Practice Nurse

Job responsibilities

Purpose of the Role

The post holder is responsible for ensuring the delivery of safe and effective nursing care for the whole practice population. The post holder can work alone without direct support within own levels of competency, undertaking nursing duties, and work with other practice staff to ensure the smooth running of the service. The post holder will use nursing skills to deliver the highest standards of nursing care in accordance with evidence-based practice and national practice protocols.

A commitment to a quality service, excellence in clinical practice and continuous professional development are integral to the role and the development of the service.

The post holder will participate in promoting and advancing DHU Health Care CIC.

DHU recognises that Practice Nursing is a nursing specialty, and will appoint to the bandings as per the person specification below.

General Support

When embarking on a new career in General Practice nursing, good practice would be for the employer to identify a buddy or mentor in the first instance. Ideally, that person would be a qualified nurse who has suitable experience of the discipline and will be able to assist you with your development, both in terms of making the transition to General Practice and any additional support you may need.

Preceptorship

Unless stated otherwise in the job advert, we welcome applications from newly qualified nurses who would have a keen interest in general practice nursing.

The NMC strongly recommends that all new registrants have a period of preceptorship on commencing employment (NMC, 2008). This is a crucial area of support, as the first year in practice is often a stressful time. The learning that has occurred at university, in order to develop a level of knowledge and proficiency in nursing, produces highly motivated and professional individuals.

Key Areas of Responsibility & Accountability

Clinical

• To practice autonomously without direct supervision.

To utilise advanced clinical skills in long term conditions (examples include: asthma, CKD, diabetes, Respiratory, CHD, Dementia)

To run clinics as directed by the clinical management team

Develop an understanding of general practice care delivery standards, inclusive of QOF points and support the practice to achieve these.

To recognise the need for, initiate and where appropriate interpret relevant diagnostic investigations.

To recognise the need for and initiate where appropriate advice of relevant specialisms.

To exhibit excellent nonverbal and verbal communication skills when dealing with patients and carers.

To have the ability to make clear decisions with confidence and communicate these effectively.

To maintain appropriate clinical records in line with current practice guidelines.

To work within the parameters of your skills and knowledge, recognising the limitations to your own practice and to work within the bounds of your training and capability according to regulatory codes of conduct.

To maintain an awareness of developments in clinical practice.

To optimise evidence based practice.

To work effectively as part of a multi professional team in collaboration with other members of the service. This will include initiating and receiving referrals from internal colleagues, and external agencies.

To adhere to performance measures.

To provide health promotion/accident prevention advice for patients and carers.

Develop and maintain competency in core clinical skills including:-

Ear Care

ECG recording

Phlebotomy and Cannulation

Wound Management

Spirometry Recording and Interpretation

Sexual Health Screening

Wound Care

First Aid and Emergency Medical Management of Life Threatening Conditions

Ambulatory Monitoring

Immunisations

Gonadatrophin releasing hormone antagonist injection administration.

NHS health Checks

Theraputic Drug Monitoring/Near Patient Testing

Cytology (Smears)

Childhood & Adult Immunisations

Process pathology results (as required)

Chronic disease clinics, Delivering patient care as necessary.

To promote the protection of children and vulnerable adults in accordance with local safeguarding procedures.

To adhere to the Infection Prevention and Control policy for the service being provided.

To prescribe medication and work within the limitations of current extended Non-Medical Prescribing legislation.

Discharge or refer patients as appropriate to internal or external clinical pathways.

The ordering, storage, administration and disposal of medicines in a safe, secure manner in accordance with current policy and legislation.

Managerial

To participate in clinical team meetings.

To work within guidelines and policies, to support the implementation of policies in own work area and participate in working groups as required.

To lead on long term conditions.

Participate in inductions for newly appointed staff.

Support Clinical and Operational services leads.

Clinical Governance

To practice with the parameters of company policies, protocols and guidelines.

To participate in quality improvement within the organisation.

To assess and evaluate outcomes of own practice, service intervention and treatment and identifies any short falls in service reporting to relevant managers.

To provide mentorship leadership and training to other team members

To ensure the requirements of Health and Safety policy and legislation are maintained.

To participate in research and development activities of DHU Health Care.

Education Practice Development

To participate in the clinical supervision framework for health care professionals within the company.

To offer appropriate advice to health and social care professions on care practices, delivery and service development within the parameters of the role and scope of practice.

To participate in the ongoing individual professional development within the organisation

To mentor and role model as appropriate in the development of triage consultation, the mentorship of junior staff and students.

To complete the mandatory training programme to ensure compliance at all times.

Professional

To work within the regulatory requirements, codes and Professional Standards of practice of the NMC/HCPC/GPhC

To maintain professional and clinical competence through mechanisms of continuing professional development.

To act in such a manner at all times to promote confidence and public trust and uphold the reputation and image of DHU Health Care CIC.

Communications and Working Relationships

Heads of Clinical Services

Clinical GP Lead

Deputy Clinical Service Lead

Values, behaviours and principles

We are always:

Compassionate we show kindness, consideration and understanding in everything we do and demonstrate our caring nature to our patient, people and communities

Accomplished we are available day and night a response, adaptable, professional NHS partner, providing the best advice, care and treatment for every individual

Respectful we recognise the value that individual and team difference bring welcoming views, listening, being honest, and learning from others experiences

Encouraging we believe everyone matters, so we inspire confidence in other promoting speaking up, fostering career-long learning and development, and supporting improvement ideas

Health &Safety

The post holder is required to take responsibility for their own personal safety and that of other persons who maybe affectedbyhis/heractsoromissionsatwork.ThepostholderisrequiredtocomplywithDHUHealth CareCICs Health & Safety Policy andProcedures.

InfectionPrevention&Control

InfectionPrevention&Controlispivotalinensuringasafe&cleanenvironmentforbothpatientsand staff. IP&C is everyones responsibility and strict adherence to the IP&C policy is expected of ALL employees oftheorganisation.

Safeguarding

DHU Health Care is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Adults, Children and Young People and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Diversity

At DHU Healthcare, we take pride in reflecting the rich diversity of our communities and fostering an environment where every person is valued, respected, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work, free from discrimination or bias. To read more about our Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging pledge and see the progress we have made, please click here, or alternatively, you can reach out to our ED&I team at EDandI@DHUHealthcare.nhs.uk

Experience

Essential

• Can Demonstrate a broad and sound knowledge of complex and long term conditions in primary care across the lifespan
• Has experience in one of the following:
• Primary Care/GP surgery
• Emergency Care Centres
• Out of hours facilities/WIC
• Advanced Clinical Assessment skills
• Telephone Triage

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Can complete a concise clinical history
• Can formulate management plans for patients with Long Term Conditions
• Cytology
• Childhood Immunisation Programme
• Demonstrate awareness of accountability in practice
• Can give evidence of using effective communication skills in practice
• Computer literacy. Familiarity with SystmOne, ICE, and Ardens Templates
• Able to prioritise with skilled time management
• IRMER
• Pathology Interpretation
• Telephone Triage

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Proven team player
• Able to work autonomously
• Committed to continuing professional development
• High level of interpersonal skills
• Flexibility to meet service needs

Job Circumstances

Essential

• Commitment to the role
• Flexibility to meet service needs
• Be prepared to travel between different sites when on duty

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Adult Nurse on the NMC Register
• Practice nurse Qualification or accredited long term condition modules
• Working towards MSc (Advanced Clinical Practitioner)
• Non-Medical Prescriber

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).