PCN - Paramedic Practitioner

Job responsibilities

a. Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) within the PCN

b. Assess and triage patients, including same day triage, and a appropriate provide definitive treatment (including prescribing medications following policy, patient group directives, NICE (national) and local clinical guidelines and local care pathways) or make necessary referrals to other members of the primary care team

c. Advise patients on general healthcare and promote self-management where appropriate, including signposting patients to the PCN’s social prescribing service and, where appropriate, other community or voluntary services

d. Be able to:

· Perform specialist health checks and reviews within their scope of practice and in line with local and national guidance

· Perform and interpret ECGs

· Perform investigatory procedures as required and undertake the collection of pathological specimens including intravenous blood samples, swabs, and other samples within their scope of practice and within line of local and national guidance

· Support the delivery of ‘anticipatory care plans’ and lead certain services (e.g., monitoring blood pressure and diabetes risk of elderly patients)

· Provide an alternative model to urgent and same day GP home visit for the network

· Communicate at all levels across organisations ensuring that an effective, person-centred service is delivered

· Communicate proactively and effectively with all colleagues across the multi-disciplinary team, attending and contributing to meetings as required

· collaborate with other members of the PCN including doctors, nurses and other AHPs, accepting referrals and referring to them for specialist care

· Maintain accurate and contemporaneous health records appropriate to the consultation, ensuring accurate completion of all necessary documentation associated with patient healthcare and registration with the organisation

· Communicate effectively with patients and, where appropriate, family members and their carers, where applicable, complex, and sensitive information regarding their physical health needs, results, findings, and treatment choices

· prescribe, issue and review medications as appropriate following policy, patient group directives, NICE (national) and local clinical guidelines and local care pathways. This will be done in accordance with evidence-based practice and national and practice protocols, and within scope of practice

· work with patients in order to support compliance with and adherence to prescribed treatments

· provide information and advice on prescribed or over-the-counter medication on medication regimens, side-effects, and interactions

· assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate treatment/interventions and care for patients presenting with an undifferentiated diagnosis, and patients with complex needs

· clinically examine and assess patient needs from a physiological and psychological perspective, and plan clinical care accordingly

· prioritise health problems and intervene appropriately to assist the patient in complex, urgent or emergency situations, including initiation of effective emergency care

· diagnose and manage both acute and chronic conditions, integrating both drug- and non-drug-based treatment methods into a management plan

· support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that promote healthy lifestyles, and apply principles of self-care

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Ability to listen, empathise with people and provide a person-centred support in a non-judgemental way
• Able to support people in a way that inspires trust and confidence, motivating others to reach their potential
• Ability to use own initiative, discretion, and sensitivity
• Ability to work on own initiative
• Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information effectively with people at all levels by telephone, email, and face to face
• Ability to identify risk and assess/manage risk when working with individuals
• Ability to deal with non-routine and unpredictable nature of the workload and individual patient contact
• Ability to take part in reflective practice and clinical supervision activities
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships and to promote collaborative practice with all colleagues
• Ability to organise, plan and prioritise on own initiative, including when under pressure and meeting deadlines

Desirable

• High level of written and oral communication skills
• Evidence of inspiring and motivating teams with the ability to communicate passionately, effectively, and persuasively across a diverse set of stakeholders
• Ability to cope with unpredictable situations

Experience

Essential

• Completed their two-year Consolidation of Learning period when a newly qualified paramedic
• Completed a further three years experience as a band 6 (or equivalent) paramedic
• Attained Level 7 capability in paramedic areas of practice
• Knowledge of when to seek advice and refer to a registered care professional
• Knowledge of and ability to work to policies and procedures, including confidentiality, safeguarding, lone working, information governance, and health and safety

Desirable

• Has previously worked in a primary care setting or a Primary Care Network
• Working towards advanced clinical practitioner status
• Mentorship or supervisory skills training
• Be aware of data protection (GDPR) and confidentiality issues particularly within a PCN
• Cognitive behavioural and motivational interviewing approaches / skills

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to a degree level in paramedicine or equivalent experience
• Registered with the Health and Care Professionals Council as a paramedic
• Working towards developing Level 7 capability in paramedic areas of practice and, within six months of the commencement of reimbursement for that individual (or a longer time period as agreed with the commissioner), has completed, and been signed off formally within the clinical pillar competencies of the Advanced Clinical Practice Framework
• Evidence of relevant CPD

Desirable

• Pre-reg MSc in a training programme approved by the College of Paramedics
• Non-medical prescribing qualification
• Framework for Higher Education Qualification (FHEQ) Level 7 or Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCOF) Level 11
• Full UK driving license

Aptitudes and Personal Qualities

Essential

• Able to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles, and diversity
• Demonstrate personal accountability, emotional resilience and work well under pressure

Desirable

• Clear polite telephone manner

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).