Posted: April 29th, 2018

The Role of the Nurse as an Assistant to a Medical Practitioner

The Role of the Nurse as an Assistant to a Medical Practitioner

Nurses are essential members of the health care team who work in collaboration with medical practitioners to provide quality care to patients. Nurses have different roles and responsibilities depending on their level of education, training and experience. One of the roles that nurses can perform is that of an assistant to a medical practitioner, also known as an assistant practitioner (AP).

What is an Assistant Practitioner?

An assistant practitioner is a higher level support worker who has knowledge and skills beyond the level of traditional support workers, such as health care assistants (HCAs). APs can deliver some aspects of care that were formerly the domain of registered staff, under the supervision and delegation of a medical practitioner or a registered nurse .

The role of the AP is intended to free up nurses and medical practitioners to make better use of their professional skills and improve patient outcomes. APs can also provide continuity of care, enhance patient satisfaction and reduce costs .

What are the Tasks and Duties of an Assistant Practitioner?

The tasks and duties of an AP vary depending on the clinical setting, the scope of practice and the level of competence. However, some common tasks and duties that APs can perform include:

– Assessment, organising care, delivering care, recognition of a deteriorating patient, escalation to relevant professionals for support
– Venepuncture, cannulation, injections, dressing changes, wound care, catheterisation, ECGs
– Medication administration, within local policies and protocols
– Health promotion, education and advice to patients and families
– Documentation and record keeping
– Participation in multidisciplinary team meetings and audits

What are the Qualifications and Skills Required for an Assistant Practitioner?

To become an AP, one needs to have a relevant qualification at level 4 or 5 of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF), such as a foundation degree or a diploma in health and social care. Alternatively, one can complete an apprenticeship programme that leads to an AP qualification .

In addition to the qualification, an AP needs to have the following skills:

– Communication and interpersonal skills
– Clinical skills and knowledge
– Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
– Teamwork and collaboration skills
– Ethical and legal awareness
– Professionalism and accountability

What are the Benefits and Challenges of Being an Assistant Practitioner?

Being an AP can have many benefits, such as:

– Having more autonomy and responsibility in delivering care
– Having more opportunities for learning and development
– Having more job satisfaction and recognition
– Having more career progression pathways

However, being an AP can also have some challenges, such as:

– Having a lack of role clarity and blurring of boundaries with registered staff
– Having a lack of supervision and support from senior staff
– Having a lack of regulation and standardisation of the role
– Having a lack of pay parity with registered staff

How Can the Role of the Assistant Practitioner be Improved?

To improve the role of the AP, some possible actions are:

– Developing clear role descriptions and competencies for APs
– Providing adequate supervision and mentorship for APs
– Establishing clear lines of accountability and delegation for APs
– Creating a regulatory framework for APs
– Recognising the value and contribution of APs to the health care team

Conclusion

The role of the nurse as an assistant to a medical practitioner is one of the ways that nurses can enhance their skills and scope of practice. APs can provide high-quality care to patients under the supervision of registered staff. However, the role of the AP needs more clarity, support and recognition to ensure its effectiveness and safety.

References

: The assistant practitioner role in healthcare | Nursing Times. (2015). Retrieved 9 November 2023, from https://www.nursingtimes.net/roles/healthcare-assistants/the-assistant-practitioner-role-in-healthcare-28-09-2015/

: Henshall, C., Doherty, A., Green, H., Westcott, L., & Aveyard, H. (2018). The role of the assistant practitioner in the clinical setting: a focus group study. BMC Health Services Research , 18 , 695. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-018-3506-y

: What Is A Band 4 Assistant Practitioner And Why It’s A Great Job For Student Nurses | Nurses.co.uk. (2021). Retrieved 9 November 2023, from https://www.nurses.co.uk/blog/what-is-a-band-4-assistant-practitioner-and-why-it-s-a-great-job-for-student-nurses/

: Nurse Practitioner vs Physician Assistant | Pros and Cons. (2023). Retrieved 9 November 2023, from https://nurse.org/articles/rise-of-non-physician-roles-in-medicine/

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