Job responsibilities
Principal responsibilities
Clinical
Uses specialist
knowledge and specific training to act autonomously in assessing, planning, and
implementing a comprehensive management plan within their defined scope of
practice.
Elicit a
patient history appropriate to the clinical situation, which will include,
presenting complaint, history of the present illness, past medical history,
social history, family history, medications, allergies, review of systems, risk
factors and appropriate targeted history.
Perform a
physical examination tailored to the needs of the patients and the demands of
the clinical situation.
Assess and
prioritise patients undergoing treatment.
Demonstrate
continual evaluation of the patients and use expertise to recommend
adjustments/amendments to treatment plans, in consultation with the patient and
members of the multi-professional team.
Make direct
referrals to other members of the health care team.
Requests
bloods and radiological test as appropriate and within agreed scope
Request and
perform diagnostic tests as agreed locally and within agreed scope.
Chase, view
and Interpret results and report findings.
Discuss and
agree assessment outcomes with patients, carers, and other health care
professionals to enable patients to make an informed decision regarding their
treatment.
Communicate
highly complex information to patients, carers and families during the consent
process prior to commencement of treatment plans and invasive procedures
including explaining treatment options.
Authorise
the decision to admit patients and/or proactively initiate discharge.
Actively
supports patients and their families through communicating difficult and highly
complex sensitive information using a variety of methods to ensure effective
understanding in a timely manner.
Proactively
supports patients, carers, and families in coming to terms with their
illness/condition.
Provides
empathy and reassurance through understanding the quality-of-life issues
associated with their illness/conditions and treatment related side effects.
Ensure that
accurate, essential, and appropriate written and verbal information is conveyed
to the wider MDT to ensure effective management of patients.
Ensure
dignity, privacy and cultural and religious beliefs are respected at all
times.
Adheres to
professional code of conduct, works within the boundaries of their scope of
practice and always manage associated clinical risks effectively.
Professional leadership and Management
Act
as a role model by demonstrating high standards of holistic care.
Act in such a way as to be a credible,
effective leader, demonstrating effective clinical leadership on a daily basis.
Take key responsibility for supporting the
wider MDT.
Effectively manage own dairy and workload.
Ensure that documentation is of a very high
standard reflective of Advanced Clinical Practice, adhering to local and
national guidelines.
Identify the skills set and terms of
reference required of the Advanced Clinical Practitioner role, ensuring they
reflect the individual, holistic needs of patients undergoing care.
Works in collaboration with the MDT to
investigate clinical incidents associated with patients in their care.
Assess and monitor risk in own and others
practice, acting on results, thereby ensuring safe delivery of care.
Diffuse potential complaints and hostile
situations with staff, patients and carers using highly developed negotiation
and interprofessional skills
Provide representation, as appropriate at
various local and national meetings, providing feedback to the organisation on
clinical and professional issues which have an impact on care and standards of
practice within their sphere of responsibility.
Develop
formal and informal links outside the organisation, sharing good practice,
innovative ideas, and promote staff and service development.
Establish
and maintain a regional and national network of contacts relevant to the
service.
Promote the
service through formal and informal presentations within and outside the
organisation through study days, conferences, and written papers.
Education and Training
Has
obtained the theoretical knowledge; MSc in advanced practice or equivalent, in
conjunction with practical experience; evidenced in a supporting portfolio, to
a level that allows the job responsibilities to be delivered at a high
standard.
Has
obtained Non-Medical Prescribing if appropriate to registered profession.
Identify
own personal developmental and educational needs to work at an advanced level
and beyond. Ensure appropriate action is taken to maintain and further develop
skills.
Maintain a
professional portfolio and participate in continuing professional development.
Maintain
competencies and attend mandatory lectures and training as required by the
Trust.
Receive
clinical supervision to clinically improve knowledge and the quality of care
delivered to patients.
Utilises
professional knowledge and skills, underpinned by theoretical and relevant
practical experience to teach, motivate, and support junior staff on a range of
clinical practices.
Participates
in the delivery of specialist training and development of other healthcare
workers within the Trust.
Develop and
organise study days and training sessions for self and others within the
clinical team.
Participates
in the supervision and mentorship of multi-professional students and junior
staff.
Undertake
clinical supervision for trainee APs.
Carry out
training needs analysis, using the results to design, develop and deliver a
teaching programme promoting practice development for those staff caring for
patients within the speciality. This will include the development of links with
other organisations and innovative approaches to staff development.
Research, service
development and audit
Maintain up
to date knowledge in the specialist field, using information to affect change
in practice and ensuring effective dissemination of new knowledge.
Participate
in service development. Writes protocols, guidelines, and procedures for own
remit which, impacts on other members of the multi-disciplinary team.
Participate
in the development and evaluation of protocols and guidelines and procedures
using current literature and research.
Participates
in the development of patient information to improve patient care.
Liaise with
MDT, including consultants, senior nursing colleagues and management in the
development of services, contribute ideas and make recommendations for service
improvements.
Implement
policies informing members of the multidisciplinary team of any changes.
In
collaboration with the MDT ensure that clinical practice is patient centred and
researched based, in accordance with professional practice, guidelines, and
national and local benchmarks.
Support
relevant audit activity in the specialities to evaluate the effectiveness of
care interventions and disseminates outcomes with any potential changes to
clinical practice which improves health outcomes.
Regularly
audits own practice.
Where
appropriate participate in research projects and/or support the wider MDT with
research initiatives.
Promote and
disseminate research and audit findings relevant to the service
Continue to
develop and promote the Advanced Clinical Practitioner role through
professional publications and conference papers
Multi-disciplinary liaison
Ensure
effective communication is maintained between members of the multidisciplinary
team to ensure appropriate individuals are informed of changes in patient
conditions or treatment plan.
Be a core
member of the multidisciplinary team providing specialist knowledge and advice.
Establish
and maintain excellent communication with individuals and groups exploring
complex issues relating to care options and decisions.
Promote
collaborative working relationships and effective communication between all
members of the team.
