Job responsibilities
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: PRACTICE
NURSE
REPORTS TO: NURSE LEAD / PRACTICE MANAGER
HOURS: 20 hours per week
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:
- To
support the Infection Prevention Control (IPC) lead and to work to the IPC
Policy supporting the implementation audits, training, support and evidence
of compliance to the practice manager
- To
support the production of the IPC annual statement in conjunction with the
practice manager
- To
develop, implement and embed an effective care management programme for the
frail and housebound patients registered at the practice
- To
assess the needs of patients ensuring the provision of healthcare is
appropriate, incorporating evidence-based practice
- To
develop, implement and embed health promotion and wellbeing programmes
- To
implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for chronic disease
patients that promote health and wellbeing
- To
identify, manage and support patients at risk of developing long-term
conditions, preventing adverse effects to patients health
- As
required, to provide routine nursing care to patients in accordance with
clinical based evidence, NICE and the NSF
- As
required, to diagnose and manage acute and chronic conditions
- To
prescribe medication for patients in accordance with PGDs and own scope of
practice
- To
review patient medications to enhance compliance
- To
provide guidance to patients in the use of prescribed and over-the-counter
medications regarding side effects and dosages
- To
co-ordinate the provision of travel medicine services
- To
request pathology services and process pathology results as required
- To
oversee the provision of chronic disease clinics, delivering patient care as
necessary, referring patients to secondary/specialist care as required
- To
maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with extant legislation
- To
ensure read codes are used effectively by all members of the nursing team
- To
ensure the appropriate maintenance and use of chronic disease registers
- To
develop, implement, embed and participate in well woman clinics
- To
develop, implement, embed and participate in well man clinics
- To
ensure compliance with the practice chaperone policy
- To
assist GPs with minor surgery when required
- To
prioritise health issues and intervene appropriately
- To
support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies
- To
recognise, assess and refer patients presenting with mental health needs
- To
implement vaccination programmes for adults and children
- To support patients in the use of
their prescribed medicines or over-the-counter medicines (within own scope of
practice)
- To liaise with external services/agencies
to ensure the patient is supported appropriately (vulnerable patients etc.)
- To delegate clinical responsibilities
appropriately (ensuring safe practice and the task is within the scope of
practice of the individual)
- To support the clinical team with all
safeguarding matters, in accordance with local and national policies
- To understand practice and local
policies for substance abuse and addictive behaviour, referring patients
appropriately
- To
deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate
Secondary responsibilities
In addition to the
primary responsibilities, the Practice Nurse may be requested to:
- Develop and review audit protocols
and process for the practice, effectively utilising the audit cycle
- 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
- Continually review clinical
practices, responding to national policies and initiatives where appropriate
- Participate in the review of
significant and near-miss events applying a structured approach, i.e., root
cause analysis (RCA)
- 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
