Job responsibilities
The Cedar Brook Practice
Post: Practice Nurse
Qualifications: Registered (first level) Nurse
Accountability: Professionally: to patients under NMC Code of Conduct
Clinically: to GPs
Managerially: to Practice Manager
Job Summary:
The post holder is responsible for the delivery of basic practice nursing services to the practice population. Supported by the GPs in the practice, they will deliver care within the boundaries of their role, focusing upon supporting patients to be healthy, monitoring of long-term conditions, health prevention and screening activities. They will work collaboratively with the general practice team to meet the needs of patients, supporting the delivery of policy and procedures, and providing nurse leadership as required.
The postholder will work within the NMC Code Standards of conduct, performance and ethics
for nurses and midwives and will hold current membership of a Professional Defence Organisation, i.e. RCN, MDU, CPHVA
Clinical Nursing Practice
Initiate and carry out programmes of health screening, recognise patients readiness to change and support attempts to change unhealthy behaviour.Deliver opportunistic health promotion & support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that promote healthy living and encourage principles of self-care
Womens Health/Contraception Undertake cervical cytology and provide a comprehensive family planning and sexual health advice service.
Undertake NHS health checks following approved protocol
Undertake NHS health checks following approved protocol
Wound Management including treatment of leg ulcers using doppler assessment
Advise on current vaccination schedules and administer immunisations to children and adults under Patient Group Direction including travel risk assessments
Contribute to the management of programmes of care for patients with chronic diseases in accordance with agreed protocols/clinical guidelines, with particular reference to Diabetes and respiratory disease.
Monitor Blood Pressure at agreed intervals following practice hypertension protocol
Support patients and colleagues in adopting sound infection control measures
Understand and apply legal policy that supports the identification of vulnerable and abused children and adults, being aware of statutory child/vulnerable adult health procedure and local guidance
Work within policies relating to domestic violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive behaviour, and refer as appropriate
Professional Responsibilities
Work effectively as a member of the practice and contribute to common objectives, including the Quality and Outcomes framework
Contribute to and support practice development plans
Assist in clinical audit and the setting and monitoring of standards of care
Contribute to practice developments to enhance the nursing contribution and quality of care
Be aware of current evidence based approaches to patient care and demonstrate this in practice
Maintain own professional development by attending regular update sessions and by reading Professional journals
Access relevant educational programmes/courses that reflect the needs of the practice as well as the needs of the individual
Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work
- Provide support to other areas of the practice as required.
Any other tasks assigned by the Senior Nurse/Practice Manager/Partners
Follow CQC guidelines
Confidentiality:
In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately
- In the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential
- Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data.
Health & Safety:
The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the practice Health & Safety Policy, to include:
Using personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines
- Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks
- Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills
- Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards
- Reporting potential risks identified.
Equality and Diversity:
The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include:
- Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues
- Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights.
Communication:
The post-holder should recognize the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to:
- Communicate effectively with other team members
- Communicate effectively with patients and carers
- Recognize peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly.
This job description is intended as a guide and may be subject to review and amendment following consultation with the post holder in light of developments within the practice.