Clinical Advisor inWakefield inWakefield PUBLISHED THU 2 JAN 2025

The post holder will be responsible for delivering clinical advice to patients at Trinity Medical Centre as well as across the whole of Wakefield as part of the extended hours service provided by GP Care Wakefield. The role involves Assessing clinical risk on behalf of the patient as part of an initial assessment using GP Care Wakefield/Trinity Medical Centre protocols and clinical judgement. Undertake a comprehensive assessment using approved clinical judgement and assessment tools, evidence-based protocols, guidelines and professional judgement whilst working in Urgent/Primary Care. There are no clinical decision support systems/algorithms available.

Our Clinical Advisors are supported by a GP in both core hours and out of hours.

Provide evidence-based clinical assessment, prioritisation and advice over the telephone within clinical capabilities and competencies.

The ability to demonstrate a commitment to a high quality service, excellence in clinical practice and continuous professional development is integral to the role and to the development.

Complete own clinic list and provide a professional, courteous and efficient service consistent within agreed standards for telephone triage to patients seeking medical assistance during the out of hours period.

Triage effectively and identify patients with emergency and urgent care needs and provide routine care or self-care advice as necessary ensuring that patients have a safe and consistent outcome.

Provide appropriate health education and advice, referring to the relevant healthcare professional as required.

Identify and use appropriate information sources to support and underpin clinical decision making.

Conclude the episode to the satisfaction of the patient.

Document an accurate record of the consultation and evaluates outcome.

About us

1. Clinical

• Assess clinical risk on behalf of the patient as part of an initial assessment using GP Care Wakefield/Trinity Medical Centre protocols and clinical judgement
• Undertake a comprehensive assessment using approved clinical judgement and assessment tools, evidence-based protocols, guidelines and professional judgement whilst working in Urgent/Primary Care. There are no clinical decision support systems/algorithms available.
• Process calls as per GP Care Wakefield/Trinity Medical Centre guidelines and provide a professional, courteous and efficient telephone service consistent within agreed standards for telephone triage to patients seeking medical assistance during the out of hours period.
• Triage effectively and identify patients with emergency and urgent care needs and provide routine care or self-care advice as necessary ensuring that patients have a safe and consistent outcome.
• Use critical thinking and effective communication skills to assess patients holistic needs and establish relevant cultural, social, economic factors in a respectful and non - judgemental manner.
• Provide appropriate health education and advice, referring to the relevant healthcare professional as required.
• Identify and use appropriate information sources to support and underpin clinical decision making.
• Demonstrate and maintain understanding and awareness of policies in mental health, child protection, vulnerable adults, medication enquiries and other aspects of general healthcare.
• Take responsibility and accountability for managing own workload, risk assessment and risk management.
• Act independently within the constraints of professional and organisational policies and guidelines.
• Share and utilise areas of practice with peers and colleagues to inform and enhance patient care.
• Work effectively as a team member, supporting and communicating with other professional colleagues and clinicians.
• Access a range of information in order to develop a plan of care in partnership with the patient.
• Provide advice that is based on current evidence and best practice.
• Critically evaluate clinical information and advice for validity and reliability.
• Offer the caller/patient the resources to enable them to meet their own health need and access the most appropriate healthcare.
• Conclude the episode to the satisfaction of the caller/patient.
• Document an accurate record of the consultation and evaluates outcome.

2. Managerial

• Show evidence of effective decision making.
• Manage time and resources effectively and appropriately.
• Communicate effectively with other agencies and stakeholders.
• Develop effective interpersonal relationships with others.
• Demonstrate effective performance within the team

3. Professional

• Participate in audit, evaluation and feedback.
• Identify and comply with the standards laid down by the NMC/HCPC in their Code of Practice.
• Exploit professional knowledge, skills and experience to the maximum benefit of the caller
• Actively promotes develop and extend the scope of nursing and healthcare practice.
• Understand and observe professional and national guidelines on confidentiality.
• Reflect on practice and critical incidents using a range of tools, mediums and arenas.
• Develop own skills and competencies through education, training and development related to the current and future demands of the role and when requested to do so.
• Manage time and resources effectively and appropriately.
• Initiate, manage and respond positively to change.
• Participates in the organisations clinical governance and performance review procedures.

4. Communications

• To communicate effectively at all levels using all communication methods in a clear and understandable manner, adapted to individual needs and using tact and empathy.
• To utilise advanced listening, probing and facilitative skills across a diverse range of calls, some of which are highly challenging due to emotive circumstances or caller aggression.
• Utilise complex communication skills to negotiate and provide support to patients who are non-compliant with the recommended outcomes or utilise translation services where language barriers are present.
• To manage calls in a professional and reassuring manner and to respond to highly emotive calls appropriately & sensitively.
• To actively communicate with other professional colleagues and clinicians to assist service delivery.
• To actively communicate with other external services to aid responses to enquiries when appropriate.

5. Education, Training and Development

• Demonstrate a broad understanding of the NHS and the National Quality Requirements for the Extended Hours Service.
• To attend mandatory and any other relevant training courses / updates i.e. telecommunication skills, remote clinical assessment, patient safety, clinical updates, IT & computer skills including specific decision support / clinical tool kits, Governance, Health & Safety.
• Take responsibility and accountability for own professional development and performance and maintain a portfolio in accordance with registration requirements to demonstrate personal & professional development and achievements.
• To identify on-going personal / professional developmental needs in line with service requirements and agree objectives with Service Manager.
• Participate in regular performance reviews to review progress / achievements and identify areas of need for professional development to meet service / personal objectives.
• Support new staff in their development as required and participate in supervision, teaching, and mentorship to help new staff develop and achieve role competencies.

6. General

• To work flexibly to support the needs of the service.
• At all times carry out duties and responsibilities in line with GP Care Wakefield policies, Confidentiality, Data Protection Act, Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety.
• Inform senior colleagues of any factors affecting service delivery at the time an issue is highlighted.
• To undertake any other duties, role and responsibilities commensurate with the nature and grading of the post or as reasonably requested.
• The above job description is not intended to be exhaustive, the duties and responsibilities may therefore vary over time according to the changing needs of the service.

7. Safeguarding

• Individuals have a duty of care to children and vulnerable adults that they come into contact with whilst at work to safeguard and promote their welfare and to work to prevent, recognise, respond, appropriately refer and record potential neglect or abuse, adhering to the companys Safeguarding Children and Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults policies and procedures. To provide remote clinical assessment and deliver a high standard of safe patient care in line with National Quality Requirements.