SCOTTISH AMBULANCE SERVICE JOB DESCRIPTION Job Title: Reporting To: Department(s)/Location: Consultant Paramedic OHCA Programme Lead Medical Director Medical Directorate Job Reference number (coded): Background 1. For a patient in cardiac arrest, every minute that passes without intervention, decreases their chance of survival by 10%. As the Chain of Survival demonstrates, the chance of surviving out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) significantly improves if a call for help is made and a patient receives early CPR and defibrillation. 2. It is acknowledged that Scotland s performance in relation to OHCA could be improved and therefore it has been agreed that a national OHCA strategy should be produced. The Scottish Government has commissioned a strategic scoping exercise to be carried out in order to inform the development of this strategy. An outline proposal is to be produced by December 2014, with the expectation that a national OHCA strategy will be published in the spring of 2015. 3. An OHCA Strategic Scoping Group, chaired by Dr Jim Ward, Medical Director, Scottish Ambulance Service led to the launch in 2015of Scotland s OHCA strategy In order to support this work, which is now core SAS business, a permanent appointment is required at Lead Consultant Paramedic level (Band 8a). The attached job description sets out the purpose and objectives of the post. 1. JOB PURPOSE To provide clinical leadership to progress the Scottish Ambulance Service role in implementing a national strategy for improving survival following OHCA (Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest). The post holder will work closely with the Medical Director and with Scottish Government representatives in taking this work forward. The post holder will work in partnership and collaboration with clinical and managerial colleagues and when required both service users and their carers. The post holder will work with a wide range of statutory and voluntary sector partners and be expected to report both internally within the Scottish Ambulance Service and where necessary on to Scottish Government. Key activities and deliverables to support the development of the OHCA strategy include: Co-ordinate a national approach to improving survival following OHCA, regardless of the environment or location Enable staff to perform optimally by making education and feedback effective in respect of high quality CPR Represent SAS at the OHCA National Delivery and Reference Groups
Present at conferences and communicate the work of SAS at national and international forums Line manage the 3RU roll out post Support the development of an OHCA registry to ensure effective use of data Work with internal and external stakeholder to co-ordinate the mapping of assets including first and coresponders, and establishing a robust approach to the registration of PADs (Public Access defibrillators). Interpret performance and other data to determine the optimal response to OHCA on a national scale. Co-ordinate the roll out of the Edinburgh 3RU program as defined by the SAS Work closely with Ambulance Control Centres to ensure that all elements of the chain of survival are effectively co-ordinated Develop links with a wide range of stakeholders including the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and third sector organisations 2. ORGANISATIONAL POSITION Medical Director Lead Consultant Paramedic AMD Emergency Care AMD ScotSTAR Head of clinical Governance and Patient Safety Consultant Paramedic OHCA THIS POST Consultant Paramedic Clinical Decision Making Clinical Performance Manager Research Paramedic Clinical Governance Managers x 6 OHCA Clinical Effectiveness Lead 3. DIMENSIONS Is responsible for leading, developing and implementing the SAS response in co-ordinating the national OHCA strategy The role requires an experienced clinician to work with senior and operational managers and frontline staff within the Scottish Ambulance Service and the wider health community to further develop and refine clinical decision making and judgement skills across that journey Provide professional clinical advice and support to clinicians working within the Scottish Ambulance Service and the wider health and social care community Provision of direct / indirect patient care within the organisation Develop systems to monitor and improve clinical quality in the organisation in line with clinical
governance and risk assessment frameworks. 4. MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES EXPERT CLINICAL PRACTICE FUNCTION The core focus of this post will be to develop excellence in all aspects of the organisational and clinical response to OHCA. The post holder will: Provide leadership within the SAS for the development of our OHCA strategy Demonstrate a high degree of personal and professional autonomy To bring together a range of internal and external stakeholders in co-ordinating this strategy To provide leadership and consultancy within a multi-professional context To provide specialist cardiac arrest advice to ambulance staff to enable them to deal effectively with out of hospital cardiac arrests To provide/ co-ordinate specialist training, clinical supervision and support to staff in improving survival from OHCA Demonstrate the ability to reach complex critical judgements Support the development of care pathways for patients suffering from cardiac arrest through collaborative working with colleagues internally and external stakeholders Function at an advanced clinical and academic level and will possess detailed knowledge of the evidence and research regarding health and social care needs of people affected by OHCA Initiate and participate in clinical audit and data analysis to help inform the development of clinical practice. RESEARCH AND EDUCATION FUNCTION Work collaboratively within the Scottish Ambulance Service, NHS Scotland and other agencies to develop and support education and research initiatives for a wide range of professionals, in particular the development of a Scottish Cardiac Arrest Registry Seek to influence the research community agenda identifying key areas of research interest Develop effective links with Higher Educational Institutions, to develop education and research which meets the needs of patients and practitioners relating to cardiac arrest Work collaboratively with a range of stakeholders to develop research proposals and opportunities Utilise the findings from research to inform, enhance and develop clinical practice Develop and establish clinical and multi-agency networks across Scotland, UK Ambulance Services and other relevant organisations across the UK and beyond that will enable best clinical practice to be identified and shared Co-ordinate, implement and evaluate research relating to out of hospital cardiac arrest and
development activity. PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP AND CONSULTANCY FUNCTION Monitor and audit care delivered within the unscheduled care environment in accordance with both national and local clinical guidelines Provide clinical leadership at all levels supporting the development of clinical quality in relation to OHCA Influence and lead clinical practice by undertaking clinical audit and research and by promoting evidence based practice Develop relationships with professional organisations and networks Prepare papers for publication, develop networks and participate in conferences Provide consultancy regarding clinical care and support colleagues to develop research and audit proposals Provide clinical supervision and support in every sphere of clinical operations where clinical decision making relating specifically to OHCA takes place. SERVICE DEVELOPMENT FUNCTION Provide all staff delivering clinical services with a consultancy resource with regard to clinical issues relating to OHCA, at all times promoting professional development and reflective practice Support the quality of CPR and the effective organisational response to achieve this in urban and rural settings As a first step, lead the process of rolling out identified elements of the 3RU model to Glasgow and other urban environments Work with stakeholders in remote and rural Scotland to promote models that deliver effective OHCA response in these environments Work with other agencies such as SFRS and police Scotland to ensure that their assets are effectively deployed where appropriate to save lives Work collaboratively within the Clinical Directorate and across other organisational directorates Propose policy and service changes based on new guidelines and research findings Seek opportunities for continuous quality improvement across the organisation. 5. SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT The post holder is required to use software packages and electronic equipment for word processing, presentations, spreadsheets and databases Daily use of laptop/computer for prolonged periods of time (4-5 hours on a daily basis) To process and generate up-to-date professional information To disseminate information to identified stakeholders
Understand and navigate the IT systems in use across the organisation, including those used within the Ambulance Control Centre Use systems to collate qualitative and quantitative information regarding the evaluation of research. 6. DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS This role involves working as an autonomous practitioner and the ability to self direct their workload Guidance and support from the line manager will be provided where required Clinically and professionally expected to make autonomous decisions on a daily basis which includes supporting staff in clinical decisions Discretion to make decisions regarding patient care within clinical / professional guidelines and as part of the multi-disciplinary team Interpret policy and clinical guidelines with regard to the impact of required change to practice for service development Judgements may be complex and require analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options. 7. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS Engage with senior colleagues, including SGHD, within SAS, territorial Health Boards, other Statutory agencies and third sector partners Communicate and disseminate complex clinical and professional information to paramedics and otherhealthcare professionals Communicate sensitive, complex information to the multi-professional team Generate and present reports and updates as necessary Actively encourage participation of practitioners in all development and learning situations Deliver formal and informal training to healthcare professionals and others, and provide presentations to local, national and international conferences. 8. PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB Critically appraise literature for its effect on practice, policy development and organisational change which requires a high level of prolonged concentration Create, write and present reports Spend on average 50% of day working on personal computer Occasional exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances The post holder is required to spend significant amounts of time driving across Scotland at all times of
year. This may include driving under emergency conditions as required. 9. MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB Working with the SAS Medical Director and SGHD, to deliver an outline proposal for a Scottish OHCA strategy by December 2014, and thereafter to implement significant elements of the strategy Playing a key role in the management of change within a multidisciplinary professional/agency context to deliver measurable improvements in survival from OHCA across Scotland Motivate clinical colleagues to a culture of continuous quality improvement Maintaining own knowledge base in a constantly changing service To facilitate effective partnership working. 10. KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED HCPC registered Paramedic Educated to (or working towards) post graduate level or has equivalent experience (both technical experience and well grounded in clinical culture) Demonstrates a portfolio of career-long learning Has extensive knowledge of the health care needs of people requiring emergency and unscheduled care In-depth knowledge of critical care and out of hospital cardiac arrest care Has experience of clinical audit and report writing Excellent communication and skills Evidence of leadership of change. 11. JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT Job Holder s Signature: Head of Department Signature: Date: Date: