Primary Care Paramedic

Island City Network PCN; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A progressive healthcare group in Portsmouth seeks a qualified Paramedic Practitioner to deliver expert patient care in a dynamic team setting. The role involves diagnosing and managing conditions, supporting GPs, and participating in clinical administration. Strong background in voice communication and five years experience are essential. The position promises a supportive work environment and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Five years or more post paramedic qualification including 3 or more years at band 6 level.
• Knowledge of Primary Care IT Systems.

Responsibilities

• Deliver safe, clinical decision-making and expert care.
• Diagnose and manage both acute and chronic conditions.
• Participate in the clinical administration within the practice.

Skills

Experience in General Practice

Clinical assessment skills

Communication skills

IT skills in Primary Care systems

Problem-solving skills

Education

Completion of undergraduate degree/diploma in Paramedicine

Registration with Health and Care Professions Council

Completion of two-year Consolidation Of learning period

Job description

In recent years the role of General Practice and CommunityCare has expanded at an exponential rate. Traditionally GPs with a small team were able to meet the vast majority of their patients needs. Over time societal change, population increases and role expansion has changed the face of General Practice forever. We are seeing ever more complex patient care needs and targets. Current primary Care teams lack the workforce and specialisms to manage this shift adequately. It is very clear that the Paramedic Practitioner is a highly valuable addition to the General Practice Team. Island City Network wishes to integrate Paramedic Practitioners into our dynamic workforce. It is an opportunity to work in a highly organised, friendly and progressive team.

Main duties of the job

Personal Specification

• Completion of undergraduate degree/diploma in Paramedicine or equivalent experience
• Registration with Health and Care Professions Council.
• Completion of two-year Consolidation Of learning period as a newly qualified paramedic
• Has a further three years experience as a band 6 (or equivalent) paramedic
• Completed or working towards developing level 7 capability in paramedic areas of practice
• Independent prescriber Qualification or steps towards this
• Further Post Graduate Qualifications or Diplomas

Experience

Five years or longer post paramedic qualification including 3 or more years at band 6 level

Working knowledge of General Practice

Prior General Practice Experience

Experience of Primary Care IT Systems

About us

Island City Network is an innovative, friendly and forward‑thinking healthcare group. We are located in the fascinating Historic Naval City of Portsmouth on the South Coast. Where we lead others follow. General Practice is changing at pace and we see this as a positive and opportunistic challenge.

Island City Network includes Derby Road Group Practice, Island City Practice. Our combined list size is c.46,000 patients. Island City Network is proud and enthusiastic to be an inventive front runner in the new era of The Primary Care Network.

Job responsibilities

Key Job Role Requirements

• Ability to independently deliver care for the presenting patient from initial history taking, clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of care.
• Deliver safe, clinical decision‑making and expert care, including assessment and diagnostic skills, for patients within the General Practice.
• To take on, solve and reduce GP workload directly within the scope of their clinical practice.

Job Description

• Assess patients presenting with acute illness or for review of chronic disease conditions.
• Skills and ability to consult and triage: Face To Face, by Telephone, at Home Visit and by Video Consultation.
• 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 diagnosis, 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.
• Fully participate in the clinical administration within the practice and when suitably qualified to help signing prescriptions, reviewing medication, and Electronic Prescribing.
• Prescribe (subject to completion of prescribing course) and review medication for therapeutic effectiveness, appropriate to patient needs and in accordance with evidence‑based practice and national and practice protocols and formularies.
• Work with patients and their carers 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.
• Full engagement with appropriate educational and additional qualification pathways in line with NHS England Network specification for The Paramedic Practitioner Role and accessing this via approved channels. This will include engagement with an Island City Network Clinical mentor.
• The role holder(s) will communicate clearly and effectively with the network team (both clinical and non‑clinical roles) and patients.
• Completion of high‑quality clinical notes and plans in the electronic patient records that can easily be understood and referenced by others.
• The post holder must work independently to manage cases within their clinical competency to include onward referral to suitable community and secondary care services within the scope of their practice.
• Paramedic Practitioners in Island City Network should happy to consult via interpreters (in person and via phone).
• The position holder will seek to guide and encourage patient self‑management where appropriate, share resources for this across the network and promote this within Island City Network.
• Use of a wide range of clinical skills (within current scope of experience) relevant to treatment and assessment of patients.
• While independent working is required the post holder must also be happy to work collaboratively with other members of Island City Network and broader MDT teams where appropriate.
• Paramedic Practitioners must ensure they remain up to date with the latest clinical developments relevant to their scope of practice and must ensure they maintain all relevant competencies for practice.
• A willingness and flexibility to develop and refine the role over time is essential and in line with the ethos of Island City Network.
• The Paramedic Practitioner will see and manage patients within reasonable agreed timescales consistent with the activity levels required to meet patient demand within a General Practice setting.
• Engagement with Audit Work, Quality Outcomes Framework targets, Impact and Investment Fund work and other relevant Island City Network projects.
• To assist or lead relevant teaching within role scope to both clinical and non‑clinical Island City Network staff.
• Paramedic Practitioners should be able to prioritise their own workload and demonstrate effective time‑management.

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience
• Essential: Five years or longer post paramedic qualification including 3 or more years at band 6 level
• Working knowledge of General Practice
• Experience of Primary Care IT Systems

Desirable Skills and Knowledge

• Ability to work independently within a Primary Care Network team.
• A knowledge and understanding of General Practice that empowers the Paramedic Practitioner to understand how to take on and reduce workload from other clinicians.
• To organise and prioritise own work.
• Good communication and networking skills.
• Ability to problem solve variable situations and variables.
• Good IT skills.
• Understanding of the wider primary care health care and social aspects.
• Knowledge of local physiotherapy and MSK services and referral pathways.

Job Specific Personal Attributes may include

• Enthusiastic and dynamic approach.
• Good communication that inspires trust and confidence.
• Good listening skills and empathic approach.
• High levels of motivation and professionality.
• Good time keeping skills.
• Reliability.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Emotional resilience.
• Innovative Spirit.
• A sense of humour.

Generic Responsibilities

• Health and Safety / Risk Management: The post holder will be trained in and expected to use the personal security systems available within the practice to identify any risks involved in their work activities and undertake them in a way that manages the risks. The post holder must comply at all times with the practice's Health and Safety policies, in particular by following agreed safe working procedures and reporting clinical incidents using Significant Event Reporting system. To use computers safely and appropriately.
• Information Governance: The practice is registered under the Data Protection Act 1984. The post holder will comply with the Data Protection Act and the Access to Health Records Act, the General Data Protection Regulations 2018 and the practice policies regarding information governance at all times. You must not at any time use the personal data held by the practice for a purpose not described in the Register entry or disclose such data a to a third party. If you are in any doubt regarding what you should and should not do in connection with the Data Protection Act, then you must contact your line manager.
• Confidentiality: All dealings within the Practice remain strictly confidential and the post holder would be expected to maintain this confidentiality at all times. You will have access to confidential information relating to Practice business and to individuals. You are required to exercise due consideration in the way you use such information when carrying out your duties. Should you have any doubts regarding the use of information in carrying out your duties, you should seek advice from your line manager.
• Equality and diversity: The post holder must cooperate with all policies and procedures designed to ensure equality of employment and treatment in line with the Practice Equal Opportunities Policy. Co‑workers, patients and visitors must be treated equally irrespective of gender, ethnic origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion. Identify patterns of discrimination and take action to overcome this and promote diversity and equality of opportunity. Support people who need assistance in exercising their rights. Monitor and evaluate adherence to local chaperoning policies.

Qualifications

• Essential: Completion of undergraduate degree/diploma in Paramedicine or equivalent experience; Registration with Health and Care Professions Council; Completion of two‑year Consolidation Of learning period as a newly qualified paramedic; Has a further three years experience as a band 6 (or equivalent) paramedic.
• Desirable: Completed or working towards developing level 7 capability in paramedic areas of practice; Independent prescriber Qualification or steps towards this; Further Post Graduate Qualifications or Diplomas.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.