Primary Care Paramedic Practitioner

Job responsibilities

1. focus on clinical prioritisation of acute presentations; assess and triage patients, including same day triage, and as appropriate provide definitive treatment or make necessary referrals to other members of the PCN team

2. telephone, video and traditional face to face consulting undertaken as appropriate

3. refer into acute visiting service (AVS) and follow up AVS discharges

4. support the care home teams in delivery of acute, planned and end of life care

5. work closely with the Integrated Neighbourhood Team (INT) to support integration between GP and existing community services.

6. support delivery of extended access 8-8

7. actively engage with the wider Paramedic Team across East Lancs

8. advise patients on general healthcare and promote self-management where appropriate, including signposting patients to other community or voluntary services.

9. be able to:

a. perform and interpret ECGs; alongside other results as appropriate

b. perform investigatory procedures as required

c. undertake the collection of pathological specimens including intravenous blood samples, swabs, etc.

d. perform investigatory procedures needed by patients and those requested by GPs and the wider PCN

10. provide an alternative model to urgent and same day home visits for the PCN as required

11. communicate proactively and effectively with all colleagues across the multi-disciplinary team, attending and contributing to meetings as required

12. communicate at all levels across PCNs and other organizations, ensuring effective, patient-centred service

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

14. maintain accurate and contemporaneous health records appropriate to the consultation, ensuring accurate completion of all necessary documentation associated with patient health care and registration with the practice

15. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

22. enhance own performance through continuous professional development, keep up to date with current evidence-based practice, and impart own knowledge and skills to PCN colleagues to meet the needs of the service

23. recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct as regulated by the HCPC and College of Paramedics

24. assess effectiveness of care delivery through self and peer review, benchmarking and formal evaluation

25. participate in research and utilise the audit cycle as a means of evaluating the quality of the work of self and the team, implementing improvements where required

26. in partnership with other clinical teams, collaborate on improving the quality of health care responding to local and national policies and initiatives as appropriate

27. produce accurate, contemporaneous and complete records of patient consultation, consistent with legislation, policies and procedures

28. be aware of data protection (GDPR) and confidentiality issues particularly within a PCN

29. use technology and appropriate software as an aid to management in planning, implementation and monitoring of care, presenting and communicating information

30. review and process data using accurate read codes in order to ensure easy and accurate information retrieval for monitoring and audit processes.

Experience

Essential

• More than 4 years working as a Paramedic.
• An active learning log which demonstrates commitment to Professional Development.
• Calm under pressure; able to use initiative and make decisions.
• Excellent interpersonal/ communication skills with a variety of media.
• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Ability to contribute to and manage change.
• Organised and able to manage own time effectively.
• Competent IT and keyboard skills.
• Able to deal sensitively with distressing or emotional situations.
• Self-starter with professional approach to ensuring patients receive the right care.
• Ability to write comprehensive clinical notes, implement and evaluate care plans.
• Consolidated experience of a range of clinical settings including General Practice.
• Build effective relationships with a range of stakeholders which are based on openness, honesty trust and confidence.
• High degree of personal credibility, emotional intelligence, patience and flexibility.
• Experience of coaching and mentoring others.

Desirable

• Experience of working in General Practice.
• Working towards advanced clinical practitioner status
• Mentorship or supervisory skills training.
• Experience of delivering clinical supervision to peers or junior colleagues in practice.
• Be aware of data protection (GDPR) and confidentiality issues with reference to working within a PCN.
• Cognitive behavioural and motivational interviewing approaches / skills.
• Experience of working within a primary care setting.
• Evidence of working across organisational boundaries within health and social care.
• Independent thinker with good judgement, problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Previous experience of working with Patient Group Directive (PGDs) or similar.
• Previous experience of remote working/ triage.
• Strong and inspirational leadership.
• Ability to cope with unpredictable situations.
• Confident in facilitating and challenging others.

Qualifications

Essential

• Paramedic with current Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration
• Educated to Diploma/ DipHE level or equivalent demonstrable experience in practice
• Working towards or completed module in clinical assessment/diagnostics

Desirable

• BSc in a training programme approved by the College of Paramedics
• Pre-reg MSc in a training programme approved by the College of Paramedics
• non-medical prescribing qualification
• Full UK driving license
• CoP Dip. Primary & Urgent Care Exam
• Experience of Minor illness in Children

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).