Job responsibilities
Key Working Relationships
The post holder will be expected to establish and maintain relationships in their host practice, including clinical and administrative colleagues, as well as patients. Other key relationships will include other professionals, such as community service staff, and those working in external agencies.
In addition to relationships with their clinical supervisor and mentor, the postholder will also be expected to participate in activities directly related to the training scheme, including training groups and peer support networks.
Communication
Communicate sensitive, confidential and complex information to patients, and relatives, where needed, using empathy, persuasion and reassurance
Contribute to and work effectively within the practice and wider primary care team
Assist in clinical audit and the setting and monitoring of standards of care
Maintain accurate patient records
Advise and support other members of the team aiming towards common objectives.
Communicate effectively using a variety of communication skills; verbal, written and electronic, with a range of patients, client groups, individuals and organisations, within and external to the NHS
Be able to concentrate for long periods of time with frequent interruptions and unpredictable workload and occasional distressing or emotional consultations.
Ensure confidentiality at all times, only releasing confidential information obtained during the course of employment to those acting in an official capacity and with the authority of the partners.
Actively encourage and facilitate choices for patients by providing health promotion during routine screening procedures e.g. new patient health checks
Analytical and Judgement Skills
Use analytical and judgmental skills to assess, plan, implement and evaluate clinical packages of care including complex physical, psychological, pharmacological and social needs.
Display judgement skills on problems requiring analysis, e.g. assessments of condition
Planning and Organising
Plan provision of care for patients, e.g. clinics, health education.
Participate in planning and organising recall systems for cytology / childhood immunisations and reviews of patients with long-term conditions.
Patient Care
Enable patients to manage their long-term illness and to achieve their full potential in terms of independent living
Assess, plan, implement and evaluate clinical care of patients, giving specialist advice where required
Undertake wound care / management / dressing techniques
Perform cervical screening and promote breast awareness (following appropriate training)
Administer adult and paediatric injections under an individualised prescription or Patient Group Direction, ensuring safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs (following appropriate training)
Undertake accredited training in specific chronic disease management as or if required. e.g. diabetes, respiratory, epilepsy, CHD etc. (following appropriate training)
Contribute to the maintenance of the practice diseases registers.
Provide advice on lifestyle issues, assist and support patients in changing their unhealthy behaviours and refer appropriately.
Recognise the signs of child abuse, family violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse, addictive behaviours, suicidal tendencies and is aware of local, referral procedures.
Apply infection control measures when collecting and handling of laboratory specimens, disposing of waste materials, dealing with blood and body fluids spillages and report and treat sharps injuries.
Undertake first aid and management of emergencies, e.g. burns, haemorrhage, hypo/hyperglycaemic emergencies / asthma attacks.
Undertake annual training and demonstrates competency in anaphylaxis and resuscitation techniques
Assist GP's to help deliver effective implementation of management of patients with chronic diseases, as detailed by the Quality and Outcomes framework.
Assist the clinical team by triaging patients telephone requests for appointments and attention
Strategy / Policy / Service Development and Implementation
Work within codes of practice and professional guidelines
Ensure that current evidence-based approaches to patient care are standard practice
Contribute to the development of policies / protocols / guidelines within the practice
Aid the practice team with implementation of new initiatives in the delivery of chronic disease management services
Support the implementation of evidence-based guidelines in conjunction with the practice nursing team
Demonstrate and evidence own continuing professional development (CPD), and promote CPD of other nurses and HCAs within the practice
Participate in partnership programmes of awareness raising, detection and prevention of chronic diseases
Participate in appraisals
Responsibilities for physical and financial resources
Responsible for equipment used, handling patient valuables and ordering supplies, on regular basis and as required
Leadership/Management and Human Resource Management
Provide professional support to colleagues, particularly reviewing and monitoring patients in a primary care setting
Offer guidance and support to improve standards of care, if needed
Participate in chronic disease management clinics within the practice (only after appropriate training)
Provide clinical input, where required, to assist in skill development and sharing of best practice
Delegate to others, with appropriate skills, knowledge and competence.
Act as a resource to the general public, patients within the health care system and their families, carers and various healthcare professionals.
Information resources
Keep accurate and up to date records of all consultations in accordance with practice and NMC guidelines.
Formulate reports as required for the practice manager and/or senior nurse.
Review patient letters filing normal results where appropriate, for example smear and diabetic retinopathy.
Physical Effort
Undertake light or moderate physical effort in regard to carrying out patient assessments
Freedom to Act
The postholder is required to work within codes of practice and professional guidelines
The postholder will be expected to see patients and work to the practice schedule of booked appointments.
Some work may be supervised as part of the training period, if required, whilst other assessments may be undertaken without supervision
Research, Development and Audit
Participate in the development, implementation and continual reassessment of policies, protocols and guidelines in your own area.
Maintain an interest in national research initiatives and disseminate appropriate information to health professionals if asked to do so.
Ensure all care is evidence-based using up-to-date validated literature.
Contribute to research and development programmes where required to improve clinical practice, either as part of periodical best practice reviews or as needs arise
Working Conditions
The postholder will be working in a general practice environment and interacting with patients, which can occasionally be physically and emotionally demanding
Corporate Responsibilities
Promote the vision of the host organisation, upholding its values all day-to-day activities and delivery of services;
Participate in the objective setting process as part of the annual Performance Development Review/appraisal process, to understand how own role and objectives are linked to team, directorate and corporate objectives, to review what aspects of your role are being done well, and to identify any areas for development.
Undertake relevant activities and mandatory training to meet objectives identified in own Personal Development Plan.
Adhere to all the host organisations policies and guidelines, including HR, Information Governance, Risk Management and Health & Safety policies.
Comply with relevant professional codes of conduct and accountability.
Maintain professional registration
Carry out your duties in a way that supports equality and values diversity. This responsibility includes your actions in relation to service users, carers, work colleagues, people in other organisations and members of the public.
In accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and subsequent legislation the post holder is required to undertake a proactive role in the management of risks in all their actions. This includes:
Undertaking risk assessments in line with the host organisations risk assessment process;
Reporting all incidents, near misses and hazards in line with the host organisations reporting arrangements/system
Undertaking a statutory duty of care for your own personal safety and that of others
Attending all statutory and mandatory health and safety training, appropriate to the role
Maintain the security and confidentiality of information you come across in your role, in line with policies and protocols.
All employees have a responsibility to protect and safeguard vulnerable people (children and adults). They must be aware of child and adult protection procedures and who to contact within the host organisation for further advice. All employees are required to attend safeguarding awareness training and to undertake additional training appropriate to their role.
To carry out all duties and responsibilities of the post in accordance with the host organisations Equality, Diversity and Human Rights policies, avoiding unlawful discriminatory behaviour and actions when dealing with colleagues, service users, members of the public and all other stakeholders. To promote awareness of and respect for Equality, Diversity and Human Rights in accordance with policies and procedures.
The job description and person specification are an outline of the main tasks, responsibilities and requirements of the role. The post holder will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by their line manager commensurate with the band of the post. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an on-going basis in accordance with the changing needs of the host organisation.
