Bank Paramedic

Job responsibilities

About us

One Health Lewisham (OHL) is the integrated community provider working across SEL, delivering a variety of innovative services for patients supporting practices and PCNs. We are a forward-thinking innovation partner, striving to develop streamlined and transformative pathways which support the wider integrated care system. We are passionate about our mission to provide the best possible care for our patients, and we work hard to support and develop our team to strive for excellence.

We are a fast-growing organisation, providing a range of services which are fully integrated into primary care. We deliver specialist support to some of the most complex patients in the system through our Special Allocation Service contract across all boroughs in South-East London and North East London ICSs. We also provide a range of services across Lewisham:

• Urgent Care Centre at Lewisham Hospital;
• NHS Health Checks Programme;
• Home Visiting Service, led by our experienced team of paramedics;
• High Intensity User Service;
• Enhanced Care Home Service;
• Virtual Care Services (Virtual Ward and Remote Monitoring) - We are leading the way in SEL by embedding technology at the heart of this service;
• Digital Transformation (Change Management and embedding digital technologies and pathways across our services);
• Population Health improvement services, e.g., Vaccination uptake, LTC reviews, HIV screening etc.;
• Community Dermatology Service, led by our amazing GPwSI;
• Long Covid Service - we are a local pioneer in developing this service in the community for our local populations;
• Community Respiratory Services, supporting the delivery of services closer to patients homes;
• MSK services that integrate with our PCNs First Contact Physio services;
• Ultrasound Services and, more broadly, diagnostic services.

Job Summary:

This is an exciting, varied role that will involve you supporting three of our main services: the GP Home Visiting Service and the NHS@Home service. You will help patients across all services according to a pre-agreed rota. More details about each service are listed below. Please note that the kind of services we deliver may change, and you may be asked to support other services within the organisation.

The GP Home Visiting Service supports housebound patients within Lewisham requiring you to assess, diagnose, treat, refer or signpost patients and/or service users who require a domiciliary visit within the community. You will safely and comprehensively carry out a full systems assessment, autonomously discharging patients within your own scope of practice seeking senior colleague advice as required.

The NHS@Home service enables hospital consultants and GP practices to safely discharge patients from hospital wards or Home Visiting into virtual care, where patient are monitored remotely throughout their recovery. The aim of the service is to maintain a high standard of care while enabling the patient to return home.

Job responsibilities:

While working on Home Visiting:

Day to day delivery of primary medical care for housebound patients involving:

Triage and treat patients wishing to see a health care professional, making any necessary referrals to other members of the primary health care team;

Patients with problems needing referral to secondary care should be discussed with the registered GP if possible, before making such referral;

Ensure clinical practice is safe and effective and remains within boundaries of competence, and to acknowledge limitations;

Advise patients on general health care and minor ailments, with referral to other members of the primary and secondary health care team as necessary;

Conduct autonomous home visits for house bound patients, with OHL offices as a base;

Undertake assessment for patients, using diagnostic skills and initiation of investigations where appropriate;

Communicate at all levels within the team ensuring an effective service is delivered;

Maintain accurate and updated healthcare records appropriate to the consultation;

Ensure evidenced-based care is delivered at the highest standards ensuring delivery of high-quality patient care;

Enhance own performance through Continuous Professional Development, imparting own knowledge and behaviours to meet the needs of the service;

To participate in the audit process, evaluation and implementing plans and practice change in order to meet patient need;

Contribute positively to the effectiveness and efficiency of the team and work colleagues.

While working for the NHS@Home service

Triage and accept patients, assess patients progress, respond to required escalation and alter treatment plans as required, both on a virtual and face to face basis; Provide clinical assessment skills to patients in their own home and in a care home, who require an urgent response to prevent unnecessary admission to hospital; Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to provide appropriate patient focussed care; Practice at an advanced level working as an autonomous practitioner within the multidisciplinary team including admitting to and discharging patients from the Urgent Community Response Service, University Hospital Lewisham wards, Lewisham GP practices and community services in collaboration with the services Consultant Lead and patients GPs; Work collaboratively with staff from all disciplines whilst maintaining high professional standards; Conduct any home visits that may be required.

Communication

The post-holder should recognise the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to:

• Communicate effectively with other team members;
• Communicate effectively with patients and carers;
• Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly.

The clinical system used in Lewisham is EMIS Web, this is the system that will be used for the home visiting service.

General

• To observe all policies relating to health and safety, confidentiality and data protection, equality and diversity. All applicable policies are available in the Employee Handbook, which will be shared prior to starting employment.

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualified paramedic qualified and registered with HCPC
• 4 years experience post registration

Desirable

• Accredited training in chronic disease management
• Computer literate
• Non Medical Prescribing qualification to undertake the professional role of independent/supplementary non medical prescribing
• Mentoring/teaching qualification
• Post registration certificate (Level 3) in first contact care, chronic disease management and mental health experience
• FdSc, BSc or MSc

Experience

Essential

• Experience in triage
• Experience of dealing with patients with undifferentiated and undiagnosed conditions
• Evidence of delivering a service which improves quality and outcomes for patients
• Up to date knowledge and use of NICE guidelines and other relevant national and local guidelines
• 4+ years experience of providing leadership to a healthcare service

Desirable

• Evidence of service development
• Electronic clinical recording systems i.e. EMIS
• Experience working in a primary or community care setting

Knowledge, Skills and Qualities

Essential

• Clinically examine and assess patient needs from a physiological and psychological perspective, and plan clinical care accordingly.
• Assess, diagnosis, plan, implement and evaluate interventions/treatments for patients with complex needs
• Proactively identify, diagnose and manage treatment plans for patients at risk of developing a long-term condition (as appropriate).
• Diagnose and manage both acute and chronic conditions, integrating both drug and non drug based treatment methods into a management plan.
• Advise patients on general healthcare and promote self management where appropriate, including signposting patients to other community or voluntary services.
• Perform specialist health checks and reviews; perform investigatory procedures as required.
• Undertake the collection of pathological specimens including intravenous blood samples, swabs etc.
• Support the delivery of anticipatory care plans and lead certain community services (e.g. monitoring blood pressure and diabetes risk of elderly patients living in sheltered housing)
• Able to work autonomously
• Effective interpersonal skills
• Ability to care and deal tactfully and empathetically with patients
• Demonstrates motivation, reliability and commitment to team working
• Able to communicate at all levels
• Ability to use sound clinical judgement and initiative
• Able to work calmly under pressure
• Able to work with competing priorities
• Flexible regarding working hours
• Professional and presentable in appearance

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).