Job responsibilities
Technicians respond to a wide range of emergency (999), urgent care and transfer calls within the ambulance service, working independently and in partnership with other clinical grades of staff. Technicians will act as a clinical lead for care in the absence of a registered/regulated healthcare professional and will undertake clinical assessment, clinical care and professional referrals in accordance with the Technician scope of practice and current national guidelines (Joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Liaison Committee, JRCALC) and organisational guidelines/policies/procedures. Provide clinical assessment and care in keeping with the Technician scope of practice and current national (JRCALC) and organisational policies/procedure/guidelines.
- Ensure the safety and wellbeing of patients their significant others and colleagues always, using approved techniques and methods. This includes when driving ambulance vehicles in emergency situations, in accordance with Organisation driving polices/procedures and contemporary road traffic law.
- Demonstrate and promote infection, prevention and control measures in accordance with Organisation policies, procedures and guidelines, using appropriate handwashing, personal protection equipment and cleaning products/regimes.
- Act as a lead clinician (in the absence of a registered healthcare professional) when attending a broad range of emergency, urgent and transfer calls, providing situational leadership, direction and direct supervision to support staff such as Emergency Care Assistants (ECAs), Ambulance Support Crew and clinicians in training/development.
- Practice legally and ethically and assess/document mental capacity and consent for all patients, making best interest decisions in the absence of mental capacity.
- Implement Organisation and national evidence-based care standards, for example care bundles when providing clinical care for patients.
- Maintain, check and administer Technician approved medications in accordance with the law and current national (JRCALC) and organisational guidelines/polices/procedures and maintain accurate records
- Administer drugs by the oral, intramuscular, subcutaneous, inhalation, buccal/sub lingual and intranasal routes as per Technician scope of practice and current national (JRCALC) and organisational guidelines/polices/procedures. I.e. administer pain relief commensurate with role as a Technician and as per clinical guidelines.
- Undertake diagnostic tests, specifically vital signs (respiratory rate, pulse rate, blood pressure, temperature, oxygen saturation), blood glucose monitoring, capnography and 4/12 lead ECG. Be able to interpret the results in line with training, experience and using decision support tools (examples of these are NEWS2, Paramedic Pathfinder, Care Bundles, ECG auto interpretation) to ensure the appropriate treatment pathway is used for the patients presenting condition. To make an informed decision as to when to request further advice from another appropriate clinician. Where automated guidance is not available then appropriate clinical guidance on the ECG result must be provided from a Clinical Assessment Team registered clinician or the equivalent of.
- Recognise the need to acquire and interpret presenting cardiac rhythms in line with scope of practice, policy and training including but not limited to, Tachy/Bradycardias, infarct presentations/arrhythmias, and cardiac arrest presentations.
- Calculate clinical scores such as NEWS2 and pathfinder to determine clinical risk and take appropriate clinical action.
- Assess and determine the need to escalate calls by requesting Paramedic assistance or additional resources/clinicians including but not limited with Helicopter Emergency Medical Services, Doctors and Specialist Practitioners. Initiate and continue appropriate treatments relevant to the patient condition keeping within the technician scope of practice.
- Support patients, their significant others and colleagues through effective communication and signposting when frequently dealing with highly complex and distressing situations such as end of life care, sudden death, recognition of life extinct and frequent traumatic incidents e.g. Road Traffic Collisions
- Identify, initiate and implement referrals to alternative clinical pathways and to other healthcare professionals in accordance with criteria and in collaboration/discussion with senior registered clinicians including but not limited to the Trust Clinical Assessment Team Practitioners (CAT) and General Practitioners. This includes pre-alert of specialist centres such as level 1 trauma centres, hyper acute stroke units and PPCI units (not exhaustive).
- Identify the need to refer patients to specialist units following a clinical assessment. This will include pre-alert of level 1 trauma centres, hyper acute stroke units and PPCI units (not exhaustive).
- Accept professional accountability for care when acting as a lead clinician, whilst maintaining professional responsibility when working with a registered healthcare professional, such as a Paramedic.
- Practice in accordance with the Organisation values and uphold professionalism as a healthcare professional, promoting positive patient experiences and striving for outstanding patient care.
- Implement dynamic risk assessment approaches when attending calls/patients and continually review situations/incidents, taking appropriate action. When acting as a lead clinician make judgements and decisions that may affect colleagues, patients, relatives, carers and any other significant scene attendees such as other emergency service personal.
- When acting as a lead clinician, using acquired knowledge, training and experience, and employing system-based assessments and examinations, make judgements and decisions that will inform appropriate treatments. This will also include appropriate discharge of patients to other health care providers following clinical assessment in line with clinical guidance in relation to non- conveyance and appropriate clinical handover to a registered healthcare professional.
- Direct and supervise the practice and development of other clinicians in education/training in accordance with own scope of practice and experience, for example, Student Technicians, Emergency Care Assistants, Ambulance Support Crew.
- Ensure the timely, accurate and legible completion of operational documentation including but not limited to clinical records, work related statements and station/vehicle-based documentation, ensuring records are legible and use professional terminology. Including the completion of the Diagnosis of Death records
- Competently assist registered clinicians, such as Paramedics with clinical procedures including but not limited to advanced airway management, cannulation and advanced resuscitation, whilst working within scope of Technician practice.
- Implement safe and effective manual handling techniques to safely move and handle patients, thus reducing risk of injury/incident and promoting safety and comfort.
- Competently use a range of ambulance equipment to handle, support and transfer patients including but not limited to lifting devices, ambulance stretchers and trauma equipment.
- Use conflict resolution, disengagement and de-escalation knowledge and techniques during conflict situations in accordance with Trust training and demonstrate least restrictive approaches and where necessary the application of the legal use of force which is reasonable, proportionate and necessary.
- Maintain patient confidentiality, in line with NHS standards and the Caldicott principles, including but not limited to professional discussions, clinical documentation and the security of confidential information.
- Maintain, close liaison with the emergency operations centre (EOC), advising of operational issues or developments whilst respecting the requests of EOC in relation to work allocation and directions.
- Operate communication systems independently such as the vehicle-based allocation system and radio communications system.
- Maintain vehicles, equipment and premises aligned to Organisation standards and associated Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS) always. This will include ensuring that ambulance vehicles and equipment are in operational readiness (for example, re-fuelled and checked) and that any defects are reported.
- Report any defective, hazardous or dangerous equipment, premises or practices to the appropriate line manager in line with the Health and Safety policy and any actual or potential harm to patients, public and/or staff/ contractors using the Incident Reporting Policy.
- Adopt a flexible approach in response to operational needs regarding duties, base/location and hours of work.
- Maintain a level of physical and psychological fitness in accordance with the Technician role and attend any occupational health assessments/sessions to enable continuation of operational duties.
- Engage and comply with work-based assessments, clinical supervision and appraisal and attend any training/development courses which the Trust deem necessary to ensure effective and safe patient care.
- Engage with annual appraisal and clinical supervision activities to inform personal development and Technician practice.
- Keep informed and updated regarding Organisation memorandums and notices to identify current trends and developments within the Organisation and nationally.
- Make use of organisational supportive mechanisms such as peer to peer, pastoral care, trauma risk incident management (TRIM), occupational health services and self- referral talking services.
- Undertake any other duties deemed as reasonable for a Technician role.
This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities, but to give an indication of the main areas of activity and involvement.
