Paramedics
FCPs serve as a primary point of contact for patients with a wide range of medical conditions, from common ailments to more complex or undifferentiated presentations. FCPs are able to assess patients' symptoms, conduct diagnostic tests, and provide treatment or referrals to specialists as needed.
Key roles and responsibilities
Full details available in the Network Contract Directed Enhanced Service Contract specification.
In summary:
- work as part of a MDT within the PCN and communicate proactively and effectively with all colleagues
- Assess and triage patients, and as appropriate provide definitive treatment or make necessary referrals to other members of the primary care team;
- Advise patients on general healthcare and promote self-management where appropriate, including signposting patients
- Support the delivery of "anticipatory care plans" and lead certain community services
- Provide an alternative model to urgent and same day GP home visit for the network and clinical audits;
- Communicate at all levels across organisations ensuring that an effective, person-centred service is delivered;
- Communicate effectively with patients, and where appropriate family members and their carers, where applicable.
Education and Training requirements
- Educated to degree/diploma level in Paramedicine or equivalent experience
- Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- 5+ years post qualification experience:
- completed their two-year "Consolidation of Learning" period as a “newly qualified paramedic”
- has a further three years' experience as a band 6 (or equivalent) paramedic
- Paramedics working as a FCP are required to completed the FCP roadmap for paramedics
- Which is working towards developing masters level or equivalent capability in paramedic areas of practice e.g. masters level modules in clinical examination/history taking/diagnosis or current practice includes complex patients, undifferentiated illness.
- If the Paramedic cannot demonstrate working at masters level or equivalent capability in paramedic areas of practice or equivalent (such as advanced assessment diagnosis and treatment) the PCN must ensure that each Paramedic is working as part of a rotational model, in which they have access to regular supervision and support from paramedics clinicians signed off at clinical practice masters level or equivalent.