Practice Nurse

Job responsibilities

Purpose

The post holder is responsible for the delivery of general practice nursing to the whole practicepopulation. The focus of the role is both the delivery of evidence-based practice for patients presentingwith a long-term condition, and the provision of preventative health care to the practice population.

The post holder will be supported in their role by more senior nurses and the GPs. They will workcollaboratively within the general practice team to meet the needs of patients and support the deliveryof policy and procedures.

Dimensions

The post-holder carries out clinical procedures in accordance with the competencies required,following practice protocols.

The post has no budgetary or line-management responsibility.

COMMUNICATIONS & WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

1. Internal

Management Team

GPs and other Primary Care Health Professionals

Nursing Team

Patient and Support Services Staff

2. External

Secondary Care

Specialist Services e.g. Respiratory, Smoking Cessation

Social Care services

Patients

General Public

Main Challenges and Opportunities of the Role

Operating without direct supervision following practice protocols.

Working across a range of clinical areas.Working within a multi-disciplinary team.

Working in a rapidly changing and developing environment with a national imperative tocontinuously improve productivity.

Opportunities for professional development to develop and enhance skills.

Working in a busy and pressurised primary care environment across two sites.

Adapting the role in response to changes in the NHS.

Adhering to the values of the Practice.

KEY RESULT AREAS

Clinical Area

1. Work within the Practice Nursing team to provide a comprehensive range of core nursingservices to the practice population.

Examples include: health screening and risk assessment, cervical cytology. health promotion, vaccinations and immunisations, infection control and other general clinic duties.

2. Manage patients with chronic disease, both in the surgery and liaising with the DistrictNurse Team for patients in the community, implementing a structured approach accordingto latest evidence and QOF guidelines.

Chronic Disease including: hypertension; diabetes; asthma; COPD; CHD; other vascularconditions; smoking cessation; weight management

3. Undertake all associated clinical computer data entry and communication.

Examples include; notes entries, referrals, ensuring consistent and accurate entering of data anduse of Read Codes. Recording information and communicate specified information to variousmembers of the Primary care team as directed by Practice Procedures and Patient care needs.

4. Leadership and Development

Examples include; regular audit of own practice and maintenance of skills levels as required forthe post; assisting in clinical audit and the setting and monitoring of standards of care; teaching and appropriately supervise and delegate to others in clinical setting, including unqualified staff;work and communicate effectively in the team; active contribution in Service Development anddeveloping and implementing Practice policies and protocols.

CORPORATE

CONFIDENTIALITY

As an employee you have a responsibility to maintain the confidentiality of any confidentialinformation, which comes into your possession regarding patients, employees or any business relatingto the Practice. In accordance with the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 protected disclosures areexempt from this express duty of confidentiality.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

As an employee you have a responsibility to abide by all the safety practices and codes provided bythe Practice and have an equal responsibility with management for maintaining safe working practicesfor the health and safety of yourself and others.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

As an employee of Seaton Park Medical Group you are a member of an organisation that endeavoursto provide the highest quality of service to our patients. You are an ambassador of the organisationand, as such, are required to ensure that high standards are maintained at all times.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

As an employee you have a responsibility to ensure that all people that you have contact with duringthe course of your employment, including patients, relatives and staff are treated equally in line withthe Practices Equal Opportunities Policy.

RISK MANAGEMENT

You have a responsibility for the identification of all risks, which have a potential adverse affect on thePractices ability to maintain quality of care and the safety of patients, staff and visitors, and for thetaking of positive action to eliminate or reduce these.

SAFEGUARDING

The Practice is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people andvulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

INFECTION CONTROL

As an employee you have a responsibility to abide by all Infection Control Guidelines provided by thePractice.

SUSTAINABILITY

It is the responsibility of all staff to minimise the Practices environmental impact by switching off lights,computers monitors and equipment when not in use, minimising water usage, minimising the need forprinting and amount of paper and toner cartridges used.

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of health promotion strategies
• Awareness of clinical governance issues in primary care
• Knowledge of patient group directions
• Change-management skills and ability to support patients to change lifestyle
• Communication skills, both written and verbal ability to communicate difficult messages to patients and families
• Negotiation and conflict management skills
• Ability to provide teaching and mentorship to HCAs in a clinical setting
• Evidence of teamwork skills
• Computer use skills

Desirable

• Primary Care issues
• SystmOne
• Prior knowledge of management of patients with long-term conditions
• Knowledge of public health issues
• Ability to identify determinants on health in the local area

Attitude

Essential

• Adaptability & flexibility
• Sharing of skills
• Desire to extend core nursing skills
• Willing to participate in training programmes for practice team staff
• Care and respect for patients and their right to privacy and confidentiality
• Team player
• Personal integrity and loyalty
• Professional appearance
• Self-directed practitioner
• Highly motivated
• Flexibility
• Good timekeeping
• Enthusiasm
• Ability to work across boundaries

Core Competencies

Desirable

• Clinical skills in one or more of:
• Health screening and risk assessment, cervical cytology. health promotion,
• vaccinations and immunisations including childhood, family planning including pill checks and depots.
• Chronic Disease including: hypertension; diabetes; asthma; COPD; CHD; other vascular conditions; smoking cessation; weight management

Experience

Essential

• Minimum two years Post Registration experience
• Operating without direct supervision following protocols

Desirable

• Practice Nurse training
• Experience of whole systems team approach
• Delivery of care within a clinic setting
• Experience of nurse-led management of long-term
• conditions

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered General Nurse Part 1
• NMC Registration
• Evidence of continuous professional development

Desirable

• Relevant nursing/health degree
• Clinical supervision training and
• experience

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).