Urgent Care Practitioner (UCP) in Nottingham

Urgent Care Practitioners at NEMS are committed autonomous clinicians working in the Urgent Care Out of Hours (OOH) telephone triage service, Primary Care 24, primary care ED stream and/or NEMS at UTC QMC. The Urgent Care Practitioner is a Registered Healthcare Professional with demonstrable post-registration experience and training in advanced clinical skills and autonomous practice. The Urgent Care Practitioner undertakes face-to-face or telephone triage assessments of patients with undifferentiated needs, ensuring appropriate clinical prioritisation, diagnosis and clinical management, administering or supplying medicines under patient group directions, administering prescribed treatments and performing clinical procedures without direct supervision.

Main duties of the job

• Professional

• Works within their respective Code of Professional Conduct.
• Be committed to working flexibly within a dynamic environment, responding positively to the changing needs of the service.
• Promote and facilitate evidence-based practice.
• Maintain professional knowledge and practice compliance with their respective professional body.
• Demonstrate continual professional development (CPD) through organised or self-directed study/learning and participation in clinical supervision, audit and appraisal.

• Always practice within own scope of competence, recognising limitations of clinical practice.
• Assess and prioritise patients' clinical needs in accordance with NEMS policies and guidelines.
• Without supervision, undertake consultations with patients presenting with undifferentiated, undiagnosed problems, practising autonomous skills in history taking, physical examination, problem-solving and clinical decision-making, to establish a diagnosis and management plan.
• Make professionally autonomous decisions for which she/he is accountable.
• Encourage patients to carry out self-care where appropriate, supported by direction to other sources of health and social care information.
• Supplies and administers PGD medications in a safe effective manner in accordance with the appropriate policy and guidance including the current antimicrobial guidance.
• Dispense medicines prescribed by other Primary Care Practitioners and doctors in accordance with NEMS policies.
• Liaise directly with NEMS GPs and Senior Primary Care Practitioners regarding medicines outside of the individual's normal sphere of competence and medicine-related uncertainties.
• Provide advice and support to Primary Care Nurses and other clinical staff.
• Liaise and communicate clinical information verbally and via technical links with NEMS and health economy partners to ensure continuity of care for the caller.
• Maintain accurate, contemporaneous record keeping of all interventions with patients, fully utilising computer software systems in place and/or other mediums.
• Maintain confidentiality at all times in accordance with legislative and policy requirements.
• Act as the patients' advocate.
• Participate and assist in service evaluation, clinical audit and research as required.
• Participate in the investigation of complaints, incidents and accidents.
• Undertake safe clinical practice within health and safety guidelines.
• Work within and be aware of the organisations clinical policies and guidelines.
• Maintain own awareness of current health policy relevant to practice.
• Be aware of the impact your decisions may have upon the patient and their General Practitioner.
• Liaise with other professionals to facilitate direct referrals to other health care providers within the policies of the organisation.
• Participate in the mentorship of visiting health professionals and students on recognised training programmes.
• Recognise and act upon opportunities through consultation to promote public health.

STANDARD ROLE DIMENSIONS:

• Organisational Management

• Attend team meetings as required.
• Participate in the annual Performance Review and Development process.
• Respond positively to organisational change and participate in the change process.
• Work consistently to improve the service provided.
• Communicate effectively with your line manager any issues or ideas relating to improvements and developments.
• Work flexibly according to the needs of the service and organisation.

• Line manage and supervise people and apprentices as required.
• Delegate appropriately to team members to provide patient care.
• Cooperate and support colleagues to ensure effective services.

• Demonstrate understanding of the strategic purpose of NEMS developments and how you contribute.
• Undertake training and development appropriate to your role as required.
• Be proficient in using the IT systems of choice.
• Ensure prompt and regular attendance at work.
• Sign an annual confidentiality agreement.
• Work in accordance with confidentiality and information governance requirements.
• Promote feedback from patients and carers using systems available.
• Ensure you are working within relevant policies at all times.

• Be aware of the financial implications of decisions and actions.
• Work in a manner that promotes the financial stability of the organisation.

• Adhere to Health and Safety policies and procedures.
• Comply with employee responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act.
• Participate in relevant health and safety procedures and training.
• Ensure your personal safety is maintained and that of your colleagues and the public.
• Ensure all accidents and/or dangerous incidents are recorded and reported, as guided by NEMS policy.
• Observe all regulations governing the driving and use of vehicles on the public highways.

Person Specification

• Experience

• 3 years post registration experience.
• Involvement in day to day patient management decision-making, planning, co-coordinating, facilitating, monitoring and evaluating skills.
• People and workforce development.
• Delivering against competing priorities and deadlines while also directing the work of teams/individuals.
• Liaison, communication and engagement.
• Problem-solving.
• Working in a diverse and complex organisation.
• Managing a diverse team of professionals.
• Supporting others to deliver against project criteria.
• Working in a team environment.
• Working to set protocols and procedures.
• Working to deadlines.
• Implementing research into practice.
• Monitoring and auditing of clinical services.
• 5 years post registration experience.

• Registered Healthcare Professional.
• In good standing with their relevant regulator (GPC, NMC, HCPC) and meet requirements of revalidation.
• Advanced Clinical Assessment Skills Training.
• Training in autonomous assessment, examination, and clinical decision making.
• Clinical supervision training.
• Disclosure and Barring Service Check.