Job description

Job responsibilities

KEY TASKS AND DUTIES:

Diagnosing and treating patients presenting with minor illness and injury

• Triage and treat patients wishing to see a health care professional, making any necessary referrals to other members of the primary health care team
• Patients with problems needing referral to secondary care should be discussed with a GP before making such referral.
• 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
• Works from the PCN and within communities as an autonomous practitioner caring for patients and families.
• Works as an autonomous practitioner, in accordance with the Health Professions Council. Ensure that personal and professional clinical standards are maintained.
• To undertake assessment for patients within the community and those attending the surgery, using diagnostic skills and initiation of investigations where appropriate.
• To formally and informally impart knowledge and skills to colleagues promoting peer review and best practice within the work environment.
• To communicate at all levels within the team ensuring an effective service is delivered.
• To 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.
• Works with local policies and procedures.
• Enhance own performance through Continuous Professional Development, imparting own knowledge and behaviours to meet the needs of the service.
• To achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development in order to meet the needs of the service.
• To participate in the audit process, evaluation and implementing plans and practice change in order to meet patient need and maximise Quality & Outcome Framework (QoF) points
• Contribute positively to the effectiveness and efficiency of the team and work colleagues.

Pathological specimens and investigatory procedures

• Undertake the collection of pathological specimens including intravenous blood samples, swabs etc. Perform investigatory procedures requested by the GPs

Administration and professional responsibilities

• Participate in the administrative and professional responsibilities of the Braccan Health Network team
• Ensure accurate and legible notes of all consultations and treatments are recorded in the patients notes
• 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 PCN. 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 staff 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.
• Attendance at CCG structured learning afternoons (BASE)
• If it is necessary to expand the role to include additional responsibilities, full training will be given.
• Develop and maintain a Personal Learning Plan

Confidentiality

In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately.

In the performance of the duties outlined in this job description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, practice staff and other healthcare workers. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential.

Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other health care workers or the business of the Practices may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of sensitive data.

Job Limitations

At no time should the post holder work at a level outside their level of competence. If the post holder has concerns regarding this, they must discuss immediately with the supervising GP. All junior staff therefore have a responsibility to inform those supervising their duties, if they are not competent to perform a duty.

This job description is intended as a guide to the main duties of the post and is not intended to be a prescriptive document. Duties and base of work may change to meet the needs of the service or because of the introduction of new technology. This job description may be reviewed from time to time and changed, after consultation with the postholder.

Job responsibilities

KEY TASKS AND DUTIES:

Diagnosing and treating patients presenting with minor illness and injury

• Triage and treat patients wishing to see a health care professional, making any necessary referrals to other members of the primary health care team
• Patients with problems needing referral to secondary care should be discussed with a GP before making such referral.
• 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
• Works from the PCN and within communities as an autonomous practitioner caring for patients and families.
• Works as an autonomous practitioner, in accordance with the Health Professions Council. Ensure that personal and professional clinical standards are maintained.
• To undertake assessment for patients within the community and those attending the surgery, using diagnostic skills and initiation of investigations where appropriate.
• To formally and informally impart knowledge and skills to colleagues promoting peer review and best practice within the work environment.
• To communicate at all levels within the team ensuring an effective service is delivered.
• To 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.
• Works with local policies and procedures.
• Enhance own performance through Continuous Professional Development, imparting own knowledge and behaviours to meet the needs of the service.
• To achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development in order to meet the needs of the service.
• To participate in the audit process, evaluation and implementing plans and practice change in order to meet patient need and maximise Quality & Outcome Framework (QoF) points
• Contribute positively to the effectiveness and efficiency of the team and work colleagues.

Pathological specimens and investigatory procedures

• Undertake the collection of pathological specimens including intravenous blood samples, swabs etc. Perform investigatory procedures requested by the GPs

Administration and professional responsibilities

• Participate in the administrative and professional responsibilities of the Braccan Health Network team
• Ensure accurate and legible notes of all consultations and treatments are recorded in the patients notes
• 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 PCN. 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 staff 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.
• Attendance at CCG structured learning afternoons (BASE)
• If it is necessary to expand the role to include additional responsibilities, full training will be given.
• Develop and maintain a Personal Learning Plan

Confidentiality

In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately.

In the performance of the duties outlined in this job description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, practice staff and other healthcare workers. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential.

Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other health care workers or the business of the Practices may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of sensitive data.

Job Limitations

At no time should the post holder work at a level outside their level of competence. If the post holder has concerns regarding this, they must discuss immediately with the supervising GP. All junior staff therefore have a responsibility to inform those supervising their duties, if they are not competent to perform a duty.

This job description is intended as a guide to the main duties of the post and is not intended to be a prescriptive document. Duties and base of work may change to meet the needs of the service or because of the introduction of new technology. This job description may be reviewed from time to time and changed, after consultation with the postholder.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Paramedic with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) or Registered Nurse with Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
• DipHE/FDg in Paramedic Sciences or equivalent healthcare qualification
• Level 5 or 6 HEI module in Minor Injury/Illness or equivalent

Desirable

• BSc in Paramedic Sciences or other relevant healthcare qualification (or working towards)
• MSc in Paramedic Sciences or other relevant healthcare qualification (or working towards)
• Level 5 or 6 HEI module in telephone triage

Experience

Essential

• 4 yrs post-registration experience in a substantive post in pre-hospital care, Urgent Care Centre, Minor Injuries Unit or Primary Care
• Experience of lone working
• Phlebotomy skills
• Good communications skills with patients and Healthcare Professionals
• Good clinical judgement skills

Desirable

• Experience of telephone triage
• Knowledge of local healthcare facilities especially community services
• Primary Care experience

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Paramedic with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) or Registered Nurse with Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
• DipHE/FDg in Paramedic Sciences or equivalent healthcare qualification
• Level 5 or 6 HEI module in Minor Injury/Illness or equivalent

Desirable

• BSc in Paramedic Sciences or other relevant healthcare qualification (or working towards)
• MSc in Paramedic Sciences or other relevant healthcare qualification (or working towards)
• Level 5 or 6 HEI module in telephone triage

Experience

Essential

• 4 yrs post-registration experience in a substantive post in pre-hospital care, Urgent Care Centre, Minor Injuries Unit or Primary Care
• Experience of lone working
• Phlebotomy skills
• Good communications skills with patients and Healthcare Professionals
• Good clinical judgement skills

Desirable

• Experience of telephone triage
• Knowledge of local healthcare facilities especially community services
• Primary Care experience

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).

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Forest Health Group

Address

Ringmead

Birch Hill

Bracknell

Berkshire

RG12 7PG

Employer's website

https://www.foresthealthgroup.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)