Job summary
Cygnet PCN is seeking another enthusiastic & forward-thinking Paramedic to join our GP practice network in High Wycombe.
The Primary Care Network is made up of four GP practices (Desborough & Hazelmere Surgery, Kingswood Surgery, Priory Surgery & Tower House Surgery), providing services for approximately 45,000 patients. The practices have a strong history of working together and have been making significant strides towards integrated working.
We are looking for a proactive Paramedic Practitioner to join our GP practice network carrying out home visits to patients who are housebound & enhance the services that our Surgeries offer to the community.
The successful candidate(s) will be part of a supportive network of Clinicians, Social Prescribers, Practice Managers & excellent administrative staff across all the Practices that make up the Cygnet PCN. This is an evolving role with huge scope for development
Full details can be found in the Job Description & Person Specification.
Working arrangements can be flexible for the successful individual. Full time or part time arrangements will be considered for the selected applicant.
Informal enquiries & visits are welcome. Previous applicants need not apply.
Please apply via the NHS website.
Main duties of the job
Main duties of the PCN Paramedic Practitioner will be to support the GP Practices' clinicians & enhance the quality of care given to patients. The successful candidate will be required to work across 4 GP Surgeries that make up Cygnet PCN, becoming a key member of the clinical teams.
This will be achieved by triaging, & treating patients during consultations over the telephone, video calls, face to face appointments at the surgeries & home visits. You will be able to recognise, assess & refer patients to alternative Care Services where required. The Paramedic will diagnosis, treat & assist the prevention of long-term conditions of patients & promote healthier lifestyles. To ensure continuity of care & effective treatment you will be required to maintain accurate clinical records using the clinical systems in place.
You will be encouraged to have an input in clinical meetings at both Practice & PCN level, presenting any ideas/ role includes contribution to projects, audits, Reviews & Support with safeguarding matters. We embrace Continued Development of staff. Therefore you will be encouraged & supported in developing your skills/qualifications as a Paramedic Practitioner. In turn you will be required to support junior members of the team, providing guidance when necessary.
About us
The Cygnet Primary Care Network is an established Network serving 45,000 patients across 4 GP Practices in High Wycombe, a large, diverse town in Buckinghamshire.
You will become a key part of the team, already consisting of experienced GPs, supported by organised Nurses/Health Care Assistants, management and administrative teams as well as pharmacists, social prescribers and other Paramedics.
There is a friendly atmosphere established at all sites, a long with a 'can do' work ethic. There is a loyal and well established team in place, with a low staff turnover rate.
All staff are invited to have an input into the development and smooth running of the PCN.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The following are the core responsibilities of the paramedic practitioner. There may be on occasion a requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent on factors such as workload and staffing levels. The paramedic practitioner will work within their scope of clinical practice and:
a. Identify, signpost or refer patients at risk of developing long-term conditions, preventing adverse effects on the patient’s health
b. Provide routine care to patients as required in accordance with clinically based evidence, NICE and the NSF
c. Examine, assess and diagnose patients and provide clinical care/management as required
d. Triage patients and provide the necessary treatment during home visits
e. Triage and treat or refer patients who attend the Practice minor illness clinic
f. Collect pathology specimens as required
g. Maintain accurate clinical records in line with extant legislation
h. Ensure that read codes are used effectively
i. Ensure continuity of care, arranging follow-up consultations or reviews as necessary
j. Review the effectiveness of the treatment provided, making changes where necessary to improve patient outcomes
k. Chaperone patients where necessary
l. Prioritise health issues and intervene appropriately
m. Act as the lead clinician when dealing with clinical emergencies
n. Recognise, assess and refer patients presenting with mental health needs
o. Support patients in the use of their prescribed medicines or over-the-counter medicines (within own scope of practice)
p. Liaise with external services/agencies to ensure that the patient is supported appropriately (vulnerable patients, etc.)
q. Ensure that they adhere to the relevant patient group directives and local clinical pathways at all times
r. Support the clinical team with all safeguarding matters, in accordance with local and national policies
s. Understand practice and local policies for substance abuse and addictive behaviour, referring patients appropriately
t. Deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate
Secondary responsibilities
In addition to the primary responsibilities, the paramedic practitioner may be requested to:
a. Support the practice audit programme, undertaking audits when necessary
b. Support junior members of the team, providing guidance when necessary
c. Participate in local initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient care
d. Support and participate in shared learning within the practice
e. Continually review clinical practices, responding to national policies and initiatives where appropriate
f. Participate in the review of significant and near-miss events, applying a structured approach, root cause analysis (RCA)
g. Take personal responsibility for own learning and development, including the requirement to maintain currency, achieving all targets set in own Personal Development Plan (PDP)
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
1. Experience in triage
2. Experience of dealing with a range of clinical conditions
Desirable
3. Experience of working in a primary care environment
4. Experience of working as a paramedic practitioner
Clinical Knowledge & Skills
Essential
5. Ability to effectively triage, assess and diagnose
6. Wound care
7. ECGs
8. Chaperone procedure
9. Diabetes
10. Hypertension
11. Asthma
12. Understands the importance of evidence-based practice
13. Broad knowledge of clinical governance
14. Ability to record accurate clinical notes
15. Ability to work within own scope of practice and understanding of when to refer to GPs
Desirable
16. Requesting pathology tests and processing the results, advising patients accordingly
17. Spirometry
18. CHD
19. Immunisations (routine, childhood and travel)
20. Knowledge of public health issues in the local area
21. Awareness of issues within the wider health arena
22. Knowledge of health-promotion strategies
23. Understands the requirement for PGDs and associated policy
Qualifications
Essential
24. Registered Paramedic (HCPC)
Desirable
25. Postgraduate diploma or degree (primary care)
Skills, Personal Qualities & Other Requirements
Essential
26. Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
27. Strong IT skills
28. Clear, polite telephone manner
29. Competent in the use of Office and Outlook
30. EMIS / SystmOne / Vision user skills
31. Effective time management (planning & organising)
32. Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
33. Good interpersonal skills
34. Problem-solving & analytical skills
35. Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure
36. Polite and confident
37. Flexible and cooperative
38. Motivated, forward thinker
39. Problem-solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required
40. High levels of integrity and loyalty
41. Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
42. Ability to work under pressure / in stressful situations
43. Effectively able to communicate and understand the needs of the patient
44. Commitment to ongoing professional development
45. Effectively utilises resources
46. Punctual and committed to supporting the team effort
47. Flexibility to work outside core office hours
48. Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check
49. Occupational Health clearance
50. HCPC registration
Desirable
51. Understanding of the audit process
52. Understanding of clinical risk management