Practice Nurse

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Practice Nurse works independently, taking initiative and being accountable for their professional actions. They administer immunisations and vaccinations for adults and children according to national and local guidelines. The nurse is competent in anaphylaxis and resuscitation techniques, ensuring the safe storage, rotation, and disposal of vaccines and medications while maintaining adequate stock levels.

The Practice Nurse provides comprehensive travel health advice to patients prior to travel, covering topics such as malaria prophylaxis, safe sex practices, food hygiene, sun protection, first aid, emergency medications, health insurance, and vaccinations. They perform various procedures, including venepuncture, glucose tolerance tests, blood pressure management, urinalysis, peak flow measurements, spirometry, new patient health checks, pregnancy testing, stitch or clip removal, ear syringing, cytology, wound management, and cryosurgery. Additionally, they offer a comprehensive family planning service.

The nurse understands the importance of observing, documenting, and communicating the signs and symptoms of child and adult abuse. They work in accordance with relevant practice and Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) policies and procedural guidelines, including infection control, chaperoning, and patient group directions.

**Key Role: Care and Programme Management**

The nurse conducts chronic disease monitoring clinics within the practice to meet the requirements of the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QoF). They initiate the diagnostic process for patients suspected of having chronic diseases such as diabetes, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma, or Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), referring them to other clinicians as appropriate. The nurse maintains disease registers, audits care outcomes against established standards, and makes necessary changes to care delivery. They conduct annual reviews to assess patients' understanding and ability to self-manage their conditions and refer them to other members of the extended primary healthcare team, such as chiropodists, dietitians, and specialist nurses.

**Key Role: Health Promotion**

The Practice Nurse initiates and carries out health screening programs, enabling, encouraging, and supporting individuals, families, and groups to address issues that affect their health and social well-being. They represent the interests of individuals and families when they are unable to advocate for themselves. The nurse provides advice on healthy lifestyles and smoking cessation to individuals and groups and develops and maintains health promotion materials within the practice. They also make referrals to statutory and voluntary agencies as appropriate.

**Key Role: Manage Self**

The nurse contributes to the development, monitoring, and evaluation of care delivery by the nursing team. They promote effective communication and collaboration within the team to achieve shared objectives. The nurse participates in clinical supervision for their own development, recognises the developmental needs of others, and provides clinical supervision to Healthcare Assistants (HCAs). They actively engage in clinical and practice meetings and work to enhance their knowledge and practice in response to objectives and changes in services.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered General Nurse, with a demonstrable commitment to professional development.
• Experience working in primary care, Wound care experience, Respiratory care experience and infection control experience

Desirable

• Commitment to professional development & peer group learning, Chronic disease management (respiratory)

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

The Station Practice

Address

Station Plaza Health Centre

Station Approach

Hastings

East Sussex

TN34 1BA

Employer's website

https://www.thestationpractice.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)