General Practice Nurse

Job description

Job responsibilities

The Practice Nurse will undertake a range of nursing assessments and provide appropriate care / treatment in conjunction with GPs and Advanced Nurse Practitioner, or independently as appropriate for the need, according to practice policy, protocols etc. The practice nurse will strive to improve standards of care and be involved in:-

• Conducting chronic disease management clinics
• Carrying out immunisation programmes for both children and adults (including travel health)
• Performing cervical cytology (smear tests) and providing women's health advice
• Managing minor and complex wounds, including leg ulcer care
• Conducting health screening and providing health promotion and lifestyle advice
• Assessing and treating minor illnesses
• Maintaining accurate patient records and contributing to clinical governance and quality improvement
• Contribute to the development of policies / protocols / guidelines within the practice.
• Support the implementation of evidence-based guidelines in conjunction with the practice nursing team.
• Provide professional and managerial support to, health care assistants.
• Offer guidance and support to health care assistants to improve standards of care if needed.
• 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
• Actively participate in multidisciplinary education and training.
• Monitor and maintain consistency of professional standards and take appropriate action if standards are not met.
• Maintain professional development by attending relevant courses and study days to keep abreast of current knowledge and developments.
• Abide by the legal requirements and statutory rules relating to practice and record and maintain periodic professional registration with RCN & NMC
• Participate in an annual appraisal.
• Assist in clinical audit and the setting and monitoring of standards of care.
• Maintain accurate patient records

REGISTERED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL

All employees of Alma Medical Centre who are required to register with a professional body, NMC, to enable them to practice within their profession, are required to comply with their code of conduct and requirements of their professional registration.

SUPERVISION

Where the appropriate professional organisation details a requirement in relation to supervision, it is the responsibility of the post holder to ensure compliance with this requirement. If you are in any doubt about the existence of such a requirement, in the first instance advice should be sought from the Nurse Manager.

RISK MANAGEMENT

It is a standard element of the role and responsibility of all staff of Alma Medical Centre that they fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards.

RECORDS MANAGEMENT

As an employee of Alma Medical Centre, you are legally responsible for all records that you gather, create or use as part of your work within the Organisation (including patient health, financial, personal and administrative), whether paper based or on computer. All such records are considered public records, and you have a legal duty of confidence to service users. You should consult the Practice Manager if you have any doubt as to the correct management of records with which you work.

HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

All employees of Alma Medical Centre have a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. Employees are required to co-operate with management to enable the practice to meet its own legal duties and to report any hazardous situations or defective equipment.

FLEXIBILITY STATEMENT

The content of this Job Description represents an outline of the post only and is therefore not a precise catalogue of duties and responsibilities. The Job Description is therefore intended to be flexible and is subject to review and amendment in the light of changing circumstances, following consultation with the post holder.

CONFIDENTIALITY

All employees of Alma Medical Centre are required to maintain the confidentiality of members of the public and members of staff in accordance with Alma Medical Centre policies.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Competent in basic nursing duties required for the position.

Desirable

• Experience of General Practice Nursing.

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered general nurse on the NMC register.
• Evidence of ongoing post basic education at degree level.

Desirable

• Diploma or degree level training in diabetes, CHD, asthma, COPD and contraception.
• Qualified in cervical cytology.
• Willingness to undertake further training and personal development as identified by the practice.

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

Hartlepool & Stockton Health [H&SH]

Address

Alma Medical Centre

Nolan Place

Stockton-on-tees

Cleveland

TS18 2BP

Employer's website

https://www.hartlepoolandstocktonhealth.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)