Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP)

Job responsibilities

Job 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 the other member of the Multidisciplinary Team 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.

Key Responsibilities:

Diagnosing and treating patients presenting with minor illness

• Assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate treatment/interventions and care for patients presenting with an undifferentiated diagnosis

• Clinically examine and assess patient needs from a physiological and psychological perspective, and plan clinical care accordingly

• Assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate interventions/treatments for patients with complex needs.

• Proactively identify, diagnose and manage treatment plans for patients at risk of developing a long-term condition (as appropriate)

• Diagnose and manage both acute and chronic conditions, integrating both drug- and non-drug-based treatment methods into a management plan

• Prescribe and review medication for therapeutic effectiveness, appropriate to patient needs and in accordance with evidence-based practice and national and practice protocols, and within scope of practice

• Work with patients in order to support compliance with and adherence to prescribed treatments. Provide information and advice on prescribed or over-the-counter medication on medication regimens, side-effects and interactions

• Prioritise health problems and intervene appropriately to assist the patient in complex, urgent or emergency situations, including initiation of effective emergency care

• To communicate at all levels within the team ensuring effective service delivery

• To participate in audit process, evaluation and implementation of plans and practice change in order to meet patient need.

• Work within Practice and local policies/procedures.

• Enhance own performance through Continuous Professional Development, imparting own knowledge and behaviours to meet the needs of the service

Leadership personal and people development

• Take responsibility for own learning and performance including participating in clinical supervision and acting as a positive role model

• Support staff development in order to maximise potential

• Critically evaluate and review innovations and developments that are relevant to the area of work

• 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

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 management team

• Agree plans and outcomes by which to measure success

Administration and professional responsibilities

• Participate in the administrative and professional responsibilities of the practice team
• Ensure accurate and legible notes of all consultations and treatments are recorded in patients notes.
• Ensure the clinical computer systems is kept up to date, with accurate details recorded and amended.
• Ensure collection, maintenance of statistical information required for regular, ad hoc reports, and audit.
• Attend and participate in practice meetings as required.

Training and personal development

• Training requirements are monitored by yearly appraisals in accordance with practice requirements. Personal development will be encouraged and supported by the practice. It is the individuals responsibility to remain up to date with recent developments.

• Participate in the education by attendance at courses and study days as deemed useful or necessary for professional development, ensuring revalidation requirements are met.

• If it is necessary to expand the role to include additional responsibilities, full training will be arranged.

• Develop and maintain a Personal Learning Plan.

Team working and 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 bad news

• 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

• Communicate clearly and effectively with the GPs, Nursing team and Allied Health Care practitioners

• Communicate closely with Management, Reception staff and office staff to ensure the smooth running of the practice

• Establish, maintain and develop good working relationships with other surgeries and agencies including Secondary Care and the Voluntary Sector

Confidentiality ...