First Contact Paramedic

Job responsibilities

· Managing and treating new illness presentations. Including undifferentiated or undiagnosed conditions, minor illness, minor injury, acute emergencies and acute on chronic conditions.

· Triage and treat patients wishing to see a health care professional, making any necessary referrals to other members of the primary health care team

· 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 national and local (eg 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.

· Initiate and collect Pathological specimens and investigatory procedures as required by good clinical practice

Administration and professional responsibilities

· Participate in the administrative and professional responsibilities of the practice team

· Ensure the clinical computer system is kept up to date, with accurate details recorded and amended

· Ensure appropriate items of service claims are made accurately, reporting any problems to the practice administrator

· Ensure accurate completion of all necessary documentation associated with patient health care and registration with the practice

· Ensure collection and maintenance of statistical information required for regular and ad hoc reports and audit

· Attend and participate in practice meetings as required

Training and personal development

· Training requirements will be monitored by yearly appraisal and will be in accordance with practice requirements. Personal development will be encouraged and supported by the practice. It is the individuals’ responsibility to remain up to date with recent developments.

· Participate in the education and training of students of all disciplines and the introduction of all members of the practice team where appropriate.

· Maintain continued education by attendance at courses and study days as deemed useful or necessary for professional development, ensuring PREP requirements are met.

· If it is necessary to expand the role to include additional responsibilities, full training will be given.

· Develop and maintain a Personal Learning Plan

Collaborative Working

· Work closely with the multi-professional, management and administration teams to ensure the smooth running of the practice, reporting any problems encountered to the relevant person and ensuring everyone is aware of the different roles within the team

· There is also the need to establish and maintain good liaison with other surgeries, particularly those with the Swift Primary Care network and agencies, including secondary and social care.

· The role will involve collaborative working across the practices of the Swift Primary Care network and may require delivery of service from other sites across the network from time to time.

Meetings

It will be necessary to attend and contribute to various practice meetings as requested. The only reason for not attending will be annual, study or sick leave.

Qualifications

Essential

• BSc in a training programme approved by the College of Paramedics
• Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration
• Able to operate at an advanced level of clinical practice
• Framework for Higher Education Qualification (FHEQ) Level 7 or Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCOF) Level 11

Desirable

• Pre-reg MSc in a training programme approved by the College of Paramedics
• non-medical prescribing qualification
• Full UK driving license

Personal Attributes and Abilities

Essential

• excellent interpersonal and organisational skills
• excellent interpersonal and communication skills, able to influence and persuade others articulating a balanced view and able to constructively question information
• ability to negotiate effectively
• build effective relationships with a range of stakeholders which are based on openness, honesty trust and confidence
• strong and inspirational leadership
• ability to co-ordinate and prioritise workloads able to multi-task as well as be self-disciplined and highly motivated

Desirable

• clear communicator with
• excellent writing, report writing and presentation skills; capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences
• evidence of success in efficient and effective project and programme management
• evidence of inspiring and motivating teams with the ability to communicate passionately, effectively and persuasively across a diverse set of stakeholders
• high degree of personal credibility, emotional intelligence, patience and flexibility
• ability to cope with unpredictable situations
• confident in facilitating and challenging others
• demonstrates a flexible approach in order to ensure patient care is delivered

Experience

Essential

• experience in managing a designated caseload using theoretical and practical experience, completing assessments, planning, implementing interventions, and evaluating outcomes aligned to care plans
• working knowledge of Microsoft and GP practice and prescribing data monitoring systems
• ability to write comprehensive clinical notes, implement and evaluate care plans
• ability to evidence a sound understanding of the NHS principles and values
• ability to analyse and interpret complex/ often incomplete information, preempt and evaluate issues, and recommend and appropriate course of action to address the issues

Desirable

• working towards advanced clinical practitioner status
• mentorship or supervisory skills training
• be aware of data protection (GDPR) and confidentiality issues particularly within a PCN
• evidence of working across organisational boundaries within health and social care
• independent thinker with good judgement, problem-solving and analytical skills

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).