Out of Hours ACP - Cumbria

Job responsibilities

This list of duties and responsibilities, which follows, represents the broad range of tasks which may be required to be undertaken either routinely or periodically. This list is not exhaustive and the role may include additional duties which are not listed here.

Communication

1. Communicates effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.

a. Refers when necessary to general practitioners, Paramedics, Accident and Emergency, Secondary Care, District nurses, Night rapid response nurses, Emergency social workers, Emergency mental health team, and Emergency dental services.

2. With Primary care nurses giving support, advice and leadership.

3. With reception staff regarding patient information.

4. Recognise and effectively manages situations where there are barriers to effective communication.

5. Recognises and effectively manages situations where there are barriers to effective communication.

Clinical Skills

1. Works independently as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner within the scope of professional practice.

a. Functions at a high level to a carry out clinical decision making such as diagnosing and discharging patients with minimal input from a medical practitioner remaining with the scope of professional practice.

b. Practices as an autonomous practitioner where possible with non-medical prescribing authority.

2. Functions at a high level in relation to communication skills through patient consultation and nursing assessment of physical, psychological and social needs.

a. Takes an accurate history, building rapport towards a therapeutic relationship.

b. Assess, plan and implements patient centred plan of care for patients with in the out of hours treatment centres, independently discharge patients from your care and refer when necessary to other healthcare professionals for further specialised care.

3. Demonstrates clinical competence in the assessment and management of patients of all ages from infants to the elderly and management of lifelong illness such as diabetes, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease during the time of acute illness and managing minor illness.

4. Adapts to change within working situation managing unscheduled emergency situations.

a. Basic life support, severe breathing problems, serious cardiovascular problems, collapsed patients and seriously ill patients.

5. Performs investigations to reach a differential diagnosis using core clinical skill and competence. Initiate treatment including diagnostic investigations.

a. Recognition of abnormal vital signs observing paediatric and adult respiratory rate and effort, heart rate rhythm and volume, temperature and blood pressures as appropriate.

b. Performs investigatory procedures including; Performing ECGs, Urinalysis, Blood Glucose monitoring, Venepuncture, measuring and interpreting Peak Flow.

6. Demonstrates competence in examination techniques

a. Examination of the Ear Nose and Throat system

b. Basic Neurological examination of Headaches and Head injury

c. Basic Muscular-skeletal examination in the assessment of injury

d. Basic eye examination in the assessment of injury, foreign body and infection.

e. Respiratory Examination

f. Abdominal Examination

g. Cardiovascular Examination

h. Vaginal Examination and sexual health screening

7. Performs safe manual handling techniques.

8. Recognises own limitations, seek assistance and refer appropriately.

9. Delivers a high standard of care without discrimination to all ages, sexes and ethnic origins of the population through continuum of life.

10. Deliver safe, effective evidence based care and advice to ease patient problems.

11. Promotes improving the health of the individual through advice and education to aid adjustment of lifestyle, including Contraception advice.

Organisational Skills

1. Aware of and complies with Cumbria Health policies and procedures.

2. Able to adapt to change in the workplace being involved in new developments in the delivery of care.

3. Ensures faulty clinical equipment is reported and repaired and adequate for use.

4. Ensures store supplies are adequately ordered and maintained.

5. Participates and supports the implementation of clinical governance, clinical audit and clinical risk assessment, setting and monitoring standards of care.

6. Promotes improving the health of the community through reporting and preventing occurrences of infectious disease, proving advice and education.

7. Has a flexible approach to geographical locations across county sites.

Professional

1. Ensures practice and implementation of care is evidence based by adhering to local and national guidance.

2. Complies with NMC. HCPC, GPC code of conduct and works within scope of professional practice

3. Maintains confidentiality of information regarding patients.

4. Ensures accurate, concise documentation.

5. Reports any adverse incidents or near miss events through agreed Cumbria Health system.

6. Maintains professional development in risk awareness, health and safety, fire safety at work, Child and Adult safeguarding, conflict resolution, information governance and basic life support by attending annual mandatory training.

7. Identifies and/ or participates in strategies of risk assessment to avoid or prevent clinical incidents and near misses incorporated in the clinical governance framework including:

a. Risk management, Child and Adult safeguarding policies, Drug policies and Infection prevention policies.

Leadership

1. Is a support network for other colleagues.

2. Acts as role model to inspire and motivate others.

3. Motivates and inspires others to deliver excellent standards of care, both within own team and across the wider workforce

4. Acts as mentor, support and induct new staff.

5. Supports and challenges colleagues on specific aspects of their practice, encouraging healthy debate and contributing to the development of others

Training and Education

1. Enhances professional development.

2. Continually keeps up to date with current evidence based practice.

3. Is involved in lifelong learning.

4. Ensures mandatory training has been completed.

5. Participates in in-house training provided / clinical meetings / supervision

Experience

Essential

• Significant post registration experience (minimum 3 years in relevant field acute or primary care setting)
• Evidence of autonomous practice assessing & managing patients with undifferentiated presentations
• Evidence of good practice
• Leadership Skills

Desirable

• Experience of working within primary or urgent care

Qualifications

Essential

• 1st Level professional registration
• Graduate degree with honours at least 2.2
• Non Medical prescribing qualification
• Evidence of advanced clinical examination & history taking qualification
• Evidence of recent Continual Professional Development

Desirable

• MSc Advanced Practice
• 998 or equivalent teaching certificate.
• ILS Intermediate Life support

Knowledge/Skills and Aptitudes

Essential

• Demonstrate clinical knowledge in acute and chronic disease management
• Demonstrate clinically competent in minor illness management
• Able to demonstrate excellent communication and consultation skills.
• Able to work independently and effectively within a team
• Flexible and motivated
• Basic computer skills.

Desirable

• Ability to adapt to change within working situation
• Innovative practice to deliver patient centred care

Personal Circumstances

Essential

• Positive
• Confident
• Well organised
• Good team player
• Ability to build rapport and effective relationships at all levels
• Demonstrate initiative
• Ability to maintain workload in a sometimes busy and demanding environment

Other Requirements

Essential

• Willingness to undertake further training
• Current driving licence and access to own vehicle

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).