Job responsibilities
The role of the Community Nurse Practitioner (CNP) is to work with the lead GP in developing and providing a proactive and responsive community based primary care service for patients based in local nursing, residential and other sheltered accommodations, focusing on the acute minor illness, long-term conditions and the complex case management of patients who are prone to hospital admission.
The CNP will assess patients with undifferentiated medical conditions, using clinical assessment skills, and organise appropriate treatment plans in conjunction with the patient. They will liaise with GPs and other professionals, make onward referrals and organise diagnostic tests as appropriate. This will involve the provision of evidence based care in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of those with minor illnesses, long term conditions and complex conditions. This may also require the provision of palliative care.
Some key areas of the role is to develop and review admission avoidance care plans as well as contributing to and working with the local neighbourhood team in actively managing the patients health. This role will therefore work closely/as part of the developing Integrated Neighbourhood Team and Primary Care Home models of care (where applicable).
The CNP will work collaboratively with local IntegratedNeighbourhood Teams, Primary Care Networks and within Primary Care Home models of care, liaising with social care and voluntary sector agencies and will signpost patients to other services where self-referral is possible. This will permit inter-agency collaboration and the construction of personalised care plans to best manage patients who have long term conditions and hence reduce the likelihood of hospital admissions.
Using evidence based knowledge, the post holder will deliver a high standard of care, making professionally autonomous and accountable decisions. The post holder will work within their professional boundaries to demonstrate safe clinical decision-making and cost-effective, expert care for patients.
The Community Nurse Practitioner is also expected to undertake duties within the Practice itself thus ensuring contemporary clinical skills and credibility as well as ongoing integration with the wider team and services. This would include review and care of patients attending the Practice (for pre-planned services or same day urgent care) and include; diagnosing and treating patients presenting with minor illness, seeing and advising people in respect of their continuing medical and nursing needs. The nurse practitioner will need to prioritise the needs of patients accordingly, making any necessary referrals for investigations in the appropriate manner. Notably, any patient deemed to require referral to secondary care should be discussed with the registered GP before making such referral.
Job Responsibilities/Principal Duties to include:
- Participate in assessment and care planning of patient care in conjunction with the Lead GP.
- Implements and evaluates care and treatment in agreement with the patient and as defined in the care plan escalates any deviation from the care plan or change in condition to the Lead GP accordingly.
- Communicates effectively with patients, carers and all members of the multidisciplinary team.
- Prioritises daily work in line with clinical / patient need.
- Maintains accurate and legible patient records in line with professional and organisational requirements this includes contemporary paper records and electronic patient record system.
- Implements and works to ensure evidence based care / best practice.
- Actively participates and contributes to team meetings.
- Initiates health promotion activities with individuals, patients and carers.
- Takes responsibility for a defined caseload under the direction of the Lead GP.
- Actively involved in the development and implementation of community based primary care service developments and initiatives.
- Participates in clinical audit and the implementation of changes to ways of working /clinical practice as a result of findings, recommendations and action plans.
Participates in risk assessment and promotes the safety and well-being of patients, staff and any other persons at all times and assist in ensuring a safe work environment.
- Ensure that all complaints, untoward incidents, accidents and areas of clinical risk are identified and reported to the lead GP, Practice Manager, Nurse Manager in accordance with the organisational policy and expected professional practice.
- Keeps up to date with professional requirements, health care developments, clinical evidence, National Service Frameworks for practice, National and Local policy and guidelines.
- Responsible for completing all own mandatory training within the required timeframes.
- Accesses and participates in regular clinical supervision and peer review.
- Participate in own annual appraisal and undertakes own continuing professional development in order to maintain and develop knowledge and skills.
- Undertake mentorship training, facilitate the teaching and learning experiences for all students and staff.
- Accountable for own professional actions in line with the NMC code and organisational policy and guidelines.
- Monitors and orders stock levels and equipment in line with budget and lean principles.
- Responsible for the security, care and maintenance of equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained.
Specific duties include:
Diagnosing and treating patients presenting with minor illness:
- Triage and treat patients wishing to see a health care professional making any necessary referrals to other members of the primary health care team.
- Ensure clinical practice is safe and effective and remains within boundaries of competence and to acknowledge limitations.
- Advise patients on general health care and minor ailments with referral to other members of the primary and secondary health care team as necessary.
Providing assessment, screening & treatment services and health education advice:
- including Dietary advice, blood pressure checks, urinalysis, health screening, Ear syringing, dressings, ECG, Phlebotomy, routine injections, contraception, minor injuries, routine immunisations and vaccinations, removal of sutures / clips, baby immunisations, assisting with the fitting of IUCD / IUS, first registration checks / health surveillance / general health advice, assisting with minor procedures in the treatment room.
- Provide general and specific health screenings to the practice patients (within agreed protocols) with referral to other members of the primary and secondary health care team as necessary
Chronic Disease Management:
Support the patients and Practice Clinical Team by providing Chronic Disease Management services clinics focusing on Asthma, COPD, CHD, Diabetes, Hypertension and Stroke. Work in accordance with Practice protocols to ensure the safe and effective management of patients with Chronic Diseases.
Pathological specimens and investigatory procedures:
- Undertake the collection of pathological specimens including intravenous blood samples, swabs etc. Perform investigatory procedures requested by the GPs.
Other administration and professional responsibilities:
- Participate in the administrative and professional responsibilities of the practice team.
- Ensure appropriate items of service claims are made accurately, reporting any problems to the practice administrator.
- Ensure collection and maintenance of any required statistical information.
- Attend and participate in practice meetings as required.
Training and personal development:
- Actively participate in the education and training of students of all disciplines and the introduction of all members of the practice staff where appropriate.
- Maintain professional portfolio and ensure professional requirements are met.
- If it is necessary to expand the role to include additional responsibilities, full training will be given.
