1. Do you sometimes wish that there was a way to be more involved in influencing the improvement of the patient journey? Do you find that professional boundaries, bureaucracy & regulations get in the way of complete patient care? Would you like the opportunity to expand into other areas of health care? Are you an innovator, or wish that you had the opportunity to be?

2. Emergency Care Practitioner The emergency care practitioner programme is designed to create a new type of autonomous practitioner working at the forefront of the current changes affecting the NHS today. The role of the Emergency Care Practitioner (ECP) is developing at an increasing pace throughout the UK, bringing with it exciting opportunities for experienced nurses, ambulance paramedics, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists and others committed to enhancing patient care in the emergency/unscheduled care environments.

3. Emergency Care Practitioner 15 week Essentials of Emergency Care Course. 6 months skills consolidation in a variety of environments. Much of the programme is tailored to suit the needs of the student, in order that they can develop the necessary skills for them to practice. The aim of the ECP Programme is to enable ECPs to make autonomous decisions based on a sound clinical assessment and judgement, complete episodes of care when safe and appropriate to do so and arrange appropriate referrals when it is not.

4. Emergency Care Practitioner On successful completion of the programme the Emergency Care Practitioners will work autonomously within their Scope of Practice. The role of the Emergency Care Practitioner will be transferable across the NHS both locally and nationally. (Modernisation Agency 2002)

5. In terms of what the ECP role is, it can perhaps best be described as a nurse, ambulance paramedic or other registered health professional who is acting as an autonomous health care worker, whose practice is underpinned by a theory- based conceptual framework and a code of professional ethics. It is very different from the Community Paramedic role, and the Emergency Nurse Practitioner role.

6. Emergency Care Practitioner It is expected that the Emergency Care Practitioner will be working out of a variety of settings to include Minor Injury Units; Accident & Emergency; Primary Care Centres; Out of Hours Premises; and Ambulance service environments. As a result, they will have a two way relationship with Acute Trusts, Primary Care Trusts, Clinical Mentors and Ambulance Control.

7. Are you up to it? Exciting chance to develop the new role. Opportunity to develop your own skills and knowledge Breakdown existing professional barriers, (not only across the health professions but also with social services, police, prison service etc. Develop the necessary skills to be able to make autonomous decisions about patient care. Need to step outside your comfort zone Potentially working in environments that may be alien to anything that you have experienced before. Working alone much of the time. Accepting the responsibility of making autonomous decisions about patient care.

8. Emergency Care Practitioner Just Do It !