Job responsibilities
The Trainee ACCP will be supported to develop the following advanced clinical skills, practices and behaviours across the four pillars of advanced practice to deliver expert care to critically ill patients as part of the multidisciplinary team.
Clinical Practice
Practice in compliance with their respective code of professional conduct, being responsible and accountable for decisions, actions, or omissions at this level of advanced practice
Work towards demonstrating a critical understanding of their broadened level of responsibility and autonomy, recognising limits of competence and scope of practice
Develops own professional judgment skills, identifying when to escalate and seek help/guidance, critically reflecting on practice, self-awareness, emotional intelligence and their willingness to change or challenge thought processes
To utilise up-to-date critical care resources and decision-making skills to inform clinical reasoning and act with consideration for best interests of the patient
Perform history taking, physiological and holistic assessment of critically ill patients regardless of location and respond appropriately
Ensure effective timely review and management of patient referrals within Oxford Heart Centre
Perform advanced airway management skills with supervision
Perform arterial blood sampling for analysis
Initiate and subsequently manage mechanical ventilation, including monitoring of blood gases and altering ventilator settings to ensure optimal ventilation
Assist with tracheostomy management and perform tube changes and de-cannulation
Assess and retrieve patients requiring critical care from other areas within the hospital
Undertake hospital transfer of the critically ill patient according to agreed protocols, as deemed appropriate based on risk assessment
Initiate admission to, and discharge from the Critical Care Unit after discussion with the consultant in charge of the unit
Establish vascular access. This will include insertion of peripheral cannulas, central lines, dialysis lines and arterial lines. Other forms of vascular access may also be required
Develop expert hand/eye co-ordination to facilitate and complete clinical procedures
Use ultrasound to facilitate procedures and undertake supervised point of care assessment to guide treatment decisions
Recognise and take appropriate actions when complications arise using appropriate referral and reporting systems
Interpret and utilise data obtained from invasive and non-invasive monitoring equipment to provide appropriate management
Request laboratory and radiological tests as required
Interpret laboratory and radiological results initiating appropriate management
After approval from the Trusts Non-Medical Prescribing Lead, the trainee will undertake a Non-Medical Prescribing Module as part of the ACCP MSc pathway, where after the trainee will record the achievement on their regulatory bodys professional registration, and prescribe within their scope of practice, utilising local or organisational guidelines, national guidelines, and adhering to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) Prescribing Standards, and those of their professional regulatory body (e.g. NMC, HCPC, GPhC or GOC)
Undertake discharge documentation to support patient flow to the ward
Participate in MDT meetings, ward rounds and case presentations which contribute to the decision-making process in the management of the cardiothoracic critical care patient
Respond to emergency situations, providing clinical expertise and developing leadership within the team
Develop effective communication skills, support people in making decisions, planning care or seeking to make positive health changes and promote person-centred approaches in health and care
Develop effective communication skills with colleagues both internally and/or externally, in verbal, non-verbal and written communication methods, adapting to changing parameters as required; this includes thorough accurate documentation in patient records as required
Work as a member of the medical team in a supernumerary capacity during training
Leadership and Management
Initiate and develops relationships within the multi-professional team
Provide effective leadership and act as a clinical role model/advocate for developing and delivering care that is responsive to changing requirements
Excellent verbal, written and electronic communication skills so that professional advice and instructions are well understood by patients, their relatives and/or carers, and members of the multi-disciplinary team
Maintain a professional portfolio in line with the requirements of FICM syllabus
Participates in clinical governance reviews and the investigation of clinical incidents and serious incidents; leads and facilitates others to share lessons and adapt systems and processes accordingly
Actively seeks feedback and involvement from individuals, families, carers and colleagues to inform own development and/or service developments in practice
Recognises the importance of wellbeing in self and others, seeking to identify and manage stressors or pressures to promote health and wellbeing
Education
Critically assess and address own learning needs as a Trainee ACCP for professional development across the four pillars of advanced clinical practice, relevant to own clinical service
Engages with Higher Education Institution (HEI) and self-directed learning, meeting the academic requirements of the MSc ACCP course at the end of the agreed training time-period; this may include a range of both classroom-taught and blended learning approaches, and a range of assessments methods (e.g. Observed Structured Clinical Examinations, exams, written assignments or other methodologies as set by the HEI)
Critically reflect to maximise own clinical skills and knowledge development, with evidence demonstrated in own professional portfolio of evidence
The Trainee ACCP will need to undertake Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as defined by their current regulator to maintain and update professional registration
Engage with performance reviews and appraisal processes in line with OUHFT requirements: Additionally, participating in Clinical Supervision and tripartite review meetings with both Clinical Supervisors, Academic Supervisors from the HEI and Line Managers, where the manager is not supervising the Trainee ACCP
Advocate for, and contribute to, a culture of departmental, service, and organisational learning, to inspire future and existing staff
Where appropriate act as an educator within own scope of capability and competence, to develop teaching skills (with supervision or support where required), and seeking to instil confidence in others and share best practices
Participates in the supervision and mentorship of students and trainees
Evaluates own teaching, supervision and mentorship activity and act on feedback to ensure delivery is appropriate to needs
Research
Develop and support a knowledge rich enquiry culture where research values are fostered, promoted and encouraged
With support as required, engage in research activities, upholding good research practice guidelines, in order to develop evidence-based strategies that can be applied to enhance quality, safety, productivity, value or wellbeing
Evaluate and audit own clinical practice, selecting and applying valid, reliable methods, then acting on the findings as appropriate with support as required
Develop and assist in the implementation of robust local governance systems and systematic documentation processes, keeping the need for modifications under critical review
Begin to critically appraise and synthesis the outcomes of relevant research and evaluations, using results to underpin own practice and inform that of others
Begin to identify gaps in knowledge or evidence bases, and explore how these may be addressed via safe and pragmatic solutions, seeking to understand needs for further research to strengthen evidence
Contribute to service or organisational research activities, which may include being involved as an educator, recruiter, investigator, and/or developing bids to apply for research funding
Complete the Level 7 MSc academic research element in a topic area relevant to own clinical service and or professional practice (e.g. submitting an MSc Dissertation/Thesis linked to own clinical service), and present research evidence and findings to the Service and/or Organisation, in order to enhance learning and facilitate change
Facilitate collaborative links between clinical practice and research, through proactive engagement, and networking with academic, clinical and other active researchers
Disseminate best practice research findings and quality improvement projects
Participates in service development. Writes protocols, guidelines and procedures for own remit. Develops and evaluates these protocols and guidelines and procedures using current literature and research
Implement policies informing members of multi professional team of any changes
Liaise with the Consultant Intensivist, and Senior Leaders in the development of Critical Care services, contributes ideas and makes recommendations for service improvements
Complies with hospital policies and guidelines
