The Advanced Clinical Practitioner is an experienced clinician (nurse, paramedic, pharmacist) who has undertaken or is willing to work towards Masters level education covering the four pillars of advanced practice (clinical practice, leadership and education, research, education) and is an independent prescriber.
Responsibilities
- Work autonomously within a health‑care team consisting of Team Leaders, Advanced Clinical Practitioners, Duty Doctors, Drivers, Call Handlers and Receptionists.
- Communicate effectively and professionally with all staff members across varying team compositions.
- Deal with diverse clinical calls as part of a national service, recognising the cultural, social and emotional diversity of callers during consultations.
- Use a multi‑skilled approach, effectively listening, communicating and integrating technology, clinical records and reference literature in decision making.
- Retrieve and use information regarding local healthcare provision to access appropriate care where necessary.
- Assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate treatment or interventions for patients presenting with an undifferentiated diagnosis.
- Diagnose and manage both acute and chronic conditions, integrating drug‑ and non‑drug‑based treatment methods into a management plan.
- Prescribe and review medication for therapeutic effectiveness in accordance with evidence‑based practice and national protocols.
- Assist patients in compliance and adherence to prescribed treatments.
- Provide information and advice on prescribed or over‑the‑counter medication, including side‑effects and interactions.
- Prioritise health problems and intervene in complex or emergency situations, including initiation of effective emergency care.
- Identify and refer patients with mental health needs in accordance with NHS Scotland (NSF) for Mental Health.
- Provide face‑to‑face and telephone clinical assessment, treatment and management plans.
- Develop and evaluate clinical guidelines and competency tools to support practitioners in expanding their roles.
- Conduct comprehensive patient histories, carry out physical examinations, and use clinical judgement to identify potential diagnoses.
- Refer patients for investigations when necessary.
- Make final diagnoses and decide on treatment, including prescribing medication or referring to specialist services within agreed pathways and protocols.
- Ensure all treatments and care are based on best practice and evidence‑based care.
- Assess and evaluate, with the patient, the effectiveness of treatment and make changes as needed.
- Use independent prescribing skills for patient benefit.
- Identify and address risk to the patient, including:
- Emergency care needs requiring dispatch of a 999 ambulance.
- Safeguarding children and protection of vulnerable adults requiring referral to agencies in line with local policies.
- Work independently while contributing to the whole team, taking responsibility for managing own workload, risk assessment and management, acting within professional codes and seeking advice from the clinical team leader.
- Act as a clinical resource for non‑clinical staff requiring advice and support.
- Contribute to the development of a positive and productive team environment.
- Attend internal and external meetings as required and produce written and verbal reports supporting such meetings.
- Attend mandatory training as identified by the organisation and report incidents in line with policies.
- Maintain patient and staff confidentiality at all times and fulfil any other duties as agreed to meet organisational needs.
Communication
- Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising the need for alternative methods to overcome varying levels of understanding, cultural background and preferred communication.
- Anticipate barriers to communication and take action to improve communication.
- Be aware of responsibilities under the Data Protection Act.
- Attend regular team meetings.
- Provide a professional, courteous and efficient service consistent with organisational standards, maintaining a reassuring manner at all times.
- Utilise advanced listening, probing and facilitative skills across diverse cases, some highly challenging due to emotional circumstances, communication difficulties and patient anxiety.
- Use complex communication skills to negotiate and provide support to patients who may be non‑compliant with recommended outcomes.
- Utilise interpreter services, communication aids and other resources to address barriers to communication and understanding.
- Effectively use a range of communication methods (telephone, email, fax, letter and report writing) to facilitate communication at all levels within and external to the organisation.
Audit, Training and Development
- For clinical governance and training purposes, regular monitoring is a requirement of this job.
- Contribute to the achievement of service standards and performance requirements by participating in regular quality monitoring and individual performance reviews.
- Attend and contribute to meetings, workshops and other groups to support ongoing development of the service.
- Participate in audit, customer satisfaction programmes, research and other quality improvement activities.
- Participate in the investigation of incidents, complaints and other issues as required.
- Manage and maintain clinical records as required.
- Maintain active NMC registration.
About Us
Greenwich PCN Alliance Limited has been running since 2020 and consists of 4 PCNs: Blackheath and Charlton PCN, Eltham PCN, Heritage PCN and Unity PCN. Our aim is to support the improvement of primary care across Greenwich by providing support to Primary Care Networks (PCN) across Greenwich and recruiting Additional Roles via the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS).
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Live registration with professional body.
- Qualification that entitles basic registrations.
- Masters level study in advanced practices covering all four pillars (clinical practice, leadership & education, research, education).
- Independent/Supplementary prescriber.
Experience
- Experience of working as a practitioner in a GP surgery, primary care environment, emergency department, urgent care centre, MAU/EAU or other first‑contact setting, evidence of excellent assessment skills.
- Experience of telephone triage/assessment environment.
- Experience of working autonomously diagnosing and treating patients.
- Experience in mental health assessment.
- Experience in paediatric assessment.
- Knowledge of equal opportunities and its significance in health care.
- Awareness of mental health, child protection and safeguarding vulnerable adults issues.
- Experience of having participated in service improvement activities including audit and research.
- Experience in verification of death.
- Knowledge of national agendas in General Practice.
- Knowledge of service improvement activities including audit, research, reflective practice.
Skills
- Advanced clinical assessment skills including history taking/clinical examination.
- Use of expert knowledge and clinical judgement to identify potential diagnoses.
- Excellent communication, listening and interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrates advanced problem solving and decision making skills supported by evidence‑based practice.
- Ability to assimilate large quantities of information quickly and accurately and communicate it clearly.
- Able to work autonomously and as part of a team.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Ability to maintain accurate records.
- Ability to listen carefully to understand the needs of others.
- Ability to use information, technology and communications equipment efficiently.
- Ability to work under pressure whilst maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
- Self‑motivated with the ability to support and enthuse.
- Good organisational and prioritisation skills.
- Tactful and diplomatic.
- Ability to maintain professionalism.
- Ability to manage sensitive and emotive situations.
Personal Qualities
- Polite and confident.
- Flexible and cooperative.
- Motivated and a forward thinker.
- Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required.
- High levels of integrity and loyalty.
- Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations.
- Ability to work under pressure in stressful situations.
- Effective communication and understanding of patient needs.
- Commitment to ongoing professional development.
- Punctual and committed to supporting the team effort.
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.
