Job responsibilities
Use highly developed clinical knowledge to
independently assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate treatments and
interventions for patients presenting, frequently with complex undifferentiated
or undefined presentations.
Undertakes physical examination as
indicated by the patients condition; autonomously analysing complex clinical
signs and investigation results to consider differential diagnoses and diagnose
conditions, initiating treatment as required.
Performs clinical procedures appropriate to
the history and physical examination of patients, including further invasive
testing and treatments requiring highly developed skills and precision,
including (but not limited to) catheterisation, cannulation, peripheral
arterial blood gas sampling.
Requests investigations such as blood,
urine and other laboratory tests, electrocardiographs (ECGs), ultrasound scans,
X-Rays and computed tomography (CT) scans in accordance with IR(ME)R
regulations and as local policy allows.
Analyses multiple sources of data including
patient history, physical examination and investigation findings when making
diagnoses, clinical judgements and evaluating care provided; presenting this
information, to speciality/senior medical staff
for advice when scope of practice is exceeded.
Autonomously formulates appropriate
management plans for patients, formulates clinical decisions and often complex
treatment plans to manage acute illness and acute episodes of chronic illness
including referral, admission, or discharge from service.
Continuously revaluates findings and clinical
response to treatment and establishes an appropriate ongoing management plan
accordingly.
Prioritises health problems and intervenes
appropriately in complex, urgent and emergency situations, including initiation
and leadership of resuscitation.
Manages clinical events involving patients,
often requiring unpredictable and high levels of mental and/or physical effort
according to the patients dependency and clinical need.
Provides clinical cover to the PCN according
to patient and staffing needs.
Prescribes and reviews medication (as an
independent prescriber, if relevant) for therapeutic effectiveness appropriate
to patient need and in accordance with best/evidence-based practice and
national and local protocols and within the roles scope of practice and legal
framework. Integrates both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment in
patient care/management plans
Assesses patients with mental health needs
using local policy and guidelines and refers to the appropriate services.
Communicates effectively with patients,
carers, colleagues, and others using appropriate communication styles.
Anticipates barriers to communication and ensures patients and significant
others are kept fully informed and consent to treatment.
Acts as a resource for staff, advising on
local, national, and organisational policy, procedures and guidelines ensuring
patient safety and clinical governance.
Leadership/
Management
Works in partnership with the PCN Leadership
Team and practice teams in driving development and change.
Manages conflicting views and liaises between
groups where there may be disagreement.
Highlights and addresses areas of witnessed
poor practice and manages the situation appropriately.
Supports staff performance, training, and
supervision of other staff including annual appraisals
Supports staff development to maximise
potential, encouraging everyone to learn from each other and from external good
practice.
Supports patients, carers and staff during
difficult situations that arise e.g. breaking bad news or following an
unexpected event.
Produces accurate and complete documentation
and patient records consistent with legislation, policies, and procedures.
Possesses excellent time management and
personal organisation skills.
Acts as a knowledge resource in how to
initiate and manage the impact of change.
Develops and contributes to local guidelines,
interpreting and adapting national protocols and standards to enhance patient
care and safety.
Maintains awareness of budgetary constraints
within the organisation, manages resources appropriately and encourages others
to do likewise.
Ensures appropriate representation and
participation in organisational meetings as appropriate for the role.
Actively contributes and provides leadership
with service development plans within the PCN practices.
Education
and Research
Takes responsibility for their own learning
and performance including the participation in clinical supervision and
maintaining an awareness of relevant research evidence.
Develops health promotion and education in
conjunction with other health care professionals ensuring that all patient care
within the multi-professional team is based on research and best practice.
Acts as a constant source of clinical and theoretical
knowledge for all grades and disciplines of staff as well as patients and their
significant others, providing support and clinical advice in specialist areas,
based on evidenced based research.
Possesses proficient typing, IT and computer
skills. Uses audio/visual equipment to record and impart information and
research.
Prepares and delivers presentations and
participates in workshops on a local, regional and national level, to ensure
the communication of good practice.
Works with the multi-professional team to
further develop appropriate clinical pathways and care approaches. Disseminates
their own learning and good practice to other team members.
Designs, coordinates, and undertakes
collaborative audit, research, and development into the PCN and related
practices.
Plans, delivers, and implements programmes of
education and training for trainee ACPs, nurses, medical and other disciplines
and continues to be involved in their ongoing support.
Supports organisational and system research
and development plans.
Professional
Responsibility
Recognises and works within own competence and
professional code of conduct as regulated by the NMC or equivalent professional
body.
Ensures that their own practice is kept
updated, using an acceptable model of clinical supervision.
Ensures
that all elements contained within the NMCs document The Code (2015)/ or
equivalent professional code are adhered to, in particular those relating to
professional accountability.
Through supervision and mentorship identifies
personal learning needs and participates in personal continuing education and
other activities to promote their own personal growth.
Develops clinical knowledge and professional
skills through relevant training and study.
Always adheres to occupational health
guidelines.
Ensures the ability to be able to work on
their own initiative both independently and within a team.
Maintains the ability to read and interpret
extensive policy documentation; sometimes of a clinical nature requiring
periods of intense concentration.
Communication
Communicates with enthusiasm and conviction;
in a style that, when relevant, motivates, inspires, and encourages.
Utilises and demonstrates sensitive
communication styles to ensure service-users are fully informed and consent to
treatment.
Communicates effectively with patients,
families, and carers; sometimes recognising the need for alternative methods of
communication to overcome different levels of understanding, cultural
background, and preferred ways of communicating.
Anticipates potential barriers to
communication.
Communicates effectively; often about complex,
sensitive and potentially distressing information with patients, family and/or
carers.
Creates a trusting partnership with patients
and/or relatives/carers to communicate and explain complex medical issues
(including new diagnoses) and agree a management /treatment plan.
Ensures awareness of sources of support and
guidance, such as Patient Advisory Liaison Services, and provides information
in an acceptable format to all patients recognising and referring any
difficulties and referring where appropriate.
Communicates clearly and effectively with
colleagues; often receiving or giving complicated plans or information of a
sensitive nature.
Maintains the responsibility for the delivery
of a detailed, accurate and potentially complex clinical handover to healthcare
colleagues including specialists and General Practitioners. Produces detailed
and accurate written information within the patient record regarding all
clinical assessments, investigations completed and requested, and treatments
administered.
Maintains confidentiality as required by
professional, local, and national policy. Acknowledges situations where there
can be a breach of confidentiality.
Recognises and defuses potentially aggressive
and violent individuals/situations in line with local policy and legal
frameworks.