JOB DESCRIPTION JOB TITLE General Practice Paramedic REPORTS TO: PRACTICE MANAGER (ADMIN) & PARTNERS (CLINICAL) HOURS: 25 hrs per week Job Summary The role will involve working as an autonomous, accountable Paramedic, in the provision of a holistic approach for individuals including assessment, diagnosis and treatment to deliver quality patient services. The post holder will use advanced clinical skills to provide education to patients and service users, promoting self-care and empower them to make informed choices about their treatment. The post holder will assess, diagnose, treat, refer or signpost patients and or service users who attend the surgery with undifferentiated or undiagnosed conditions relating to minor illness or minor injury. The post holder will coordinate telephone triage, taking clinical responsibility for all patients who have requested an urgent appointment. The post holder will perform any other clinical and clinical administrative duties where trained and determined safe to do so by the organisation. This may include assisting with medical reports, safeguarding, and clinic support Scope and purpose of the role A Paramedic is authorised to undertake treatments and procedures for which they are trained, and which are within the College of Paramedic Guidelines in line with the Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) standards framework. The postholder will have access to appropriate clinical supervision and an appropriate named individual in the practice to provide general advice and support on a day-to-day basis. To deliver a high standard of patient care using advanced autonomous clinical skills with in-depth theoretical knowledge and evidence-based practice working with the support and guidance from the GPs and other Independent clinicians working within the practice and community. To manage a clinical caseload and deal with presenting patients needs in both a general practice setting and at the nursing and care homes. To provide clinical leadership where appropriate within the MDT, supporting other members of the team to develop and maintain clinical skills appropriate to your role and expertise. Primary Duties and Areas of Responsibility Assess and triage patients, including same day triage, and as appropriate provide definitive treatment or make necessary referrals to other members of the practice team. Advise patients on general healthcare and promote self-management where appropriate, including signposting patients to other community or voluntary services and to self-care. Be able to: i. perform specialist health checks and reviews ii. perform and interpret ECGs; alongside other results as appropriate iii. perform investigatory procedures as required iv. undertake the collection of pathological specimens including intravenous blood samples, swabs, etc. v. perform investigatory procedures needed by patients and those requested by GPs vi. perform a domiciliary (home/nursing or care home) visit Support the delivery of anticipatory care and end of life care plans. Provide an alternative model to urgent and same day home visits for the practice and undertake clinical audits. Communicate at all levels across the practice and other organisations, ensuring effective, patient-centred service. Communicate proactively and effectively with all colleagues across the multi-disciplinary team, attending and contributing to meetings as required and accepting referrals and referring to specialist services where appropriate. Prescribe, issue and review medications as appropriate following policy, patient group directives, NICE (national) and local clinical guidelines and local care pathways. This will be done in accordance with evidence-based practice and national and practice protocols, and within scope of practice N.B relevant if possesses prescribing qualification only. Assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate treatment and or interventions and care for patients presenting with an undifferentiated diagnosis, and patients with complex needs within the clinical and domiciliary setting. Clinically examine and assess patient needs from a physiological and psychological perspective, and plan clinical care accordingly Prioritise health problems and intervene appropriately to assist the patient in complex, urgent or emergency situations, including initiation of effective emergency care. Take an active part in achievement of contractual markers. Implement and participate in vaccination programmes as appropriate. Professional Development Maintain continued education by attendance at courses and study days as deemed useful or necessary for professional development. Disseminate learning and information gained to other team members in order to share good practice and inform others about current and future developments (e.g. courses and conferences) Assess own learning needs and undertake learning as appropriate General Staff must behave in a professional and discreet manner at all times. Patient and professional confidentiality is of prime importance. Any breach of confidentiality can result in immediate suspension/dismissal Confidentiality: In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately In the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the Practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the Practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the Practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data Health & Safety: The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the Practice Health & Safety Policy, to include: Using personal security systems within the workplace according to Practice guidelines Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards. Reporting potential risks identified. 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 Practice procedures and policies, and current legislation Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights. In addition, the post holder will carry out the following: Become familiar with and use any of the practice computer or other systems as required to fulfil the duties of the post. Accept and be bound by all policies, guidelines and protocols regarding the necessary running and administration of the Practice especially those concerned with patient confidentiality and welfare. As a term of employment, any other duties as may be assigned that are deemed to be commensurate with the grade and expectations of the post. All of the above activities are governed by operational policies, procedures and standards as well as legislation and professional standards and guidelines. Special requirements and required competences of the post Ability to use own judgment, resourcefulness and be able to work under pressure without direct supervision. To have excellent communication skills and patience. To be reliable and flexible. Ability to work within a team Ability to communicate with people at all levels Ability to show initiative during working tasks in conjunction line with advised protocols and procedures The duties in this job description are not exhaustive and will be reviewed periodically with the post holder, to ensure that they relate to the job as then being performed or to incorporate whatever changes are being proposed to meet both organisational requirements and the needs of the post holder. It is our aim to reach agreement on reasonable changes, but if agreement is not possible the Practice reserves the right to insist on changes to your job description after consultation with you. The post holder is required to carry out any duties that may reasonably by requested by the Partners or the Practice Manager.