Primary Care Paramedic - HMP High Down

Job overview

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust is a Top Employer Award Winner and works in partnership to provide responsive and dependable primary care, mental health, intellectual disability and substance misuse services to the diverse and culturally rich communities we serve.

In our quest to deliver patient-focused quality care we are looking to recruit a highly motivated, innovative and enthusiastic Paramedic to join our forward thinking, friendly and expanding Health & Justice team at HMP High Down.

By joining our Prisons Health Care Team, you will not only look after the healthcare needs of our patients residing in secure environments, but who also have the opportunity to have a real impact on promoting health and well-being. Our healthcare services work to a 7 day week working model, to ensure our patient's healthcare is managed and maintained to the highest of standards at all times.

Main duties of the job

• To provide high quality emergency care and minor injury treatment to patients with both primary care and acute care needs in a prison setting by playing an active part in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of the patients care.
• This role requires a Registered Paramedic to work as part of a team delivering care to patients both within the Healthcare Centres and on the Wings / Houseblocks within the prison environment.
• The Registered Paramedic will work as part of a team of Primary Care Nurses within a HMP site.
• The role requires you to function autonomously and within your sphere of competency, whilst being a support and resource to less experienced members of staff. You must be able to assess patients, plan their care, administer treatment and discharge them or refer them as appropriate to other healthcare professionals / external agencies. The HMP sites are clinical facilities which require an individual to have the ability to work effectively as part of a multi professional team within a fast pace environment, in line with the protocols and policies of the local Service and CNWL, and professional bodies.

Why not see what our staff say about working within our award winning teams: https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/health-and-justice/find-out-what-its-work-health-and-justice

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Central and North West London NHS Trust is committed to providing safe, effective services and providing patients and families with a positive experience.

Clinical Professional Responsibilities:

• Act as a positive role model to staff and patients.
• Conduct Invasive procedures where appropriately trained and competent
• To respond to all emergency codes in accordance with agreed protocols. This will include being the emergency responder covering the prison on night shifts.
• Procedures where appropriately trained and competent i.e suturing, IV access, haemorrhage  control, wound care
• Cardiac & CVA intervention / competent in the monitoring of physiological observations by undertaking a full assessment using a structured and prioritised approach and the recognition of the acutely ill patient e.g. ABCDE approach, ECG recognition, pathways for CVA and the diagnosis and referral of a range of cardiac conditions
• To determine the appropriate destination for the patient to include the initiation of treatment linked to an agreed and regulated care pathway in association with other health, mental and social care professionals in cases where transport to hospital is not required.
• Assess individual’s health needs.
• To undertake first and secondary reception screens
• Provision of holistic care.
• Administer treatment within local guidelines / protocols within one’s own scope of practice.
• To maintain competencies associated with the role ensuring you are working within your own limitations / scope of practice.
• Administer prescribed medication and medication within Patient Group Directions or if qualified and appropriate to the centre via Independent Nurse Prescribing.
• Advise within the smoke-free prison environment
• Develop / maintain advanced clinical skills. i.e., suturing, paramedic led clinics
• Develop/maintain advanced clinical skills and knowledge in relation to dynamic patient case mix.
• Referral / sign posting to appropriate health professionals / services.
• Provide patient information and education.
• Ensure the Trust’s clinical protocols are adhered to at all times.
• Work at all times within the relevant code of professional conduct.
• Support line managers.
• To participate and assist in the setting of standards of patient care based on sound research findings.
• Maintain own personal and professional development plan, in line with the Trust’s policy and service objectives.
• Appraise own performance and discuss development needs with mentors, supervisors and line manager.
• Participate in regular clinical supervision.
• Support junior staff/students.
• Be conversant and comply with the Service’s fire precautions and procedures for evacuation and emergency resuscitation.
• Assist with the triage role as appropriate
• To maintain standards of infection control within the unit and during clinical care and to assist patients to maintain their own infection control needs.