Urgent Care Practitioner

Job responsibilities

Professional Responsibilities:

• Works within their respective Code of Professional Conduct.
• Be committed to working flexibly within a dynamic environment, responding positively to the changing needs of the service.
• Promote and facilitate evidence-based practice
• Maintain professional knowledge and practice compliance with their respective professional body
• Demonstrate continual professional development (CPD) through organised or self-directed study/learning and participation in clinical supervision, audit and appraisal.

Clinical Responsibilities:

• Always practice within own scope of competence, recognising limitations of clinical practice.
• Assess and prioritise patients clinical needs in accordance with NEMS policies and guidelines.
• Without supervisions undertakes consultations with patients presenting with undifferentiated, undiagnosed problems, practising autonomous skills in history taking, physical examination, problem-solving and clinical decision-making, to establish a diagnosis and management plan.
• Makes professionally autonomous decisions for which she/he is accountable.
• Encourage patients to carry out self-care where appropriate, supported by direction to other sources of health and social care information.
• Supplies and administers PGD medications in a safe effective manner in accordance with the appropriate policy and guidance including the current antimicrobial guidance.
• Dispense medicines prescribed by other Primary Care Practitioners and doctors in accordance with NEMS policies.
• Liaise directly with NEMS GPs and Senior Primary Care Practitioners regarding medicines outside of the individuals normal sphere of competence and medicine-related uncertainties.
• Provide advice and support to Primary Care Nurses and other clinical staff.
• Liaise and communicate clinical information verbally and via technical links with NEMS and health economy partners to ensure continuity of care for the caller.
• Maintain accurate, contemporaneous recordkeeping of all interventions with patients, fully utilising computer software systems in place and/or other mediums.
• Maintain confidentiality at all times in accordance with legislative and policy requirements.
• Act as the patients advocate.
• Participate and assist in service evaluation, clinical audit and research as required.
• Participate in the investigation of complaints, incidents and accidents.
• Undertake safe clinical practice within health and safety guidelines. Work within and be aware of the organisations clinical policies and guidelines.
• Maintain own awareness of current health policy relevant to practice.
• Be aware of the impact your decisions may have upon the patient and their General Practitioner.
• Liaise with other professionals to facilitate direct referrals to other health care providers within the policies of the organisation.
• Participate in the mentorship of visiting health professionals and students on recognised training programmes.
• Recognise and act upon opportunities through consultation to promote public health.

STANDARD ROLE DIMENSIONS:

1. Organisational Management

• Attend team meetings as required.
• Participate in the annual Performance Review and Development process.
• Respond positively to organisational change and participate in the change process.
• Work consistently to improve the service provided.
• Communicate effectively with your line manager any issues or ideas relating to improvements and developments.
• Work flexibly according to the needs of the service and organisation.

2. Staff Management

• Line manage and supervise people and apprentices as required.
• Delegate appropriately to team members to provide patient care.
• Cooperate and support colleagues to ensure effective services.

3. Strategic Activities and Service Improvement

• Demonstrate understanding of the strategic purpose of NEMS developments and how you contribute.
• Undertake training and development appropriate to your role as required.
• Be proficient in using the IT systems of choice.
• Ensure prompt and regular attendance at work.

4. Patient Experience

• Sign an annual confidentiality agreement.
• Work in accordance with confidentiality and information governance requirements.
• Promote feedback from patients and carers using systems available.
• Ensure you are working within relevant policies at all times.
• Participate in NEMS patient experience programmes.

5. Finances

• Be aware of the financial implications of decisions and actions.
• Work in a manner that promotes the financial stability of the organisation.

6. Health and Safety

• Adhere to Health and Safety policies and procedures.
• Comply with employee responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act.
• Participate in relevant health and safety procedures and training.
• Ensure your personal safety is maintained and that of your colleagues and the public.
• Ensure all accidents and/or dangerous incidents are recorded and reported, as guided by NEMS policy.
• Observe all regulations governing the driving and use of vehicles on the public highways.

Qualifying factors

Flexibility

This role profile is intended to provide a broad outline of the main responsibilities only. The post holder will need to be flexible in developing the role and in initial and on-going discussions with the Clinical Lead.

Confidentiality

• Under the Data Protection Act 1998, the post holder must maintain the confidentiality of information about all stakeholders. The work is of a confidential nature and information gained must not be communicated to other persons except in the recognized course of duty. Unauthorised disclosure of confidential information will result in disciplinary action and may lead to your dismissal.
• In the performance of the duties outlined in this job description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to all stakeholders and organisations. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential.
• Information relating to stakeholders may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with NEMS CBS policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data.

Equality and Diversity

• The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include:
• Acting in a way that recognises the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with NEMS CBS procedures and policies, and current legislation.
• Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of stakeholders.
• Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings, priorities and rights.

Health & Safety

Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed on them under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) to ensure that the agreed procedures are carried out to maintain a safe environment for patients, visitors and staff.

Environment

The post holder will support the impact on the environment and be vigilant and pro-active in ensuring they adhere to the management strategy i.e., recycling, waste management, use of vehicles etc.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act

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.

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Healthcare Professional or Physician Associate.
• In good standing with their relevant regulator (GPC / NMC / HCPC) and meet requirements of revalidation.
• Relevant post registration continuous professional development.
• Advanced Clinical Assessment Skills Training.
• Training in autonomous assessment, examination, and clinical decision making

Desirable

• Clinical supervision training.
• Non-medical prescribing qualification.

Experience

Essential

• 3 years post registration experience.
• Working in urgent/ same day patient services.
• Involvement in day-to-day patient management decision-making, planning, co-coordinating, facilitating, monitoring and evaluating skills.
• People and workforce development.
• Delivering against competing priorities and deadlines while also directing the work of teams/individuals.
• Liaison, communication and engagement.
• Problem-solving.
• Working in a diverse and complex organisation.
• Managing a diverse team of professionals.
• Supporting others to deliver against project criteria.
• Working in a team environment.
• Working to set protocols and procedures.
• Working to deadlines.

Desirable

• Implementing research into practice.
• Monitoring and auditing of clinical services.
• 5 years post registration experience.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Clinical assessment skills.
• History taking and assessment skills.
• Excellent organisational skills and an ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to read, analyse and summarise NHS policy and guidelines and translate into actions, interventions and projects to aid primary and community care workforce development.
• Compassionate, inclusive and collaborative leadership behaviours.
• Interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a multi professional team and be independent.
• Able to provide and receive complex, sensitive or contentious information.
• Excellent IT skills, including standard keyboard skills.
• Excellent team working skills.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Planning and organising straightforward tasks, activities or programmes, some of which may be on-going.
• Able to work with limited supervision.
• Able to use initiative and be innovative within the appropriate scope of the role.
• A methodical approach to process; an aptitude for accuracy and attention to detail.

Desirable

• Ability to translate policy into practice - interpret national guidance to produce local plans.

Knowledge

Essential

• A good understanding of the public sector and NHS policy, in relation to primary, community and urgent care.
• Understanding and knowledge of the Data Protection Act, Freedom of Information Act, Information Governance, GDPR, Equality Act and confidentiality issues.
• Awareness of equality and valuing diversity principles.

Desirable

• Health promotion.
• Chronic disease management.
• Research methods.

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).