EXPERIENCED GENERAL PRACTICE NURSE

Job responsibilities

The following are the core and aspirational 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 assess the needs of patients using a variety of means, ensuring the provision of healthcare is appropriate, incorporating evidence-based practice

B. To be involved in the implementation and evaluation of individual treatment plans for chronic disease patients that promote health and wellbeing

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

D. Manage chronic conditions within the scope of expertise

E. Learn how to review patient medications to enhance compliance and effectively manage repeat prescribing

F. Be able to provide guidance to patients in the use of prescribed and over-the-counter medications regarding side effects and dosages

G. To learn how to request pathology services and process pathology results as required

H. To be able to understand the provision of chronic disease clinics, delivering patient care as necessary, referring patients to secondary/specialist care as required

I. To maintain accurate clinical records.

J. To utilise SNOMED CT codes effectively

K. To ensure the appropriate maintenance and use of chronic disease register

L. To ensure compliance with the practice chaperone policy

M. To prioritise health issues and intervene appropriately

N. To support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies

O. To learn how to implement vaccination programmes for adults and children

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

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

R. To learn how to delegate clinical responsibilities appropriately (ensuring safe practice and the task is within the scope of practice of the individual)

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

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

U. To deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate

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

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

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

C. Continually review clinical practices, responding to national policies and initiatives where appropriate

D. Participate in the review of significant and near-miss events applying a structured approach, i.e., root cause analysis (RCA)

Support the practice team with the reviewing and implementation of practice policies and protocols.

Qualifications

Essential

• * Registered Nurse (Nursing and Midwifery Council)

Desirable

• * Mentor in teaching qualification

Experience

Essential

• * Experience of working autonomously

Desirable

• * Experience of quality initiatives, i.e., benchmarking

Clinical knowledge and skills

Essential

• Understanding and managing chronic diseases such as:
• * Diabetes
• * Hypertension
• * CHD
• * Asthma
• * Spirometry
• Ability to record accurate clinical notes
• Ability to work within own scope of practice and understanding when to refer to GPs
• Knowledge of health promotion strategies
• Skills:-
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
• Effective time management (planning and organising)
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure
• Strong IT skills, including clinical IT system user skills
• Clear, polite telephone manner

Desirable

• Clinical knowledge in the following:
• * Wound care/removal of sutures and staples
• * ECGs
• * Venepuncture
• Understand the requirement for PGDs and associated policy
• Chaperone procedure
• Broad knowledge of clinical governance
• Knowledge of public health issues in the local area
• Awareness of issues within the wider health arena
• Skillls:
• Experience with audit and able to lead audit programmes
• Experience with clinical risk management

Personal qualities

Essential

• Polite and confident
• Flexible and co-operative
• High levels of integrity and loyalty
• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
• Effectively able to communicate and understand the needs of the patient
• Commitment to ongoing professional development
• Punctual and committed to supporting the team effort
• Motivated, forward thinker
• Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required
• Ability to work under pressure/in stressful situations
• Effectively utilise resources
• Other requirements
• Flexibility to work outside of core surgery hours
• Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check
• Occupational Health clearance
• Meet the requirements and produce evidence for nurse revalidation
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) commensurate with the role of a Practice Nurse

UK Registration

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