Job summary
We are seeking an experienced, clinically confident Lead Practice Nurse who is looking for a role offering leadership responsibility, clinical autonomy, and the opportunity to shape nursing services within a supportive and forward-thinking practice.
We are looking for a nurse who values teamwork, clinical excellence, and service development. This role is ideal for an experienced Practice Nurse ready to step into a leadership position, or an established Lead Nurse seeking a practice where they can influence service development while maintaining strong clinical practice.
You will lead our nursing team in delivering high-quality, evidence-based care while supporting innovation, service improvement, and excellent patient outcomes within a well-organised primary care environment.
Working closely with the GP Partners and Practice Manager, you will play a key role in developing nursing services aligned with modern general practice and NHS priorities
The post is 32 hours per week to include late night finish - 20.30pm either Tuesday or Thursday.
Interview date - TBC
Main duties of the job
To deliver a high standard of patient care as an experienced practice nurse, using advanced autonomous clinical skills, and a broad and in-depth theoretical knowledge base.
To manage a clinical caseload, dealing with presenting patients needs in a primary care setting.
To develop the nursing services offered by the Medical Centre ensuring these are in line with NHS strategic plans and clinical best practice.
To provide clinical leadership within the nursing team.
To provide clinical leadership and line management to the nursing team and ensure the highest standards of care are provided for the patients.
To manage own clinical workload in general practice responding effectively to patient need and ensuring patient choice and ease of access to services.
To mentor and support other nurses in developing and maintaining their clinical skills.
Please refer to job description for job responsibilities
About us
We are a well-established and progressive GP practice serving approximately 15,000 patients, with a predominantly student population based on the University of Kent in Canterbury.
Our clinical team includes-
5 GP Partners
3 Salaried GPs
Advanced Clinical Practitioner
Experienced nursing team including NMPs, Nursing Associate and HCA roles.
We are supported by a skilled and dedicated administrative team, enabling clinicians to focus on patient care.
As a training practice, we are actively involved in the education and development of GP Registrars, nurses, and medical students.
Why Join Us
Supportive and collaborative clinical team
Opportunity to shape and develop nursing services
Leadership role with genuine influence within the practice
Modern, well-structured working environment
Strong focus on staff wellbeing and work-life balance
Excellent administrative and clinical support
Competitive salary dependent on experience
NHS Pension Scheme
We welcome informal enquiries or an opportunity to visit our practice. To apply or find out more please contact Shailey Smythe, Practice Manager. Shailey.smythe2@nhs.net
Details
Date posted
02 April 2026
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
Depending on experience Salary £57,000 - £60,500 FTE – depending on experience
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Part-time
Reference number
A3620-26-0003
Job locations
Giles Lane
Canterbury
Kent
CT2 7PB
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Title -Lead Practice Nurse
Responsible to -GP Partners (clinical matters)
Practice Manager (other matters)
Accountable to -GP Partners
Hours P/W - 32
Objectives -
To deliver a high standard of patient care as an experienced practice nurse, using advanced autonomous clinical skills, and a broad and in-depth theoretical knowledge base.
To manage a clinical caseload, dealing with presenting patients needs in a primary care setting.
To develop the nursing services offered by the Medical Centre ensuring these are in line with NHS strategic plans and clinical best practice.
To provide clinical leadership within the nursing team.
To provide clinical leadership and line management to the nursing team and ensure the highest standards of care are provided for the patients.
Job Responsibilities -
To manage own clinical workload in general practice responding effectively to patient need and ensuring patient choice and ease of access to services.
To mentor and support other nurses in developing and maintaining their clinical skills.
The following are the core responsibilities of the Lead Practice Nurse in delivering health services:
Act as the Infection Prevention Control (IPC) lead, providing leadership and support to the Practice IPC team. Ensuring all nursing staff work to the IPC Policy providing audits, training, support and evidence of compliance.
Consult with patients and their families to undertake assessments of patient need.
Lead long-term condition management within the organisation, supporting quality improvement and assurance initiatives.
Support public health and screening programmes, including immunisations, vaccinations, and cervical screening.
Embed population health management approaches within general practice, targeting health inequalities and improving access.
As required, provide routine nursing care to patients in accordance with clinical based evidence, NICE and the NSF.
Support, mentor, and supervise new-to-practice nurses and other healthcare professionals within the organisation.
Be an integral part of the general practice team as well as supporting the wider practice nurse network and multi-disciplinary team.
Prescribe medication for patients in accordance with PGDs and own scope of practice and advise patients and their families on how to manage their condition.
Participate in clinical audits and research projects and implements changes as required, including supporting with the development, and updating of practice protocols/guidelines and procedures locally.
Work within national and local protocols where these exist.
Recognise the boundaries of their practice and know when and to whom patients should be referred.
Demonstrate initiative and be creative in finding solutions to problems.
Provide supervision to student nurse associates and other students assigned to the University Medical Centre.
Support in the delivery of enhanced services and other service requirements.
Be aware of duties and responsibilities regarding current legislation and adhere to practice policies and procedures on Safeguarding Adults and Safeguarding Children.
Participate in the management of patient complaints when requested to do so and participate in the identification of any necessary learning brought about through incidents and near-miss events.
Undertake all mandatory training and induction programmes.
Contribute to and embrace the spectrum of clinical governance.
Contribute to public health campaigns (e.g., flu clinics).
Maintain a clean, tidy, effective working area at all times.
Contribute to practice targets (QOF, etc.), complying with relevant guidance.
Maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with extant legislation ensuring that SNOMED CT codes are used effectively.
Maintain chronic disease registers and implement an effective call/recall system.
Chaperone patients where necessary.
Support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies.
Liaise with external services/agencies to ensure the patient is supported appropriately (vulnerable patients, etc.).
Deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate.
Provide comprehensive travel health advice for patients prior to travel including malaria prophylaxis, health insurance and vaccinations.
Help develop and set up new patient services and participate in initiatives to improve existing patient services.
There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks, this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels.
In addition to the primary responsibilities, the Lead Practice Nurse has the following wider responsibilities -
Develop, review and implement nursing protocols in conjunction with the partners.
Support all members of the nursing team, providing guidance when necessary, conducting appraisals and training needs analyses as required.
Participate in local initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient care.
Support and participate in shared learning within the practice in order to improve patient care.
Coordinate the nursing team rota, ensuring sufficient staff are available to meet patient needs.
Lead the planning and implementation of changes within the nursing team, enhancing the provision of services to patients.
Support the practice team with the reviewing and implementation of practice policies and protocols, ensuring conformance to extant legislation.
The post-holder will-
Promote evidence-based practice through the use of the latest research-based guidelines and the development of practice-based research.
Monitor the effectiveness of their own clinical practice through the quality assurance strategies such as the use of audit and peer review.
Maintain their professional registration.
Participate in continuing professional development opportunities to ensure that up-to-date evidence-based knowledge and competence in all aspects of the role is maintained.
Work within the latest NMC Code of Professional Conduct at all times.
Record accurate and timely consultation data in patients records in accordance with the latest NMC guidance and other pertinent standards.
Keep up to date with pertinent health-related policy and work with the practice team to consider the impact and strategies for implementation.
Work collaboratively with colleagues within and external to the Practice.
Demonstrate strong clinical leadership.
Pro-actively promote the nursing roles within the Practice, and externally to key stakeholders and agencies.
The post-holder will -
Act as a positive role model to staff and patients.
Act as direct line manager for the nursing team, and through this, support their personal development to maximise potential.
Conduct regular appraisals with individuals within the team.
Participate in clinical supervision for the nursing team, and act as nurse advisor to other members of the Practices Clinical Team.
Actively promote the workplace as a learning environment, encouraging everyone to learn from each other and from external good practice. Support and contribute to the teaching of nursing staff / medical students / GP Registrars / HCAs and administration staff as appropriate.
Encourage others to make realistic self-assessment of their application of knowledge and skills, challenging any complacency or actions that are not in the interest of the public and/or users of services.
Encourage and develop teamwork within the Practice.
Participate in multi-disciplinary protocol and Patient Group Directions development and ensuring these are current and up-to-date.
Identify appropriate opportunities to delegate both clinical and administrative tasks to more junior staff.
Work with the practice management to ensure sufficient staff of appropriate ability, quality and skill-mix are available to meet current and future service delivery, that selection and recruitment processes are effective and that equality of treatment of the team incorporates quality HR principals and processes.
Assist the practice in managing CQC assessment visits and providing self-assessment data as and when requested.
Responsibility in ensuring CQC outcome evidence data is collected and co-ordinated on a regular basis as required.
Help the Practice operate in a cost-effective manner.
Identify and manage nursing care risks on a continuing basis.
Participate in practice meetings, practice management meetings, University Nursing Service team meetings, reporting progress as required.
Participate in audits and inspections as appropriate.
Work closely with the doctors and administrative managers in the setting up and/or improving of practice systems for monitoring/measuring performance against Clinical Governance and Quality Indicator targets.
Ensure that all Practice Policies are fully implemented.
In liaison with HR Administrative Support, maintain necessary occupational health records for clinical staff.
CQC (Care Quality Commission)
Under supervision of the GP Partners / Practice Manager to assist staff and clinicians to ensure that the practice fully complies with the CQC regulations
To ensure that all policies and procedures within areas of responsibilities are up to date and are amended as and when required
The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Title -Lead Practice Nurse
Responsible to -GP Partners (clinical matters)
Practice Manager (other matters)
Accountable to -GP Partners
Hours P/W - 32
Objectives -
To deliver a high standard of patient care as an experienced practice nurse, using advanced autonomous clinical skills, and a broad and in-depth theoretical knowledge base.
To manage a clinical caseload, dealing with presenting patients needs in a primary care setting.
To develop the nursing services offered by the Medical Centre ensuring these are in line with NHS strategic plans and clinical best practice.
To provide clinical leadership within the nursing team.
To provide clinical leadership and line management to the nursing team and ensure the highest standards of care are provided for the patients.
Job Responsibilities -
To manage own clinical workload in general practice responding effectively to patient need and ensuring patient choice and ease of access to services.
To mentor and support other nurses in developing and maintaining their clinical skills.
The following are the core responsibilities of the Lead Practice Nurse in delivering health services:
Act as the Infection Prevention Control (IPC) lead, providing leadership and support to the Practice IPC team. Ensuring all nursing staff work to the IPC Policy providing audits, training, support and evidence of compliance.
Consult with patients and their families to undertake assessments of patient need.
Lead long-term condition management within the organisation, supporting quality improvement and assurance initiatives.
Support public health and screening programmes, including immunisations, vaccinations, and cervical screening.
Embed population health management approaches within general practice, targeting health inequalities and improving access.
As required, provide routine nursing care to patients in accordance with clinical based evidence, NICE and the NSF.
Support, mentor, and supervise new-to-practice nurses and other healthcare professionals within the organisation.
Be an integral part of the general practice team as well as supporting the wider practice nurse network and multi-disciplinary team.
Prescribe medication for patients in accordance with PGDs and own scope of practice and advise patients and their families on how to manage their condition.
Participate in clinical audits and research projects and implements changes as required, including supporting with the development, and updating of practice protocols/guidelines and procedures locally.
Work within national and local protocols where these exist.
Recognise the boundaries of their practice and know when and to whom patients should be referred.
Demonstrate initiative and be creative in finding solutions to problems.
Provide supervision to student nurse associates and other students assigned to the University Medical Centre.
Support in the delivery of enhanced services and other service requirements.
Be aware of duties and responsibilities regarding current legislation and adhere to practice policies and procedures on Safeguarding Adults and Safeguarding Children.
Participate in the management of patient complaints when requested to do so and participate in the identification of any necessary learning brought about through incidents and near-miss events.
Undertake all mandatory training and induction programmes.
Contribute to and embrace the spectrum of clinical governance.
Contribute to public health campaigns (e.g., flu clinics).
Maintain a clean, tidy, effective working area at all times.
Contribute to practice targets (QOF, etc.), complying with relevant guidance.
Maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with extant legislation ensuring that SNOMED CT codes are used effectively.
Maintain chronic disease registers and implement an effective call/recall system.
Chaperone patients where necessary.
Support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies.
Liaise with external services/agencies to ensure the patient is supported appropriately (vulnerable patients, etc.).
Deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate.
Provide comprehensive travel health advice for patients prior to travel including malaria prophylaxis, health insurance and vaccinations.
Help develop and set up new patient services and participate in initiatives to improve existing patient services.
There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks, this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels.
In addition to the primary responsibilities, the Lead Practice Nurse has the following wider responsibilities -
Develop, review and implement nursing protocols in conjunction with the partners.
Support all members of the nursing team, providing guidance when necessary, conducting appraisals and training needs analyses as required.
Participate in local initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient care.
Support and participate in shared learning within the practice in order to improve patient care.
Coordinate the nursing team rota, ensuring sufficient staff are available to meet patient needs.
Lead the planning and implementation of changes within the nursing team, enhancing the provision of services to patients.
Support the practice team with the reviewing and implementation of practice policies and protocols, ensuring conformance to extant legislation.
The post-holder will-
Promote evidence-based practice through the use of the latest research-based guidelines and the development of practice-based research.
Monitor the effectiveness of their own clinical practice through the quality assurance strategies such as the use of audit and peer review.
Maintain their professional registration.
Participate in continuing professional development opportunities to ensure that up-to-date evidence-based knowledge and competence in all aspects of the role is maintained.
Work within the latest NMC Code of Professional Conduct at all times.
Record accurate and timely consultation data in patients records in accordance with the latest NMC guidance and other pertinent standards.
Keep up to date with pertinent health-related policy and work with the practice team to consider the impact and strategies for implementation.
Work collaboratively with colleagues within and external to the Practice.
Demonstrate strong clinical leadership.
Pro-actively promote the nursing roles within the Practice, and externally to key stakeholders and agencies.
The post-holder will -
Act as a positive role model to staff and patients.
Act as direct line manager for the nursing team, and through this, support their personal development to maximise potential.
Conduct regular appraisals with individuals within the team.
Participate in clinical supervision for the nursing team, and act as nurse advisor to other members of the Practices Clinical Team.
Actively promote the workplace as a learning environment, encouraging everyone to learn from each other and from external good practice. Support and contribute to the teaching of nursing staff / medical students / GP Registrars / HCAs and administration staff as appropriate.
Encourage others to make realistic self-assessment of their application of knowledge and skills, challenging any complacency or actions that are not in the interest of the public and/or users of services.
Encourage and develop teamwork within the Practice.
Participate in multi-disciplinary protocol and Patient Group Directions development and ensuring these are current and up-to-date.
Identify appropriate opportunities to delegate both clinical and administrative tasks to more junior staff.
Work with the practice management to ensure sufficient staff of appropriate ability, quality and skill-mix are available to meet current and future service delivery, that selection and recruitment processes are effective and that equality of treatment of the team incorporates quality HR principals and processes.
Assist the practice in managing CQC assessment visits and providing self-assessment data as and when requested.
Responsibility in ensuring CQC outcome evidence data is collected and co-ordinated on a regular basis as required.
Help the Practice operate in a cost-effective manner.
Identify and manage nursing care risks on a continuing basis.
Participate in practice meetings, practice management meetings, University Nursing Service team meetings, reporting progress as required.
Participate in audits and inspections as appropriate.
Work closely with the doctors and administrative managers in the setting up and/or improving of practice systems for monitoring/measuring performance against Clinical Governance and Quality Indicator targets.
Ensure that all Practice Policies are fully implemented.
In liaison with HR Administrative Support, maintain necessary occupational health records for clinical staff.
CQC (Care Quality Commission)
Under supervision of the GP Partners / Practice Manager to assist staff and clinicians to ensure that the practice fully complies with the CQC regulations
To ensure that all policies and procedures within areas of responsibilities are up to date and are amended as and when required
The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.
Person Specification
Clinical Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Experience of Practice Nurse skills including wound care, ECG, venepuncture and new patient medicals.
- Requesting pathology tests and processing the results, advising patients accordingly.
- Understanding the importance of evidence-based practice.
- Ability to promote best practice regarding nursing matters.
- Ability to work within own scope of practice and understanding when to refer to GPs .
- Good clinical system IT knowledge and has an ability to record accurate clinical notes .
- Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information effectively with people at all levels by telephone, email and face to face.
- Excellent interpersonal, influencing, negotiation and organisation skills with the ability to constructively challenge the view and practices of managers and clinicians.
- Understanding of safeguarding adults and children.
- Understanding and knowledge of healthcare provision in GP surgeries, QOF and enhanced service.
- Strong knowledge of Patient Group Directions and associated policies.
- Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required.
- Effectively able to communicate and understand the needs of the patient.
Desirable
- Broad knowledge of clinical governance.
- Knowledge of public health issues in the local area.
- Awareness of issues within the wider health arena and knowledge of health promotion strategies.
- Knowledge of national standards that inform general practice (NSF NICE guidelines).
Experience
Essential
- Broad knowledge of general practice.
- Experience of chronic disease management.
- Experience of working autonomously.
Desirable
- Experience of infection prevention and control measures.
- Experience of quality initiatives, i.e., benchmarking.
- Experience of managing elderly and housebound patients.
- An appreciation of the new NHS landscape including the relationship. between individual organisations, PCNs and the commissioners .
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse (Nursing and Midwifery Council).
- Holds more than one academic Level 6 diploma or postgraduate certification in long-term conditions care and/or public health initiatives.
- Has demonstrable experience in leading long-term conditions management and quality improvement.
- Has evidence of working at an enhanced level of practice as described in the Primary Care and General Practice Nursing Career and Core Capabilities Framework.
- Mentor or teaching qualification eg Assessor/Supervisor.
Desirable
- Completed or working towards formal infection prevention and control training.
- Family planning qualification.
Other Requirements
Essential
- Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check.
- Occupational Health clearance.
- Meet the requirements and produce evidence for professional revalidation.
- Evidence of CPD commensurate with the role.
- Flexibility to work outside core office hours.
Desirable
- Access to own transport and ability to travel across the locality.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Effective time management (planning and organising).
- Demonstrate personal accountability, emotional resilience and work well under pressure.
- Ability to follow legal, ethical and professional policies/local policies/procedures and codes of conduct.
- Knowledge of IT systems including the ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet.
- Understand the requirement for PGDs and associated policy.
- Ability to use own initiative, discretion, and sensitivity.
- Able to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity.
- Ability to identify risk and assess/manage risk when working with individuals .
- Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
- Good interpersonal and organisational skills.
- Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations.
- Commitment to ongoing professional development.
- Knowledge of and ability to work to key policies and procedures.
- Effectively utilise resources.
- Clear, polite telephone manner.
Person Specification
Clinical Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Experience of Practice Nurse skills including wound care, ECG, venepuncture and new patient medicals.
- Requesting pathology tests and processing the results, advising patients accordingly.
- Understanding the importance of evidence-based practice.
- Ability to promote best practice regarding nursing matters.
- Ability to work within own scope of practice and understanding when to refer to GPs .
- Good clinical system IT knowledge and has an ability to record accurate clinical notes .
- Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information effectively with people at all levels by telephone, email and face to face.
- Excellent interpersonal, influencing, negotiation and organisation skills with the ability to constructively challenge the view and practices of managers and clinicians.
- Understanding of safeguarding adults and children.
- Understanding and knowledge of healthcare provision in GP surgeries, QOF and enhanced service.
- Strong knowledge of Patient Group Directions and associated policies.
- Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required.
- Effectively able to communicate and understand the needs of the patient.
Desirable
- Broad knowledge of clinical governance.
- Knowledge of public health issues in the local area.
- Awareness of issues within the wider health arena and knowledge of health promotion strategies.
- Knowledge of national standards that inform general practice (NSF NICE guidelines).
Experience
Essential
- Broad knowledge of general practice.
- Experience of chronic disease management.
- Experience of working autonomously.
Desirable
- Experience of infection prevention and control measures.
- Experience of quality initiatives, i.e., benchmarking.
- Experience of managing elderly and housebound patients.
- An appreciation of the new NHS landscape including the relationship. between individual organisations, PCNs and the commissioners .
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse (Nursing and Midwifery Council).
- Holds more than one academic Level 6 diploma or postgraduate certification in long-term conditions care and/or public health initiatives.
- Has demonstrable experience in leading long-term conditions management and quality improvement.
- Has evidence of working at an enhanced level of practice as described in the Primary Care and General Practice Nursing Career and Core Capabilities Framework.
- Mentor or teaching qualification eg Assessor/Supervisor.
Desirable
- Completed or working towards formal infection prevention and control training.
- Family planning qualification.
Other Requirements
Essential
- Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check.
- Occupational Health clearance.
- Meet the requirements and produce evidence for professional revalidation.
- Evidence of CPD commensurate with the role.
- Flexibility to work outside core office hours.
Desirable
- Access to own transport and ability to travel across the locality.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Effective time management (planning and organising).
- Demonstrate personal accountability, emotional resilience and work well under pressure.
- Ability to follow legal, ethical and professional policies/local policies/procedures and codes of conduct.
- Knowledge of IT systems including the ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet.
- Understand the requirement for PGDs and associated policy.
- Ability to use own initiative, discretion, and sensitivity.
- Able to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity.
- Ability to identify risk and assess/manage risk when working with individuals .
- Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
- Good interpersonal and organisational skills.
- Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations.
- Commitment to ongoing professional development.
- Knowledge of and ability to work to key policies and procedures.
- Effectively utilise resources.
- Clear, polite telephone manner.
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).
Additional information
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 Medical Centre
Address
Giles Lane
Canterbury
Kent
CT2 7PB
Employer's website
Employer details
Employer name
University Medical Centre
Address
Giles Lane
Canterbury
Kent
CT2 7PB
Employer's website
Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Details
Date posted
02 April 2026
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
Depending on experience Salary £57,000 - £60,500 FTE – depending on experience
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Part-time
Reference number
A3620-26-0003
Job locations
Giles Lane
Canterbury
Kent
CT2 7PB
Supporting documents
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