Practice Nurse

Job responsibilities

The following are the core responsibilities of the Practice Nurse. There may be on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels:

Implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for chronic disease patients

Identify, manage and support patients at risk of developing long-term conditions, preventing adverse effects on patients health

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

Provide wound care to patients

Provide travel vaccinations

Womens Health - Cervical cytology, contraception etc.

Request pathology services as necessary

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

Maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with extant legislation

Ensure read codes are used effectively

Maintain chronic disease registers

Chaperone patients where necessary

Assist GPs with minor surgery when required

Assist GPs with coil and Implanon fitting in surgery when required

Prioritise health issues and intervene appropriately

Support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies

Recognise, assess and refer patients presenting with mental health needs

Implement vaccination programmes for adults and children

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

Delegate clinical responsibilities appropriately - ensuring safe practice and that the task is within the scope of practice of the individual

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

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

Deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse.

Desirable

• Postgraduate diploma or degree (Primary Care)

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a primary care environment
• Experience of chronic disease management

Desirable

• Experience of working as a practice nurse or community nurse

Clinical Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Wound care/removal of sutures and staples
• ECGs
• Venepuncture
• Chaperone procedure
• Asthma Reviews
• COPD Reviews
• 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 to understand when to refer to GPs
• Knowledge of health promotion strategies
• Understands the requirement for PGDs and associated policy
• Skills
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
• Strong IT skills
• Clear, polite telephone manner
• Competent in the use of Office and Outlook
• Effective time management (planning and organising)
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
• Good interpersonal skills
• Problem-solving and analytical skills
• Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure

Desirable

• Diabetes
• Knowledge of public health issues in the local area
• Awareness of issues within the wider health arena
• SystmOne user skills
• Experience with audit and able to lead audit programmes
• Experience with clinical risk management

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

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