We have an exciting opportunity for a Paramedic to join the Shrewsbury Primary Care Network Home Visiting Service.
The position would suit an experienced Paramedic looking to make the move to primary care, with a fully structured and supported development programme. The role is funded by the ARRS scheme and requires all Paramedics to work towards a First Contact Practitioner Portfolio or Level 7 study, which is fully funded and supported by the network and ICB.
As part of the working week the Paramedic will benefit from at least one session per week working within a GP practice running a minor illness/triage clinic with supervision. This is specifically to support development as predominantly the role will involve lone working home visiting shifts. Joint education sessions by lead PCN clinicians will also be facilitated. There will also be the opportunity to work in our Winter Illness Centre, managing acute respiratory conditions during the winter period.
The Paramedic will be supported by a lead Paramedic/fully qualified ACP, and a dedicated Care Coordinator.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will act within their professional boundaries to provide clinical assessment and management of patients in their own home. These patients have been triaged and identified as requiring a home visit by a clinician at their own GP practice prior to the visit. A referral template is generated by the referring clinician. The post holder may also be required to see, assess and manage patients with urgent health conditions within a GP practice clinic setting as part of their development programme.
The primary responsibilities include:
* To holistically assess, diagnose, treat or signpost patients/service users who require a home visit with undifferentiated or undiagnosed conditions.
* To be confident in admitting patients to secondary care via the Care Co‑ordination Centre and in referring to other agreed pathways where appropriate.
* If the post holder has completed an independent prescribing qualification – they will be required to safely prescribe for a range of common, urgent conditions in line with their personal formulary.
* To identify the limitations of their own practice and liaise with senior colleagues where these limitations have been reached to ensure good quality patient care is maintained.
* To use advanced clinical skills to provide education to patients, promoting self‑care and empowering them to make informed choices about their treatment.
* Ongoing contribution to service development, transformation and improvement:
* Mentorship and supervision of junior colleagues and peers.
* Identifying own learning needs and proactively addressing these where appropriate. Engaging with formal and informal development activities.
* Being open to learning from other professionals including from General Practice and Nursing teams to expand their scope of practice.
* To have completed a First Contact Practitioner, Paramedic Portfolio, or equivalent level 7 qualification, including non‑medical Prescribing or be willing to undertake the FCP Portfolio or equivalent level 7 study with full support of the Primary Care Network and ICB funding.
Clinical Responsibilities
* Accurately and professionally document all patient contacts, following all relevant organisational policy and procedure.
* Take responsibility for the safe storage and administration of drugs and equipment.
* Participate in setting and monitoring standards to ensure effective care and delivery of evidence‑based practice.
* Ensure that professional standards are maintained and within the guidance by the Department of Health, the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the College of Paramedics (COP).
Team Working
* Understand own role and scope in the organisation and identify how this may develop over time.
* Work as an effective and responsible team member, supporting others and exploring mechanisms to develop new ways of working.
* When involved in delegation of tasks, delegate clearly and appropriately, adopting the principles of safe practice and assessment of competence of those taking on delegated duties.
* Ensure clear understanding and utilisation of referral mechanisms within the practice.
* Prioritise own workload and ensure effective time‑management strategies are embedded in own practice.
* Work effectively with others to clearly define values, direction and policies impacting upon care delivery.
* Working with the wider Multidisciplinary team to provide a holistic approach to care.
Communication
* Demonstrate sensitive communication styles to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment.
* Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising the need for alternative methods of communication to overcome different levels of understanding, cultural background and preferred ways of communicating.
* Utilise communication skills to support patients to adhere to prescribed treatment regimes.
* Anticipate barriers to communication and take action to improve communication.
* Maintain effective communication with individuals and groups within the practice environment and with external stakeholders.
Management of Risk
* Manage and assess risk within the areas of responsibility, ensuring adequate measures are in place to protect staff and patients.
* Be confident undertaking lone working sessions.
* Undertake mandatory and statutory training.
* Apply policies that reduce environmental health risks, are culturally sensitive and increase access to health care for all.
Delivering a Quality Service
* Recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct and other requirements as regulated by the HCPC and the College of Paramedics (COP) and to ensure familiarity with and adherence to those requirements.
* Produce accurate, contemporaneous and complete records of patient consultation, consistent with legislation, policies and procedures.
* Prioritise, organise and manage own workload in a manner that maintains and promotes quality.
* Deliver care according to the NSF and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines and evidence‑based care.
* Evaluate the patient’s response to health care provision and the effectiveness of care.
* Support and participate in shared learning.
* Participate in the management and review of patient complaints, and identify learning from clinical incidents and near‑miss events using a structured framework (e.g. root cause analysis).
* Participate in the performance monitoring review of the service, providing feedback as appropriate.
* Work within policies relating to domestic violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive behaviour, and refer as appropriate.
About us
Shrewsbury PCN is made up of 11 GP practices supporting over 104,000 patients in and around Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
We are passionate about leading a network that is supportive and collaborative, where members and staff feel appreciated and empowered to make a difference. Our ambition is to deliver exceptional care and have a positive impact on the community we serve.
Person Specification
Experience
* Experience of working across a variety of multidisciplinary teams. Operational experience of supporting patients with acute symptoms.
* Experience of working within Primary Care.
Qualifications
* Paramedic Practitioner qualification and HCPC Registration / registered clinician and registered with regulatory body evidence of CPD.
* Formal teaching or mentoring qualification, Level 7 study or evidence of recent HEI study.
Knowledge and Experience
* Knowledge of pre‑hospital care and able to demonstrate credibility. Minimum of 3 years post‑registration experience. Knowledge and understanding of current health and social care agendas. Knowledge and understanding of community‑based care provision.
* Knowledge and experience of Long Term Conditions. Clinical Audit 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.
Employer name
Shrewsbury Primary Care Network
Address
Anchorage Avenue, Shrewsbury Business Park
£41,062 to £45,996 a year £21 – £23.25 per hour DOE
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full‑time
Reference number
A5355‑25‑0026
Job locations
Anchorage Avenue, Shrewsbury Business Park
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