Practice Nurse (with an interest in diabetes)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Major duties and responsibilities

To provide assessment, treatment, screening, health education services and advice, working in accordance with the UKCC Code of Conduct

Provide nursing treatments to patients independently or in participation with nurse colleagues and general practitioners with reference to agreed protocols and guidelines

To prescribe where appropriate, in accordance with national guidelines and locally agreed protocols, while working within the areas of your qualifications and experience.

Provide general and specific health screenings to the practice patients (within agreed protocols and guidelines) with referral to general practitioners or other health professionals as necessary

Professional Responsibilities and Development

Maintain continued education by attendance at courses and study days as deemed useful or necessary by the practice for professional development

To have the ability to work on own initiative, acknowledging limitations and recognising when referral is needed

To be familiar with changes and progress in nursing care. Evaluating and adapting care using evidence based practice, in consultation with colleagues as a forum for team education, development and audit

Using evidence based practice to assist in the formulation of practice philosophy, strategy and policy

Nursing procedures to include: wound management, removal of sutures and clips, management of leg ulcers, measuring blood pressure, phlebotomy, urinalysis, near patient testing, ECGs, routine injections as prescribed including B12 and contraception, cervical cytology, , immunisations and vaccinations (childhood, flu and other routine immunisations), aural care, ear syringing, assisting doctors with minor surgery and IUCD insertion. In house and external training will be given to safeguard and promote safe practice

To manage patients on warfarin using INR star as tool, according to practice protocol.

Perform investigations including 24Hr ECG, 24 Hr BP monitoring, ABPI Doppler according to guidelines or protocols or when requested by a GP

Perform Spirometry for patients with a diagnosis of COPD or Asthma, or when requested by a GP

Advise patients on general health care and minor ailments and injuries, with referral to GPs as necessary

Advise patients on healthy lifestyle including diet, exercise, weight management, smoking cessation, contraception and sexual health

To perform well person checks and other health checks

To set up new clinics and to monitor existing clinics, to ensure smooth running and collection of statistics

To assist GPs when dealing with acutely unwell patients

To participate in research within the practice

To participate in the education of HCAs

To be responsible for the efficient running of the treatment room and surgery equipment

To perform routine reviews for patients with a diagnosis of Asthma, COPD, and Ischaemic Heart Disease

To monitor glycaemic control, lipid control and BP control in patients with a diagnosis of Diabetes, Hyperlipidaemia and Hypertension, and to initiate changes in management and treatment

To work with GPs to investigate, diagnose, monitor, manage and treat conditions related to Diabetes, Hyperlipidaemia, Hypertension, COPD, Asthma, and Ischaemic Heart Disease

To give advice to patients intending to travel overseas, and to give travel vaccines as appropriate

Prescribing

To initiate, authorise as repeat and issue repeat prescriptions for items required for dressings and wound care

To initiate prescriptions for antibiotics for wound infections, referring to a GP if satisfactory progress not made after a maximum of two courses.

To initiate prescriptions for urinary Tract infections, referring to a GP if satisfactory progress not made after a maximum of two courses.

To initiate prescriptions for thrush

To initiate, authorise as repeat and issue repeat prescriptions for inhalers, devices and medications for the planned management of patients with Asthma and COPD

To initiate, authorise as repeat and issue repeat prescriptions for treatments for improving glycaemic control, lipid control and BP control in patients with a diagnosis of Diabetes, Hyperlipidaemia and Hypertension

To initiate, authorise as repeat and issue repeat prescriptions for items used for monitoring Diabetes

To initiate prescriptions for vaccinations including childhood immunisation, flu and pneumonia vaccines, travel vaccines

To initiate prescriptions for Malarial prophylaxis

To prescribe Warfarin tablets for patients already on treatment, where the INR is not overdue

To prescribe Vitamin B12 and Depo Provera injections, not including initial prescription.

To issue prescriptions for items which have been authorised by a GP for repeat prescribing, where the review date is not overdue and the item falls within your areas of qualifications and expertise

To prescribe such other medications or devices as you may consider appropriate, after discussion with a GP

Administrative Responsibilities

To maintain accurate, comprehensive records of all consultations and treatments in the patients notes, both written and computerised

Ensure accurate completion of all necessary documentation associated with patient health care and registration with the practice

Ensure collection of statistical information required for regular and ad hoc reports

Attend and participate in practice and staff meetings as appropriate

Liaison

Maintain effective liaison with other agencies and staff concerned with patient care and with other disciplines within the practice, with appropriate regard to confidentiality

Treatment room and surgery supplies and equipment

To have working knowledge of equipment used in the surgery

In participation with Nursing colleagues and Practice Manager ensure the maintenance of equipment and stock levels relating to patient care

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• NMC Registered nurse

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working within a nursing team.
• Experience of working with vulnerable patients.
• Interest in diabetes.
• Be courteous and pleasant with the ability to remain calm and in control when faced with difficult situations.
• Enthusiasm to develop the Practice Nursing role from an evidence based perspective.
• To have communication skills that maintain pleasant and professional relationships with patients and colleagues.
• Must be able to work as part of a team, yet be self -reliant.
• Must be flexible in order to cover annual leave and sickness of team members when appropriate.
• The role of the Practice Nurse is an evolving one and it is anticipated that the post holder will be responsible and reasonably flexible in the interpretation of the job description.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a primary care setting.
• Experience of working in a GP practice.
• Knowledge and experience of diabetes.

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Wycliffe Medical Practice

Address

Lutterworth Medical Centre

Gilmorton Road

Lutterworth

Leicestershire

LE17 4EB

Employer's website

http://www.wycliffemedicalpractice.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)