Advanced Practitioner

Job summary

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is looking to appoint and Advanced Practitioner within the Preoperative Assessment Unit. There would also be the opportunity of a rotational role with surgical assessment should the successful post holder wish. The post holder will deliver advanced clinical expertise, levels of judgement, discretion and decision making in clinical care demonstrated through the advanced competency framework provided through the MSc programme. S/he will provide advanced clinical skills and advice.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will exercise an advanced level of clinical practice and expertise within the pre-operative assessment setting in relation to the health optimisation of patients prior to elective surgery. There would also be the opportunity of a rotational role with surgical assessment should the successful post holder wish. The post holder will deliver advanced clinical expertise, levels of judgement, discretion and decision making in clinical care demonstrated through the advanced competency framework provided through the MSc programme. S/he will provide advanced clinical skills and advice demonstrating a sound understanding of the issues related to the identification, assessment, diagnosis, treatment and management of the client group. S/he will monitor and lead improvements to standards of care and the adherence to National Clinical Guidelines through, supervision of practice, clinical audit, evidence-based practice, teaching, supporting professional colleagues and the provision of skilled professional leadership. S/he will lead the implementation of relevant research into practice contributing to the further development of the evidence base through research and audit. S/he will contribute to clinical governance within the service by leading audit and research as of the service.

About us

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is ideally situated just a forty five minute drive from Manchester. The Trust provides services to the 440,000 residents of Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre and North Lancashire, as well as specialist tertiary care for Cardiac and Haematology patients.

As one of the United Kingdom's largest coastal resort, Blackpool has plenty to offer its residents - it's not just a good place to work; it's a great place to live . In addition to its bustling centre and historic seafront, the town is world famous for its many attractions, including the famous Blackpool Tower. Blackpool also offers a number of scenic cycling routes round our local parks and across the surrounding countryside, as well as boasting panoramic views of the coast on its picturesque Promenade. Further afield, Blackpool also benefits from less than three-hour connections via rail to Edinburgh in the north and London in the south.

We are a busy unit, pre assessing elective surgical patients working to meet the demands of theatre capacity and utilisation. We are looking to expand our service in the near future to meet these demands.

We are committed to delivering a high standard of care to patients ensuring their elective surgical pathway is as safe as possible.

We are also looking to expand our preoperative health screening as per GIRT National recommendations.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical duties:

Provide expert assessment, screening treatment services and health care advice within the preoperative assessment setting. Develop and maintain communication with people/patients about complex issues and/or in difficult situations. Organise investigatory procedures, follow up and interpret results and action accordingly. When appropriate, ensure patients are referred on to other health care specialist within secondary or primary care such as Cardiologists, Haematologists, GPs and support and guide others as required. Liaise with relevant health care professional as appropriate when preoperatively managing patients with complex health care needs, for haematological conditions that need management plans in place for various blood disorders prior to surgery. Identify and treat iron deficiency anaemias as part of the preoperative assessment process and investigations and action as per trust policy including referral on to Specialist Physician if appropriate. Prescribe appropriate supplement as per trust policy guidelines. Ensure referral to other specialities are documented on the relevant electronic patient records. When appropriate, liaise with relevant members of the MDT prior to the patients admission communicating vital information to prevent cancellations on the day. Provide supervision of the clinical team, assisting and developing the team and individuals clinical skills. Help facilitate training and educational opportunities for the trainee ACPs. Facilitate shadowing sessions for medical students as required. Monitor the teams safe clinical effectiveness. The post holder will be expected to undertake all duties and responsibilities associated with an Advanced Practitioner working within the Preoperative Assessment Unit. Assist in developing and maintaining clinical/nursing policies, procedures and protocols. Service development and research projects applicable to the area of practice.

Other responsibilities as an ACP within the Preoperative Assessment Unit:

Continuous development within the 4 pillars; clinical practice, leadership and management, education, and research. Shift leader; when rostered, organise, coordinate and lead the provision of the clinical team for the service. Promote the service and maintain a positive reputation within the trust. Ensure accurate legible notes of all consultations, treatments and attendances are recorded such as within the Onestop Preop Service. Assist in data collection as required. Lead and contribute in staff meetings. Support and develop close working relationships with all clerical and clinical staff within the service. Build and develop good working relationships with other service providers. Be proactive in developing own professional practice, demonstrating evidence of increasing autonomy, clinical judgement and decision-making skills and contribute to the development of others. Promote, monitor and maintain best practice in health, safety and security. To provide clinical leadership and work closely when appropriate, with the Consultant Anaesthetists to deliver safe, effective evidence-based practice and maintain clinical excellence to deliver high quality care to patients. To act as an expert practitioner demonstrating and applying advanced skills and knowledge in the area of Preoperative Assessment and provide expert evidence based advice. Support equality and value diversity. Plan, develop and implement approaches to promote health and wellbeing and prevent adverse effects on health and wellbeing. Having a visible presence within the key points of entry across the Trust to prevent non-essential inpatient admissions. Gather, analyse and report a wide range of data and information. Demonstrate a high level of complex decision making in relation to the assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation of patient care.

Responsibility for patient care:

To be professionally and legally responsible and accountable for all aspects of own work, including the management of patients in your care and to ensure a high standard of clinical care for the patients under your management, and those of other staff, by providing expert care for a complex caseload of patients. To accept clinical responsibility for a diverse and often complex caseload of patients and to organise this efficiently and effectively with regard to clinical priorities and use of time. To ensure a high standard of clinical care for the patients under your management. To receive referrals from and make referrals to healthcare professionals review the patient and act accordingly, thereby helping reducing length of time patients wait their preoperative assessment and surgery date. According to current legislation to undertake independent prescribing and also make appropriate use of the administration of medication using Patient Group Directions.

Promotion and Assessment of Health and Well Being:

To work effectively with people to identify their concerns about health and well-being and to ensure avenues available to improve their well being or prevent deterioration. Work in partnership to plan and develop various approaches for health promotion. Act as a resource for improving health. Work closely with members of the public and users of the service so that health and well being can be promoted effectively. Explain the preoperative assessment process, its aims and benefits and obtaining their consent whilst respecting their dignity, wishes and beliefs. To undertake the comprehensive highly specialist assessment of patients, including those with a complex presentation, using investigative and analytical skills. Follow a process of reasoning which demonstrates and enhances capacity for problem solving and critical decision making. Interpret all of the available information and make a justifiable assessment.

Assessment and Treatment Planning:

Identify and review current information/factors to determine and plan the assessment process. Undertake assessment in line with evidence based practice, legislation policies and procedures, taking case history, examinations, obtaining x-rays, and requesting diagnostic investigations. Review and interpret all information available utilising a systematic process of reasoning to make a differential diagnosis.

Intervention and Treatment:

Practice at an advanced level and to use an extended scope of practice beyond own profession including for example; referral of x-rays, imaging, S/he identifies appropriate interventions/treatments to be undertaken within the context of the overall treatment plan. Organises investigations in a manner that is consistent with evidence based practice. Clinical guidelines applying own skills, knowledge and experience and using considered judgement to meet individuals complex needs. Evaluates the effectiveness of interventions/treatments and makes any necessary modification. Maintain accurate and legible patient notes (written and electronic) in accordance with Trust and national professional polices and guidelines.

Responsibilities for Human Resources; Personal and People Development:

To identify own development needs and set own personal objectives in discussion with his/her reviewer abreast of any new trends and developments and incorporate them into necessary work. To take responsibility for own personal development and maintain own PDP. Make effective use of learning opportunities whilst contributing to developing the workplace as a learning environment. Contribute to the development of others, enabling them to develop and apply their knowledge and skills in practice providing any timely feedback. Generate and share clinical knowledge and expertise with all members of the multi professional team, utilising any new knowledge feedback to inform and change practice. To be an active member of continuing education in-house programmes by the attendance and presentation at staff meetings, tutorials, training sessions, external courses, clinical supervision and reflective practice and to keep an active CPD portfolio. To be involved in the appraisal system and Trust Development Programmes. Undertake annual mandatory training updates and other relevant courses in line with Trust and local policies. Support the development of a learning organisation alerting managers to resource issues which may affect this. Take shared responsibility for the delivery of training and development programmes for the multi disciplinary team. Identify and contribute to the ongoing clinical and service developments in order to enhance quality care. Support the coordination of staff induction, ensuring their skills are adequate to meet the needs of the patients, carers and multi-disciplinary team.

Management of People:

Provide clinical supervision for designated practitioners demonstrating advanced clinical knowledge, judgement and decision making. To participate in the appraisal process for themselves and others. Identify report and address poor performance issues. Diffuse challenging behaviour, ensuring that the situation is managed in a sensitive way. Act as a role model providing mentorship and/or clinical supervision to other staff/learners supporting them in applying theory to practice. Act as a resource for the nursing team.

Responsibilities for Physical and Financial Resources:

To be responsible for equipment used in carrying out clinical duties, and to adhere to departmental policy, including competence to use equipment and to ensure the safe use of equipment by others through teaching, training and supervision of practice.

For further information, please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification, before applying.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Clinical based professional degree Current registration with the NMC or HCPC Advanced Practice MSc or NHS England credentialing via the supported e-portfolio route. Management / leadership qualification or attendance at equivalent study days (masters qualification or equivalent) Non-medical prescriber (V300) Evidence of continuous professional development in line with the four pillars of advanced practice.

Desirable

Postgraduate qualification in specialty Teacher/Assessor qualification

Experience

Essential

Evidence of extensive professional/clinical knowledge managing unwell patients in the community, primary or acute setting. Evidence of patient history taking, clinical examination and developing management plans for patients. Experience of managing own caseload Knowledge and experience of managing chronic disease and long term conditions. Effective communicator - able to communicate complex and highly sensitive information Evidence of effective people management and leadership skills Experience of teaching staff Evidence of involvement in policy and practice change

Desirable

Evidence of working at a senior position within an appropriate health care field Evidence of proactive involvement in the mentorship and development of nurse and AHP practice Evidence of managing staff Involvement in research Computer Literacy

Skills

Essential

Prioritise work load under pressure Work on own initiative Identify trends for analysis. Deal with confidential information. Work as part of the multi-disciplinary team Demonstrate effective time management and organisational skills. Maintains a high level of professionalism at all times and role models this to others Actively manage gaps in rotas due to annual leave, sickness etc. Ensures that own actions support equality, diversity, rights and maintain quality Excellent time management Able to demonstrate success in managing and motivating people Evidence of expanded Clinical Skills Ability to produce and manage an effective staff rota Effective change management Knowledge of clinical audit, evidence based practice and research. Clinical credibility - regarded as a successful clinician by peers

Desirable

Presentation skills, including the presenting of research and audit findings

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