Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main duties and responsibilities

• A reduction in A&E attendances.
• Reduction in emergency admissions.
• A high level of patient and professional satisfaction.
• A reduction in readmissions.
• Promotion of self-management and self-care.
• Reduction in delayed discharges.
• The maintenance of patient independence.
• Improved communication between professionals, patients and carers.

The post holder will:

• Work as an advanced practitioner making independent clinical judgement/decisions based on patients’ clinical needs.
• Act as a lead for the development of advanced and specialist practice.
• Undertake independent comprehensive assessment and management of patients to incorporate physiological and pharmacological considerations, making multifaceted complex clinical decisions regarding patient management and clinical outcomes.
• Demonstrate a high level of competence in clinical, diagnostic and examination skills.
• Deliver a proactive model of service delivery for the management of patients and carers within the community and care home setting with complex care needs.
• Provide counselling and advocacy for patients with acute and chronic conditions.
• Undertake research and service development.
• Establish close liaison and communication between all stakeholders across health and social care, community, primary care and third sector disciplines involved in the care of patients and their families and work in partnership with other practitioners.
• Monitor and evaluate the role of the ACP in liaison with appropriate managers and GPs and demonstrate and respond to changing needs.
• Develop and sustain close working relationships, partnerships and networks and draw upon multi-agency/inter professional resources where appropriate in order to improve health.

Professional Responsibilities

• The ACP in conjunction with the Professional/Clinical Lead and Operational Business Manager is responsible for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Risk Management and Clinical Governance strategies within their area.
• Keep up to date with developments in the role of the advanced practitioner through personal and professional development, in service training and education, professional conferences, courses and seminars as appropriate.
• Keep accurate records and complete reports as necessary.
• Maintain high standards of professional standards of care and expertise.
• Be involved in the production of written protocols, clinical guidelines, standards and documentation systems for own use and use by others.
• Be proactive in accessing clinical supervision.
• Be involved in relevant professional groups to ensure up to date knowledge of role development.
• Acquire new skills and apply to practice.
• Adhere to code of professional conduct.
• You are expected to comply with relevant Trust codes of conduct and accountability as well as those of your professional body you are registered with: NMC/HCP.

Key results from the job holder

• Delivery of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) on care assessment, care delivery and workforce.

Planning and Organisational Duties

• Work within the Trust's Policies and Procedures and the parameters set down in agreed local clinical protocols and guidelines and national guidelines such as those published by NICE.
• Organise the clinical management of individual patients, utilising clinical knowledge and advanced skills to assess, diagnose, plan, implement and initiate changes where required. This will include monitoring and evaluating the responses to treatment through analysis and interpretation of clinical tests and investigations and the discharge of the patient.
• Apply appropriate advanced clinical and technological skills in response to the changing needs of care and the dynamic state of healthcare services.
• Facilitate the development of clinical practice through research and education of the multidisciplinary team, by integrating theory with practice.
• Evaluate care through quality assurance initiative and assessment of clinical outcomes.
• Be an expert clinical resource for other health care practitioners.
• Take every opportunity to promote the health of patients and initiate health education strategies as necessary.
• Participate in risk management and risk assessment working closely with other members of the clinical team.
• Continually develop own professional practice as indicated by the changing needs of services / patients
• Participate in the development of the quality and audit strategy, which includes standard setting and development of audit tools.
• Participate in developing and updating clinical protocols in care in responses to advances in clinical practice.

 Communications and Key Working Relationships

• Accept, make and receive referrals to and from other health care professionals.
• Communicate patients' conditions, verbally and in writing, to other members of the healthcare team and contribute to decision-making processes in patient management.
• Communicate on an on-going basis with the GP, Community Medical Lead, Senior
• Registrar / Consultant responsible for the patient - updating him / her on changes/progress.
• Participate in virtual ward rounds, perform case presentation and contribute to the decision-making process in patient management.
• Act as a resource, providing clinical leadership and facilitating professional development amongst the multidisciplinary team both within and outside the organisation.
• Promote best practice, utilising local and regional benchmarking groups for the generation and promotion of standards and clinical guidelines.
• Contribute to clinical governance arrangements by providing expert input and
• securing quality improvement, including influencing other disciplines, to help deliver quality services.

Responsibility for Finance

• To identify and actively participate in any cost improvement measures as required.
• To be responsible and support the appropriate use and management of clinical and non-clinical resources within field of practice e.g consumables, travel.

Responsibility for Human Resources

• Involvement in staff engagement and patient feedback.
• Participate in personal development review.
• Undertake clinical audit and audit the evaluation of practice of self and others.

Responsibility for Health & Safety

Compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 – the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards, and a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. 

Responsibility for Teaching

• Facilitate research-based practice, assist in disseminating research findings and support changes in care.
• Take part in/ lead research projects, as appropriate, in order to enhance knowledge of the role and / or patient outcomes.
• Support and facilitate other staff who are undertaking research / audit projects.
• Provides clinical leadership, acts as a resource and facilitate professional development amongst the multidisciplinary team both within and outside the organisation.
• Promote best practice, utilising local and regional benchmarking groups for the generation and promotion of standards, nursing and clinical guidelines.
• Contribute to clinical governance arrangements by providing expert input and securing quality improvement, including influencing other disciplines, to help deliver quality services.
• Contribute to the Induction programme of staff as required.
• Contribute to the development, supervision and training of other clinical staff.
• Support healthcare practitioners, students and others, as required, to achieve appropriate levels of competence in practice.
• Participate and provide clinical supervision for self and others.

Work Circumstances & on-call

Monday to Sunday between service hours of 0800-2000.  No on call duties.