ACP/Minor Illness Nurse

Job Summary The Advanced Clinical Practitioner (ACP) in Primary Care provides autonomous, patient-centred care for individuals presenting with acute, or chronic, minor illness symptoms. The post holder will assess, diagnose, treat, and manage patients within a GP practice or primary care setting, working collaboratively with GPs and the wider multidisciplinary team. The ACP will play a key role in improving access to healthcare services, supporting long-term condition management, and promoting high standards of clinical care. Key Responsibilities Clinical Duties Undertake comprehensive history taking and clinical assessments. Provide clinical triage Diagnose and manage acute or chronic minor illnesses. Provide same day face-to-face, telephone, or online consultations. Request, interpret, and act on diagnostic tests and investigations. Develop and implement evidence-based treatment plans. Prescribe medications independently within scope of practice. (desirable) Manage patients with long-term conditions such as diabetes, asthma, hypertension, and COPD. With a special accent on respiratory care and interpreting spirometry Identify red flags and refer patients appropriately to secondary or specialist services. Provide health promotion, screening, and preventative care advice. Maintain accurate and contemporaneous patient records using electronic clinical systems. Provide Home visits. (essential) Leadership and Service Development Support service improvement and quality initiatives within the practice. Contribute to clinical audits, governance, and risk management activities. Help improve patient access and workflow efficiency. Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and case discussions. Education and Training Support and mentor junior staff, trainees, and students. Participate in continuing professional development (CPD). Deliver patient and staff education where appropriate. Research and Quality Improvement Contribute to evidence-based practice and clinical audits. Support implementation of local and national healthcare guidelines.

Special Requirements of the Post

An understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality. Ability to use own judgment, resourcefulness and common sense. A commitment to maintain a high professional standard of care and keep up to date with all aspects of care relevant to the post. A commitment to ensure all Health and Safety requirements and Infection Control measures are met and to report any problems to the Practice Manager A commitment to the effective use of Practice and NHS resources. An awareness of own limitations and experience. To work only in accordance with the NMC / HCPC Code of Conduct and within the Scope of Professional Practice. To have a written professional development plan and to maintain an up to date portfolio which meets the requirements of registration with the NMC for revalidation Cooperate with annual appraisal meetings

Confidentiality

In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately In the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their careers, Practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the Practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the Practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the Practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data.

Health & Safety

The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the Practice Health & Safety Policy, to include: Using personal security systems within the workplace according to Practice guidelines Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards Reporting potential risks identified

Equality and Diversity

The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include: Acting in a way that recognizes the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with Practice procedures and policies, and current legislation Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights.

Personal/Professional Development

The post-holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the Practice as part of this employment, such training to include: Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work

Quality

The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the Practice, and will: Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needs Effectively manage own time, workload and resources

Communication

The post-holder should recognize the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to: Communicate effectively with other team members Communicate effectively with patients and carers Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly Contribution to the

Implementation of Services

The post-holder will

Apply Practice policies, standards and guidance Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work