ANP (ARRS) - Care Homes - Rossendale PCN in Bacup

The successful post holder will be an experienced Advanced Nurse Practitioner, acting autonomously within their professional scope of practice, providing care for patients from initial history taking, clinical assessments, diagnosis, treatment, evaluation and follow up of care. They will operate within their own sphere of competence and acceptable limits of practice to demonstrate safe, clinical decision‑making and expert care for patients. They will work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary general practice team to provide expert professional clinical advice to patients, carers and colleagues, ensuring clinical safety and excellence and providing nurse leadership as required. In order to work at this level, NMC requirements for advanced practice must be met. Please note that the role includes working towards obtaining the Advanced digital badge.

Main duties of the job include providing high levels of clinical care for patients in care homes and housebound patients in the community, managing a range of acute, non‑acute and chronic disease conditions, using advanced autonomous clinical skills and a broad in‑depth theoretical knowledge base. The successful candidate will undertake nursing, medical and social care assessments to initiate interventions to improve the quality of life within the setting and will assist with the admissions, care programme and discharge process of all patients. They will also ensure confidentiality is maintained regarding all aspects of patient care.

About us: The East Lancashire Alliance is a network of 9 PCNs covering 48 GP practices and over 390,000 patients across East Lancashire. Patients are at the heart of everything we do and we pride ourselves in ensuring our patients feel safe, supported, communicated with and respected at a time when they may be feeling vulnerable. The Alliance represents our member practices and champions our Primary Care Partners by working with local general practice and other system partners in the provision of patient‑centred, local healthcare services.

Job responsibilities include:

• Clinical Practice: Provide a first contact for care homes for advice regarding medical and nursing conditions of patients, making use of skills in history taking, physical examination, problem‑solving and clinical decision‑making to establish a diagnosis and management plan. Work as part of a multidisciplinary team to deliver safe and high‑quality care. Carry out clinical nursing practice at an advanced level using expert clinical skills, critical judgement and knowledge to deliver appropriate and safe care.
• Professional Role: Maintain up to date skills and knowledge, maintaining awareness of professional issues at an advanced level. Promote evidence‑based practice through the use of latest research‑based guidelines and the development of practice‑based research.
• Teaching and Mentoring Role: Promote a learning environment for patients, care home staff and other health professionals. Contribute to the planning and implementation of teaching for existing staff.

Health and Safety / Risk Management: The post holder must always comply with the practice’s Health and Safety policies, in particular by following agreed safe working procedures and reporting incidents using the organisation’s Incident Reporting System. They also must comply with the Data Protection Act (1984) and the Access to Health Records Act (1990).

Confidentiality: The post holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their careers, practice staff and other healthcare workers. All information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential.

Equality and Diversity: The post holder must cooperate with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment. Co‑workers, patients and visitors must be treated equally irrespective of gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, etc.

Person Specification:

• Experience: Minimum of 5 years post‑registration experience. Experience in the management of long‑term conditions such as asthma, COPD, diabetes, coronary heart disease.
• Qualifications: Registered General Nurse (currently registered with the Nursing & Midwifery Council). Master’s degree. Post‑graduate qualification at level 7 or above in a specialist area.
• Knowledge and Skills: Understanding and knowledge of policy developments in regard to the delivery of primary care services including General Practice, the GMS/PMS contract, Clinical Governance, Quality and Outcomes Framework and Local/Directed Enhanced Service contracts.