will be fully supported by a duty GP always but will aim towards working independently and where appropriate, in collaboration with other healthcare professionals.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILTIES OF THE POST

Communication;

1. Communicates effectively as a member of the practice clinical team.

a) Refers when necessary to other external sources including; Accident and Emergency, Secondary care, District Nurses, Emergency Social workers, Emergency mental health team, and other Emergency Services.

2. With Primary care nurses giving, support, advice and leadership and mentoring of other Nurse Practitioners and medical staff.

3. With reception staff regarding patient information.

Clinical skills;

1. Advanced Nurse / Clinical Practitioners will be supported by a GP but will work independently as a Nurse Practitioner within scope of professional practice.

a) Manages own clinical workload in general practice responding effectively to patient needs and ensuring patient choice and ease of access to services.

b) Functions at a high level to carry out clinical decision making such as diagnosing and managing patients without input from a medical practitioner remaining within scope of a professional practice.

c) Practices as an autonomous practitioner where possible with non-medical prescribing authority.

d) Participate in Audits where required

2. Functions at a high level in relation to communication skills through patient consultation and nursing assessment of physical, psychological and social needs.

a) Takes an accurate history, building a rapport towards a therapeutic relationship.

b) Assess plan and implements patient centred plan of care for patients within the practice and refer when necessary to other healthcare professionals for further specialised care.

3. Adapts to change within the working situation managing unscheduled emergency situations.

a) Basic life support, severe breathing problems, serious cardiovascular problems, collapsed patients and seriously ill patients.

4. Demonstrate clinical competence in the clinical care management of patients of all ages from infants to the elderly management of lifelong illness such as diabetes, asthma and chronic pulmonary disease during the time of acute illness.

5. Performs safe manual handling techniques.

6. Delivers a high standard of care without discrimination, to all ages, sexes and ethnic origins of the population through continuum of life.

7. Performs investigations required to reach a differential diagnosis using core clinical skill and competence. Initiate treatment including diagnostic investigations.

a) Recognition of abnormal vital signs observing paediatric and adult respiratory rate and effort, heart rate rhythm and volume, temperature and blood pressure as appropriate.

b) Perform investigative procedures including, Performing ECGs , Urinalysis, Blood Glucose monitoring, Venepuncture, measuring and interpreting Peak Flow.

8. Advanced Nurse practitioners will be expected to perform appropriate clinical examinations and should demonstrate competence in examination techniques including:

a) Examination of the Ear Nose and Throat system

b) Basic Neurological examination of Headaches and Head Injury

c) Basic Musculo-skeletal examination in the assessment of Injury

d) Basic eye examination in the assessment of injury, foreign body and infection.

e) Respiratory Examination

f) Abdominal Examination

g) Cardiovascular Examination

h) Vaginal Examination and sexual health screening

9. Proficient in treating and managing common minor illness

10. Deliver safe, effective evidence based care and advice to ease patients problems

11. Independently discharge patients from your care or refer to the appropriate health Professional or healthcare provider for further care intervention

12. Promote improving the health of the individual through providing advice and education to aid adjustment of lifestyle, including Contraception advice.

Organisational skills;

1. Able to adapt to change in the workplace being involved in new developments in the delivery of care.

2. Ensure faulty equipment is reported and repaired and adequate for use

3. Ensure store supplies are adequately ordered and maintained

4. Participate and support the implementation of clinical governance, clinical audit and clinical risk assessment, setting and monitoring standards of care

5. Promote improving the health of the community through reporting and preventing occurrences of infectious disease, providing advice and education

6. Comply with Practice policies and procedures

7. Has a flexible approach to working externally including home visits and with other nominated practices and Integrated Care Communities to access and provide services to patients. The post holder will also be required to attend meetings held by other agencies and internally within the practice.

Professional;

1. Complies with Nursing and Midwifery council code of conduct and maintain professional registration

a) Works within scope of professional practice and pro-actively promote the role of NP within the practice, and externally to key stakeholders and agencies.

b) Work collaboratively with colleagues within and external to the practice

1) 2. Ensure practice and implementation of care is evidence based by adhering to local and national guidance promote evidence based practice using the latest research-based guidelines and the development of practice-based research

2) Maintain confidentiality of information regarding patients

3) Ensure accurate, concise documentation and consultation data in patient records in accordance with the latest NMC guidance and other pertinent standards

4) Maintains professional development in all aspects of mandatory training requirements and include; risk awareness health and safety, manual handling, fire safety at work, Child and Adult protection, conflict resolution and basic life support by completing on line training and also attending annual mandatory training.

5) Identify and/or participate in strategies of risk assessment to avoid or prevent clinical incidents and near misses incorporated in the clinical governance framework including:

a) Risk management policies, Child and Adult protection policies and Drug policies

b) Monitor the effectiveness of own clinical practice through quality assurance strategies including audit and peer review

Leadership

1) Ensure mandatory staff training has been accessed

2) Is a support network for other colleagues

Training and Educational;

1) Currently enhancing professional development and to maintain a personal development plan.

2) Continually keeps up to date with current evidence based practice

3) Is involved in lifelong learning

4) Participates in in-house training provided and completion of all mandatory training at clinical and practice levels.

5) Keep up to date with pertinent health- related policy and work with the practice team to consider the impact and strategies for implementation.

6) Training requirements will be monitored by yearly appraisal and will be in accordance with practice requirements. Personal development will be encouraged and supported by the practice. It is individuals responsibility to remain up to date with recent developments.

7) Maintain continued education by attendance at courses and study days as deemed useful or necessary for professional development ensuring PREP requirements are met.

8) If it is necessary to expand the role to include additional responsibilities, full training will be given.

Teaching and Mentoring Role

1) Promote a learning environment for patients, nurses and other health professionals.

2) Contribute support to the teaching for existing staff, including; medical students, F2s, Nurse Practitioners, GP Registrars, within the Practice.

Please see the attached job description for a full list of duties and responsibilities.

Qualifications

Essential

• Current registered nurse or allied health professional
• working towards completion and qualified in the MSc Advanced Practice Clinical Masters Degree
• Independent Non-Medical Prescriber V300 or Degree Level of qualification and relevant experience and RCN Credentials.
• Evidence of recent Continual Professional Development

Desirable

• Full completion and qualified in the MSc Advanced Clinical Practice

Experience

Essential

• Evidence of good practice
• Leadership skills
• Evidence of appropriate continuing professional development activity to maintain up-to-date knowledge and on-going competence in all aspects of the ANP role
• Evidence of working autonomously and as part of a team
• Proven ability to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of their own clinical practice

Desirable

• Experience in Primary / Secondary Care
• Experience in management of long term conditions e.g. asthma, COPD, diabetes, CHD

Skills, Knowledge and Aptitudes

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
• Reflective practitioner
• Ability to assess and manage patient risk effectively and safely
• Time Management and ability to prioritise workload
• Able to establish effective communication pathways with internal and external stakeholders
• Demonstrate clinical Knowledge in acute and chronic disease management
• Demonstrate clinical competence in minor illness management
• Able to demonstrate excellent communication and consultation skills
• Able to work independently and effectively within a team
• Flexible and motivated
• Excellent computer skills
• Understanding and knowledge of policy developments related to the delivery of primary care services including General Practice, the GMS/PMS contract, Clinical Governance, Quality & Outcomes Framework
• Understanding of systems to gain an understanding of the health needs of the Practice population as they relate to primary care
• Understanding of evidence based practice
• Knowledge of national standards that inform practice (eg National Service Frameworks, NICE guidelines etc.)
• Understanding of their accountability arising from the NMC Code of Professional Conduct (2004) and medico-legal aspects of the Nurse Practitioner role
• Understanding of equal opportunity and diversity issues

Desirable

• Ability to adapt to change within working situations
• Innovative practice to deliver patient centred care

Professional interests

Essential

• Awareness of current professional nursing issues
• Evidence of continued professional development

Other requirements

Essential

• Current driving licence and access to own vehicle
• Flexibility of working hours / ability to work at desired times which includes working late on an evening to cover extended access, and to include working weekends and bank holidays to cover 7 day opening / operation of the practice

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).