nurse practitioner Stamford, England
Job description
Supporting the overarching Lakeside Healthcare Group strategy and service delivery, the Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) provides complete episodes of care for patients with a wide variety and range of presenting problems and health care needs. This encompasses the provision of evidence based, high-quality care for patients whose issues fall within urgent/acute episodes, long-term/chronic conditions and including health promotion and public health elements. ANPs operating in primary care have a wide range of skills, a broad knowledge base, and the ability to deliver specific aspects of care. At times these will need to be supplemented by the skills of specialist health care professionals in both primary and secondary care, and include use of a range of diagnostic and screening services.
Although independent practitioners, the ANP act collaboratively with colleagues working in the same area of practice, or refer to and share care with colleagues in more specialist areas. Although the expertise of the ANP in Primary Care lies in their ability to operate as a generalist, notably maternity care is the one domain where legislation stipulates that only a registered medical practitioner or a practicing midwife can provide care for a pregnant woman. In summary, the post holder is an experienced nurse who, acting within their professional boundaries, will provide care for the presenting patient from initial history taking, clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of care. They will demonstrate safe, clinical decision-making and expert care, including assessment and diagnostic skills, for patients within the general practice.
The post holder will demonstrate critical thinking in the clinical decision-making process. They will work collaboratively with a range of multi-professional teams to meet the needs of patients, supporting the delivery of policy and procedures, and providing nurse leadership as required. In order to work at this level, NMC requirements for advanced practice must be met. As a professional and experienced ANP, the post holder will undertake/demonstrate: - An ability to make professional autonomous decisions for which they are accountable.
An ability to assess, diagnose and treat patients with undifferentiated and undiagnosed problems. Screen patients for disease risk factors and early signs of illness. Make differential diagnosis using decision-making and problem-solving skills. Develop, with the patient, an ongoing care plan with emphasis on health education and preventative measures.
Order and follow up on necessary investigations providing treatment and care both individually, as part of a primary care team and through referral to other agencies. Work collaboratively with other health care professionals and disciplines. An ability to provide leadership, education and mentorship. An ability to provide clear and accurate documentation.
An appreciation of the importance of confidentiality. The ability to assess for safeguarding issues and proactively refer on to relevant organisations / safeguarding teams. An acknowledgement of the importance of equality, diversity and the rights of patients, carers and colleagues. The ANP will demonstrate a non-judgmental and respectful approach to each individuals circumstances, feelings, beliefs, priorities and rights.
Quality Assurance & Risk Management Working closely with the site leadership team, the ANP will support the delivery of the following: - Ensure all care and services are delivered to the highest standards at all times and across the CQC domains, Safe, Effective, Caring, Well-led and Responsive. Recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct as regulated by the NMC. Produce accurate, contemporaneous and complete records of patient consultation, consistent with legislation, policies and procedures. Prioritise, organise and manage own workload in a manner that maintains and promotes quality and service expectations.
Deliver care according to NICE guidelines and evidence-based care. Assess effectiveness of care delivery through self and peer review, benchmarking and formal evaluation. Initiate and participate in the maintenance and activities of quality governance systems and processes across the organisation, taking lead responsibility where indicated/agreed. Utilise the audit cycle as a means of evaluating the quality of the work of self and the team, implementing improvements where required.
In partnership with other clinical teams, collaborate on improving the quality of health care responding to local and national policies and initiatives as appropriate. Evaluate patients response to health care provision and the effectiveness of care. Support and participate in shared learning across the practice and wider organisation. Use a structured framework to manage, review and identify learning from patient complaints, clinical incidents and near-miss events.
Assess the impact of policy implementation on care delivery. Understand and apply legal issues that support the identification of vulnerable and abused children and adults, and be aware of statutory child/vulnerable patients health procedures and local guidance. Contribute towards and support staff with benchmarking and audit, service re-design projects, providing experience and advice as required. Assist with the maintenance and activities associated with the Risk Register and undertake investigations of incidents as required.
Management of risk Manage and assess risk within the areas of responsibility, ensuring adequate measures are in place to protect staff and patients. Monitor work areas and practices to ensure they are safe and free from hazards and conform to health, safety and security legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines. Apply infection-control measures within the practice according to local and national guidelines. Advocate for policies that reduce environmental health risks, are culturally sensitive and increase access to health care for all.
Interpret national strategies and policies into local implementation strategies that are aligned to the values and culture of general practice. Communication Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles, to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment. Communicate with and support patients who are receiving complex or emotionally sensitive information. Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising the need for alternative methods of communication to overcome different levels of understanding, cultural background and preferred ways of communicating.
Anticipate barriers to communication and take action to improve communication. Maintain effective communication within the practice environment and with external stakeholders. Act as an advocate for patients and colleagues. Ensure awareness of sources of support and guidance and provide information in an acceptable format to all patients, recognising any difficulties and referring where appropriate.
Personal and people development Take responsibility for own learning and performance including participating in clinical supervision and annual appraisal. Acting as a positive role model, deliver high clinical and operational performance standards by developing and supporting the Nursing Teams in all aspects of clinical and professional practice. Support staff development in order to maximise potential. Critically evaluate and review innovations and developments that are relevant to the area of work and actively support service redesign programmes.
Enlist support and influence stakeholders and decision-makers in order to bring about new developments in the provision of services. Take a lead role in planning and implementing changes within the area of care and responsibility. Contribute to the development of local guidelines, protocols and standards. Market the role of the advanced nurse practitioner in general practice.
Team working Understand own role and scope and identify how this may develop over time. Work as an effective and responsible team member, supporting others and exploring the mechanisms to develop new ways of working. Delegate clearly and appropriately, adopting the principles of safe practice and assessment of competence. Create clear referral mechanisms to meet patient need.
Prioritise own workload and ensure effective time-management strategies are embedded within the culture of the team. Work effectively with others to clearly define values, direction and policies impacting upon care delivery. Discuss, highlight and work with the team to create opportunities to improve patient care. Manage and lead on the delivery of specifically identified services or projects as agreed with the practice nursing/management team.
Agree plans and outcomes by which to measure success and actively utilise performance reports to continually assess and improve care delivery and patient experience. Managing information Use technology and appropriate software as an aid to management in planning, implementation and monitoring of care, presenting and communicating information. Review and process data using accurate Read codes in order to ensure easy and accurate information retrieval for monitoring and audit processes. Understand responsibility of self and others to the practice and organisation regarding the Freedom of Information Act and Data Protection Act.
Learning and development Undertake mentorship for more junior staff, assessing competence against set standards. Disseminate learning and information gained to other team members in order to share good practice and inform others about current and future developments (eg courses and conferences). Provide an educational role to patients, carers, families and colleagues in an environment that facilitates learning. Assess own learning needs and undertake learning as appropriate to keep up to date with relevant nursing and medical advancements.
Be able to demonstrate a broad foundation of advanced level knowledge and skills.
