Practice Nurse

Job responsibilities

To be responsible for the implementation of processes for the effective management of patients with long-term conditions using evidence-based practice including care for elderly and housebound patients.

Working as a senior member of the practice multidisciplinary team, the post holder will ensure nursing services are delivered effectively to the entitled patient population.

The Practice Nurse will be responsible for a number of clinical areas such as infection prevention and control, health promotion, chronic disease management, health promotion, womens health clinics, as well as actively supporting the practice management team in the reviewing and delivery of clinical policy and procedure.

This organisation must ensure that the post holder has access to appropriate clinical supervision and an appropriate named individual in the organisation to provide general advice and support on a day-to-day basis.

Further information on clinical supervision can be sought within the Clinical Supervision Policy

Primary key 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:

a. To be instrumental in the support of the Infection Prevention Control (IPC) lead and to work to the IPC requirements by providing audits, training, support and evidence of compliance to the practice manager

b. To support in the publication of the IPC annual statement in conjunction with the practice manager

c. To develop, implement and embed an effective care management programme for the frail and housebound patients registered at the practice

d. To assess the needs of patients ensuring the provision of healthcare is appropriate, incorporating evidence-based practice

e. To develop, implement and embed health promotion and wellbeing programmes

f. To implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for chronic disease patients that promote health and wellbeing

g. To identify, manage and support patients at risk of developing long-term conditions, preventing adverse effects to patients health

h. As required, to provide routine nursing care to patients in accordance with clinical based evidence, NICE and the NSF

i. As required, to diagnose and manage acute and chronic conditions

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

k. To review patient medications to enhance compliance

l. To provide guidance to patients in the use of prescribed and over-the-counter medications regarding side effects and dosages

m. To co-ordinate the provision of travel medicine services

n. To request pathology services and process pathology results as required

o. To oversee the provision of chronic disease clinics, delivering patient care as necessary, referring patients to secondary/specialist care as required

p. To maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with extant legislation

q. To ensure SNOMED CT codes are used effectively by all members of the nursing team

r. To ensure the appropriate maintenance and use of chronic disease registers

s. To develop, implement, embed and participate in well woman clinics

t. To ensure compliance with the practice chaperone policy

u. To assist GPs with minor surgery when required

v. To prioritise health issues and intervene appropriately

w. To support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies

x. To recognise, assess and refer patients presenting with mental health needs

y. To implement vaccination programmes for adults and children

z. To support patients in the use of their prescribed medicines or over-the-counter medicines (within own scope of practice)

aa. To liaise with external services/agencies to ensure the patient is supported appropriately (vulnerable patients etc.)

bb. To delegate clinical responsibilities appropriately (ensuring safe practice and the task is within the scope of practice of the individual)

cc. To support the clinical team with all safeguarding matters, in accordance with local and national policies

dd. To understand practice and local policies for substance abuse and addictive behaviour, referring patients appropriately

ee. To deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate

Secondary key responsibilities

In addition to the primary key responsibilities, the Practice Nurse may be requested to:

a. Develop and review audit protocols and process for the practice, effectively utilising the audit cycle

b. Develop, review and implement nursing protocols in conjunction with the partners

c. Support all members of the nursing team, providing guidance when necessary, conducting appraisals and training needs analyses as required

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

e. Support and participate in shared learning within the practice in order to improve patient care

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)

h. Lead the planning and implementation of changes within the nursing team, enhancing the provision of services to patients

i. Support the practice team with the reviewing and implementation of practice policies and protocols, ensuring conformance to extant legislation

Mission statement

We nurture a positive patient experience and aim to improve overall health and

wellbeing.

Generic responsibilities

All staff have a duty to conform to the following:

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I)

A good attitude and positive action towards Equality Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) creates an environment where all individuals can achieve their full potential. Creating such an environment is important for three reasons it improves operational effectiveness, it is morally the right thing to do and it is required by law.

Patients and their families have the right to be treated fairly and be routinely involved in decisions about their treatment and care. They can expect to be treated with dignity and respect and will not be discriminated against on any grounds including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Patients have a responsibility to treat other patients and our staff with dignity and respect.

Staff have the right to be treated fairly in recruitment and career progression. Staff can expect to work in an environment where diversity is valued, and equality of opportunity is promoted. Staff will not be discriminated against on any grounds including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Staff have a responsibility to ensure that they treat our patients and their colleagues with dignity and respect.

Safety, Health, Environment and Fire (SHEF)

This organisation is committed to supporting and promoting opportunities for staff to maintain their health, wellbeing and safety.

The post holder is to manage and assess risk within the areas of responsibility, ensuring adequate measures are in place to protect staff and patients and monitor work areas and practices to ensure they are safe and free from hazards and conform to health, safety and security legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines.

All personnel have a duty to take reasonable care of health and safety at work for themselves, their team and others and to cooperate with employers to ensure compliance with health and safety requirements.

(Full job description available on request)

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a primary care environment
• Experience of working autonomously
• Experience of infection prevention and control measures
• Clinical knowledge in the following-
• Wound care/removal of sutures and staples
• ECGs
• Venepuncture
• New patient medicals
• Immunisations (routine, childhood and travel)
• Womens health (cervical cytology, contraception, etc.)
• Broad knowledge of clinical governance
• Knowledge of public health issues in the local area
• Awareness of issues within the wider health arena
• Experience with audit and able to lead audit programmes
• Experience with clinical risk management
• Requesting pathology tests and processing the results, advising patients accordingly
• Travel medicine
• Chronic disease management awareness for-
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• CHD
• Asthma
• Spirometry
• Understanding the importance of evidence-based practice
• Understand the requirement for PGDs and associated policy
• Ability to record accurate clinical notes
• Ability to work within own scope of practice and understanding when to refer to GPs
• Chaperone procedure
• Knowledge of health promotion strategies

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

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse (Nursing and Midwifery Council)

Desirable

• Mentor or teaching qualification
• Post graduate diploma or degree (Chronic Disease Management)
• Family planning qualification

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).