Advanced Nurse Practitioner

Responsibilities

• Assume a clinical workload dependent on the general practice population in collaboration with GP colleagues.
• Provide a holistic approach to healthcare, drawing from both nursing and medical models or health and illness where appropriate, in order to screen for early signs of disease and diagnose acute problems.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the pathophysiology of acute and chronic conditions commonly seen in practice.
• Accept referrals from other disciplines unsupervised.
• Undertake an independent and autonomous assessment of undifferentiated and undiagnosed problems with attention to physical, emotional, social, cultural and mental health issues.
• Use sound judgment in assessing conflicting priorities and needs.
• Formulate a diagnosis utilizing medical diagnostic problem‑solving skills, including history taking, physical examination, invasive and non‑invasive procedures and investigations.
• Initiate appropriate diagnostic strategies and therapeutic interventions, including radiology, scanning and laboratory requests, with attention to safety, cost, invasiveness, acceptability and efficacy.
• Develop an ongoing, evidence‑based plan for health in collaboration with the patient and family, emphasizing preventative measures.
• Interpret and evaluate diagnostic test results in liaison with the patient and their GP, initiating treatment accordingly.
• Evaluate the patient’s condition, respond to therapeutic interventions, and modify the plan of care accordingly for optimal outcomes.
• Prescribe as an independent nurse prescriber within the legal framework of nurse prescribing and the CCG’s nurse prescribing policies.
• Initiate independent and collaborative patient referrals to statutory and non‑statutory organisations, including GPs, secondary care consultants, other members of the CCG, allied health care professionals and voluntary agencies.
• Use computer technology and automated information systems to support decision making, improve quality and coordination of care, and enable faster, more certain communication within the CCG.
• Evaluate aspects of work using the audit cycle to report services and standards of care, influencing decision making and planning.
• Engage in clinical supervision and self‑evaluation, using this to improve care and practice.
• Manage changes in responses to altered dynamics within work and environment as influenced by political, social and economic factors.
• Maintain accurate records within the Clinical Governance Framework and the NMC Guidelines.