Trainee General Practice Nurse

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose:

To develop the knowledge, clinical skills and attitude to provide high quality care and services based on the needs of the practice population. Supported by senior nurses within the practice, you will deliver care within the boundaries of your role, focusing upon supporting patients to be healthy, monitoring of long-term conditions, health promotion and screening activities. You will work collaboratively with the general practice team to meet the needs of patients, supporting the development and implementation of policies and procedures.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities that will be developed during the course of the Scheme:

Clinical

1. Support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that encourage patients to live healthily, and apply principles of self-care.

2. Deliver opportunistic health promotion using opportunities such as new patient medicals and NHS health checks.

3. Implement and participate in national vaccination and immunisation programmes for both adults and children. Provide travel advice and vaccinate appropriately.

4. Assess, plan and support patients to self-manage long term conditions, running specific clinic sessions and maintaining robust recall systems.

5. Assess and care for patients presenting with uncomplicated wounds, including removal of sutures and clips.

6. Support and manage health needs of women presenting for cervical cytology consultationsand perform cervical cytology screening.

7. Support and advise patients requesting information relating to reproductive and sexual health.

8. Prioritise health problems and intervene appropriately to assist the patient in complex, urgent or emergency situations, with support and guidance from senior members of the team.

9. Assist senior practitioners in providing minor surgery sessions.

10. Recognise, assess, and refer patients presenting with mental health needs in line with local policy and practitioner competence.

11. Recognise and highlight where clinical skills are outside of your clinical remit and expertise.

12. Assist in and perform, Urinalysis, Peak Flow Readings, Venepuncture, Blood Pressure measurements fitting of and recording 24-hour BP readings (depending on location) and other specific tests as appropriate for the individual Practice requirements. Adhering to appropriate recall systems.

Communication

1. Communicate effectively within a team in general practice. Working alongside various health care professionals with a common goal to support, manage and treat patients.

2. 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.

3. Utilise communication skills to support patients to adhere to prescribed treatment regimens.

4. Share all training materials, education and CPD certificates with the employing practice.

5. Anticipate barriers to communication and take action to improve communication.

6. Act as an advocate when representing the patients and colleagues viewpoints to others.

Administration

1. Develop an understanding the wider primary care system including but not limited to PCNs, ICBs, ICSs and neighbourhoods.

2. To maintain accurate patient records and enter onto the computer using agreed Snomed codes.

3. Ensure accurate completion of all documentation associated with patient care.

4. To collect data and participate in regular practice audit and research projects.

5. To contribute to any practice development plans.

General

1. To maintain own annual registration with the NMC and professional indemnity and adhere to The Code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates.
2. To maintain a safe and therapeutic environment for all of the Primary Health Care Team staff, patients, carers and colleagues from allied organisations.
3. Ensure all statutory regulations (e.g. Health and Safety, COSHH, etc.) are implemented and adhered to.
4. To promote a professional approach at all times by attire and attitude to patients and staff both in and out of the Practice.
5. To maintain own continuous professional development (CPD) and ensure CPD is kept up to date through annual appraisal in line with the requirements of the Practice and The Code.
6. Attend and participate in staff and Practice meetings and in house clinical training sessions.
7. Demonstrate an understanding of the breath and scope of the role as a general practice nurse working in primary care.
8. Working within limitations, being aware of own boundaries.

The above is only an outline of the tasks and outcomes required of the role. This may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered with the Nursing & Midwifery Council.
• Registered Nurse Part 1 and 2.
• Educated to degree level BSc Hons 2-2.

Experience

Essential

• Thorough and up-to-date knowledge of nursing theory and best practice at the level of a newly qualified nurse.
• Ability to identify social determinants of health in the local area.
• Understanding of equality & diversity and how to apply it.
• Understanding of NMC Code of Practice and requirements of it for own practice and behaviour.
• Knowledge of primary health care and General Practice.
• Knowledge of the role of General Practice Nurse.
• To have gained effective experience and skills from working within the NHS.

Desirable

• Knowledge of public health issues in the local area.
• Awareness of local and national health policy.
• Awareness of issues within the wider health economy.

Skills and Personal Qualities

Essential

• Motivated, and able to articulate reasons for desire to work in this clinical area.
• Demonstrates awareness of importance of working as part of a team.
• Demonstrates effective nursing practice in all basic registered nurse procedures.
• Demonstrate flexibility towards and understanding of the processes involved in gaining new clinical competencies, moving from novice to expert.
• Demonstrates an empathetic and caring approach to patients and relatives and ensure that patients' dignity and respect is maintained at all times.
• Demonstrates awareness of importance of working as part of a team.
• Communication Skills - both written and verbal.
• IT skills - proficient in using Microsoft packages and GP practice IT systems (e.g. EMIS).
• Self-directed practitioner.
• Highly motivated.
• Flexible.
• Enthusiastic.
• Team player.
• A willingness to undertake training in the University's Practice Nurse Programme.
• A willingness to work under supervision/ training and assessment in the general practice setting.
• Positive attitude, ability to gain trust and support with patients, carers and work colleagues.

Desirable

• Able to work under own initiative within boundaries of role.

Equality and Diversity

Essential

• The post holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients carers and colleagues to include -
• Acting in a way that recognises the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with practice procedures and policies, and current legislation.
• Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues.
• Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgemental and respect their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights.

Other

Essential

• Own professional indemnity.
• Self directed practitioner.
• Highly motivated.

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).