Practice Nurse - GP Practice

Job responsibilities

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:

1.To support the Infection Prevention Control (IPC) lead and to work to the IPC Policy supporting the implementation of audits, training, support and evidence of compliance to the Lead Nurse.

2.To support the production of the IPC annual statement in conjunction with the Lead Nurse.

3.To develop, implement and embed an effective care management programme for the frail and housebound patients registered at the practice

4.To assess the needs of patients ensuring the provision of healthcare is appropriate, incorporating evidence-based practice

5.To develop, implement and embed health promotion and wellbeing programmes

6.To implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for chronic disease patients that promote health and wellbeing

7.To identify, manage and support patients at risk of developing long-term conditions, preventing adverse effects to patients health

8.As required, to provide routine nursing care to patients in accordance with clinical based evidence, NICE and the NSF

9.As required, to diagnose and manage acute and chronic conditions

10.To prescribe medication for patients in accordance with PGDs and own scope of practice

11.To review patient medications to enhance compliance

12.To provide guidance to patients in the use of prescribed and over-the-counter medications regarding side effects and dosages

13.To co-ordinate the provision of travel medicine services

14.To request pathology services and process pathology results as required

15.To oversee the provision of chronic disease clinics, delivering patient care as necessary, referring patients to secondary/specialist care as required

16.To maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with extant legislation

17.To ensure read codes are used effectively by all members of the nursing team

18.Be aware of Quality Outcome Framework (QOF) requirements and to be mindful when seeing patients about any outstanding items.

19.Be aware of local Direct Enhances Services (DES) requirements and to be mindful when seeing patients about any outstanding items.

20.To ensure the appropriate maintenance and use of chronic disease registers

21.To develop, implement, embed and participate in well woman clinics including cervical cytology and sexual health

22.To develop, implement, embed and participate in well man clinics

23.To ensure compliance with the practice chaperone policy

24.To assist GPs with minor surgery when required

25.To prioritise health issues and intervene appropriately

26.To support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies

27.To recognise, assess and refer patients presenting with mental health needs

28.To implement vaccination programmes for adults and children

29.To support patients in the use of their prescribed medicines or over-the-counter medicines (within own scope of practice)

30.To liaise with external services/agencies to ensure the patient is supported appropriately (vulnerable patients etc.)

31.To support the clinical team with all safeguarding matters, in accordance with local and national policies

32.To understand practice and local policies for substance abuse and addictive behaviour, referring patients appropriately

33.To deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate

34.To maintain stock levels of consumable goods and order replenishments when needed.

35.To maintain stock levels of vaccinations and order replenishments when needed.

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse (Nursing and Midwifery Council)

Desirable

• Mentor or teaching qualification
• Post graduate diploma or degree (Chronic Disease Management)
• Nurse prescriber
• Family planning qualification

Other Requirements

Essential

• Flexibility to work outside of core office hours
• Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check
• Occupational Health clearance
• Meet the requirements and produce evidence for nurse revalidation
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) commensurate with the role of a Practice Nurse

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a primary care environment
• Experience of chronic disease management
• Experience of working autonomously
• Experience of working as a practice nurse or community nurse
• Experience of infection prevention and control measures

Desirable

• Experience of managing elderly and housebound patients
• Experience of quality initiatives, i.e., benchmarking

Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
• Effective time management (planning and organising)
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
• Good interpersonal skills
• Problem solving and analytical skills
• Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure

Desirable

• Strong IT skills
• Clear, polite telephone manner

Personal qualities

Essential

• Polite and confident
• Flexible and co-operative
• High levels of integrity and loyalty
• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
• Effectively able to communicate and understand the needs of the patient
• Commitment to ongoing professional development
• Punctual and committed to supporting the team effort

Desirable

• Motivated, forward thinker
• Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required
• Ability to work under pressure/in stressful situations
• Effectively utilise resources

Clinical knowledge and skills

Essential

• Wound care/removal of sutures and staples
• Venepuncture
• New patient medicals
• Requesting pathology tests and processing the results, advising patients accordingly
• Understanding the importance of evidence-based practice
• Understand the requirement for PGDs and associated policy
• Ability to record accurate clinical notes
• Ability to work within own scope of practice and understanding when to refer to GPs
• Chaperone procedure
• Womens health (cervical cytology, contraception, etc.)
• Immunisations (routine, childhood and travel)
• Immunisations (seasonal)
• Chronic disease management in Hypertension, COPD, Diabetes, Asthma

Desirable

• Travel medicine
• Spirometry
• Broad knowledge of clinical governance
• Knowledge of public health issues in the local area
• Awareness of issues within the wider health arena
• Knowledge of health promotion strategies

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).