Job summary
We are looking for a Primary Care Practitioner (Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Nurse Practitioner or Paramedic Practitioner) to join the newly merged 'Symphony North', which is part of Symphony Healthcare Services.
This vacancy is a permanent, part time post of 28.5 hours per week. Job share requests will be considered. Working pattern (hours and days) will be discussed at the interview stage if you are successfully shortlisted.
Symphony North delivers NHS general practice services under a General Medical Service contract to approximately 28,500 patients.
The practice is situated across three locations within a short distance from one another - the seaside towns of Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge, as well as the coastal village of Berrow.
The practice is registered with the Care Quality Commission to deliver the following regulated activities: Diagnostic and screening procedures; Family planning; Maternity and midwifery services; Surgical procedures and Treatment of disease, disorder or injury.
The medical centre offers a wide range of healthcare services, provided by a multidisciplinary team including GPs, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, Pharmacists, Practice Nurses and HCAs.
Main duties of the job
Primary Care Practitioners serve as the initial and ongoing point of contact for patients seeking healthcare. Their duties involve a holistic approach to patient well-being, encompassing diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and coordination of care across a patient's lifespan.
Primary care is central to patient care, acting as the "front door" of the health system and offering accessible, comprehensive support for the community.
About us
Symphony Healthcare Services Limited was established in 2016 as part of the award-winning Symphony Programme Vanguard, developing new models of care. We now support 16 practices across Somerset providing care for over 100,000 patients.
Symphony has developed a model where each practice is encouraged to operate autonomously, but as a subsidiary of NHS Somerset Foundation Trust (SFT), and with backing from a central support team (HR, finance, corporate and strategic management matters).
Providing NHS services is at the heart of what we do. Our vision is to ensure that primary care is sustainable for patients and practices in Somerset and we aim to be a national exemplar for primary care provision.
We work closely with our practice teams to grow, enhance and transform patient care and working practices, with innovation and technology at our core.
Symphony welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and underrepresented groups. When undertaking recruitment and selection for our services. We are committed to equality of opportunity for all.
Symphony offers many fantastic employee benefits, including the option to join a NHS or NEST pension scheme, plus varied salary sacrifice options (see attached poster), plus generous annual leave, flexible working from day one of employment and home working options where appropriate to the role.
Thank you for your interest in joining Symphony!
We look forward to hearing from you and receiving your application.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Core Clinical Duties
- Diagnosis and Treatment: PCPs assess undifferentiated and undiagnosed problems, take medical histories, perform physical examinations, and use clinical judgment to diagnose and treat a wide range of common illnesses and health conditions, from acute minor ailments to chronic diseases.
- Prescribing and Medication Management: They prescribe medications, recommend treatments, and monitor patient responses, ensuring safe and appropriate use in line with clinical guidelines.
- Preventive Care and Health Promotion: A major focus is on preventing illness through providing health education, counseling on lifestyle choices (e.g., diet, exercise, smoking cessation), administering immunizations, and coordinating screening programs (e.g., cancer screenings).
- Chronic Disease Management: PCPs provide ongoing support and management for patients with long-term conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma, aiming to keep them well and in their own homes.
- Referrals and Care Coordination: When necessary, they refer patients to specialists, hospitals, or other healthcare professionals (e.g., physiotherapists, mental health practitioners) and coordinate the integration of all care the patient receives to ensure a seamless healthcare journey.
- Minor Procedures: Some PCPs may perform minor surgeries or in-office procedures as part of their practice.
Administrative and Professional Responsibilities
- Documentation and Record Keeping: Maintaining clear, accurate, and contemporaneous digital patient records is essential for legal, administrative, and clinical governance purposes.
- Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration: PCPs work closely with a wider healthcare team, including nurses, pharmacists, and social prescribers, to provide comprehensive, person-centered care.
- Quality Improvement and Governance: They participate in activities such as clinical audits and quality improvement initiatives to ensure high standards of evidence-based, safe care and meet performance targets.
- Continuing Professional Development: PCPs are required to engage in ongoing learning and development to stay up to date with medical advancements and maintain their license to practice.
- Practice Management (for partners): PCPs who are partners in a practice also take on business and financial responsibilities, such as managing budgets and overseeing staff.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Core Clinical Duties
- Diagnosis and Treatment: PCPs assess undifferentiated and undiagnosed problems, take medical histories, perform physical examinations, and use clinical judgment to diagnose and treat a wide range of common illnesses and health conditions, from acute minor ailments to chronic diseases.
- Prescribing and Medication Management: They prescribe medications, recommend treatments, and monitor patient responses, ensuring safe and appropriate use in line with clinical guidelines.
- Preventive Care and Health Promotion: A major focus is on preventing illness through providing health education, counseling on lifestyle choices (e.g., diet, exercise, smoking cessation), administering immunizations, and coordinating screening programs (e.g., cancer screenings).
- Chronic Disease Management: PCPs provide ongoing support and management for patients with long-term conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma, aiming to keep them well and in their own homes.
- Referrals and Care Coordination: When necessary, they refer patients to specialists, hospitals, or other healthcare professionals (e.g., physiotherapists, mental health practitioners) and coordinate the integration of all care the patient receives to ensure a seamless healthcare journey.
- Minor Procedures: Some PCPs may perform minor surgeries or in-office procedures as part of their practice.
Administrative and Professional Responsibilities
- Documentation and Record Keeping: Maintaining clear, accurate, and contemporaneous digital patient records is essential for legal, administrative, and clinical governance purposes.
- Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration: PCPs work closely with a wider healthcare team, including nurses, pharmacists, and social prescribers, to provide comprehensive, person-centered care.
- Quality Improvement and Governance: They participate in activities such as clinical audits and quality improvement initiatives to ensure high standards of evidence-based, safe care and meet performance targets.
- Continuing Professional Development: PCPs are required to engage in ongoing learning and development to stay up to date with medical advancements and maintain their license to practice.
- Practice Management (for partners): PCPs who are partners in a practice also take on business and financial responsibilities, such as managing budgets and overseeing staff.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience of working in primary care
- Ability to assess and manage patient risk effectively and safely
Qualifications
Essential
- Qualified paramedic or Nurse or specialist paramedic registered with the appropriate professional body (AHP / NMC etc.).
- A minimum of 5 years Paramedic Practitioner / Nurse Practitioner work experience.
- GCSE or equivalent in English and Mathematics.
- A Level qualifications or equivalent.
Desirable
- Degree level qualification in a relevant, health-related subject.
- Post-graduate level qualification in a relevant, health-related subject.
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Knowledge of primary care operating environment.
- Excellent analytical skills, including analysis of data.
- Time management skills and the ability to prioritise workload.
- Demonstrable commitment to and focus on quality and safety.
- Strong IT skills.
Desirable
- Ability to collaborate constructively with internal and external partners to create the conditions for successful partnership working.
- Understanding of the South Somerset Symphony Programme and New Models of Care.
- Understanding of the NHS GP Contract.
- Use of EMIS searches and protocols.
- Able to multi-task and cope with an unpredictable work pattern.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Significant experience of working in primary care
- Ability to assess and manage patient risk effectively and safely
Qualifications
Essential
- Qualified paramedic or Nurse or specialist paramedic registered with the appropriate professional body (AHP / NMC etc.).
- A minimum of 5 years Paramedic Practitioner / Nurse Practitioner work experience.
- GCSE or equivalent in English and Mathematics.
- A Level qualifications or equivalent.
Desirable
- Degree level qualification in a relevant, health-related subject.
- Post-graduate level qualification in a relevant, health-related subject.
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Knowledge of primary care operating environment.
- Excellent analytical skills, including analysis of data.
- Time management skills and the ability to prioritise workload.
- Demonstrable commitment to and focus on quality and safety.
- Strong IT skills.
Desirable
- Ability to collaborate constructively with internal and external partners to create the conditions for successful partnership working.
- Understanding of the South Somerset Symphony Programme and New Models of Care.
- Understanding of the NHS GP Contract.
- Use of EMIS searches and protocols.
- Able to multi-task and cope with an unpredictable work pattern.
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).
Additional information
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).
