Practice Nurse

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Summary

The post holder is responsible for the delivery of general practice nursing to the whole practice population. The focus of the role is both the delivery of evidence-based practice for patients presenting with a long term condition, and the provision of preventative health care to the practice population. As an autonomous practitioner the nurse is responsible for the care delivered, demonstrating critical thinking and skills in clinical decision-making in the management of patients. They will work collaboratively within the general practice team to meet the needs of patients, support the delivery of policy and procedures, and provide nurse leadership as required.

Key Responsibilities

CLINICAL PRACTICE

To assess the physical, social and emotional health needs of patients within the limits of professional competence and act in accordance with findings to ensure provision of appropriate patient care incorporating best or evidence based practice and local policies for referral.

To order and interpret appropriate investigations, recording and reporting results and acting on them to achieve the best outcome for patients.

Assess, plan, implement and evaluate treatment programmes that promote health and wellbeing

Work with other health care professionals to diagnose, monitor, manage and treat long term conditions, including non-drug based treatments methods, using a management plan, and in line with national and local policies and practice initiatives

Assess, plan, implement and evaluate treatment plans for patients with long term conditions in areas such as Hypertension, Asthma, COPD and Diabetes. Supporting these patients to adopt health promotion strategies that promote patients to live healthily, and apply principles of self-care

Review medication for therapeutic effectiveness, appropriate to patient needs and in accordance with evidence based practice and practice protocols

As required, and acting within scope of practice, undertake general practice duties, for example: Support and manage health needs of women presenting for family planning and cervical cytology consultations; implement and participate in vaccination and immunisation programmes for both adults and children; advise, support and administer vaccinations where appropriate for patients travelling abroad

Ensure adherence to practice chaperoning policy

Recognise, assess and refer patients presenting with mental health needs in accordance with local policy

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

To maintain contemporaneous and accurate medical records; utilising electronic patient information system, agreed templates and coding protocols.

To ensure the clinical environment is fit for purpose, and ensuring compliance with infection control measures, clinical waste disposal, safety of equipment and stock control (including Drug and vaccine storage)

COMMUNICATION

Demonstrate sensitive communication styles to ensure patients are fully informed, understand and consent to treatment and intervention

Communicate sensitively and support patients who have received 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

Anticipate barriers to communication and take action to improve communication

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

Act as an advocate when representing patients and colleagues

DELIVERING A QUALITY SERVICE

Recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct as regulated by the NMC

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

Work with the team to deliver care according to NICE guidelines, evidence-based care and local policy

Assess effectiveness of care delivery through self and peer review, shared learning and formal evaluation including annual appraisal and revalidation

Be aware of NHS policies and initiatives relevant to areas of practice and work with the practice team to respond to these and develop patient services

Participate in the maintenance of quality governance systems and processes across the practice, including reporting and reviewing incidents and near-misses and the evaluation of complaints

Engage in the use of the audit cycle and patient feedback mechanisms as a means of evaluating the quality of the work of self and the team

Understand responsibilities and legal requirements relating to confidentiality and data protection; these are outlined in the practice policy on confidentiality and must be adhered to at all times

Be aware of Duty of Candour and appropriate behaviours regarding this within the practice

Understand and apply policies that support the identification of vulnerable children and adults, being aware of statutory child/vulnerable adult health procedures and local guidance on Safeguarding

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

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

LEADERSHIP, DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING

Take responsibility for own development and performance; assessing 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 to the wider practice team

Participate in planning and implementing changes within the areas of care and responsibility

Provide an educational role to patients, carers, families, students and colleagues in an environment that facilitates learning

Ensure awareness of sources of support and guidance and provide information in an acceptable format to all patients, recognising any difficulties and referring where appropriate.

Undertake mandatory and statutory training requirements

Promote the role of the Practice Nurse in the provision of care

Contribute and participate in the development of local guidelines, protocols and standards

Participate in the planning and engagement of practice-based commissioning or similar initiatives

Ensure awareness of sources of support and guidance (eg PALS), and provide information in an acceptable format to all patients, recognising any difficulties and referring where appropriate

TEAM WORKING

Understand own role and scope, and identify how this will develop over time

Work as an effective and responsible team member, supporting others and exploring the mechanisms to develop new ways of working

Ensure clear referral mechanisms are in place to meet patient need

Delegate clearly and appropriately, adopting the principles of safe practice and assessing competence

Participate in team activities that create opportunities to improve patient care

Participate in and support local projects as agreed with the practice management team

UTILISING INFORMATION AND IT SYSTEMS

Use technology as an aid to management in planning, implementation and monitoring, presenting and communicating information (EMISWEB, NHS Mail and local intranet system)

Review and process data using accurate Read codes and local templates 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 the responsibility of self and others regarding the Data Protection Act and confidentiality

EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY

Promote equality and diversity in a non-discriminatory culture

Support people who need assistance in exercising their rights

Accept the rights of individuals to choose their care providers, participate in care and refuse care

Assist patients from marginalised groups to access quality care

This Job Description is not exhaustive and is a guideline to the scope of duties involved. It will be reviewed at regular intervals. It is not intended as a rigid inflexible specification and will be subject to the changing requirements of Happy House Surgery and the patients we look after.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• RGN qualification
• Current NMC registration
• Trained in -
• Chronic disease management
• Cytology
• Contraception
• Adult and Childhood immunisation

Desirable

• Travel vaccination

Experience

Essential

• Experience working in a GP practice
• Knowledge of infection prevention and control measures
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• High quality of care
• Good time management

Desirable

• Emis experience
• QOF knowledge
• Experience of Learning Disabilities annual health checks

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

Happy House Surgery

Address

Durham Road

Sunderland

Tyne and Wear

SR3 4BY

Employer's website

https://happyhousesurgery.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)