Advanced Clinical Practitioner

The ACP will work under the supervision of duty doctors:

To work

independently or as part of the Duty Team to triage, assess, plan and treat

emergency or same day presentations in the surgery, ensuring high quality,

accessible, evidence based and clinically effective care to our patients.

Provide

advanced clinical skills and advice, demonstrating a sound understanding of the

issues related to identification, assessment, diagnosis, treatment and

management of patients, whilst working autonomously.

Identify

the need for, initiate and interpret relevant diagnostic investigations and

results.

To safely

and competently undertake evidence-based procedures to establish a diagnosis.

To

demonstrate critical thinking in the clinical decision-making process.

To work

collaboratively with the Duty Doctors and other urgent care/minor illness

clinical team members, to meet the needs of patients, supporting the delivery

of policies and procedures, and providing leadership as required.

There are

opportunities to rotate into planned care and visiting services if desired.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical practice

As part of the multi-disciplinary team, and under the non-direct supervision of the practice GP lead for advanced practice, the post-holder will utilise their advanced level knowledge and skills to:

Assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate treatment and interventions and care for patients presenting with an undifferentiated diagnosis, including those with complex needs, whilst demonstrating safe clinical decision making skills.

Under-take advanced physical and mental health examination as indicated by the patients condition; analysing complex clinical signs and investigating results to consider differential diagnoses and diagnose conditions, initiating any treatment as required.

Perform accurate clinical procedures appropriate to the history and examination of the patient, including further invasive testing, diagnostics and treatments requiring highly developed skills and precision within their competence.

Request investigations such as blood, urine and other laboratory tests, electrocardiographs (ECGs), ultrasound scans, x-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans in accordance with IR(ME)R regulations and as local policy allows (the ACP should be signed on to the Cornwall imaging policy)

Analyse and respond to highly complex information from multiple sources in making clinical judgements and decisions regarding diagnoses, treatment and management plans. This may involve responding to conflicting views and opinions, seeking advice when scope of practice is exceeded.

Prescribe and review medication for therapeutic effectiveness, appropriate to patient needs and in accordance with evidence-based practice, national and practice protocols, and within scope of practice

Integrate both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment in patient care/management plans

Assess patients with mental health needs and refer to appropriate services within locally agreed policy

Produce accurate and complete documentation and patient records consistent with legislation, policies and procedures

Receive, process and communicate highly complex information requiring persuasive, motivational, reassuring and empathetic communication skills to maximise co-operation with care and treatment programmes, often about complex, sensitive and potentially distressing information

Anticipate and effectively respond to barriers to communication, ensuring patients, families and carers are kept fully informed and consent to treatment and care plans is maintained. This may include managing and reconciling inter and intra-professional differences of opinion

Act as a resource for primary care staff advising on practice, primary care network, integrated care area and national policy, procedures and guidelines ensuring patient safety and clinical governance

Understand and apply the legal safeguarding framework that supports the identification of vulnerable and abused adults/children and be aware of statutory vulnerable patients health procedures and Primary Care guidance. Ensure appropriate referral if required.

Proactively identify, diagnose and initiate 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.

Work with patients to support compliance with and adherence to prescribed treatments.

Prioritise health problems and intervene appropriately to assist the patient in complex, urgent or emergency situations, including initiation of effective emergency care.

Professional Responsibility

Recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct as regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)/ Health Care Professionals Council (HCPC).

Take every opportunity to expand ones practice in line with the principles contained within their professions Code of Conduct (or equivalent). Identify personal career development pathway as part of formal appraisal system.

Ensure that all elements contained within their professions Code of Conduct are adhered to and, in particular, those relating to professional accountability and revalidation.

Through supervision and mentorship, identify personal learning needs; participating in personal continuing education and other activities to promote ones own personal growth.

Develop and further clinical knowledge and professional skills through relevant training and study.

Adhere to occupational health guidelines at all times.

Work on own initiative, independently and as a team. Read and interpret policy documentation, sometimes of a clinical nature requiring periods of intense concentration.

Prioritise, organise and manage own workload in a manner that maintains and promotes quality.

Deliver care according to practice protocols, current national guidelines and evidence-based care.

Participate in planning and implementing changes within the area of care and responsibility.

Assess effectiveness of care delivery through self and peer review, benchmarking and formal evaluation.

Follow infection-control measures within the practice according to local and national guidelines.

Participate in the maintenance of quality governance systems and processes across the organisation and its activities.

Utilise the audit cycle as a means of evaluating the quality of work, implementing improvements where required.

In partnership with other clinical teams, collaborate on improving the quality of health care responding to local and national policies and initiatives as appropriate.

Evaluate patients response to health care provision and the effectiveness of care.

Participate in shared learning across the practice.

Review and identify learning from patient complaints, clinical incidents and near-miss events.

Understand and apply legal issues that support the identification of vulnerable and abused children and adults and be aware of statutory child/vulnerable patients health procedures and local guidance.

Understand own role and scope and identify how this may develop over time .

Work as an effective and responsible team member, supporting others and exploring the mechanisms to develop new ways of working.

Use clear referral mechanisms to meet patient need.

Input on the delivery of specifically identified services or projects as agreed with the GP Partners and Management team.

Education and Research

Take responsibility for own learning and performance including participation in clinical and professional supervision and maintaining awareness of relevant research evidence.

Develop education in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team ensuring that all patient care is based on current research and best practice.

Act as a constant source of clinical and theoretical knowledge for all grades and disciplines of staff as well as patients and their significant others, providing support and clinical advice.

St Austell Healthcare has a strong

multidisciplinary team comprising GPs, ANPs, Nurses, Paramedics and Pharmacists

and an ethos for innovation and collaboration with health and social care

partners.

We are an award winning, happy team and take pride in our work and the

care we offer our 38,000 patients.

We are constantly seeking new ways of working to

enhance service provision and the patient experience, introducing new

technologies and methods of working to meet the expectations of our patient

group. We are ambitious and wish to provide the best service we can for the

people of St Austell & Mevagissey

Benefits Include

6 weeks holiday plus bank holidays (pro rata)

NHS pension scheme membership

Electric car and bike salary sacrifice schemes

Experience

Qualifications