Job responsibilities
THE ACCP CLINICAL ROLE
Undertakes comprehensive clinical assessment of a patient’s condition
Requests, performs and interprets data from diagnostic tests eg blood gases, pathology and medical imaging investigations
Initiates and manages clinical treatment plans
Provides accurate and effective handovers
Undertakes invasive interventions within scope of practice including the insertion of arterial catheters, central venous catheters, Vascath’s, PICC’s, midlines, peripheral venous catheters, nasogastric tubes and urinary catheters.
Undertake advanced airway management, including endotracheal intubation in accordance with FICM’s Advanced airway management for Advanced Critical Care Practitioners skills framework.
Initiates and adjusts mechanical ventilation and other forms of respiratory support
If trained and competent to do so undertakes point of care ultrasound examinations to assist with clinical assessment and decision making
Provides professional leadership and support within a multidisciplinary team
Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge across a range of subject areas relevant to the field of critical care
Critically analyses, evaluates and synthesises different sources of information for the purpose of assessing and managing the care of a critically ill patient.
Applies the principles of diagnosis and clinical reasoning that underlie clinical judgement and decision making.
Applies theory to practice through a clinical decision-making model
Initiates emergency treatment plans for unanticipated clinical conditions.
Undertakes inter and intra-hospital transfers of level 2 and 3 patients
Understands the professional accountability and legal frameworks for advanced practice, fulfils the requirement of the FICM ACCP Curriculum
Applies the principles of evidence-based practice to the management of the critically ill patient
As an Independent Non-Medical Prescriber, prescribe in accordance with HSC’s policy.
If appropriately qualified as in accordance with HSC’s non-medical authorisation blood components policy, authorise the administration of blood products (Policy not yet approved)
Understands and performs clinical audit
COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIP SKILLS
Actively supports patients and their families through communicating difficult and highly complex information using a variety of methods to ensure effective understanding in a timely manner. Including test results and treatment options.
Communicates complex information to patients/carers during the consent process prior to commencement of treatment plans and invasive procedures including explaining treatment options.
Proactively supports patients and carers in coming to terms with their illness/condition.
Ensures effective communication is maintained between members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure appropriate individuals are informed of changes to the patient’s conditions or treatment plan.
Provides empathy and reassurance through understanding the quality of life issues associated with their illness/condition.
Supports the Consultant Intensivist and other medical staff, in providing patients with treatment plans on critical care.
Exchanges information with patients and staff regarding appointments, admissions, discharges and follow up care in verbal and written form.
Makes direct referrals to other members of the Health Care Team
Provide professional leadership and support within a multi-professional team
Maintains accurate and up to date paper and electronic patient records ensuring security of such information.
Core member of the Critical Care multidisciplinary team providing specialist ACCP knowledge working closely with the Clinical Site Co-Ordinator team
KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
Uses specialist knowledge, leadership and expertise to assess, plan and implement care
Interventions for patients requiring critical care for monitoring and organ support.
Uses expertise to recommend adjustments/amendments to treatment plans, in consultation with patients, to members of the multi professional team.
Maintains up to date knowledge in the specialist field, using information to affect change in practice and ensuring the effective dissemination of new knowledge.
Will interpret new knowledge to ensure that practice is up to date and in line with current thinking.
The Advanced Critical Care Practitioner is accountable for their own professional actions.
Has obtained the theoretical and practical knowledge to a level that allows the job responsibilities to be delivered to a high standard.
Maintains a professional portfolio providing evidence of clinical practice to be discussed at annual appraisal.
Develop, organise and contribute to teaching on study days and training sessions.
Attends / completes additional training required to fulfil the role eg FICM optional skills frameworks
Maintain compliance with Mandatory training
Participates in the supervision and mentorships of students and other trainees
Undertakes and participates in clinical supervision
Will be in possession of UK Resuscitation Council Advanced Life Support Provider qualification
PROFESSIONAL AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsible for managing and prioritising own workload against the needs of patients and service requirements
With the support of the Critical Care Manager and Consultants, makes representation as appropriate at various meetings providing feedback to the organisation on clinical and professional issues which have an impact on care and standards of practice within the sphere of responsibility
Participates in service development. Writes protocols, guidelines and procedures for own remit which impacts on members of the multidisciplinary team. Develops and evaluates these protocols, guidelines and procedures using current literature and research.
Implement policies informing members of the multidisciplinary team of any changes.
Liaise with the Consultant Intensivist, and Senior Leaders in the development of Critical Care services, contributes ideas and makes recommendations for service improvements.
Complies with hospital policies and guidelines including infection control procedures.
Reports and removes from service faulty equipment
Actively participates and contributes to the clinical governance agenda, e.g. by ensuring that training programmes are regularly updated, by providing annual reports and undertaking regular benchmarking of clinical practices.
If required to participates in the recruitment and selection criteria
FREEDOM TO ACT
The Advanced Critical Care Practitioner will have a high degree of autonomy and authority to make clinical decisions, supported by an appropriate medical professional within the scope of his/her professional practice.
The ACCP will plan their workload using organisational and National guidance, policies and professional code of conduct in accordance to the needs of the patient group
When qualified as a non-medical independent prescriber, may prescribe medications within their sphere of competence and in accordance with local policy.
Uses own initiative, acts independently and take appropriate actions
