Advanced Nurse Practitioner

Job responsibilities

The following are the core responsibilities of the Advanced Clinical Practitioner. There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks. This will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels:

a) Practice in compliance with their respective code of professional conduct and within their scope of practice, being responsible and accountable for their decisions, actions and omissions at this level of practice

b) Demonstrate a critical understanding of their broadened level of responsibility and autonomy and the limits of own competence and professional scope of practice, including when working with complexity, risk, uncertainty and incomplete information

c) Act on professional judgement about when to seek help, demonstrating critical reflection on own practice, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and openness to change

d) Work in partnership with individuals, families and carers, using a range of assessment methods as appropriate

e) Demonstrate effective communication skills, supporting people in making decisions, planning care or seeking to make a positive change

f) Use expertise and decision-making skills to inform clinical reasoning

g) Initiate, evaluate and modify a range of interventions which may include prescribing medicines, therapies, lifestyle advice and care

h) Exercise professional judgement to manage risk

i) Manage patients presenting with a range of acute and chronic medical conditions, providing subject matter expert advice

j) Identify, manage and support patients at risk of developing long-term conditions, preventing adverse effects to the patients health

k) Be a professional role model for the organisation

l) Actively engage in peer review to inform own and others practice, formulating and implementing strategies to act on learning and make improvements

m) Actively seek feedback and involvement from individuals, families, carers, communities and colleagues in the co-production of service improvements

n) Critically assess and address own learning needs, negotiating a personal development plan that reflects the breadth of ongoing professional development across the four pillars of advanced clinical practice (clinical practice, leadership and management, education and research).

o) Maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with extant legislation and to ensure SNOMED CT codes are used effectively

p) Critically appraise and synthesise the outcome of relevant research, evaluation and audit, using the results to underpin own practice and to inform that of others

q) Develop and implement robust governance systems and contribute to practice targets (QOF, etc.), complying with local and regional guidance

r) Chaperone patients where necessary

s) Support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies

t) Support the team with all safeguarding matters in accordance with local and national policies

u) Understand practice and local policies for substance abuse and addictive behaviour, referring patients appropriately

v) Deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate.

In addition to the main responsibilities, the Advanced Clinical Practitioner may be requested to:

a. Support the IPC lead, ensuring compliance, and undertaking audit as necessary

b. Monitor and ensure the safe storage, rotation and disposal of medicines

c. Act as a mentor to students and newly qualified staff

d. Participate in local initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient care

e. Support and participate in shared learning within the organisation

f. Develop an area of specialist interest, taking the lead within the organisation

g. Continually review clinical practices, responding to national policies and initiatives where appropriate

h. Participate in the review of significant and near-miss events applying a structured approach i.e., root cause analysis (RCA)

i. Commensurate with their role, support the development of clinical services within the organisation, liaising with external agencies and professional organisations as required

j. Develop practice administrative and clinical protocols in line with the needs of the patient and current legislation.

Clinical knowledge and skills

Essential

• Understand the importance of evidence-based practice.
• Broad knowledge of clinical governance.
• Ability to record accurate clinical notes.
• Ability to work within own scope of practice and understand when to seek advice.
• Knowledge of health promotion strategies.
• Understand the requirement for PGDs and associated policy.
• Polite and confident, flexible and cooperative.
• Motivated, forward thinker.
• Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately.
• High levels of integrity and loyalty.
• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations.
• Enhanced Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check
• Occupational health clearance
• Meet the requirements and produce evidence for revalidation
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) commensurate with the role of an ACP
• Access to own transport and ability to travel within the practice boundary
• Flexibility to work outside core office hours

Desirable

• Knowledge of public health issues in the local area.
• Awareness of issues within the wider health arena.

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualified healthcare professional
• Educated to Masters degree as detailed within the HEE document tilted Multi-professional framework for advanced clinical practice in England
• Registered on the appropriate professional register

Desirable

• Qualified independent prescriber
• Teaching qualification
• ALS and PALS

Experience

Essential

• Experienced of working within the four pillars of advanced practice.
• Has worked to a job plan that has demonstrated advanced clinical practice and has equity.
• Experience of working in general practice or within a primary care environment, in a similar capacity.

Desirable

• Experience of prescribing and undertaking medication reviews.

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).