Urgent Community Response Practitioner in Warrington

To undertake high level assessments of patients within their own homes with acute/unstable conditions who are referred to the Urgent Community Response Service as an alternative to hospital admission. To undertake holistic assessments, diagnosis and deliver treatment programmes for adults within their own home in the Warrington borough. Management of referrals through triage of incoming referrals, including telephone calls and electronic referrals. To actively participate and contribute to multidisciplinary team working also liaising with other professional agencies to promote and plan personalised care.

Main tasks and responsibilities

The job description outlines the current main responsibilities of the post. However, the duties of the post may change and develop over time and this job description may, therefore, be amended in consultation with the post holder.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Clinical
• To undertake comprehensive and holistic clinical assessments of patients including those with diverse presentations, multiple pathologies and complex needs, in a community setting.
• To triage incoming referrals via electronic methods and telephone.
• To be competent in effectively accepting patients meeting the UCR criteria and signpost, guide and advise patients if alternative services are suitable.
• Based on assessment, to develop and deliver individualised care plans, and signpost/refer to services for long term review and intervention.
• To utilise advanced analytical skills and clinical reasoning.
• Based on the outcome of the assessment, to formulate appropriate and timely discharge strategies.
• To modify treatment skills as appropriate to the service users' environment.
• To assess and treat patients, in their own environment, without prejudice and in conditions hazardous to health with the potential to cause harm.
• To provide planned and spontaneous advice to patients, informal and formal carers, relatives, junior staff and fellow professionals.
• To work autonomously within scope of practice and to consult more experienced team members as necessary.
• To communicate effectively with patients, carers, relatives, colleagues and junior staff, assistants etc.
• To deal with distressing and/or emotional situations with tact and sensitivity.
• To implement best practice based on evidence and clinical knowledge.
• To liaise with all members of the multi-disciplinary team both formally in the MDT and informally as appropriate.
• To be responsible for maintaining and managing accurate and comprehensive intervention records in line with professional and local standards.
• Clinical Management
• To accept clinical responsibility for the prioritisation of patients requiring urgent assessments.
• To communicate with a wide range of professionals both within the Trust, and in external agencies including primary care, the acute trust, social care, voluntary organisations etc.
• To engage patients in the consent process to facilitate informed compliance with clinical interventions.
• To attend relevant clinical meetings, safeguarding meetings and case conferences as appropriate.
• To provide training for own discipline, and to be involved in the training of all team members/disciplines and students.
• To supervise less experienced staff, students and assistants and delegate specific responsibilities where applicable.
• To provide accurate statistical information in line with local standards and the professional body.
• To participate in clinical audit relevant to the post.
• To adhere to the Trust lone worker policy at all times.
• To comply with organisational and departmental policies and procedures and be involved in reviewing and updating as appropriate.
• Professional Development
• To work to the standards of professional practice as described by the NMC.
• To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practice through Continuing Professional Development activities.
• To continually evaluate clinical practice and modify approach in line with team and organisational objectives.
• To prepare for and actively participate in the Performance Development process both of yourself and others.
• To update clinical knowledge and skills and evidence-based practice as identified through the PDR process utilising appropriate learning opportunities.
• To be actively involved in improvements to service delivery and quality initiatives.