ANP/UCP

Job responsibilities

Clinical practice

Assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate treatment/interventions and care for patients presenting with an undifferentiated diagnosis

Clinically examine and assess patient needs from a physiological and psychological perspective, and plan clinical care accordingly

Assess, diagnosis, plan, implement and evaluate interventions/treatments for patients with complex needs Proactively identify, diagnose and manage treatment plans for patients at risk of developing a long-term condition (as appropriate)

Diagnose and manage both acute and chronic conditions, integrating both drug- and non-drug-based treatment methods into a management plan

Prescribe and review medication for therapeutic effectiveness, appropriate to patient needs and in accordance with evidence-based practice and national and practice protocols, and within scope of practice

Work with patients in order to support compliance with and adherence to prescribed treatments Provide information and advice on prescribed or over-the-counter medication on medication regimens, side-effects and interactions

Prioritise health problems and intervene appropriately to assist the patient in complex, urgent or emergency situations, including initiation of effective emergency care

Support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that promote healthy lifestyles, and apply principles of self-care

Support and manage health needs of women presenting for family planning, cervical cytology or sexual health consultation

Assess, identify and refer patients presenting with mental health needs in accordance with the NSF for Mental Health Implement and participate in vaccination and immunisation programmes for both adults and children

Advise, support and administer vaccinations for patients travelling abroad, where appropriate

Promote and deliver evidence-based care for patients presenting with aural conditions

Meet the needs of patients presenting for opportunistic wound care

Undertake minor surgery as appropriate to competence

. Assessment upon admission of new patients to care homes

. Proactive, timely and consistent weekly support to the care home

. Timely same day response to the in-reach teams where appropriate e.g. CRIS

. Advanced end of life care planning to include ReSPECT discussions and development of Personalised Care and Support Plans.

. Support prescribing anticipatory care medications where appropriate

. Fully document all aspects of patient care and complete all required paperwork for legal and administrative purposes.

Communication

Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles, to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment

Communicate with and support patients who are receiving bad news

Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising the need for alternative methods of communication to overcome different levels of understanding, cultural background and preferred ways of communicating

Anticipate barriers to communication and take action to improve communication

Maintain effective communication within the practice environment and with external stakeholders

Act as an advocate for patients and colleagues

Ensure awareness of sources of support and guidance (eg PALS) and provide information in an acceptable format to all patients, recognising any difficulties and referring where appropriate

Delivering a quality service

Recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct as regulated by the NMC

Produce accurate, contemporaneous and complete records of patient consultation, consistent with legislation, policies and procedures

Prioritise, organise and manage own workload in a manner that maintains and promotes quality

Deliver care according to NSF, NICE guidelines and evidence-based care

Assess effectiveness of care delivery through self and peer review, benchmarking and formal evaluation

Initiate and participate in the maintenance of quality governance systems and processes across the organisation and its activities

Utilise the audit cycle as a means of evaluating the quality of the work of self and the team, implementing improvements where required

In partnership with other clinical teams, collaborate on improving the quality of health care responding to local and national policies and initiatives as appropriate

Evaluate patients response to health care provision and the effectiveness of care

Support and participate in shared learning across the practice and wider organisation

Use a structured framework to manage, review and identify learning from patient complaints, clinical incidents and near-miss events

Assess the impact of policy implementation on care delivery

Working with the practice management monitor and develop the performance of the GPN team in accordance with local policies

Contribute to the appraisal of the performance of the team, providing feedback as appropriate

Understand and apply legal issues that support the identification of vulnerable and abused children and adults, and be aware of statutory child/vulnerable patients health procedures and local guidance

Working with practice management to ensure the whole team have skills and knowledge regarding domestic violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive behaviour. Provide guidance and support to ensure appropriate referral if required

Leadership personal and people development

Act as a clinical leader in the delivery of practice nursing services ensuring that the needs of the patient are a priority

Take responsibility for own learning and performance including participating in clinical supervision and acting as a positive role model

Support staff development in order to maximise potential

Actively promote the workplace as a learning environment, encouraging everyone to learn from each other and from external good practice

Encourage others to make realistic self-assessment of their application of knowledge and skills, challenging any complacency or actions that are not in the interest of the public and/or users of services

Critically evaluate and review innovations and developments that are relevant to the area of work

Enlist support and influence stakeholders and decision-makers in order to bring about new developments in the provision of services

Work with practice management to ensure sufficient staff of appropriate ability, quality and skill-mix are available to meet current and future service delivery, that selection and recruitment processes are effective and that equality of treatment of the team incorporates quality HR principles and processes

Contribute to the development of local guidelines, protocols and standards

Maintain effective communication with those responsible for the overall commissioning and procurement process

Maintain active involvement in the planning and processes of practice-based commissioning or similar initiatives

Promote the role of the advanced nurse practitioner in general practice

Team working

Understand own role and scope and identify how this may develop over time

Work as an effective and responsible team member, supporting others and exploring the mechanisms to develop new ways of working

Delegate clearly and appropriately, adopting the principles of safe practice and assessment of competence

Create clear referral mechanisms to meet patient need

Prioritise own workload and ensure effective time-management strategies are embedded within the culture of the team

Work effectively with others to clearly define values, direction and policies impacting upon care delivery

Discuss, highlight and work with the team to create opportunities to improve patient care

Manage and lead on the delivery of specifically identified services or projects as agreed with the practice management team

Agree plans and outcomes by which to measure success

Management of risk

Manage and assess risk within the areas of responsibility, ensuring adequate measures are in place to protect staff and patients

Monitor work areas and practices to ensure they are safe and free from hazards and conform to health, safety and security legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines

Ensure appropriate supervision of safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs. Oversee the monitoring, stock control and documentation of controlled drug usage according to legal requirements where appropriate

Working with the practice management, ensure the nursing team has access to and undertakes mandatory and statutory training requirements

Apply infection-control measures within the practice according to local and national guidelines

Advocate for policies that reduce environmental health risks, are culturally sensitive and increase access to health care for all

Interpret national strategies and policies into local implementation strategies that are aligned to the values and culture of general practice

Managing information

Use technology and appropriate software as an aid to management in planning, implementation and monitoring of care, presenting and communicating information

Review and process data using accurate Read codes in order to ensure easy and accurate information retrieval for monitoring and audit processes

Manage information searches using the internet and local library databases

Understand responsibility of self and others to the practice and primary care trust regarding the Freedom of Information Act

Collate, analyse and present clinical data and information to the team

Communicate essential financial restraints with the team and discuss with them ideas for effective and efficient working within these constraints

Manage, if agreed, the nursing budget within financial principles

Skills

Essential

• Clinical leadership skills
• Communication skills, both written and verbal
• Communication of difficult messages to patients and families
• Negotiation and conflict management skills
• Change management
• Teaching and mentorship clinical setting
• Resource management

Other

Essential

• Self-directed practitioner
• Highly motivated
• Flexibility
• Enthusiasm
• Team player
• Ability to work across boundaries
• Meets DBS reference standards and criminal records check
• Access to own transport and ability to travel across the locality, including to visit people in their own homes

Knowledge

Essential

• Advanced clinical practice skills
• Management of patients with long-term conditions
• Management of patients with complex needs
• Clinical examination skills
• Accountability of own role and other roles in a nurse-led service
• Local and national health policy
• Wider health economy
• Clinical governance issues in primary care
• Patient group directions and associated policy

Desirable

• Knowledge of public health issues
• Able to identify determinants on health in the area
• Knowledge of public health issues in the area

Experience

Essential

• Significant post registration experience
• Recent primary care experience
• Management of minor illness, minor ailments and injuries
• Compiling protocols and clinical guidelines
• Clinical Leadership
• Audit
• Research
• Prescribing
• Ongoing evidence of CPD

Desirable

• Experience of working in care homes
• Project management
• Working with community development initiatives
• Health-needs assessment

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered first level professional
• MSc or equivalent
• Relevant nursing or health degree
• Mentor/teaching qualification
• Clinical supervision training and experience
• Extended/independent practitioner
• IP Qualification

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).