Practice Nurse

Job responsibilities

MAIN RESPONSIBILITES OF THE POST

Principle duties and areas of responsibility will include but are not restricted to:-

Clinical Nursing Practice

• Completion of annual reviews such as hypertension, CHD, Stroke and Peripheral Arterial Disease, Atrial Fibrillation, Diabetes and other Primary Care/QOF required reviews

• Cervical Screening

• High Vaginal Swabs

• Travel Advice

• New Patient Checks

• Screening such as BP, height and weight, BMI, smoking status, urinalysis

• Womens health eg discussion of breast awareness and examination

• Mens health eg testicular examination

• Blood tests

• ECGs

• Wound management such as dressings, suture and clip removal

• Doppler readings

• Ear irrigation and safe ear care advice

• Chaperoning

• Assist the doctor in providing minor surgery procedures

• Administer injections under an individualised prescription or Patient Group Directive.

• Childhood immunisations according to current guidelines

• Health promotion and lifestyle advice including smoking and exercise

• Follow agreed clinical protocols with referral to Lead nurse of GPs

Other Tasks

• Maintaining and cleaning clinical equipment

• Maintaining clinical rooms, stocking and rotating items as required

• Ordering of equipment and stock

• Ensure the cold chain is followed with safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs

• Support colleagues in adopting sound infection control measures within the practice according to local and national guidelines including handling of waste, collection and handling of specimens, blood and body fluid spillages, decontamination of instruments and clinical equipment, reporting of sharps injuries etc

• To be competent in anaphylaxis and resuscitation techniques

• To maintain continuous professional development in keeping with the requirements of the practice.

• To participate in training of other personnel as appropriate, including unqualified staff.

• Recognise the signs, symptoms and categories of child abuse and be aware of child health procedures

• Be aware of child health procedures, statutory local procedures and points of referral

General Duties

• To maintain accurate patient records on the computer

• To collect data and participate in regular practice audit and research projects when required

• To log and dispatch specimens to the hospital

Additional skills required for the post

• An ability to prioritise and balance routine administrative tasks against important management issues of the surgery

• Ability to contribute to future practice policies and growth

• Excellent communication skills written/verbal

• Use available resources effectively

• Make balanced and appropriate decisions

• Develop and Implement new ideas to improve performance

• Communicate effectively with the Doctors, Practice Manager, the team, colleagues and outside agencies

• Perform in a cost effective manner to eliminate waste and to help the organisation to run economically

• Working knowledge of clinical software

• Basic knowledge of computer hardware

You will be expected to maintain your own 3 yearly registration with the UKCC.

You will also be expected to be conversant with the NMC code of Professional Conduct and understand the importance of professional accountability.

Additional Requirements

Essential

• Membership of a professional body

Physical make up etc

Essential

• Gets on well with people at all levels
• Good interpersonal skills, both verbal and written
• Evidence of problem-solving and decision making skills
• Good team player
• Ability to be reflective, accept criticism and act constructively
• Willingness to accept additional
• responsibilities

Desirable

• Positive role model

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered nurse.
• Willingness to learn and acquire new skills.
• Insight and understanding of current issues in nursing and the NHS.
• Evidence of appropriate knowledge base.
• Interest and basic knowledge in long-term conditions.
• Demonstrate an understanding of audit.
• Knowledge of health promotion strategies.
• Awareness of clinical governance issues in primary care.
• Knowledge of patient group directions and associated policy.
• Change-management skills and ability to support patients to change lifestyle.
• Ability to communicate difficult messages to patients and families.
• Negotiation and conflict management skills.
• IT skills.

Desirable

• General practice nursing experience
• Basic/advanced certificate of life support
• Awareness of the national service framework guidelines
• Understanding of health and safety issues
• SystmOne experience

Special Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Gets on well with people at all levels.
• Good interpersonal skills, both verbal and written.
• Evidence of problem-solving and decision making skills.
• Good team player.
• Ability to be reflective, accept criticism and act constructively.
• Willingness to accept additional responsibilities.

Desirable

• Uses initiative.
• Clinical skills inc cervical cytology, immunisation and vaccination, ear care, minor surgery. Interest and experience in the management of Diabetes
• Contraception and sexual health experience.

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).