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

Primary Responsibilities

Assess patient needs to ensure appropriate healthcare provision, incorporating evidence-based practice

Develop, implement, and evaluate individual treatment plans for chronic disease patients to promote health and well-being

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

Provide routine nursing care in accordance with clinical evidence, NICE, and NSF guidelines

Diagnose and manage acute and chronic conditions as required

Deliver wound care (e.g., ulcer management, Doppler assessments) to patients

Review patient medications to enhance compliance

Provide guidance to patients on the use of prescribed and over-the-counter medications, including side effects and dosages

Coordinate travel medicine services

Request and process pathology services and results as required

Oversee chronic disease clinics, delivering patient care and referring to secondary or specialist care as necessary

Maintain accurate clinical records in accordance with current legislation

Ensure effective use of SNOMED CT codes by all nursing team members

Maintain and utilize chronic disease registers appropriately

Develop, implement, and participate in well-woman and well-man clinics.

Assist GPs with minor surgery when required

Prioritize health issues and intervene appropriately

Support the team in managing clinical emergencies

Recognize, assess, and refer patients presenting with mental health needs

Implement vaccination programs for adults and children

Support patients in the use of their prescribed or over-the-counter medicines within own scope of practice

Liaise with external services, agencies to ensure appropriate support for patients (eg vulnerable patients)

Delegate clinical responsibilities appropriately, ensuring safe practice and that tasks are within the individual's scope of practice

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

Communication

Liaise with external services/agencies to ensure appropriate support for patients (eg vulnerable patients)

Delivering a Quality Service

Maintain accurate clinical records in accordance with current legislation

Ensure compliance with the practice chaperone policy

Personal Development

Develop, implement, and embed an effective care management program for frail and housebound patients registered at the practice

Develop, implement, and embed health promotion and well-being programs

Team Working

Support the team in managing clinical emergencies

Delegate clinical responsibilities appropriately, ensuring safe practice and that tasks are within the individual's scope of practice

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

Clinical Governance

Support the Infection Prevention Control (IPC) lead by conducting audits, providing training, and offering evidence of compliance to the practice manager

Assist in publishing the IPC annual statement in conjunction with the practice manager

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered nurse with NMC

Desirable

• Post graduate diploma or degree (Chronic Disease Management)
• Family Planning qualification

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a primary care environment
• Experience of working autonomously
• Experience of infection prevention and control measures

Desirable

• Experience of working as a practice nurse or community nurse
• Experience of managing elderly and housebound patients
• Experience of quality initiatives, i.e., benchmarking

Clinical Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Clinical knowledge in the following
• Wound care/removal of sutures and staples
• ECGs
• New patient medicals
• Immunisations (routine, childhood and travel)
• Requesting pathology tests and processing the results, advising patients accordingly
• Understand the importance of evidence-based practice
• Ability to record accurate clinical notes
• Ability to work within own scope of practice and understand when to refer to GPs
• Knowledge of health promotion strategies
• Understand the requirement for PGDs and associated policy

Desirable

• Venepuncture
• Women's health (cervical cytology, contraception, etc)
• Travel medicine
• Chronic disease management awareness for -
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• CHD
• Asthma
• Spirometry
• Broad knowledge of clinical governance
• Knowledge of public health issues in the local area
• Awareness of issues within the wider health arena

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Polite and confident
• Flexible and cooperative
• Motivated, forward thinker
• Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required
• High levels of integrity and loyalty
• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations

Other Requirements

Essential

• Flexibility with working arrangements, including occasional out-of-hours shifts.
• Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check
• Occupational Health Clearance
• Meet the requirements and produce evidence for nurse revalidation

Desirable

• Driving License and use of a car

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).