Advance Nurse PractitionerGP Practice

The post-holder is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP).
They have been assessed as competent in practice using their expert clinical knowledge
and skills. They have the freedom and authority to act and make autonomous decisions in
the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of patients.
The ANP provides an opportunity for patients to avoid the need to be referred to a GP,
thereby enabling them to receive timely care and negate unnecessary delay in receiving
treatment.
ANPs in primary care can develop close, long-term relationships with their patients and
work in partnership with them to achieve optimum health. They are autonomous in making
decisions based on assessment, diagnosis and the interpretation of test results. They can
independently prescribe appropriate medication, evaluate or refer to other specialists if
necessary.

Primary key responsibilities
The following are the core responsibilities of the ANP in delivering health services.

A. Develop, implement and embed health promotion and wellbeing programmes
B. Manage patients presenting with a range of acute and chronic medical conditions,
providing subject matter expert advice
C. Implement and evaluate individual specialised treatment plans for chronic disease
patients
D. Identify, manage and support patients at risk of developing long-term conditions,
preventing adverse effects to the patient’s health
E. Provide advanced, specialist nursing care to patients as required in accordance
with clinical based evidence, NICE and the NSF
F. Be aware of duties and responsibilities regarding current legislation and adhere to
practice policies and procedures on Safeguarding Adults and Safeguarding
Children
G. Request and collect pathological specimens. Upon receipt, to process and interpret
pathology and other test results as required
H. Provide chronic disease clinics, delivering patient care as necessary, referring
patients to secondary/specialist care as required
I.Provide well woman and well man clinics
J.Maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with extant legislation ensuring
that SNOMED CT codes are used effectively
K. Chaperone patients where necessary
L.Prioritise health issues and intervene appropriately
M. Support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies
N. Recognise assess and refer patients presenting with mental health needs
O. Support in the provision of vaccination programmes for both adults and children
P. Be an extended and supplementary prescriber, adhering to extant guidance
Q. Support patients in the use of their prescribed medicines or over the counter
medicines (within own scope of practice), reviewing annually as required
R.Contribute to practice targets (QOF, etc.), complying with local and regional
guidance
S. Liaise with external services/agencies to ensure the patient is supported
appropriately (vulnerable patients, etc.)
T.Delegate clinical responsibilities appropriately (ensuring safe practice and that the
task is within the scope of practice of the individual)
U. Understand practice and local policies for substance abuse and addictive
behaviour, referring patients appropriately
V. Deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate
There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks, this will be dependent
upon factors such as workload and staffing levels
Wider responsibilities
In addition to the primary responsibilities, the ANP has the following wider responsibilities:
A. Provide holistic support in the clinical governance spectrum assuming a senior role
in its compliance
B. Support the IPC lead for the practice, ensuring compliance
C. Monitor and ensure the safe storage, rotation and disposal of medications
D. Provide guidance when necessary, acting as a mentor to students and newly
qualified staff
E. Participate in local initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient care
F. Support and participate in shared learning within the organisation
G. Develop an area of specialist interest, taking the lead within the organisation
H. Continually review clinical practices, responding to national policies and initiatives
where appropriate
I. Drive the development of nursing services within the organisation, liaising with
external agencies and professional organisations as required
J. Develop practice administrative and clinical protocols in line with the needs of the
patient and current legislation