Primary Care Network (PCN) Paramedic

The role of the PCN Paramedic is to work with the practice team, providing care for the presenting patient from initial history taking and clinical assessment through to the diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of care. The post holder will have the ability to demonstrate critical thinking in the clinical decision-making process, including assessment and diagnostic skills, leading to the delivery of safe care for all patients. The post holder is expected to actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with the Primary Care Network (PCN) practices, and will foster and maintain strong links with all local services for the collective benefit of the LSA population.

Main duties of the job

Please see the Job description and Person Specification for additional main duties and responsibilities for this role.

About us

Fernbank Surgery is a busy practice which is made up of a team of 5 very versatile partners, who are supported by a host of salaried GPs, ANPs, Clinical Pharmacists, practice nurses, health care assistants, phlebotomists, a management team and a pillar of administration and reception staff members. We are a close knit team that is able to work together efficiently and effectively to ensure that our patients receive an exemplary level of care and service from all that are part of team Fernbank.

Job responsibilities

• Participate in all treatment and preventative healthcare services within the Primary Care Networks as delegated and agreed by the supervising GP(s).
• Provide direct clinical care to patients using established clinical guidelines.
• Consult and refer patients to physicians, medical specialists and other health professionals as indicated.
• Interview patients, take medical histories, perform physical examinations, analyse, diagnose and explain medical problems within the consultation.
• Recommend and explain appropriate diagnostic tests and treatment.
• Request and interpret results of laboratory investigations when necessary.
• Perform specialised diagnostic physical exams and treatment procedures.
• Instruct and educate patients in preventative health care.
• Conduct telephone consultations which may involve discussing the result and implications of laboratory investigations with patients as well as dealing appropriately with routine and emergency complaints.
• Order laboratory tests as required and agreed under supervising doctor.
• Fully document all aspects of patient care and complete all required paperwork for legal and administrative purposes.
• Contribute to the clinical development of the Primary Care Networks by developing a special interest and to help establish appropriate systems to manage common chronic medical conditions, ensuring compliance with NSF guidelines.
• Participate fully in the clinicians duty rota including the provision of home visits when appropriate.
• Formulate diagnoses and treatment plans, in consultation with or referring to Supervising doctor(s) as appropriate.
• Communicate when necessary with colleagues in Primary Care and hospital specialists in order to discuss or refer specific patients, plan and co-ordinate activities or exchange information in order to improve the quality of patient care.
• Deal regularly with community hospitals, consultants and other health care providers, insurance companies and other community organisations to refer/consult on specific cases, participate in community service and education projects and activities and the like.
• Send and receive written information on behalf of the Practice regarding matters of insurance, housing and other issues relating to the physical and social welfare of patients.
• Work to deliver with other members of the Primary Healthcare team, the objectives of the GMS and PCN contract, including the terms of the Quality and Outcomes Framework and Practice Based Commissioning.
• Attend regular multi-disciplinary meetings organised by the Primary Care Networks in order to discuss the health and social needs of particular patients.

Person Specification

• At least 3 years postgraduate experience.
• Management of patients with common acute medical conditions.
• Management of patients with long-term conditions.
• Knowledge of the NHS.
• Knowledge of Primary Care & Community settings.
• Management of patients with complex needs.
• Experience of working with patients across a range of settings.
• Paramedics must present a written profile explaining how they have met the standards for CPD set by their registering body HCPC.
• Advanced clinical practice skills.
• Understanding of the current issues and challenges facing Primary Care.
• Ability to effectively triage, assess and diagnose.
• Requesting pathology tests and processing the results, advising patients accordingly.
• Understand the importance of evidence-based practice.
• Broad knowledge of clinical governance.
• Ability to record accurate clinical notes.
• Ability to work within own scope of practice and understanding when to refer to GPs.
• Awareness of issues within the wider health arena.
• Knowledge of health promotion strategies.
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral).
• Clear, polite telephone manner.
• Effective time management (planning and organising).
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Problem solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure.
• Willingness to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service.
• Motivated, forward thinker.
• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations.
• Ability to work under pressure/in stressful situations.
• Effectively able to communicate and understand the needs of the patient.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Punctual and committed to supporting the team effort.
• Driving License.
• Access to independent travel.
• Experience of preventative medicine.
• Experience with chronic disease management.
• Experience of working to achieve standard within the Quality and Outcome Framework (QOF).
• Experience of Working in a GP Practice.
• Experience of trauma informed care.
• Experience of mental health, substance misuse management.
• Experience of wound care.
• Professional and multi-disciplinary working.
• Competent in the use of Office and Outlook.
• Understanding of the audit process.
• Understanding of clinical risk management.

Qualifications

• HCPC Registration: Active registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.