Practice Nurse

Job description

Job responsibilities

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: PRACTICE NURSE

REPORTS TO: PARTNERS (Clinically)

PRACTICE MANAGER (Administratively)

Job Summary:

To work as part of the primary healthcare team providing Personal Medical Services to the patients of the Practice following NMC guidance, UKCC Code of Conduct and practice protocols/policies.

Job Responsibilities:

Assist in and perform routine tasks related to patient care as directed by senior nursing staff and GPs:

• Cervical cytology LBC screening
• Wound care/Dressings
• Removal of Sutures/clips
• New Patient Medicals/Urinalysis
• Travel Clinic
• ECGs
• Asthma/Peak Flow Readings
• COPD monitoring
• Sexual Health/Contraception
• Health promotion
• Hypertension Management and 24 hour BP monitoring
• Ear irrigation
• Routine immunisations/Childhood immunisations
• CHD Monitoring
• Diabetic Monitoring
• Chaperoning and assisting patients where appropriate who are being examined by another clinician
• Assisting GPs with minor surgery, contraception and assisting with coil fittings
• Requesting pathology tests, for example urine culture, swabs
• Maintaining and running of chronic disease registers as agreed within the practice
• Following agreed clinical protocols with referral to senior nurses or GPs as appropriate
• Provide assessment, treatment and prescribing where appropriate

Other tasks will include

• Supporting other team members
• Active monitoring of QOF targets and requirements
• Maintaining and cleaning equipment used by the nurses and GPs
• Maintain general tidiness and cleanliness of nurses and treatment rooms
• Ordering of vaccinations to maintain stock levels
• In participation with the practice manager, ensure the maintenance of equipment and stock levels relating to patient care
• Assist in the formulation of practice philosophy, strategy, policy and protocols
• Ensure accurate notes of all consultations and treatments are recorded in the patients notes on the clinical system (EMIS LV) as appropriate
• Ensure accurate completion of all necessary documentation associated with patient health care and registration with the practice
• A duty to advise senior nurses of potential problems or errors within the range of assigned tasks
• Undertaking the mental health reviews as appropriate.
• Attend and participate in nurse and practice meetings when required.
• Undertaking home visits where appropriate.
• See extra patient as and when required.
• Any other delegated duties appropriate to the post.

Confidentiality:

• In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately
• In the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential
• Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data.

Health & Safety:

The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the practice Health & Safety Policy, to include:

Using personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines.

Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks.

Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills. Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards. , including:

hand washing

Universal hygiene procedures

Collection and handling of laboratory specimens

Segregation and disposal of waste materials

Decontamination of instruments and clinical equipment

Reporting and treatment of sharps injuries

Dealing with blood and body fluid spillages.

• Assist patients and colleagues in adopting sound infection control measures.

Reporting potential risks identified.

• Understand and apply the principles of the cold chain.
• Ensure safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs within area of responsibility.
• Know the general principles of first aid and resuscitation to be able to undertake initial actions as appropriate.
• Be aware of statutory child health procedures, and statutory local guidance and referral criteria.
• Know the health and safety policies and procedures within the workplace, including fire

procedures, maintaining documentation, monitoring and maintaining of equipment and furniture within your area of responsibility.

• Use the computer monitor safely.
• Be able to identify the risks to health of microbiological and chemical hazards within the working environment according to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health.
• Know how to use the personal security system at the practice.

Equality and Diversity:

The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include:

• Acting in a way that recognises the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with practice procedures and policies, and current legislation
• Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues
• Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights.

Personal/Professional Development:

The post-holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the practice as part of this employment, such training to include:

• Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development
• Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work.

Quality:

The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the practice, and will:

• Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk
• Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision
• Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance
• Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needs
• Effectively manage own time, workload and resources.

Communication:

The post-holder should recognize the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to:

• Communicate effectively with other team members
• Communicate effectively with patients and carers
• Recognize peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly.

Contribution to the Implementation of Services:

The post-holder will:

• Apply practice policies, standards and guidance
• Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work
• Co-operate and participate in any research project or audit where appropriate.

You may be expected to work additional hours to help cover absence within the primary health care team.

This is not an exhaustive list of duties and may change from time to time to keep up with the changing needs of the practice.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered nurse.
• Minimum 2 years post registration.
• Willingness to learn and acquire new skills.
• Insight and understanding of current issues in nursing and the NHS.
• Evidence of appropriate knowledge base.
• Interest and basic knowledge in long-term conditions.

Desirable

• Computer skills.
• Post-registration study in topics allied to general practice.
• Understanding of health and safety issues.
• Practice experience

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working within a nursing team

Desirable

• Experience of working in General Practice

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

University of Warwick Health Centre

Address

Health Centre Road

Coventry

CV4 7AL

Employer's website

https://www.uwhc.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)