GP Practice Nurse - Streatham

Job responsibilities

Primary Responsibilities

The following are the core responsibilities of the practice nurse. This list is not exhaustive and requirements may change dependent upon factors such as workload, staffing levels, business needs and changing NHS priorities. You will be expected to lead on some areas of nursing practice within the team.

a. Develop, implement and embed health promotion and well-being programmes

b. Implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for chronic disease patients

c. Identify, manage and support patients as risk of developing long-term conditions, preventing adverse effects on the patients health

d. Provide routine nursing care to patients as required in accordance with clinical based evidence, NICE and the NSF

e. Provide wound care (ulcer /Doppler etc.) to patients

f. Provide vaccination services to adults and babies

g. Request pathology services as necessary

h. Process pathology results as required

i. Provide chronic disease clinics, delivering patient care as necessary, referring patients to secondary / specialist care as required

j. Maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with extant legislation

k. Ensure read codes are used effectively

l. Maintain chronic disease registers

m. Develop, implement and embed well woman clinics

n. Develop, implement and embed well man clinics

o. Chaperone patients where necessary

p. Assist GPs with procedures when required

q. Prioritise health issues and intervene appropriately

r. Support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies

s. Recognise, assess and refer patients presenting with mental health needs

t. Contribute to the creation, maintenance and implementation of infection control policies in line with national guidance

u. Support patients in the use of their prescribed medicines or over the counter medicines (within own scope of practice)

v. Liaise with external services / agencies to ensure the patient is supported appropriately (vulnerable patients etc.)

w. Delegate clinical responsibilities appropriately (ensuring safe practice and the task is within the scope of practice of the individual)

x. Support the clinical team with all safeguarding matters, in accordance with local and national policies

y. Understand practice and local policies for substance abuse and addictive behaviour, referring patients appropriately

z. Deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate

Secondary Responsibilities

In addition to the primary responsibilities, the practice nurse may be requested to:

a. Contribute to clinical audits, effectively utilising the audit cycle

b. Monitor and ensure the safe storage, rotation and disposal of medications

c. Support junior members of the nursing team, providing guidance when necessary

d. Participate in local initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient care

e. Support and participate in shared learning within the practice

f. Continually review clinical practices, responding to national policies and initiatives where appropriate

g. Participate in the review of significant and near-miss events applying a structured approach i.e. root cause analysis (RCA)

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse

Desirable

• Post graduate diploma or degree (Primary Care)

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a primary care environment and/ or
• experience of chronic disease management

Desirable

• Experience of working as a practice nurse or community nurse

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Flexible, adaptable and collaborative team player who is able to pivot in response to the needs of a small organisation.
• Prioritises high quality, compassionate healthcare.
• Sensitive and empathetic to needs of patient.
• Able to communicate effectively with patients and colleagues.
• Resilient in response to challenges and able to work under pressure.
• Able to work independently whilst also being receptive to feedback from colleagues.
• Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required
• High levels of integrity and a commitment to discretion and confidentiality.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development
• Effectively utilises resources
• Punctual and organised

Clinical Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• The following skills will be required in the role but training can be provided where required:
• Wound Care / Removal of sutures & staples
• ECGs
• Venepuncture
• New patient medicals
• Chaperone procedure
• Requesting pathology tests and processing the results, advising patients accordingly
• Travel medicine
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Asthma
• Spirometry
• CHD
• Immunisations (routine, childhood and travel)
• Womens health (Cervical cytology, contraception, etc.)
• Understands the importance of evidence based practice
• Broad knowledge of clinical governance
• Ability to record accurate clinical notes
• Ability to work within own scope of practice and understanding when to refer to GPs
• Knowledge of health promotion strategies
• Understands the requirement for PGDs and associated policy

Desirable

• Knowledge of public health issues in the local area
• Awareness of issues within the wider health arena

Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
• Strong IT skills - competent in the use of Office and Outlook
• Effective time management (Planning & Organising)
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
• Good interpersonal skills
• Problem solving & analytical skills
• Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure

Desirable

• Able to use EMIS

Other Requirements

Essential

• Flexibility to work outside of core office hours
• Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check
• Occupational Health Clearance
• NMC registration

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).