Practice Nurse

Job responsibilities

Assess, plan, develop, implement and evaluate programmes to promote health and well-being, and prevent adverse effects on health and well-being

Implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for patients with a known long-term condition

Identify, and manage as appropriate, treatment plans for patients at risk of developing a long-term condition

Prioritise health problems and intervene appropriately to assist the patient in complex, urgent or emergency situations, including initiation of effective emergency care

Support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that encourage patients to live healthily, and apply principles of self-care

Deliver opportunistic health promotion using opportunities such as new-patient medicals

Provide information and advice on prescribed or over-the-counter medication on medication regimens, side effects and interactions

Support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that promote patients to live healthily, and encourage principles of self-care

Assess and care for patients presenting with uncomplicated wounds

Support and advise women requesting information relating to family planning needs

Support and manage health needs of women presenting for cervical cytology consultations

Recognise, assess and refer patients presenting with mental health needs in accordance with the National Service Framework (NSF) for Mental Health

Implement and participate in vaccination and immunisation programmes for both adults and children

Advise, support and, where appropriate, administer vaccinations for patients travelling abroad

Promote and deliver evidence-based care for patients presenting with aural conditions

Assist senior practitioners in providing minor-surgery sessions

Undertake domiciliary visits as required

Communication

Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles, to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment

Communicate with and support patients who are receiving bad news

Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising the need for alternative methods of communication to overcome different levels of understanding, cultural background and preferred ways of communicating

Utilise communication skills to support patients to adhere to prescribed treatment regimens

Anticipate barriers to communication and take action to improve communication

Estimate and maintain effective communication with individuals and groups within the practice environment and with external stakeholders

Act as an advocate when representing the patients and colleagues viewpoints to others

Delivering a quality service

Recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct as regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)

Produce accurate, contemporaneous and complete records of patient consultation, consistent with legislation, policies and procedures

Prioritise, organise and manage own workload in a manner that maintains and promotes quality

Deliver care according to the NSF and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines and evidence-based care

Assess effectiveness of care delivery through self and peer review, benchmarking and formal evaluation

Participate in the maintenance of quality governance systems and processes across the organisation and its activities

Utilise the audit cycle as a means of evaluating the quality of the work of self and the team, implementing improvements where required

In partnership with other clinical teams, collaborate on improving the quality of health care, responding to local and national policies and initiatives as appropriate

Evaluate the patients response to health care provision and the effectiveness of care

Support and participate in shared learning across the practice and wider organisation

Participate in the management, review and identify learning from patient complaints, clinical incidents and near-miss events utilising a structured framework (eg root-cause analysis)

Participate in the performance monitoring review of the team, providing feedback as appropriate

Understand and apply legal policy that supports the identification of vulnerable and abused children and adults, being aware of statutory child/vulnerable adult health procedure and local guidance

Work within policies relating to domestic violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive behaviour, and refer as appropriate

Specification

Essential

• Clinical Practice
• Assess, plan, develop, implement and evaluate programmes to promote health and well-being, and prevent adverse effects on health and well-being
• Implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for patients with a known long-term condition
• Identify, and manage as appropriate, treatment plans for patients at risk of developing a long-term condition
• Prioritise health problems and intervene appropriately to assist the patient in complex, urgent or emergency situations, including initiation of effective emergency care
• Support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that encourage patients to live healthily, and apply principles of self-care
• Deliver opportunistic health promotion using opportunities such as new-patient medicals
• Provide information and advice on prescribed or over-the-counter medication on medication regimens, side effects and interactions
• Support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that promote patients to live healthily, and encourage principles of self-care
• Assess and care for patients presenting with uncomplicated wounds
• Support and advise women requesting information relating to family planning needs
• Support and manage health needs of women presenting for cervical cytology consultations
• Recognise, assess and refer patients presenting with mental health needs in accordance with the National Service Framework (NSF) for Mental Health
• Implement and participate in vaccination and immunisation programmes for both adults and children
• Advise, support and, where appropriate, administer vaccinations for patients travelling abroad
• Promote and deliver evidence-based care for patients presenting with aural conditions
• Assist senior practitioners in providing minor-surgery sessions
• Undertake domiciliary visits as required
• Communication
• Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles, to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment
• Communicate with and support patients who are receiving bad news
• Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising the need for alternative methods of communication to overcome different levels of understanding, cultural background and preferred ways of communicating
• Utilise communication skills to support patients to adhere to prescribed treatment regimens
• Anticipate barriers to communication and take action to improve communication
• Estimate and maintain effective communication with individuals and groups within the practice environment and with external stakeholders
• Act as an advocate when representing the patients and colleagues viewpoints to others
• Delivering a quality service
• Recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct as regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
• Produce accurate, contemporaneous and complete records of patient consultation, consistent with legislation, policies and procedures
• Prioritise, organise and manage own workload in a manner that maintains and promotes quality
• Deliver care according to the NSF and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines and evidence-based care
• Assess effectiveness of care delivery through self and peer review, benchmarking and formal evaluation
• Participate in the maintenance of quality governance systems and processes across the organisation and its activities
• Utilise the audit cycle as a means of evaluating the quality of the work of self and the team, implementing improvements where required
• In partnership with other clinical teams, collaborate on improving the quality of health care, responding to local and national policies and initiatives as appropriate
• Evaluate the patients response to health care provision and the effectiveness of care
• Support and participate in shared learning across the practice and wider organisation
• Participate in the management, review and identify learning from patient complaints, clinical incidents and near-miss events utilising a structured framework (eg root-cause analysis)
• Participate in the performance monitoring review of the team, providing feedback as appropriate
• Understand and apply legal policy that supports the identification of vulnerable and abused children and adults, being aware of statutory child/vulnerable adult health procedure and local guidance
• Work within policies relating to domestic violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive behaviour, and refer as appropriate
• Personal and people development
• Take responsibility for own development, learning and performance including participating in clinical supervision and acting as a positive role model
• Support the development of others in order to maximise potential
• Actively promote the workplace as a learning environment, encouraging everyone to learn from each other and from external good practice
• Encourage others to make realistic self-assessment of their application of knowledge and skills, challenging complacency and actions that are not in the interest of the public and/or users of services
• Understand own responsibilities and accountability in the delivery of GPN services to patients, ensuring that the needs of the patient are the priority
• Participate in planning and implementing changes within the area of care and responsibility
• Work with other nurses and practice team to ensure sufficient staff of appropriate ability, quality and skillmix are available to meet the needs of patients
• Contribute and participate in the development of local guidelines, protocols and standards
• Participate in the engagement of practice-based commissioning or similar initiatives
• Critically evaluate and review innovations and developments that are relevant to own practice
• Keep up-to-date with new developments locally and nationally identifying those that will enhance the teams work
• Ensure awareness of sources of support and guidance (eg patient advice and liaison service LINKS) and provide information in an acceptable format to all patients, recognising any difficulties and referring where appropriate
• Promote the role of the GPN in the provision of care
• Team working
• Understand own role and scope in the organisation and identify how this may develop over time
• Work as an effective and responsible team member, supporting others and exploring the mechanisms to develop new ways of working
• Delegate clearly and appropriately, adopting the principles of safe practice and assessment of competence of those taking on delegated duties
• Ensure clear understanding and utilisation of referral mechanisms within the practice
• Accept delegation from other nurses, prioritise own workload and ensure effective time-management strategies are embedded in own practice
• Work effectively with others to clearly define values, direction and policies impacting upon care delivery
• Participate in team activities that create opportunities to improve patient care
• Participate in and support local projects as agreed with the practice management team
• Management of risk
• Manage and assess risk within the areas of responsibility, ensuring adequate measures are in place to protect staff and patients
• Monitor work areas and practices to ensure they are safe and free from hazards and conform to health, safety and security legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines
• Ensure safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs is undertaken. Where appropriate, oversee the monitoring, stock control and documentation of controlled drug usage according to legal requirements
• Undertake mandatory and statutory training
• Apply infection control measures within the practice according to local and national guidelines
• Apply policies that reduce environmental health risks, are culturally sensitive and increase access to health care for all
• Participate in the local implementation strategies that are aligned to the values and culture of general practice
• Utilising information
• Use technology as an aid to management in planning, implementation and monitoring, presenting and communicating information
• Review and process data using accurate Read codes about patients in order to ensure easy and accurate retrieval for monitoring and audit processes
• Manage information searches using the internet and local library databases, for example, the retrieval of relevant information for patients on their condition
• Understand own and others responsibility to the individual organisation regarding the Freedom of Information Act
• Collate, analyse and present clinical data and information to the team using appropriate charts and/or graphs to enhance care
• Learning and development
• Act as mentor to students, assessing competence against set standards as requested and if appropriately qualified
• Disseminate learning and information gained to other team members in order to share good practice and inform others about current and future developments
• Assess own learning needs and undertake learning as appropriate
• Make effective use of learning opportunities within and outside the workplace, evaluating their effectiveness and feeding back relevant information
• Provide an educational role to patients, carers, families and colleagues in an environment that facilitates learning
• Other Duties
• The information supplied above is intended to summarise the key responsibilities and duties of the role. The post holder may be required from time to time to carry out other reasonable requests and duties as required, consistent with the responsibilities of the grade.
• Job Design and Review
• This job description may be subject to change in the future. Any proposed changes will normally be discussed fully with the post holder and confirm via the issue of an updated job description.
• Confidentiality and Data Protection
• All staff who have access to personal data in relation to patients or staff will be aware of their responsibilities under the Data Protection Act 1998 and will abide by the eight principles of the Act. Any breach of the Act could result in disciplinary action being taken and criminal charges being brought against the individual who has breached the Act.
• Health and Safety
• Individual employees of Little London Surgery and other employees contracted to work at Little London Surgery have an equal responsibility, along with managers and supervisors, for maintaining safe working practices for the health and safety of themselves and other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work.
• All employees must adhere to their duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and other associated safety legislation, including all new Health & Safety Regulations. In addition employees must comply with all the Trusts policies relating to Health & Safety and Risk Management to secure a safe workplace and will draw managements attention to any deficiencies and/or hazards, which might prove detrimental to themselves or others.
• There is a general responsibility for employees to act sensibly and reasonably, and mandatory health and safety training sessions.
• Clinical Governance
• All employees are required to actively contribute towards the organisations clinical governance systems, taking responsibility as appropriate for quality standards and work towards the continuous improvement in clinical and service quality.
• Policies and Procedures
• All staff will familiarise themselves with Little London Surgeries, procedures and protocols relating to their service and work within the guidelines at all times.
• Diversity
• All staff through personal example, open commitment and clear action, should ensure that diversity is positively valued, resulting in equal access and treatment in employment, service delivery and external communications. To be familiar with, actively promote and work within, the spirit of Little London Surgeries Opportunities policies at all times.
• Quality
• All employees 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
• All staff should recognise 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
• Apply Little London Surgeries policies, standards and guidance
• Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work
• Participate in audit where appropriate.

Desirable

• understanding of EMIS Web system but training would be given

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualifications and Training
• Registered first level nurse
• Clinical supervision training and experience
• Relevant nursing/health degree
• Mentor/teaching qualification
• Experience
• Minimum 2 years post registration experience
• At least 1 year recent primary and community nursing experience
• Management of long-term conditions
• Involvement in implementing and using protocols and clinical guidelines
• Experience of audit
• Participation in quality initiatives such as clinical benchmarking
• Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
• Knowledge of needs of patients with long-term conditions
• Aware of accountability of own role and other roles in a nurse led service
• Knowledge of health promotion strategies
• Awareness of clinical governance issues in primary care
• Knowledge of patient group directives and associated policy
• Various clinical skills cervical cytology, immunisation and vaccination, ear care, minor surgery
• Change management skills to support patients to
• change lifestyle
• Communication skills, both written and verbal
• Negotiation and conflict management skills
• Experience of teaching and mentorship in a clinical setting
• Ability to identify determinants on health in the local area

Desirable

• minimum 2 years experience desirable but not essential

Experience

Essential

• Interest and a passion for General Practice

Desirable

• Experience would be highly desirable but not essential as training will be given.

UK Registration

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