Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP)

Job responsibilities

Diagnosing and treating patients presenting with minor illness

• Triage and treat patients wishing to see a health care professional making any necessary referrals to other members of the primary health care team
• Ensure clinical practice is safe and effective and remains within boundaries of competence and to acknowledge limitations.
• Advise patients on general health care and minor ailments with referral to other members of the primary and secondary health care team as necessary

The post holder will:

• Make professionally autonomous decisions for which he/she is accountable
• Provide a first point of contact for advice regarding medical/nursing conditions of patients, making use of skills in history taking, physical examination, problem-solving and clinical decision-making, to establish a diagnosis and management plan
• Instigate necessary invasive and non-invasive diagnostic tests or investigations and interpret findings/reports
• Where the post holder is an independent prescriber: to prescribe safe, effective and appropriate medication as defined by current legislative framework
• Provide polypharmacy/drug reviews of medications.
• Provide safe, evidence-based, cost-effective, individualised patient care
• Offer a holistic service to patients and their families, developing where appropriate an on-going plan of care/support, with an emphasis on prevention and self-care
• Promote health and well-being through the use of health promotion, health education, screening and therapeutic communication skills
• Refer patients directly to other services/agencies as appropriate
• Work with nursing, medical and health care assistant colleagues to ensure that National Service Frameworks (e.g. Coronary Heart Disease/Older People/ Diabetes /Mental Health) are being delivered
• Work with multi-disciplinary team within the Locality, and across the wider Health team, to promote integrated and seamless pathways of care
• Sustain & maintain high standards of patient care and service delivery
• Participate in identification of community health needs and develop patient/family-centred strategies to address them
• Help develop and set up new patient services and participate in initiatives to improve existing patient services
• Undertake the collection of pathological specimens including intravenous blood samples, swabs etc. Perform investigatory procedures requested by the GPs
• Participate in the administrative and professional responsibilities of the practice team
• Ensure accurate and legible notes of all consultations and treatments are recorded in the patients notes
• Ensure the clinical computer system is kept up to date with accurate details recorded and amended
• Ensure accurate completion of all necessary documentation associated with patient health care and registration with the practice
• Ensure collection and maintenance of statistical information required for regular and ad hoc reports and audit
• Attend and participate in practice meetings as required
• Oversee restocking and maintenance of clinical areas and consulting rooms
• 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 the individuals responsibility to remain up to date with recent developments
• Participate in the education and training of students of all disciplines and the introduction of all members of the practice staff where appropriate
• Develop and maintain an in-house nurse-training programme reporting to the Strategic Manager.
• Maintain continued education by attendance at courses and study days as deemed useful or necessary for professional development ensuring PREP requirements are met.
• If it is necessary to expand the role to include additional responsibilities, full training will be given.
• Develop and maintain a Personal Learning Plan
• As well as the nursing team there is a need to work closely with reception, office and dispensary staff to ensure the smooth running of the practice, reporting any problems encountered to the relevant person and ensuring everyone is aware of the different roles within the nursing team.
• There is also the need to establish and maintain good liaison with other surgeries and agencies including secondary care

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered General Nurse (Currently registered with the Nursing & Midwifery Council)
• Recognised NP qualification at minimum of degree level or equivalent
• Independent Nurse Prescriber

Desirable

• Teaching / Mentoring experience and /or qualification

Other Requirements

Essential

• 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 (e.g. 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
• Ability to assess and manage patient risk effectively and safely
• Well-developed word processing/data collection/IT skills
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
• Reflective practitioner
• Time management and ability to prioritise workload
• Able to analyse data and information, drawing out implications for the individual patient/impact on care plan
• Able to establish and maintain effective communication pathways within the organisation, the local PCT and with key external stakeholders
• Self-motivated
• Organisational skills
• Enthusiastic
• Car driver/access to car

Desirable

• Experience of use of a medical software package
• Proven record of effective use of networking and influencing skills
• Ability to think strategically
• Experience of presenting information to wider audience
• Ability to work flexible hours when required
• Sickness level below 5%

Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 2 years post registration experience
• Experience in management long term conditions e.g. asthma, COPD, diabetes, CHD
• Evidence of appropriate continuing professional development activity to maintain up-to-date knowledge and on-going competence in all aspects of the NP role
• Proven ability to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of their own clinical practice

Desirable

• Interpreting and implementing local and National policy agendas for health
• Evidence of working autonomously and as part of a team

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).