Providing NHS Services

Steyning Medical Practice

Steyning Health Centre, Tanyard Lane, Steyning, West Sussex, BN44 3RJ

Telephone: 01903 497227

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Vacancy: Paramedic Practitioner

We have a vacancy for a Full/Part time Paramedic to join our duty team

At Steyning Medical Practice, we can offer something different…

We seek someone who is committed to patient care, calm in times of stress, with excellent clinical skills but who also fits in with the camaraderie of our clinical team and who can have fun at the Christmas party.

We are looking for another Paramedic Practitioner to add to our existing clinical team at our busy and friendly GP practice in the beautiful historic village of Steyning, a pretty village at the foot of the South Downs national park with easy access to Brighton and Worthing on the south coast.

The practice has 12,000 patients and works from an outstanding modern, purpose-built health centre (with Air Con!) and one branch surgery in a neighbouring village of Upper Beeding. We are a Practice of 5 GP Partners,3 Salaried GPs,2 ANPs and one Paramedic Practitioner as well as an incredible team of Nurses, HCAs, Admin, Secretaries and Receptionists. We are members of an active PCN with three other Practices in the Chanctonbury locality.

In General Practice It is easy to feel isolated and overwhelmed at times, something we are acutely aware of as Partners. We can’t change the current issues in the NHS and in General Practice, but what we can do is make the job fun, collaborative and as supportive as possible. As a rule, everyone’s doors are open and we regularly wander in and out of each other’s room to ask advice, have a chat or a moan or just a general catch up on the day. There is usually a supply of sweets hidden in the doctor’s cupboard and a frequent supply of doughnuts in the staff kitchen.

This is a job with a difference a chance to get a better quality of life for you, where you will be able to deliver great care for your patients. You will be fully supported by our friendly GPs and healthcare team, and we will actively encourage and support you to expand your skills and confidence, whilst delivering the care we know you.

If you are interested in applying, please send a covering letter and CV for the attention of Sheila.lidbetter sxicb-wsx.steyningmanager@nhs.net.

We are happy to arrange a tour of the premises and or a meeting with the team if you have any questions.

Job title: Paramedic Practitioner

Reports to: GP Partners and Practice Manager

Hours: Up to 37 hours per week - Full time / part time

Place of work: Steyning Health Centre. Also to be available for our branch surgery at Upper Beeding as required.

Job Summary:

To work as part of the "On the Day" Clinical Team, the post holder will be an experienced Paramedic Practitioner or Advanced Nurse Practitioner. They will provide care for the presenting patient from initial history taking, clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of care. They will demonstrate safe effective clinical decision making, acting within their professional boundaries and qualifications.

They will work alongside a Minor Illness Triage Nurses and the Duty Doctor in delivering an “On the Day” service, which will include telephone triage, face to face consultations and, as necessary, visit patients in their home. They will also work collaboratively with the GP Partners, Nurse Manager, Practice Nurses and Health Care Assistants to effectively and efficiently meet the needs of patients.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Clinical

To assist in the telephone triage of “On the day” patient requests, to advise on or signpost for self care, arrange for face to face consultations to either see themselves, a member of the clinical team, a Minor Illness Triage Nurse, a Practice Nurse/HCA, or to arrange a home visit.
To prioritise presenting patients’ health problems appropriately in urgent or emergency situations, including initiation of emergency care.
Assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate treatment/interventions and care for patients presenting with an undifferentiated diagnosis on an acute basis within competencies and not including neonates.
Clinically examine and assess patient needs from a physiological and psychological perspective, interpret test results and plan clinical care accordingly.
To arrange investigations with the practice nurse team and/or health care assistants as appropriate for patients who attend the “on the day” service to ensure the most efficient service and outcome.
To arrange investigations as appropriate with secondary care or community services when an immediate need is presented.
Support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that promote healthy lifestyles and apply principles of self-care where appropriate.
Provide information and advice to patients in relation to prescribed or over the counter medications, side effects and interactions.
To follow up patients in the short term to ensure continuity of care.
To discuss with the duty doctor the needs of patients presenting with complex health needs or conditions requiring treatment, hospital admission or referral.
To liaise with secondary care and community teams as appropriate to ensure the immediate care and treatment needs of patients are met as appropriate.
Undertake appropriately triaged home visits within the boundaries of professional qualifications and in accordance with the practice Home Visit Policy.
To ensure that any information or advice provided is evidence based and that knowledge and skills are maintained for safe and effective practice.

Communication

Demonstrate sensitive communication styles to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment.
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.
To promote effective communication with the Duty Doctor and Minor Illness Triage Nurses to ensure the smooth running of the “on the day” service and ensure good relationships within the “on the day” team.
To discuss continued development of the service to promote best practice and a high standard of care with the GP Partners, Nurse Manager and general management team.
To communicate effectively with the Nurse Manager, working to build good relationships within the nursing team as a whole, attending nursing meetings and attending training as appropriate.
To communicate effectively with the admin team to ensure good relationships and the needs of patients are met.

Managing Risk

Manage and assess risk within the areas of responsibility, ensuring adequate measures are in place to protect staff and patients.
Use developed communication, negotiation and conflict management skills to overcome barriers.
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.
Take all reasonable personal precautions necessary to avoid any potential health risks to colleagues, people receiving care and the public.
Apply infection control measures within the practice according to local and national guidelines and in accordance with the practice policy.
Be aware of current evidence, knowledge and developments in reducing mistakes and the effect of them, and the impact of human factors and system failures.

Other Duties

To help cover staff holidays and sickness when required.
To participate in regular staff training sessions to ensure development of skills and knowledge; to assess own learning needs and undertake learning as appropriate.
To participate in nursing, clinical, multi-disciplinary and whole team meetings as required.
To observe and comply with all appropriate statutory requirements in relation to Child and Adult Safeguarding and to be familiar with the reporting process should his be required.
To ensure that policies and procedures published on the IQ Compliance Toolkit are read regularly.
To contribute to policy development and implementation of procedures and guidelines in relation to their own area of work.
To participate in an annual performance review and to manage individual revalidation process.
To assist in the training and assessment of new staff who are recruited to the “on the day team” in collaboration with the Nurse Manager.
To carry out any other reasonable duties which may be requested from time to time.
This job description is subject to review in the light of changing service needs. Change will be made in consultation with the role holder and will be reviewed at their annual appraisal.

Exclusions

The post holder will NOT perform the following:

Unsupervised surgical or operative procedures to include joint injections and minor surgery
Work in alternative medicine to include prescribing complementary medicines
Undertake internet consultations

Confidentiality Notice

In the course of seeking treatment, patients and their carers entrust us with sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. The post holder may also have access to confidential information relating to staff and other healthcare workers, or relating to the practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential. The post holder will be expected to work within the guidelines of Data Protection and Information Governance.

Managing information

To use the practice computer system to accurately and comprehensively record all interactions, including telephone and face to face contacts, with patients.
To use read codes in accordance with practice policy to ensure ease of monitoring and audit processes.
To assist the practice team in meeting QOF targets by ensuring complete and accurate recording of patient treatment and advice.
To assist in audits and inspections as appropriate.

Equality and Diversity

The post holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues in relation to privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs in accordance with practice policy and procedures.