Practice Nurse

Job responsibilities

The following are the core responsibilities of the Practice Nurse in delivering health services:

Support the Infection Prevention Control (IPC) lead and work to the IPC Policy

Consult with patients and their families to undertake assessments of patient need

Support in the long-term condition management within the organisation, including being involved with quality improvement and assurance initiatives

Develop, implement and embed an effective care management programme for the frail and housebound patients registered with the organisation

Support public health and screening programmes, including immunisations, vaccinations, and cervical screening and also provide opportunistic health promotion advice

Embed population health management approaches within general practice, targeting health inequalities and improving access

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

Teach and advise patients and their families on how to manage their condition

Work within national and local protocols where these exist

Recognise the boundaries of their practice and know when and to whom patients should be referred

Support in the delivery of enhanced services and other service requirements

Be aware of duties and responsibilities regarding current legislation and adhere to practice policies and procedures on Safeguarding Adults and Safeguarding Children

Participate in the management of patient complaints when requested to do so and participate in the identification of any necessary learning brought about through incidents and near-miss events

Undertake all mandatory training and induction programmes

Contribute to and embrace the spectrum of clinical governance

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

Attend a formal appraisal with their manager at least every 12 months. Once a performance/training objective has been set, progress will be reviewed on a regular basis so that new objectives can be agreed

Be part of public health campaigns (e.g., flu clinics)

Provide travel advice services

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

Maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with extant legislation ensuring that SNOMED CT codes are used effectively

Contribute to practice targets (QOF, etc.), complying with relevant guidance

Maintain chronic disease registers and implement an effective call/recall system

Maintain a clean, tidy, effective working area at all times

Chaperone patients where necessary

Support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies

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

There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks, this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualifications
• Essential
• Registered Nurse with valid NMC registration.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development and ability to meet revalidation requirements.

Desirable

• Desirable
• Additional training relevant to General Practice nursing is desirable.

Qualifications

Essential

• Essential
• Understanding of evidence based practice and current clinical guidelines.
• Knowledge of safeguarding responsibilities.
• Experience in chronic disease management clinics such as diabetes, asthma, COPD, coronary heart disease, spirometry and stroke or TIA.
• Awareness of QOF, contractual obligations and the role of clinical templates in primary care.
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• Excellent communication skills with patients, carers and colleagues.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Empathy, professionalism and a patient centred approach.
• Ability to teach, support and mentor other nurses or learners when required.
• Organisation and Record Keeping
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workload effectively.
• Accurate and thorough recordkeeping, including documenting assessments, care delivered and outcomes.
• Ability to complete Practice templates in line with QOF and contractual requirements.
• Personal Qualities
• Confident, proactive and able to work independently.
• Flexible and adaptable to the needs of the Practice.
• Commitment to high standards of patient care and continuous improvement.
• Willingness to develop additional skills through training.

Desirable

• Experience supporting or teaching colleagues, students or learners.

Skills

Essential

• Ability to assess, plan, deliver and evaluate nursing care in line with Practice policy and national protocols.
• Competence in the following areas:
• Wound assessment and management
• Chaperoning
• Pathology sample processing
• ECG recording
• Hypertension management
• Immunisations
• Travel health advice and vaccinations
• Cervical cytology
• Womens health including HRT, family planning, breast awareness and swabs
• Health promotion including smoking, alcohol, weight and diet
• Medication reviews within scope
• Telephone triage and advice
• Ability to run chronic disease clinics with recall systems.

Desirable

• Good IT Skills
• Feno competence or willingness to train.

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).