Homeless Outreach Paramedic

Job responsibilities

KEY ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Manage Health Interventions

The post holder will have the responsibility for the autonomous management of their own caseload of patients, providing a comprehensive, specialist clinical service for patients with often complex health and social care needs. The post holder will provide a city wide service for patients that are homeless, many of whom are experiencing addiction, mental health and physical health problems. The post holder also has a key role in promoting and developing the role within the Street Outreach Team, Bradfords Homeless Outreach Project and Bevan House. The post holder will be expected to liaise with patients and members of the team within the organisation.

The Homeless Outreach Paramedic will be responsible for developing and implementing interventions in relation to substance misuse, wound management and addiction support which can often be complicated by a high incidence of complex comorbidities, mental health issues, learning difficulties, chaotic lifestyle choices, drug and alcohol issues.

The post holder will have responsibility for assisting with clinical governance activity within the organisation which will include the monitoring of standards of care and service, staff support, continuous professional development, supporting practice education, clinical supervision and the implementation of policy and clinical guidelines.

The post holder will promote a culture of engagement with patients which includes core principles and values. They will be responsible for assessment and delivery of care autonomously and expected to review effectiveness and interventions.

Works in partnership with General Practitioners, Consultants, Nursing and Social Care colleagues, community addiction staff and other primary/secondary care professionals. to manage patients with a range of acute, non-acute and chronic health conditions.

Refers patients as appropriate to other members of the multidisciplinary team, secondary care and to other statutory and voluntary organisations.

Provides and promotes evidence-based care in line with appropriate clinical guidelines and works within clinical protocols, professional guidelines and codes of conduct. Be familiar with all local, regional and national policies, procedures and guidelines in the pursuit of highest standards of patient care

Works within all relevant policies and procedural guidelines.

Challenge professional and organisational boundaries, identify areas for skill/knowledge development and apply these to practice to provide continuity and high quality patient health care.

Communicates highly sensitive condition related information to patients, relatives and carers.

Audits outcomes of care against standards and initiates changes as necessary.

2. Promote Health

Proactively works with the community and other statutory and voluntary agencies empowering, enabling, encouraging and supporting individuals, families and groups to address issues which affect their health and social well-being.

Initiates and carries out programmes of health screening.

3. Communication

Uses developed communication, negotiation, conflict management skills which require empathy, reassurance and persuasive skills where there can be significant barriers to acceptance which need to be overcome.

Keep accurate, contemporaneous documentation and care plans in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council/Health and Care Professions Council, local and national guidelines.

Develop effective communication links with other professionals and agencies across all boundaries, at all levels of the organisation including users, carers, social care and the voluntary sector to ensure effective delivery of care that provides the best outcome possible for service users.

To listen and empathise with the needs of individuals interfacing with the service adjusting communication styles accordingly. Work effectively with interpreters.

4. Training

To maintain competencies and professional development by regularly attending appropriate updates and workshops to ensure a high standard of quality care is delivered.

5. Manage/Lead Self/Others

Works collaboratively and in partnership with other practitioners on care practices, delivery and service development.

Plans and delivers own clinics.

Acts as a role model for other staff within the team and provides strong leadership across the organisation.

Research and facilitate change in practice designed to improve clinical outcomes and meet the needs of patients and care givers that are consistent with local/national standards and current research.

Works collaboratively as a team member to achieve the objectives of the team.

To recognise ethical and legal issues which have implications for nursing practice and clinical governance and contribute to the implementation of systems to ensure clinical governance processes.

Partakes in clinical supervision for own development.

Actively participates in clinical and practice meetings.

Acts as mentor for nurses, HCAs, AHPs and other professionals.

Acts with honesty and integrity at all times and acts as a positive ambassador for Bevan Healthcare. Understands the social enterprise model and ethos.

Undertake appropriate mandatory training.

Participate in networking and sharing practice events with other professionals within the locality.

Working within the guidelines and protocols of the Nursing and Midwifery Council/Health and Care Professions Council, foster an empowering attitude with colleagues.

Lead and manage projects as appropriate including outreach services.

6. Educator

Provides expert advice on educational opportunities relating to specialist knowledge and skills in clinical practice at an individual, team and organisational level to facilitate and ensure the development and support of both standard and advanced nursing practice.

Assist with the recognition, assessment and development of the learning needs of colleagues, participating in the creation, delivery and evaluation of learning opportunities that fulfil these requirements.

7. Management and Use of Information

Obtain, analyse, share and use current information for decision making.

Use information as a basis to raise standards of practice and service delivery

Participate in research and clinical audit projects/QOF/KPIs.

Foster a culture of lifelong learning to colleagues and students.

8. Research and Development

Regular involvement in research/evaluation and/or development work which may be as part of one or more formal research programmes or activities.

Supports practitioners to undertake audit within service specific areas.

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Paramedic
• Undergraduate degree Paramedic Science or equivalent degree level training
• Relevant post registration experience working with patients with complex needs
• Evidence of continuing professional development

Desirable

• Mentor/teaching qualification
• Previous experience of working with people who are homeless or socially excluded
• Independent prescribing

Experience

Essential

• Demonstrate the application of evidenced based practice
• Able to demonstrate a depth and breadth of current issues and policies within the NHS and inclusion healthcare and have the ability to translate into practice
• High level of clinical skills and competency relevant to the role
• Understanding and experience of interagency working and adult/child safeguarding
• Wound management skills/knowledge or willingness to develop these skills
• Able to communicate highly complex, highly sensitive and/or contentious information, including where there are barriers to understanding
• Demonstrate high level of self-awareness i.e. strengths and weaknesses, personal qualities and skills
• IT skills
• Able to communicate with a wide range of people at all levels of the organisation

Desirable

• Public health experience
• Experience of working with vulnerable migrants, homeless and other vulnerable groups
• Experience of teaching/mentoring students/groups
• Experience in research, audit and benchmarking
• Experience of clinical governance and risk assessment
• Experience of working with interpreters

Mental & Emotional Efforts

Essential

• Frequent periods of concentration. Work pattern unpredictable and multi-tasking required
• Occasional requirement for prolonged concentration
• Occasionally required to work outside normal working hours and across other sites within the organisation
• Able to deal with exposure to distressing circumstances, or highly emotional events
• Able to cope with exposure to aggressive behaviour

Deposition/Personal

Essential

• Demonstrates motivation, reliability and commitment to team working and development of others
• Flexibility, commitment and adaptability. Can demonstrate an ability to value others opinions
• Committed to the social enterprise model of business and patient care

Desirable

• Commitment to reducing health inequalities

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).