JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title Advanced Care Practitioner/Emergency Care Practitioner Post reference number AP/03 Date of this job description reviewed 27/12/2024 Reviews At appraisal / learning plan interviews Postholder name Weekly hours 37.5 hours A. MAJOR PURPOSE OF THE POST To deliver a high standard of patient care as Advanced Care Practitioner/Emergency Care Practitioner in general practice, using advanced autonomous clinical skills, and a broad and in-depth theoretical knowledge base To manage a clinical caseload, dealing with presenting patients needs in a primary care setting To develop the clinical services offered by the practice To provide clinical leadership within the practice with sphere of expertise B. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The post holder is an experienced health care professional, who acting within their professional boundaries, will provide care for the presenting patient from initial history taking, clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of their care. They will demonstrate safe, clinical decision-making and expert care for patients within the general practice. They will work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary general practice team to meet the needs of patients, supporting the delivery of policy and procedures, and providing professional support to colleagues within the practice as required. In order to work at this level, Department of Health (2010) requirements for advanced practice must be met. CLINICAL ROLE: Within the time constraints of the role the postholder will work with the GPs and management to develop the advanced care practitioner/emergency care practitioner role within the practice. Clinical roles can include: Undertake home visiting of patients Provide the choice of direct access to an ACP/ECP, both in the Practice and over the telephone, for the general practice population Make professionally autonomous decisions for which he/she is accountable All patients are triaged by the duty team to the ACP/ECP. The ACP/ECP provide clinical support for patients presenting with undifferentiated, undiagnosed problems, making use of skills in history taking, physical examination, problem-solving and clinical decision-making, to establish a diagnosis and management plan Instigate necessary invasive and non-invasive diagnostic tests or investigations and interpret findings/reports Where the post holder is an independent prescriber: to prescribe safe, effective and appropriate medication as defined by current legislative framework Provide safe, evidence-based, cost-effective, individualised patient care Offer a holistic service to patients and their families, developing where appropriate an on-going plan of care/support, with an emphasis on prevention and self-care Promote health and well-being through the use of health promotion, health education, screening and therapeutic communication skills Refer patients directly to other services/agencies as appropriate Work with multi-disciplinary team within the Practice, and across the wider healthcare community, to promote integrated and seamless pathways of care Contribute to the practice achieving its quality targets to sustain the high standards of patient care and service delivery Participate in identification of community health needs and develop patient/family-centered strategies to address them Help develop and set up new patient services and participate in initiatives to improve existing patient services Be aware of and contribute to planning and delivery of practice-based commissioning TEACHING AND MENTORING ROLE: Promote a learning environment for patients, nurses and other health professionals. Contribute to the planning and implementation of the teaching for existing staff, such as medical students, nurse students, GP registrars, Health Care Assistants, within the Practice. PROFESSIONAL ROLE: Promote evidence-based practice using the latest research-based guidelines and the development of practice-based research. Monitor the effectiveness of their own clinical practice through the quality assurance strategies such as the use of audit and peer review Maintain their professional registration Participate in continuing professional development opportunities to ensure that up-to-date evidence-based knowledge and competence in all aspects of the role is maintained Work within the latest HCPC/NMC Code of Professional Conduct Record accurate consultation data in patients records in accordance with the latest HCPC/NMC guidance and other pertinent standards Keep up to date with pertinent health-related policy and work with the practice team to consider the impact and strategies for implementation Work collaboratively with colleagues within and external to the practice. Demonstrate effective teamwork Pro-actively promote the role of the ACP/ECP within the Practice, and externally to key stakeholders and agencies C. SUPERVISION EXERCISED The postholder has no direct line management responsibility but is empowered to use professional skills and judgments to advise, train and where necessary instruct, other members of the team in clinical and safety matters D. SUPERVISION RECEIVED For line management purposes the postholder reports to the Lead Advanced Nurse Practitioner E. DECISIONS EXERCISED The postholder is responsible for a wide range of clinical care and will usually work unsupervised. The postholder is required to exercise judgment and take decisions about the care provided to patients. Decisions will be taken in accordance with national, local and practice guidelines and protocols. Decisions should only be exercised within the postholders professional competencies. F. CREATIVITY There is a good deal of scope for creativity. The postholder is responsible for the assessment of patient care needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of programs of care. Key inputs are made in conjunction with the GPs over the introduction of new protocols and working practices. The ongoing development of evidence-based medicine; clinical governance and continuing professional development also afford opportunities for creativity. G. CONTACTS The postholder has contact with a wide range of people, including patients, GPs, Practice Manager, Practice Nurses, Receptionists, Community Staff, Hospital Staff, NHS England and Commissioners. H. EDUCATION The postholder will be a qualified Paramedic with current HCPC registration or Advanced Nurse Practitioner and will work towards gaining modules in Advanced Practice including prescribing. I. SPECIAL CONDITIONS The post-holder is required to travel independently between practice sites (where applicable), and to attend meetings etc. hosted by other agencies. The post-holder will have contact with body fluids i.e. wound exudates, urine etc. while in clinical practice. J. OTHER REQUIREMENTS Knowledge of Health and Safety guidelines including infection control Knowledge of CQC requirements Excellent communication skills Ability to work with minimum supervision and to organise own workload Ability to contribute effectively to the Primary Health Care Team An understanding of the main requirements of the GP contract and enhanced services K. GRADE St James scale. There are no collective agreements in place.