Job responsibilities
Job summary
The post holder will demonstrate courageous and critical
thinking and is a caring, compassionate and committed experienced nurse who,
acting within their professional boundaries, will provide care for the
presenting patient from initial history taking, clinical assessment, diagnosis,
treatment and evaluation of care. They will demonstrate safe, competent
clinical decision-making and expert care, including assessment and diagnostic
skills, for patients within the general practice.
The post holder will commit to demonstrating critical
thinking in the safe clinical decision-making process. They will communicate
and work collaboratively with the general practice team to meet the needs of
patients, supporting the delivery of policy and procedures, and providing nurse
leadership as required.
To provide a high-quality, cost effective service to the
patients of the Primary Care Network (PCN); undertaking clinical assessment,
diagnosing and evaluation of care while within working defined procedures and
protocols set by the Clinical Nurse Manager/Clinical Director.
The main aim for this role is to increase health and
wellbeing of patients through improved identification and disease management.
The post holder will need to demonstrate safe, clinical
decision-making and expert care, including assessment and diagnostic skills.
There will be the need to prioritise and triage the needs of patients
accordingly making any necessary referrals for investigations in the
appropriate manner.
Key responsibilities
CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Assess, diagnose,
plan, implement and evaluate treatment/interventions and care for patients
presenting with an undifferentiated diagnosis;
Clinically examine
and assess patient needs from a physiological and psychological perspective,
and plan clinical care accordingly;
Assess diagnosis,
plan, implement and evaluate interventions/treatments for patients with complex
needs. Proactively identify, diagnose and manage treatment plans for patients
at risk of developing a long-term condition (as appropriate);
Diagnose and manage
both acute and chronic conditions, integrating both drug- and non-drug-based treatment
methods into a management plan;
Prescribe and
review medication for therapeutic effectiveness, appropriate to patient needs
and in accordance with evidence-based practice and national and practice
protocols, and within scope of practice;
Work with patients
in order to support compliance with and adherence to prescribed treatments. Provide
information and advice on prescribed or over-the-counter medication on
medication regimens, side-effects and interactions;
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 promote healthy lifestyles, and apply
principles of self-care;
Support and manage
health needs of women presenting for family planning, cervical cytology or
sexual health consultation;
Assess, identify
and refer patients presenting with mental health needs in accordance with the
NSF for Mental Health;
Implement and
participate in vaccination and immunisation programmes for both adults and
children;
Advise support and
administer vaccinations for patients travelling abroad, where appropriate;
Promote and deliver
evidence-based care for patients presenting with aural conditions
Meet the needs of
patients presenting for opportunistic wound care
Clinical Governance
Ensure that home visits are undertaken
safely in line with the organisations lone worker and health & safety
policies.
Ensure that patient identifiable
information, laptops and smartcards are transported in line with the
information governance policy.
Prescribe treatment in line with local
and national guidelines and CCG formulary.
Ensure accurate and legible notes of
all consultations and treatments are recorded promptly in the patients
notes on SystmOne.
To maintain infection control standards
in varied and challenging environments in line with the organisations
infection control policy and procedural guidance.
To ensure the safety of patients,
relatives and colleagues and to report all incidents and near misses in
line with the risk management policy.
To remain up-to-date with all mandatory
training.
To maintain up-to-date knowledge of
safeguarding adult and children guidance to ensure that those at risks of
abuse/suffering abuse are identified and the necessary process to protect
them is followed.
To meet responsibilities as an employee
as set out in the organisations corporate and clinical policies.
To maintain confidentiality at all
times.
Ensure accurate completion of all
necessary documentation associated with patient health care.
Communication
Liaise and interact with multi-professional teams across
organisational boundaries, including primary care, social services and
secondary care providers according to patient needs and appropriate care
pathways.
Maintain communication with all healthcare professionals and
outside agencies to ensure seamless, patient-centre service provision.
Ensure effective communication so that the patient receives
the appropriate level of care and wherever possible to avoid unnecessary
hospital admission.
Communicate effectively with other team members;
Communicate effectively with patients and carers,
recognising their needs for alternative methods of communication;
Enthusiastic about health promotion and lifestyle change.
Personal and people development
Act as a clinical leader in the delivery pf practice nursing
services ensuring that the needs of the patient are a priority;
Operate as an effective member of the PCN;
Undertake mentorship for the PCN Healthcare Assistant,
assessing competence against set standards;
Take responsibility for own developmental learning and
performance, including participating in supervision;
Take responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal
development;
Work with management on any new training requirements;
To recognise and understand the roles and responsibilities
of individuals working in the primary health care team.
Health,
safety and security
Use the personal security systems within the workplace
according to practice guidelines;
Identify the risks involved in work activities and undertake
them in a way that manages the risks.
Service improvement
Be aware of and assist in current clinical audit;
Work with colleagues in the team on the development of
current and new services and other initiative.
Quality
Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk in
the care of patients;
Ensure own actions are consistent with clinical governance
systems;
Practice in accordance with agreed standards of care;
Enable patients to access appropriate professionals in the
team;
Ensure stock items under your control are ordered and
available in the treatment and consulting rooms;
Know the practice's policies, especially the whistle-blowing
policy, available in the practice staff handbook;
Be able to manage your own time effectively.
Equality and diversity
Act in ways that recognise the importance of people's
rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with procedures;
Respect the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients
and carers;
Understand basic legal and communication issues regarding
child abuse, family violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive
behaviour;
Information processes
Record information and activities undertaken with patients
and carers in an accurate and timely fashion using manual or computer systems
as appropriate;
Maintain confidentiality or information relating to
patients, relatives, staff and the practice;
Maintain accurate and contemporaneous electronic patient
records on SystmOne;
Take the necessary precautions when transmitting information.
Duties
and Responsibilities:
Attend annual updates and mandatory training as required;
Highlight any gaps in knowledge/training needs to their line
manager to allow them the opportunity to offer support in order to fulfil the
duties of this post
Act in a manner
that safeguards children and/or vulnerable adults as applicable to the role;
Work in line with organisational policies and procedural guidelines.
This JD is not
intended to be an exhaustive list of activities but rather an outline of the
main areas of responsibility. The role is likely to evolve to meet the changing
needs of the service.
