Practice Nurse

Job responsibilities

Responsibilities

The following are the core responsibilities of the practice nurse (prescriber). There may be on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels:

Clinical

To assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care

To be involved in immunisation, including campaigns as required by the public health needs of the Practice population

To exercise knowledge and skills in chronic disease, wound assessment and management, ear care, contraception, and other clinical skills as appropriate to the role

To participate in infection control

To participate in the screening and health promotion activities of the Practice

To develop skills in sexual health, including cervical cytology and sexual health screening

To participate in chronic disease management within Practice guidelines

To make referrals to, and receive referrals from other health care professionals

To demonstrate a level of knowledge clinical skill appropriate to the needs of the role

To prescribe medications within competence and scope of practice

Management

To participate in the development of Practice philosophy, strategy, and policy

To be involved in the management of change within the Practice and the implementation of systems to improve patient care

To participate in, and contribute to, the clinical governance agenda of the Practice

To assist the Practice in achieving the Quality and Outcome Framework (GMS contract)

To evaluate and audit care

To participate in multidisciplinary protocol development

To be responsible for the maintenance of supplies and equipment

Training and education

To contribute to the training of GP Registrars, Medical and Nursing students, and other students and members of staff as required

To participate in the clinical meetings within the Practice

To maintain own professional development and PDP

To attend study days, courses and other educational events as required by the role

To participate in the Practice appraisal process

Communication

To maintain accurate and contemporaneous records

To work with the wider nursing team in developing an integrated service for patients

To make referrals to other members of the Practice team, and to voluntary and statutory agencies as necessary

Professional

To work within the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and Scope of Professional Practice

To undertake professional development as required by the role

To undertake an annual non-medical prescribing audit.

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Empathetic approach
• Able to work calmly and efficiently under pressure
• Highly motivated
• Able to use initiative
• A keen learner
• Flexible approach to type of work and hours worked
• Smart, polite and confident

Other requirements

Essential

• Flexibility to work outside of core office hours
• Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check

Qualifications

Essential

• RGN
• Current registration with NMC
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development appropriate to the role

Desirable

• Independent Nurse Prescriber

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working within Primary Care Environment
• Up to date training in Childhood and Adult Immunisations
• Training and experience in the management of long term conditions
• Training and experience in contraception and sexual health including cytology

Desirable

• 2 years post registration experience

Skills

Essential

• IT skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Car driver
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to prioritise and manage own workload
• Ability to work well as a member of a multi disciplinary team
• Well developed problem solving skills

Desirable

• Motivational interviewing skills

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).