Advanced Nurse Practitioner

Principal Duties and Responsibilities Assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate treatment/interventions and care for patients presenting with an undifferentiated diagnosis. Clinically examine and assess patient needs from a physiological and psychological perspective, and plan clinical care accordingly. Assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate interventions/treatments for patients with complex needs and proactively identify, diagnose, and manage treatment plans for patients at risk of developing a long-term condition (as appropriate). Diagnose and manage both acute and chronic conditions, integrating both drug- and non-drug-based treatment methods into a management plan. Prescribe and review medication for therapeutic effectiveness, appropriate to patient needs and in accordance with evidence-based practice and national and practice protocols, and within scope of practice. Work with patients to support compliance with and adherence to prescribed treatments. Provide information and advice on prescribed or over-the-counter medication on medication regimens, side-effects, and interactions Prioritise health problems and intervene appropriately to assist the patient in complex, urgent or emergency situations, including initiation of effective emergency care. Support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that promote healthy lifestyles, and apply principles of self-care. Support and manage womens health needs. Assess, identify, and refer patients presenting with mental health needs. Implement and participate in vaccination and immunisation programmes for both adults and children. Promote and deliver evidence-based care for patients presenting with aural conditions. Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles, to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment. Communicate with and support patients who are receiving bad news. 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. Anticipate barriers to communication and take action to improve communication. Maintain effective communication within the practice environment and with external stakeholders. Act as an advocate for patients and colleagues. Ensure awareness of sources of support and guidance (e.g., PALS) and provide information in an acceptable format to all patients, recognising any difficulties and referring where appropriate. Delivering a quality service Recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct as regulated by the NMC or other regulatory body. 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 NSF, NICE guidelines, and evidence-based care. Assess effectiveness of care delivery through self and peer review, benchmarking, and formal evaluation. Initiate and participate in the maintenance of quality governance systems and processes across the organisation and its activities. Utilise the audit cycle as a means of evaluating the quality of the work of self and the team, implementing improvements where required. In partnership with other clinical teams, collaborate on improving the quality of health care responding to local and national policies and initiatives as appropriate. Evaluate patients response to health care provision and the effectiveness of care. Support and participate in shared learning across the practice and wider organisation. Use a structured framework (e.g. root-cause analysis) to manage, review and identify learning from patient complaints, clinical incidents and near-miss events. Assess the impact of policy implementation on care delivery. Understand and apply legal issues that support the identification of vulnerable and abused children and adults, and be aware of statutory child/vulnerable patients health procedures and local guidance. Work with practice management to ensure the whole team have skills and knowledge regarding domestic violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive behaviour. Provide guidance and support to ensure appropriate referral if required. Leadership personal and people development Take responsibility for own learning and performance including participating in clinical supervision and acting as a positive role model. Support staff development to maximise potential. Actively promote the workplace as a learning environment, encouraging everyone to learn from each other and from external good practice. Encourage others to make realistic self-assessment of their application of knowledge and skills, challenging any complacency or actions that are not in the interest of the public and/or users of services. Critically evaluate and review innovations and developments that are relevant to the area of work. Enlist support and influence stakeholders and decision-makers to bring about new developments in the provision of services. Contribute to the development of local guidelines, protocols, and standards. Maintain effective communication with those responsible for the overall commissioning and procurement process. Maintain active involvement in the planning and processes of practice-based commissioning or similar initiatives. Promote the role of the Advanced Nurse Practitioner in general practice. Understand own role and scope and identify how this may develop over time. Work as an effective and responsible team member, supporting others and exploring the mechanisms to develop new ways of working. Delegate clearly and appropriately, adopting the principles of safe practice and assessment of competence. Create clear referral mechanisms to meet patient need. Prioritise own workload and ensure effective time-management strategies are embedded within the culture of the team. Discuss, highlight, and work with the team to create opportunities to improve patient care. Manage and lead on the delivery of specifically identified services or projects as agreed with the practice management team. Agree plans and outcomes by which to measure success. Manage and assess risk within the areas of responsibility, ensuring adequate measures are in place to protect staff and patients. Monitor work areas and practices to ensure they are safe and free from hazards and conform to health, safety and security legislation, policies, procedures, and guidelines. Ensure appropriate supervision of safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs. Oversee the monitoring, stock control and documentation of drug usage according to legal requirements where appropriate. Undertake mandatory and statutory training requirements Attend clinical and non-clinical meetings where appropriate. Apply infection-control measures within the practice according to local and national guidelines. Advocate for policies that reduce environmental health risks, are culturally sensitive and increase access to health care for all. Interpret national strategies and policies into local implementation strategies that are aligned to the values and culture of general practice.