Job summary
The successful candidate will provide care for the presenting patient including initial history taking, clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of care. They will have the confidence and experience to work independently, but also within a team of supportive GPs, seeing patients in same day urgent and routine pre-booked clinics.

The applicant should have a minimum of 2 years Primary Care or Urgent Care experience and have a prescribing qualification. The person will be able to show evidence of professional development, be computer literate (EMIS WEB), have excellent communication skills and have a commitment to high quality patient care.

ACPs in primary care can develop close, long-term relationships with their patients and work in partnership with them to achieve optimum health. An ACP is autonomous in making decisions based on assessment, diagnosis and the interpretation of test results and will initiate, evaluate and modify a range of interventions which may include prescribing medicines, therapies, lifestyle advice and care.

Main duties of the job
The post holder is an experienced clinician, who acting within their professional boundaries, will provide care for the patient from initial history taking, clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of their care. They will demonstrate safe, clinical decision-making and expert care for patients within general practice. The ACP will need to prioritise and triage the needs of patients accordingly making any necessary referrals for investigations in the appropriate manner.

About us
Irwell Medical Practice is a consistently high QOF & Local Enhanced Services achiever. In our last CQC inspection we were rated outstanding. Due to ongoing staff development, we are looking to appoint an experienced and highly motivated Advanced Clinical/Nurse Practitioner who, acting within their professional boundaries, will provide safe clinical decision-making and expert care for the patients of Irwell Medical Practice

We are an established Training Practice with 6 GP Partners, 7 Salaried GPs, 2 Advanced Clinical Practitioners, 3 Practice Nurses, 2 Healthcare Assistants, 1 Nurse Associate and various PCN Clinical Roles, with a practice population of 15,200 and growing.

Job responsibilities
The following are the core responsibilities of the ACP in delivering health services.

• Practise in compliance with their respective code of professional conduct and within their scope of practice, being responsible and accountable for their decisions, actions and omissions at this level of practice
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of their broadened level of responsibility and autonomy and the limits of own competence and professional scope of practice, including when working with complexity, risk, uncertainty and incomplete information
• Act on professional judgement about seeking help, demonstrating critical reflection on own practice, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and openness to change
• Work in partnership with individuals, families and carers, using a range of assessment methods as appropriate
• Develop, implement and embed health promotion and wellbeing programmes
• Manage patients presenting with a range of acute and chronic medical conditions, providing subject matter expert advice
• Implement and evaluate individual specialised treatment plans for chronic disease patients
• Identify, manage and support patients at risk of developing long-term conditions, preventing adverse effects to the patients health
• Demonstrate effective communication skills, supporting people in making decisions, planning care or seeking to make a positive change
• Use expertise and decision-making skills to inform clinical reasoning
• Initiate, evaluate and modify a range of interventions which may include prescribing medicines, therapies, lifestyle advice and care
• Exercise professional judgement to manage risk
• Manage patients presenting with a range of acute and chronic medical conditions, providing subject matter expert advice
• Be aware of duties and responsibilities regarding current legislation and adhere to practice policies and procedures on Safeguarding Adults and Safeguarding Children
• Request and collect pathological specimens. Upon receipt, process and interpret pathology and other test results as required
• Provide chronic disease clinics, delivering patient care as necessary, referring patients to secondary/specialist care as required
• Maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with extant legislation ensuring that SNOMED CT codes are used effectively
• Maintain chronic disease registers and implement an effective call/recall system
• Chaperone patients where necessary
• Prioritise health issues and intervene appropriately
• Support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies
• Recognise, assess and refer patients presenting with mental health needs
• Support in the provision of vaccination programmes for both adults and children
• Be an extended and supplementary prescriber, adhering to extant guidance
• Support patients in the use of their prescribed medicines or over the counter medicines (within own scope of practice), reviewing annually as required
• Contribute to practice targets (QOF, etc.), complying with relevant guidance
• Liaise with external services/agencies to ensure the patient is supported appropriately (vulnerable patients, etc.)
• Delegate clinical responsibilities appropriately (ensuring safe practice and that the task is within the scope of practice of the individual)
• Understand practice and local policies for substance abuse and addictive behaviour, referring patients appropriately
• Deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate

There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks, this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels

Person Specification
Experience
Essential

• Experience of practice within the four pillars
• Job plan that demonstrates advanced clinical practice and has equity with peers working at this level
• Experience of prescribing and undertaking medication reviews
• Experience of quality initiatives, i.e., benchmarking

Desirable

• Understanding of general practice and the wider NHS
• An appreciation of the NHS landscape including the relationship between individual organisations, PCNs and the commissioners

Personal Qualities
Essential

• Effective time management (planning and organising)
• Demonstrate personal accountability, emotional resilience and work well under pressure
• Ability to follow legal, ethical and professional policies/local policies / procedures and codes of conduct
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
• Good interpersonal and organisational skills
• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations

Desirable

• Knowledge of IT systems including the ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet
• Ability to identify risk and assess/manage risk when working with individuals

Other Requirements
Essential

• Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check
• Occupational Health clearance
• Meet the requirements and produce evidence for professional revalidation
• Evidence of CPD commensurate with the role
• Access to own transport
• Flexibility to work outside core office hours

Clinical Knowledge & Skills
Essential

• Understanding of the importance of evidence-based practice
• Ability to work within own scope of practice and understanding when to refer to GPs
• Good clinical system IT knowledge and the ability to record accurate clinical notes
• Broad knowledge of clinical governance
• Understanding of safeguarding adults and children
• Knowledge of public health issues in the local area and issues in the wider health arena
• Understanding of health promotion strategies
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing, negotiation and organisation skills with the ability to constructively challenge the view and practices of managers and clinicians

Desirable

• Understanding and knowledge of healthcare provision in GP surgeries, QOF and enhanced service
• Knowledge of national standards that inform general practice (NSF NICE guidelines)

Qualifications
Essential

• Qualified healthcare professional that is educated to Masters degree as detailed within the HEE document tilted Multi-professional framework for advanced clinical practice in England.
• Has evidence of working at an enhanced level, as described in the Primary Care and General Practice Nursing Career and Core Capabilities Framework
• Proof of relevant professional and educational qualifications, coupled with details of any training
• Registration with their professional governing body
• Qualified independent prescriber, if not understand the requirement for PGDs and associated policy

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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.