Primary Care Paramedic

Job responsibilities

Your role will require you to participate in all aspects of patient care through knowledge gained from your training. As a paramedic you will provide care for patients from initial history taking, clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment, prescribing and evaluation of their care and include on call responsibilities under ANP/GP supervision. You will also review patient documents and pathology results and assist in maintaining patient records. You will be working as part of an allied healthcare professional team including Pharmacists, Paramedics, Physicians Associates, Nurses and Healthcare Assistants, and will be supported and supervised by the lead Nurse Practitioner and assigned GP.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• The role will provide a Specialist / Advanced Paramedic resource for health care professionals and service users, working in collaboration with other members of the Multidisciplinary Team
• To work within the community, as an autonomous, accountable, Specialist / Advanced Paramedic, in the provision of a holistic approach for individuals including assessment, management and treatment, to deliver high quality patient services
• To assess, manage, treat, refer and/or signpost patients/service users who attend surgery with undifferentiated or undiagnosed condition relating to minor illness or minor injury
• The post holder will use advanced clinical skills to provide education to service users, promoting self-care and empower them to make informed choices about their treatment

CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Managing and treating patients presenting with minor illness
• Triage and treat patients wishing to see a health care professional, making any necessary referrals to other members of the primary health care team
• Patients with problems needing referral to secondary care should be discussed with the registered GP before making such referral
• Ensure clinical practice is safe and effective and remains within boundaries of competence, and to acknowledge limitations
• Advise patients on general health care and minor ailments, with referral to other members of the primary and secondary health care team as necessary
• Work from the surgery and within communities as an autonomous practitioner caring for patients and families
• Work as an autonomous practitioner, in accordance with the Health and Care Professions Council. Ensure that personal and professional clinical standards are maintained
• Undertake assessment for patients within the community and those attending the surgery, using diagnostic skills and initiation of investigations where appropriate
• Prescribe/issue medications as appropriate following policy, patient group directives NICE (national) and local clinical guidelines and local care pathways.
• Formally and informally impart knowledge and skills to colleagues promoting peer review and best practice within the work environment
• Communicate at all levels within the team ensuring an effective service is delivered
• Maintain accurate, contemporaneous healthcare records appropriate to the consultation
• Ensure evidenced-based care is delivered at the highest standards ensuring delivery of high-quality patient care
• Work within local policies and procedures
• Enhance own performance through Continuous Professional Development, imparting own knowledge and behaviours to meet the needs of the service
• Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development in order to meet the needs of the service
• Participate in the audit process, evaluation and implementing plans and practice change in order to meet patient need
• Actively participate in mentoring and supervision, plus practice-derived CPD opportunities
• Contribute positively to the effectiveness and efficiency of the team and work colleagues
• Pathological specimens and investigatory procedures
• Undertake the collection of pathological specimens including intravenous blood samples, swabs etc. Perform investigatory procedures needed by patients and those requested by the GPs

FLEXIBILITY

This job description is not intended to be exhaustive. The post-holder will be expected to adopt a flexible attitude towards the duties outlined which may be subject to amendment at any time in consultation with the post-holder and in line with the needs of the organisation.

The post holder may be required to fulfil other duties, as agreed with the practice manager to meet the needs of the organisation. This may involve travel to other sites within the organisation.

This job description is not exhaustive and may be adjusted periodically to reflect any changes to your role. You will also be expected to carry out any reasonable duties which may be requested from time to time.

Please see the supporting documents for all information.

The post holder has a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults in linewith the NHS Trusts safeguarding policies and procedures.

They must ensure that they are aware of, and work within, local and national safeguarding legislation,guidance and procedures. The post holder will be required to attend mandatory safeguarding trainingappropriate to their role and to act at all times to protect the safety and wellbeing of patients, serviceusers and colleges.

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the Practice.
• Highly motivated.
• Energy and enthusiasm and the ability to work under pressure.
• An enquiring and critical approach to work.
• Caring attitude to patients.
• Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, patients, relatives, and agencies.
• Commitment to Continuing Clinical Education and professional development.
• Ability to work autonomously.

Organisational Skills

Essential

• Ability to organise and prioritise workload effectively.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to exercise sound judgements when faced with conflicting pressures.
• Confident in using Email.
• Excellent record keeping skills.
• Sound IT knowledge.

Desirable

• Proficient in use of a GP IT system e.g. EMIS Web or SystmOne.

Experience

Essential

• Already working as a band 7 or higher paramedic.
• Advanced clinical practice skills.
• Clinical examination skills.
• Management of patients with common acute medical conditions.
• Management of patients with long-term conditions.
• Knowledge of NHS.
• Understanding of the current issues and challenges facing primary care.
• Experience of working to protocols, guidelines and Patient Group Directives.

Desirable

• Management of patients with complex needs.
• Experience of preventative medicine and chronic disease management.
• Experience of working to achieve standards within the Quality and Outcome Framework (QOF).
• Recent experience of working in UK General Practice environment.
• 2 years experience of working as an emergency care practitioner in one of the following:-
• General Practice
• WIC/MIU
• GP OOHs
• A&E

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Paramedic educated to degree/diploma level in Paramedicine or equivalent experience.
• Clinical skills qualifications or evidence of equivalent experience.
• It is essential that the post-holder holds a valid Non-Medical Prescribing qualification (V300) or is currently enrolled in/working towards completing an approved prescribing programme.

Communication and People Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to evidence in writing, verbally and through listening skills, personal understanding and use of English language.
• Enthusiastic and committed.

Professional and Multi-disciplinary team working

Essential

• Ability to work well with colleagues and within a team.

Clinical Effectiveness

Essential

• Experience of conducting clinical audit.
• Evidence of continual learning and development.

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).