Advanced Practitioner

Job responsibilities The post-holder will exercise advanced clinical expertise, acting within their professional boundaries, providing advanced clinical skills and advice. The post-holder will look to improve patients health outcomes by demonstrating a sound understanding of the issues related to the identification, assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of patients within their care. Working collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary surgery team to meet the needs of patients, supporting the delivery of policy and procedures and providing leadership as required in order to work at this level, NMC requirements for advanced practice must be met. The post-holder will develop good working relationships with: Patients GP, nurses and other Surgery staff Other Advanced Nurse Practitioners Community Nurses and other healthcare staff Hospital staff Clinical Responsibilities: To deliver a high standard of patient care as an Advanced Practitioner (AP) in general practice, using specialist knowledge, and a broad and in-depth theoretical knowledge base utilising autonomous clinical skills. Assess, diagnose, plan, implement care for patients presenting with an undifferentiated diagnosis for patients presenting at the Surgery and within their own homes. Clinically examine and assess patient needs from a physiological and psychological perspective, and plan clinical care accordingly. 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, within the post holders knowledge and skills and in accordance with National and Local Guidelines. Work with patients in order 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 health needs of women presenting for family planning or sexual health consultations. Assess, identify and refer patients presenting with mental health needs in accordance with national and local guidelines. Record clear and contemporaneous consultation notes to agreed standards. Collect and review data for audit purposes. Compile and issue computer-generated acute and repeat prescriptions (avoiding hand-written prescriptions whenever possible). Other Responsibilities within the Organisation: Awareness of and compliance with all relevant Surgery policies/guidelines, eg prescribing, confidentiality, data protection, health and safety. To undertake any other duties commensurate with the post holders grade as agreed with the Lead GP. To maintain registration as an Advanced Practitioner and comply with appropriate professional codes. A commitment to life-long learning and audit to ensure evidence-based best practice Contribute to evaluation/audit and clinical standard setting within the organisation. Attend training and events organised by the Surgery or other agencies, where appropriate. 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. Whilst performing the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their careers, surgery staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the Surgery as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential. Information relating to patients, careers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the Surgery may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the Surgery policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data. Health & Safety Maintain own health, safety and security knowledge & understanding as defined in the surgery Health & Safety Policy. Use personal security systems within the workplace according to surgery guidelines. Identify the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks. Make effective use of training to update knowledge and skills. Use appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards. Report potential & actual risks identified Equality and Diversity Support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues. Act in a way that recognizes the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with Surgery procedures and policies, and current legislation. Respect the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, careers and colleagues. Behave in a manner which is welcoming to an individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights. Personal/Professional Development Participate in any training program implemented by the Surgery as part of this employment. Identify personal development and training needs. Participate in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development. Take responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work. Lead and support others with their training and development needs. Participate in continuing education to maintain a contemporary level of professional knowledge and skill Quality Propose, implement, manage and evaluate initiatives to improve cost-effective, safe and appropriate prescribing within the surgeries. Assess own performance, ensuring competence, and being accountable for own actions, either directly or under supervision. Be responsible for identifying risks within the working environment and either resolve these or report them within the surgeries. Contribute to the quality assurance process and effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance. Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to ensure the best care for the patient, referring in as necessary. Effectively manage own time, workload and resources. Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly Contribution to the Implementation of Services Maintain and update relevant Surgery policies, standards and guidance. Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work. Participate in audits & meetings where appropriate. Work across sites to support our One Team culture and to provide a sustainable patient focused service