Job responsibilities
Primary key
responsibilities
The following are the core 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 support the Infection Prevention Control
(IPC) lead and to work to the IPC Policy supporting the implementation of
audits, training, support and evidence of compliance to the practice manager
b.
To support the production of the IPC annual
statement in conjunction with the practice manager
c.To develop, implement and embed an effective
care management programme for the frail and housebound patients registered at
the practice
d.
To assess the needs of patients ensuring the
provision of healthcare is appropriate, incorporating evidence-based practice
e.
To develop, implement and embed health
promotion and wellbeing programmes
f.
To implement and evaluate individual treatment
plans for chronic disease patients that promote health and wellbeing
g.
To identify, manage and support patients at
risk of developing long-term conditions, preventing adverse effects to
patients health
h.
As required, to provide routine nursing care
to patients in accordance with clinical based evidence, NICE and the NSF
i.
As required, to diagnose and manage acute and
chronic conditions
j.
To prescribe medication for patients in
accordance with PGDs and own scope of practice
k.
To review patient medications to enhance
compliance
l.
To provide guidance to patients in the use of
prescribed and over-the-counter medications regarding side effects and
dosages
m.
To co-ordinate the provision of travel
medicine services
n.
To request pathology services and process
pathology results as required
o.
To oversee the provision of chronic disease
clinics, delivering patient care as necessary, referring patients to
secondary/specialist care as required
p.
To maintain accurate clinical records in
conjunction with extant legislation
q.
To ensure read codes are used effectively by
all members of the nursing team
r.
To ensure the appropriate maintenance and use
of chronic disease registers
s.
To develop, implement, embed and participate
in well woman clinics
t.
To develop, implement, embed and participate
in well man clinics
u.
To ensure compliance with the practice
chaperone policy
v.
To assist GPs with minor surgery when required
w.
To prioritise health issues and intervene
appropriately
x.
To support the team in dealing with clinical
emergencies
y.
To recognise, assess and refer patients
presenting with mental health needs
z.
To implement vaccination programmes for adults
and children
aa.
To support patients in the use of their
prescribed medicines or over-the-counter medicines (within own scope of
practice)
bb.
To liaise with external services/agencies to
ensure the patient is supported appropriately (vulnerable patients etc.)
cc.
To delegate clinical responsibilities
appropriately (ensuring safe practice and the task is within the scope of
practice of the individual)
dd.
To support the clinical team with all
safeguarding matters, in accordance with local and national policies
ee.
To understand practice and local policies for
substance abuse and addictive behaviour, referring patients appropriately
ff.
To deliver opportunistic health promotion
where appropriate
gg.
Regularly monitor and check medical equipment
and report faults to the practice manager.
Secondary responsibilities
In addition to
the primary responsibilities, the Practice Nurse may be requested to:
a. Develop and review
audit protocols and process for the practice, effectively utilising the audit
cycle
b. Develop, review and
implement nursing protocols in conjunction with the partners
c. Support all members
of the nursing team, providing guidance when necessary, conducting appraisals
and training needs analyses as required
d. Participate in
local initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient care
e. Support and
participate in shared learning within the practice in order to improve
patient care
f. Continually review
clinical practices, responding to national policies and initiatives where
appropriate
g. Participate in the
review of significant and near-miss events applying a structured approach,
i.e., root cause analysis (RCA)
h. Coordinate the
nursing team rota, ensuring sufficient staff are available to meet patient
needs
i. Lead the planning
and implementation of changes within the nursing team, enhancing the
provision of services to patients
j. Support the
practice team with the reviewing and implementation of practice policies and
protocols, ensuring conformance to extant legislation