Practice Nurse

Job description

Job responsibilities

Responsibilities:-

• Assist GPs to help deliver effective implementation of management of patients with chronic diseases as detailed by the Quality and Outcomes framework.

• Contribute to the development of policies/protocols/guidelines within the Practice.

• Aid the Practice team with implementation of new initiatives in the delivery of chronic disease management services.

• Formulate reports as required for the Practice Manager and or Senior Nurse.

• Support the implementation of evidence-based guidelines in conjunction with the Practice Nursing team.

• Encourage the development of integrated services within Primary Care to include integrated Practice based teams and multidisciplinary working.

• Promote the continuing professional development of yourself and other Nurses and HCAs within the Practice.

• Recognise the opportunities for working in partnership with the Primary Health Care Team.

• Participate in an annual appraisal.

Leadership

• Provide professional and managerial support to, Health Care Assistants and review and monitoring of patients within primary care.

• Offer guidance and support to Health Care Assistants to improve standards of care if needed.

• Participate in chronic disease management clinics within the Practice if asked and only after appropriate training, and provide practical assistance and professional advice to achieve minimum standards of care.

• Provide clinical input where required alongside Practice Nurses, particularly newly appointed Nurses and GPs, to assist in skill development and sharing of best practice.

• Delegate to others, with appropriate skills, knowledge and competence.

• Encourage nursing practice in line with relevant evidence based research.

• Act as a resource to the general public, patients within the healthcare system and their families, carers and various healthcare professionals.

Clinical

• Work alongside Healthcare Assistants to help develop their skills.

• Support the Practice in achieving quality indicators and targets of the GMS contract and any relevant National Service Frameworks.

• Undertake opportunistic screening when clinically required.

• Perform occasional venepuncture and electrocardiography

• Undertake wound care/management/dressing techniques.

• Perform cervical screening and promote breast awareness

• Administer adult and paediatric injections under an individualised prescription or Patient Group Direction, ensuring safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs.

• Deliver high quality, evidence based care to those with long term conditions.

• Provide advice on lifestyle issues, assist and support patients in changing their unhealthy behaviours and refer appropriately.

• Provide an adult and childhood immunisation service working to Patient Group Directions

• Delivers travel health care, including vaccinations and advice for patients

• Recognise the signs of child abuse, family violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse, addictive behaviours, suicidal tendencies and is aware of local, referral procedures.

• Ensure that current evidence based approaches to patients are standard practice.

• Apply infection control measures when collecting and handling of laboratory specimens, disposing of waste materials, dealing with blood and body fluids spillages and report and treat sharps injuries.

• Undertake first aid and management of emergencies, e.g. burns, haemorrhage, hypo/hyperglycaemic emergencies/asthma attacks.

• Undertake annual training and demonstrates competency in anaphylaxis and resuscitation techniques.

Appropriate training will be provided if required.

Education and Training

• Provide professional advice/support to healthcare professionals within the Primary Healthcare Team.

• Following identified training needs, participate in training and facilitation of other Practice Nurses and Healthcare Assistants.

• Provide mentorship and guidance for Healthcare Assistants.

• Participate in partnership programmes of awareness raising, detection and prevention of chronic diseases.

• Maintain a level of expertise in specific chronic disease management (when appropriate) and other pertinent areas of health care, and seek to develop new and improved skills.

• Advise members of the public on the concepts of health promotion, education, prevention and protection.

• Seek out new knowledge of nursing and health by reading, enquiring and partaking in continuous education programme.

• Take responsibility for personal development and education including in-service training.

• Direct, supervise and help mentor Nurses and Health Care Assistants in the clinical setting.

• Actively participate in multidisciplinary education and training.

• Monitor and maintain consistency of professional standards and take appropriate action if standards are not met.

• Maintain professional development by attending relevant courses and study days to keep abreast of current knowledge and developments.

• Abide by the legal requirements and statutory rules relating to Practice, and record and maintain periodic professional registration with RCN & NMC.

• Participate in an annual appraisal.

Communication

• Maintain communication and liaise with other disciplines across primary, secondary and tertiary care services as and when necessary.

• Contribute to and work effectively within the primary care team.

• Assist in clinical audit and the setting and monitoring of standards of care.

• Maintain accurate patient records.

• Advise and support other members of the team aiming towards common objectives.

Competence

You are responsible for limiting your actions to those which you feel competent to undertake. If you have any doubts about your competence during the course of your duties you should immediately speak to the Nurse Manager in the first instance.

OTHER:-

This job description is neither exhaustive nor exclusive, and will be reviewed periodically in conjunction with the post holder. The post holder is required to carry out any duties that may reasonably be requested by the Partners or Practice Manager.

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 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 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 and 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, free from hazards.

• Reporting potential risks identified.

EQUALITY & DIVERSITY:-

The post holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include:-

• Acting in a way that recognises the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with Practice procedures and policies, and current legislation.

• Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, cares 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.

PERSONAL/PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:-

The post holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the Practice as part of this employment, such training to include:-

• Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development.

• Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work.

QUALITY:-

The post holder will strive to maintain quality within the practice, and will:-

• Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk.

• Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision.

• Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance teams performance.

• Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needs.

• Effectively manage own time, workload and resources.

COMMUNICATION:-

The post holder should recognise the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to:-

• Communicate effectively with other team members.

• Communicate effectively with patients and carers.

• Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly.

CONTRIBUTION TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SERVICES:-

The post holder will:-

• Apply Practice policies, standards and guidance.

• Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect their own work.

• Participate in audit where appropriate.

Person Specification

Aptitudes

Essential

• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Self-motivated, enthusiastic and approachable
• Demonstrate a flexible and adaptable approach to work
• Ability to be reflective and accept criticism and act constructively
• Team worker
• Professional in appearance and approach
• Ability to make decisions and show initiative

Experience

Essential

• Experience working within healthcare provision

Desirable

• Experience of working in primary care
• Chronic disease management (Diabetes, asthma, COPD, hypertension)
• Cervical cytology / health promotion
• Wound dressings and infection prevention and control
• Vaccinations / child immunisations
• Phlebotomy and injections

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to degree/diploma level.
• NMC Registration

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Ability to prioritise ensuring effective and efficient workload completion.
• Ability to deal appropriately with sensitive and confidential information .
• Provide safe and effective evidence based care and ensure all members of the nursing team are safe and effective.

UK Registration

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

Employer details

Employer name

Plas Ffynnon Medical Centre

Address

Middleton Road

Oswestry

Shropshire

SY11 2RB

Employer's website

https://www.pfmc.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)