The Primary Care Paramedic will be expected to be able to work autonomously without direct supervision. Access to a senior clinician to provide support when required is available. The Primary Care Paramedic will work for a PCN, working within the GP surgeries that make up that PCN. The Paramedic will triage, assess, plan, treat, manage and refer patients appropriately, as part of a face to face or remote consultation.
Performing specialist health checks, patient investigations, and collection of specimens, as determined by the scope of practice and standard operating procedures. Take responsibility for the overall planning of care for patients. This includes determining the most appropriate care pathway, liaising with other services and specialists, ensuring the patient has the best clinical outcome. To recognise the need for and initiate where appropriate relevant diagnostic investigations.
Interpret diagnostic investigations and to take the corrective course of action where appropriate. Prioritise workload according to the needs of patients, and manage primary care demand for the service based on clinical need. To maintain appropriate contemporaneous clinical records, ensuring that documentation clearly demonstrates the relevant Standards and Guidelines for Records and Record keeping within the Health and Care Professions Council and internal policy and procedures. To supply medication under patient group directives where appropriate, and where trained and permitted as an independent and/or supplementary prescriber.
Ensure professional responsibilities are met maintaining knowledge of PGDs, medicines policy and legislation regarding the safe and secure management of medicines. To practice within the parameters of professional skills and knowledge, to recognise the limitations of own practice and to work within the bounds of their skills and competence according to the Health and Care Professions Council. To maintain an awareness of and share appropriate developments in clinical practice. Undertaking peer support of practice, education and development.
Ensure practice is evidence based and maintain a record of continuous professional development. To work effectively as part of a multi professional team in collaboration with other members of the service, and across primary care, making referrals as necessary for patients. Support the delivery of anticipatory care plans and take a lead in certain services and circumstances for patients. To work within the legislation of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) in respect of consent to examination and treatment and applying best interest decisions where appropriate.
Be aware of the needs of vulnerable patients interacting with the service and understand professional responsibilities for safeguarding adults, children and young people according to national and local policies and procedures. Adhere to all infection control measures according to internal policy. Make dynamic risk assessment of the environment and general situation, having due regard for the health and safety of patients, self and others. Advise patients on general healthcare and promote self-management where appropriate, including signposting patients to the PCNs social prescribing service, and where appropriate, other community or voluntary services.
Education Practice Development To complete the Roadmap of Practice Portfolio for Paramedics in Primary Care, which includes the requirement to commence a level 7 qualification within six months of commencing in post. To participate in the clinical supervision framework for Practitioners. To offer appropriate advice to other professions on clinical care, delivery and service development within the parameters of the role and scope of practice. To participate in ongoing individual and peer professional development within the organisation.
To undertake the mandatory training programme, and online training as appropriate.