Job responsibilities
CLINICAL PRACTICE
Assess/examine patients, diagnose, plan, treat and review as appropriate.
Assessment may be face-to-face by appointment or by telephone as part of a
triage/unscheduled care team and will include patients presenting with an
undifferentiated problem.
Diagnose and manage patients presenting with both acute and chronic
conditions based on a management plan which includes a medication plan
and other interventions.
Identify health priorities and make timely and appropriate interventions to
support patients presenting in an emergency and/or with complex/urgent
needs.
Assess and manage patients physiological and psychological needs,
including patients with complex needs, multiple diagnoses, and
polypharmacy.
Identify patients at risk of developing a chronic illness and develop a plan for
minimising risk of developing a long-term condition.
Advise and educate patients, promoting understanding, self-management,
healthy lifestyle choices and sources of support and compliance with
treatment plan and medication.
In line with competence and agreed protocols, prescribe medication, review
its effectiveness and make appropriate adjustments to treatment, ensuring
patient understanding of medication side-effects and interactions, including
over-the-counter medication.
Ensure the health needs of all patients presenting to the nursing team are met
in a clinically appropriate way and by the team member best qualified to meet
their needs.
Ensure the nursing team meets the clinical needs of patients presenting with
routine and emergency needs and conditions or who require advice and
support including chronic disease management, family planning, vaccination
and immunisations, health promotion/lifestyle advice, wound care,
venepuncture etc.
Ensure that all patients who may be vulnerable or who have mental health
needs are appropriately managed and protected by the nursing team.
Proficiently manage and prioritise a diverse workload under time pressures
and conflicting priorities.
Work with patients and carers to develop comprehensive care plans.
Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles and empathy to
ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment.
Refer patients as appropriate.
COMMUNICATION
Advise patients of the Nurse Practitioner role, its extent, and limits.
Advise patients appropriately and refer on if they require the services of a GP
or other clinical team member.
Communicate effectively, promptly and appropriately with patients and team
members.
Provide links to additional information/guidance/support for both colleagues
and patients/carers including onward referral where required.
Modify method of communication with patients to suit the situation, recognise
problems/barriers take action and seek help at an early stage when they
arise.
Communicate risk to patients and ensure proper consent gained where
appropriate.
Act as an advocate for patients or colleagues who need assistance and
representation.
Establish and maintain effective communication with internal and external
stakeholders/organisations/individuals.
Contribute to practice and nursing team meetings.
QUALITY AND LEARNING
Provide services to the practices patient population to the highest possible
standard.
Comply with NMC Code of Conduct and keep registration up to date,
documented and checked in the practice on an annual basis.
Provide care that is evidence-based, working to agreed and established
clinical guidelines and supporting others to do the same.
Work to agreed standards, monitor and maintain the standard of care offered.
Take action if standards are not met (self or others)
Manage own and others workload to maintain priorities and service level.
Undertake training needed to ensure competencies for delivering all
responsibilities and ensure nursing colleagues are supported in doing the
same.
Lead and contribute to clinical governance activities/clinical audit to ensure
continual improvement of service delivery and assessment of impact of
changes on patient care.
Participate in clinical supervision
Provide training, support, supervision and mentoring for more junior members
of staff.
Lead and contribute to complaints responses/reviews, significant event, peer
review and other shared learning activities
Identify opportunities for shared learning.
Ensure learning from outside educational events is effectively cascaded to the
team and resultant changes to practice implemented.
Support and mentor staff in training, assess against standards
Support the performance and development of team members including giving
and receiving effective feedback.
Lead and contribute to in-house training events based on learning needs
analysis.
Take responsibility for own development including maintenance of a Personal
Development Plan and record of learning, clinical supervision, staff
appraisals, giving and receiving feedback.
Challenge under performance or poor skills/inappropriate actions and
implement performance management of team members in consultation with
management team and GPs.
Undertake regular mandatory training and ensure the competence of nursing
team colleagues (child protection, vulnerable adults, basic life support, moving
and handling etc).
LEADERSHIP
The Nurse Practitioner will:
Behave as a positive role model and set standards for the nursing team.
Lead the planning process for the nursing team, including setting goals and
monitoring achievements/outcomes.
Introduce, review and update clinical guidelines and protocols in accordance
with latest evidence base.
Critically evaluate new developments or service delivery models and
contribute to leading their incorporation in the practice to enhance care,
applying good change management techniques, including participation in
commissioning processes.
Critically evaluate skill mix, workload and practice service delivery needs to
contribute to the practices learning plan and recruitment plan.
Lead the nursing team by balancing the needs of individuals, the team and
the practice, effectively managing conflict or differing needs and priorities.
Delegate appropriately and effectively, monitoring performance and offering
guidance and support, including ensuring and maintaining individuals
competence.