JOB DESCRIPTION
1. JOB DETAILS
Job Title: Physicians’ Assistant (Anaesthesia)
Reports to: Consultant Anaesthetist
Department / Directorate: Critical Care
2. JOB PURPOSE
To provide anaesthetic services to patients requiring anaesthesia, respiratory support, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and /or other emergency, life sustaining care. To provide specialist advice to support the assessment, planning and implementation of care programmes to facilitate safe anaesthesia. To carry out specialist procedures such as insertion of arterial access, endotracheal intubation, patient assessment.
To provide specialist education and training to other staff, learners and trainee PA(A)s, medical students and where appropriate medical anaesthetic trainees. To undertake research and lead clinical audits in own specialist area. The practitioner is eligible to undertake honorary lecturer duties.
The Practitioner is accountable for his/her own professional actions whilst working under the direction of a consultant anaesthetist. The PA(A) will have completed the necessary training and achieved the required qualifications to undertake this role. (Postgraduate diploma (Physicians’ assistant (Anaesthesia)) The practitioner works within his or her competences.
3. DIMENSIONS/ KEY WORKING RELATIONS
Main tasks / overview of responsibilities:
1. To establish and maintain effective communication with various individuals and groups on highly complex potentially stressful topics in a range of situations.
· This may be patient related during pre-operative assessment of patients where anaesthetic risk is discussed or confidential information given by the patient
· Discussion of patient anaesthetic care plan with consultant anaesthetist
· Interpretation and understanding of anaesthetic monitoring
2. To develop own and others’ (non-medical and medical anaesthetic trainees) knowledge and practice across professional and organisational boundaries through sharing knowledge, lecturing, conferences, audit, research etc.
3. To monitor and maintain health, safety and security of self and others in own work area, patient safety being paramount.
4. To develop and improve services by example, participation in audit, divisional meetings, CPD, CIR. Self assessment of self and role.
5. To improve quality of service through reflection on skills, role and service, audit, networking, etc.
6. To promote people’s equality, diversity and rights.
7. To assess and address people’s health and wellbeing needs pre-, intra- and post-operatively when those needs are complex and change across the caseload. Demonstrate the ability to respond to different changing anaesthetic needs of patients in their care.
8. To develop practice in addressing individual’s health and well being needs.
9. To lead others in the development of knowledge, ideas and work practice. Ability to lead by example; participation in service development issues.
10. To lead on a specific aspect of a research and development project.
4. ORGANISATIONAL CHART:
5. KEY RESULT AREAS/PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Responsibility for Patient Care (including monitoring, diagnostics and investigations)
1. To assess, develop, plan and evaluate anaesthetic care plans through performing / participation in the preoperative interviewing and physiological and psychological assessment of the patient; evaluate the patients’ history, physical examination, laboratory, radiographic and other diagnostic data and identify any relevant problems and where appropriate initiate any corrective actions.
2. To discuss and agree with colleagues the assessment and care delivery process incorporating current practice, evidence base, future trends and developments in care, timeliness of interventions and their related risks.
Implement the anaesthetic care plan under the direction of a consultant anaesthetist. Administer and / or participate in the planned administration of general and regional anaesthesia to all ages and categories of patients for a variety of surgical and medically related procedures. Uses a broad variety of techniques, anaesthetic agents, drugs and equipment during the provision of anaesthesia care.
3. To undertake and evaluate the effectiveness of anaesthetic care interventions which are consistent with evidence based practice, whilst transferring and applying knowledge and skills to meet the needs of the patient.
4. To analyse and rigorously review all aspects of the patient’s programme of anaesthesia care, interpreting information and using knowledge and judgement to provide highly specialist advice to recommend new course of action where necessary.
5. To monitor the effectiveness of the patient’s programme and renegotiate where indicated to meet the patients needs.
To interpret and utilise data obtained from the effective use of current invasive and non-invasive monitoring equipment. To administer and adjust drugs within the range prescribed. To initiate and manage fluid and blood therapy within the plan of care
To recognise and take appropriate actions to treat complications occurring during anaesthesia. To position, or supervise the positioning of, the patient to assure optimal physiologic function and patient safety.
6. To obtain informed consent and discuss the implications of the programme of anaesthetic care.
7. To explain clearly to patients/carers the benefits and risks of different interventions, the alternative approaches available and the role of individual members of the team.
8. To discuss and agree short, medium and long term goals, prioritise care and develop plans with the patient, family carer (where appropriate) and the health care team.
9. To utilise highly developed physical skills where accuracy is important e.g. the delivery of anaesthetic agents to the patient, assembling and using of anaesthetic equipment, arterial and venous vascular access, provision of regional anaesthesia.
To assess patient’s response for readiness to move to next level of care in relation to common postoperative problems. Able to respond effectively in situations requiring cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.
10. To refer to other specialists when needs and risks are beyond the postholder’s own scope of practice or require longer term support. This may be to the consultant anaesthetist or to another specialist.
11. To liaise with the multidisciplinary team, coordinating and participating in case discussions recommending best course of action as necessary based on sound knowledge and understanding.
12. To support patients/carers encouraging them to promote their own health and wellbeing and to express their interests and concerns.
13. To provide support and care for the patient and his/her family respecting their need for privacy and dignity.
14. To utilise specialist knowledge to enable colleagues to develop their competence in using different interventions. Having appropriate knowledge to provide support to the medical staff during the introduction of new procedures or ways of working.
15. To maintain accurate and legible patient notes (written or electronic) in accordance with Trust and national professional policies and guidelines.
Communication
1. To provide highly specialist understanding to effectively communicate with a wide range of people in a manner consistent with their level of comprehension, culture and background. To explore complex issues and to make complex decisions.
2. To be empathetic and reassuring when communicating highly sensitive condition related information and advice to patients, carers and relatives.
3. To agree the arrangements for communication with the patient/family/carer, and to document these in accordance with Trust policy and patients rights to confidentiality.
4. To influence and prioritise the development of knowledge, ideas and work practice in self and others.
5. To encourage others to seek advice and solutions to problems.
6. To competently receive sensitive information concerning patients’ medical condition e.g. HIV, AIDS, MRSA, drug abuse etc.
7. To use a range of skills to adapt the delivery of information through changing the environment, methods of communication or delivery of content using persuasive, reassuring skills as required e.g. when dealing with an anxious patient / relatives, those with special needs etc.
8. To identify and manage challenging behaviours.
9. To ensure that essential information on the patient’s condition and progress is recorded by self and team members appropriately according to Royal College of Anaesthetists’.
10. To work as an effective member of the anaesthetic team.
11. To actively participate in relevant meetings.
Leadership
1. To identify the wider benefits, and influence and prioritise the development of knowledge, ideas and work practice in self and others e.g. development of additional post graduate diploma level modules.
2. To inspire others and encourage them to seek advice and solutions to problems.
3. To challenge others to take active part in developing knowledge, ideas and working practices
4. To challenge tradition and to take risks accepting joint responsibility for any arising problems and tensions and using these to inform future practice e.g. challenging of current practices through research, audit, questioning and role development.
Planning and Organising
1. To plan and lead anaesthesia practitioner service provision including education and training (including module improvements) under the direction of the Clinical Lead / Director.
2. To prioritise workload of themselves and others (in accordance with patient need), assess performance and provide clear constructive feedback to team members.
3. To monitor progress of work recognising changing priorities and implement corrective actions where necessary.
To plan off duty rotas where appropriate
Other Responsibilities:
To take part in regular performance appraisal
To undertake any training required in order to maintain competency including mandatory training, e.g. Manual Handling
To contribute to and work within a safe working environment
The post holder is expected to comply with Trust Infection Control Policies and conduct him/herself at all times in such a manner as to minimise the risk of healthcare associated infection
As an employee of the Trust, it is a contractual duty that you abide by any relevant code of professional conduct and/or practice applicable to you. A breach of this requirement may result in action being taken against you (in accordance with the Trust’s disciplinary policy) up to and including dismissal.
The post holder is expected to comply with Trust Infection Control Policies and conduct him/her at all times in such a manner as to minimise the risk of healthcare associated infection.
This post has been identified as involving access to vulnerable adults and/or children and in line with Trust policy successful applicants will be required to undertake a Disclosure & Barring Service Disclosure Check
THE TRUST – Vision and Values
Our vision is to provide safe, high quality seamless services delivered with courtesy and respect. To achieve our vision we expect all our staff to uphold our Trust values. Our Trust values are:
Honesty, Openness & Integrity
Fairness,
Inclusion & Collaboration
Respect & Dignity
We recruit competent staff that we support in maintaining and extending their skills in accordance with the needs of the people we serve. We will pay staff fairly and recognise the whole staff’s commitment to meeting the needs of our patients.
We are committed to equal opportunity for all and encourage flexible working arrangements including job sharing.
We are committed to recruiting and supporting a diverse workforce and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, maternity/pregnancy, marriage/civil partnership or transgender status. We expect all staff to behave in a way which recognises and respects this diversity, in line with the appropriate standards.
GENERAL
This is a description of the job as it is now. We periodically examine employees' job descriptions and update them to ensure that they reflect the job as it is then being performed, or to incorporate any changes being proposed. This procedure is conducted by the Manager in consultation with the jobholder. You will, therefore, be expected to participate fully in such discussions. We aim to reach agreement on reasonable changes, but if agreement is not possible, we reserve the right to insist on changes to your job description after consultation with you.
The RD&E is a totally smoke-free Trust. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on Trust property, including all buildings, grounds and car parks. For help to quit call: 01392 207462.
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JD and PS – master template 25.11.13