Advanced Practitioner in Whitstable

Whitstable Medical Practice is seeking an Advanced Practitioner to join our Urgent Treatment Centre working 37.5 hours per week. Applicants should have previous experience within urgent care, ambulatory care or same day emergency care settings and be confident managing a wide range of acute presentations. We are looking for an experienced Advanced Practitioner, who acts within their professional boundaries, to provide care for the presenting patient from initial history taking, clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of their care.

About Us: Whitstable Medical Practice is a forward thinking single practice Primary Care Network (PCN) GP Practice based across 3 sites in Whitstable. There are 23 equity partners looking after over 45,500 patients. We pride ourselves on our innovative approach to Primary Care. We are a training practice and run various in house contracts including Cataract surgery, Ultrasound, Dermatology, Physical Therapies and Audiology together with further community contracts, a Day Surgery Suite and an Urgent Treatment Centre with digital x‑ray.

Job Responsibilities:

• Deliver a high standard of patient care as an Advanced Clinical Practitioner in a Primary Care and/or Urgent Treatment Centre, using advanced autonomous clinical skills and a broad and in‑depth theoretical knowledge base.
• Work autonomously without direct supervision and manage a clinical caseload, dealing with presenting patients' needs in a primary care/Urgent Treatment Centre setting.
• Provide the first point of contact for patients presenting with undifferentiated, undiagnosed problems, using history taking, physical examination, problem‑solving, and clinical decision‑making to establish a diagnosis and management plan.
• Assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate treatment/interventions and care for patients.
• Clinically examine and assess patient needs from a physiological and psychological perspective and plan clinical care accordingly.
• Proactively identify, diagnose and manage treatment plans for patients at risk of developing a long‑term condition.
• Instigate necessary invasive and non‑invasive diagnostic tests or investigations and interpret findings, e.g. x‑ray.
• Recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct, seeking advice when required and referring onto relevant health professionals.
• Prescribe and review safe, effective and appropriate medication as defined by the current legislative framework.
• Assess, identify and refer patients presenting with mental health needs.
• Produce accurate, contemporaneous and complete records of patient consultation consistent with legislation, policies and procedures.
• Provide safe, evidence‑based, cost‑effective, individualised patient care.
• Offer a holistic service to patients and their families, developing where appropriate an ongoing plan of care/support, with an emphasis on prevention and self‑care.
• Promote health and well‑being through health promotion, health education, screening and therapeutic communication skills.
• Deliver care according to NICE guidelines, local guidelines and evidence based care.
• Refer patients directly to other services/agencies as appropriate.
• Contribute to the practice achieving its quality targets to sustain the high standards of patient care and service delivery.
• Promote a learning environment for patients, nurses and other health professionals and support staff development.
• Mentor and support other clinicians in developing and maintaining clinical skills.

Background Checks: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions. Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Person Specification – Experience:

• Experience of working either in an Accident and Emergency, Minor Injuries Unit or General Practice.
• Taking history from a patient.
• Understanding of local and national issues relating to urgent care.
• Up‑to‑date knowledge of DH and NICE guidance.

Person Specification – Skills and Abilities:

• Assessment skills.
• Good decision making, communication and organisation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to work effectively with people at all levels.
• Good IT skills to enable accurate recording of consultations.
• Committed to self‑directed development.
• Assertive, adaptable and flexible.
• A team player.
• Enthusiasm and energy.

Person Specification – Qualifications:

• Registered with NMC or HCPC.
• Experience in assessment, diagnosis and management of patients.
• Independent Nurse Prescribing/Non‑Medical Prescribing qualification.

Desirable:

• Some knowledge in the management of minor illness/injury.
• Fracture management/manipulation and simple plastering.
• Suturing and wound closure (maintaining aseptic technique).
• Emergency Nurse practitioner course.
• Accident and Emergency course or Enhanced Clinical Examination or Consultation Module.
• Minor injuries and Minor Illness course.
• Independent Nurse Prescribing.
• Primary Care experience.
• Mentorship and/or Leadership experience.
• Understanding of chronic disease presentations for primary care (heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, asthma, chronic lung disease).
• Understanding of vaccinations and immunisations for children and adults.
• IT skills to perform library searches enabling enhancement of theoretical knowledge.

Location: Estuary View Medical Centre, Boorman Way, Whitstable, Kent CT5 3SE, United Kingdom.