PCN Paramedic

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit a part time (12 to 16 hours per week) Paramedic to join our multi-disciplinary team working at Crayford Town Surgery, one of the practices in the North Bexley PCN. Are you an experienced Paramedic who is keen to work within primary care with a passion to deliver an excellent service within general practice? If so, then we want to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT), the job holder will take a lead in driving forward the PCN vision of creating a new wider Community Service, enhancing existing and innovatively developing new care models in a collaborative way across the PCNs within Bexley.

This role plays a pivotal part in engaging groups of practices to come together and improve the quality of care and operational efficiencies across the local healthcare system, motivating passion to deliver an excellent service within general practice, whilst leading and tailoring the delivery of network priorities and targets with a practice based focus.

Within their professional boundaries, support the development, promotion and implementation of high quality evidence based care for house bound patients who require urgent clinical care.

Offering peer support and facilitating shared learning with other paramedics across other networks to support the development of their role and implementing agreed standards, activities or development programmes.

About us

Bexley Health Neighbourhood Care (BHNC) is a GP Federation supporting the 20 Bexley Practices / 4 PCNs, Erith Hospital and Queen Marys Urgent Treatment Centre who are working collaboratively to enhance the health and wellbeing of Bexley residents, covering over 260,000 patients.

Organisational Values / Objectives

The goals of BHNC are to work strategically with all Bexley Primary Care Networks (PCNs), to help secure the best services for patients whilst working together, to support the member practices in the challenges of a changing NHS.

Bexley Health Neighbourhood Care (BHNC) aims to improve the morale of PCNs / general practice in Bexley, by sharing expertise, services and supporting its workforce. BHNC will make a positive impact on medical services in Bexley, by working closely with the CCG, local NHS trusts, local providers and patient groups, to improve the delivery of healthcare to the local population.

Safeguarding Statement:

At Bexley Health Neighbourhood Care (BHNC), we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children, young people, and vulnerable adults involved in our activities.

We believe that everyone has the right to be safe and protected from harm and we take our responsibility to safeguard seriously. (see attached full BHNC Safeguarding Statement.)

Job responsibilities

Part time (12 to 16 hours per week) Paramedic at Crayford Town Surgery DA1 4ER. Fulltime salary £56,000 PA to be pro rata to agreed working hours.

Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team (MDT), the job holder will take a lead in driving forward the PCN vision of creating a new wider Community Service, enhancing existing and innovatively developing new care models in a collaborative way across the PCNs within Bexley.

This role plays a pivotal part in engaging groups of practices to come together and improve the quality of care and operational efficiencies across the local healthcare system, motivating passion to deliver an excellent service within general practice, whilst leading and tailoring the delivery of network priorities and targets with a practice based focus.

Within their professional boundaries, support the development, promotion and implementation of high quality evidence based care for house bound patients who require urgent clinical care.

Offering peer support and facilitating shared learning with other paramedics across other networks to support the development of their role and implementing agreed standards, activities or development programmes.

Key relationships include but are not limited to:

Patients, service users and their representatives

111 / UTCs

GPs, AHPs and other health care professionals.

CDs and PCN practices workforce

Key Responsibilities

The Paramedic Practitioner will work autonomously within the community, using their enhanced clinical assessment and treatment skills, to provide first point of contact for patients presenting with undifferentiated, undiagnosed problems relating to minor illness or injury, abdominal pains, chest pains and headaches. The Paramedic Practitioner will have a key role in supporting delivery of the new Network Contract DES Service specifications.

The PCN Paramedic Practitioner will contribute towards delivering the below listed service / patient outcomes:

• Improved and faster access to care for housebound patients
• Improved patient experience through rapid assessment and treatment
• Improved patient outcomes (including QOF achievement)
• Prevent deterioration and unnecessary A&E attendances/admissions (especially UTI and Pneumonia admissions)
• Improve long term care for house bound patients with chronic conditions
• Improved coordination of care

The key focuses of the Paramedic Practitioner will be:

• To provide a Paramedic Practitioner resource across the GP registered population of Bexley.
• To work within the community, as an autonomous, accountable, Paramedic Practitioner, in the provision of a holistic approach for individuals including assessment, diagnosis and treatment, to deliver quality patient services.
• To assess, diagnose, treat, refer or signpost patients/service users who attend surgery with undifferentiated or undiagnosed condition relating to minor illness or minor injury.
• The post holder will use advanced clinical skills to provide education to service users, promoting self-care and empower them to make informed choices about their treatment.

Job responsibilities:

• Day to day delivery of primary medical care for housebound patients involving:
• Triage and treat patients wishing to see a health care professional, making any necessary referrals to other members of the primary health care team
• Patients with problems needing referral to secondary care should be discussed with the registered GP if possible, before making such referral.
• Ensure clinical practice is safe and effective and remains within boundaries of competence, and to acknowledge limitations.
• Advise patients on general health care and minor ailments, with referral to other members of the primary and secondary health care team as necessary
• Works as an autonomous practitioner, in accordance with the Health Care Professions Council. Ensure that personal and professional clinical standards are maintained.
• To undertake assessment for patients, using diagnostic skills and initiation of investigations where appropriate.
• To communicate at all levels within the team ensuring an effective service is delivered.
• To maintain accurate, contemporaneous healthcare records appropriate to the consultation.
• Ensure evidenced-based care is delivered at the highest standards ensuring delivery of high-quality patient care.
• Works with local policies and procedures.
• Enhance own performance through Continuous Professional Development, imparting own knowledge and behaviours to meet the needs of the service.
• To achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development in order to meet the needs of the service.
• To participate in the audit process, evaluation and implementing plans and practice change in order to meet patient need.
• Contribute positively to the effectiveness and efficiency of the team and work colleagues.
• On every occasion, produces accurate, contemporaneous, and complete records of patient consultation, consistent with legislation, policies, standards, and procedures.

Financial & Resources:

To be accountable for adhering to the budget, ensuring best value for money, and identifying efficiencies as appropriate, ensuring senior managers are aware of the cost implications of any areas of non-compliance.

To manage resources required for key duties under this Job Description, ensuring value for money.

Research & Development:

Contributes toward the development and embedding of the BHNC and PCN visions, aims and business objectives.

Provides advice to projects and business change initiatives regarding urgent care and makes appropriate recommendations to GPs, Senior team and other relevant staff.

To undertake audits as per practice / PCN plans.

To actively partake in CPD engage in clinical meetings and have access to appropriate clinical supervision.

Policy & Service Development:

Contributes to the development and implementation of new services that are relevant. (e.g. advice on treatment pathways and patient information leaflets).

Produces and implements protocols for triaging suitable pts for home visits to paramedics.

Develops safe protocols for home visits taking in to consideration IPC and PPE.

Adhere to practice pathways and protocols for follow up and accurate record keeping with safety netting.

Professional & Organisational Standards:

Maintains confidentiality at all times.

Represents the organisation positively and professionally.

Takes responsibility for own development and revalidation, learning and performance including participating in clinical supervision and acting as a positive role model for others.

Works within policies regarding family violence, vulnerable children and adults, substance abuse and addictive behaviour, and makes referrals as appropriate for safeguarding.

Interprets national strategies and policies into local implementation strategies that are aligned to the values and culture of general practice.

Adheres to and proactively promotes Infection Control standards and complies with Health & Safety, Corporate, Clinical and Information Governance.

Communications and professional relationships:

Actively works toward developing and maintaining effective working relationships both within and outside the PCN. To develop and facilitate a good working relationship with all relevant health care professionals within the practice, PCN and outside of the PCN.

Foster and maintain strong links with all services across the PCN and neighbouring networks.

Explores the potential for collaborative working and takes opportunities to initiate and sustain such key working relationships with stakeholders as needed for the collective benefit of patients.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Qualified to degree/diploma level in Paramedicine or equivalent experience.
• Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• Completed two year Consolidation of Learning period as a newly qualified paramedic.
• Demonstrate excellent clinical competence (evidenced through CPD and interview).
• Safeguarding and other mandatory training.
• Basic life support training.

Desirable

• Specialist knowledge acquired from post-graduate diploma level / equivalent training/experience.
• Working towards developing Level 7 capability in paramedic areas of practice and, within six months of the commencement complete the clinical pillar competencies of the Advanced Clinical Practice Framework.
• Equal Opportunity training. Evidence of continual learning and development.