Deputy Lead Nurse

Job responsibilities

The Deputy Lead Nurse will work in conjunction with the lead nurse to achieve the following;

Clinical

• Oversee cervical cytology administration
• Oversee child immunisation programme administration
• Arrange/oversee flu vaccine clinics
• Arrange/oversee other vaccination programmes as appropriate/required
• Oversee stock control and ordering
• Oversee the process of the monitoring of emergency equipment, sharps bins, vaccine fridge
• Work with the Infection Control Lead to ensure all standards are met

Data/quality

• Work with the GPs and management team on the development of new nursing services
• Work with the management/administration team on the recording and attainment of QOF standards relevant to the nursing team
• Work with the management/administration team on the achievement of Enhanced Services relevant to the nursing team
• Work with the GPs and management team on the development of new nursing services
• Ensure that nursing and HCA protocols are up-to-date and used appropriately
• Ensure Patient Group Directives (PGDs) are read and signed and used appropriately
• Keep up to date with CQC requirements and inform the nursing team of any changes as relevant
• Take part in the development of PGDs as required
• Ensure an adequate system of peer review/clinical audit is undertaken within the team to monitor and maintain clinical standards

Human Resources;

• Oversee the nurse/HCA appointment templates
• Identify training requirements within the nursing team and report to the Lead Nurse
• Support the Lead Nurse with induction programmes for new nursing HCA employees
• Delegate clinical responsibilities appropriately (ensuring safe practice and the task is within the scope of practice of the individual)
• Deal with general day-to-day queries from members of the nursing team

Confidentiality:

• In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately
• In the performance of the duties outlined in this job description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential
• Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data

Health & safety:

The post holder will support in promoting and maintaining health, safety, wellbeing security of the team, organisation and premises as defined in the practice Health & Safety Policy, and the Infection Control Policy and published procedures. This will include (but will not be limited to):

• Using personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines
• Awareness of national standards of infection control and cleanliness and regulatory / contractual / professional requirements, and good practice guidelines
• Responsible for the correct and safe management of the specimens process including collection, labelling, handling, use of correct and clean containers, storage and transport arrangements
• Support the Lead Nurse in the maintenance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the practice including provision, ordering, availability and ongoing correct usage by staff
• Support the Infection Control Lead for hand hygiene across the practice
• Active observation of current working practices across the practice in relation to infection control, cleanliness and related activities, ensuring that procedures are followed and weaknesses / training needs are identified, escalating issues as appropriate
• Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills, and initiate and support the training of others across the full range of infection control and patient processes
• Monitoring practice facilities and equipment in relation to infection control, ensuring that provision of hand cleansing facilities, wipes etc are sufficient to ensure a good clinical working environment. Lack of facilities to be escalated as appropriate.
• Safe management of sharps procedures including training, use, storage and disposal
• Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy, clean and sterile, and safe way, free from hazards. Escalate any remedial / corrective action required to responsible management
• Actively identifying, reporting, and correction of health and safety hazards and infection hazards immediately when recognised
• Keeping own work areas and general / patient areas generally clean, sterile, identifying issues and hazards / risks in relation to other work areas within the business, and assuming responsibility in the maintenance of general standards of cleanliness across the business in consultation (where appropriate) with other sector managers
• Undertaking periodic infection control training (minimum twice annually)
• Routine management of own team / team areas, and maintenance of work space standards
• Spillage control procedures, management and training
• Decontamination control procedures, management and training, and equipment maintenance
• Maintenance of sterile environments

Equality and diversity:

The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include:

• Acting in a way that recognises the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with practice procedures and policies, and current legislation
• Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues
• Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights.

Personal/Professional development:

The post-holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the practice as part of this employment, such training to include:

• Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development
• Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work

Quality:

The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the practice, and will:

• Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk
• Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision
• Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance
• Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patient needs
• Effectively manage own time, workload and resources

Communication:

The post-holder should recognise the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to:

• Communicate effectively with other team members
• Communicate effectively with patients and carers
• Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly

Contribution to the implementation of services:

The post-holder will:

• Apply practice policies, standards and guidance
• Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work
• Participate in audit where appropriate

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Competent in basic nursing duties required for the post.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Good organisational and record keeping skills.
• Very good IT skills (use of Microsoft office software and using the internet).
• Willing to develop clinical skills and competency relevant to the role.
• Knowledge of health promotion strategies.
• Interest in and knowledge of long term conditions

Desirable

• Specific nursing skills / qualifications relevant to the post including cytology, wound/ulcer care, childhood immunisations, and the management of long term conditions eg asthma/COPD/diabetes.
• Awareness of current QOF guidelines.
• Family planning qualification.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct (2015) and The Scope of Professional Practice (1992).
• Leadership and management experience.
• Experience of dealing with the public/patients.
• Knowledge of duties of nursing team

Desirable

• Hold a relevant management qualification.
• Experience of Microsoft Office software.
• Experience of performing audits.

Qualities and Attributes

Essential

• Able to demonstrate enthusiasm to develop nursing skills.
• An understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality.
• Ability to use own judgement, resourcefulness and common sense.
• Ability to work without direct supervision and determine own workload priorities.
• Ability to work as part of an integrated multi-skilled team.
• Pleasant and articulate.
• Able to work under pressure.
• Able to work in a changing environment.
• Flexibility of working hours/ability to work at the desired times.
• Experience of Primary Care.
• Able to use own initiative.
• Problem solving and analytical skills.
• Able to demonstrate enthusiasm to develop nursing services.

Desirable

• Car driver/clean licence.
• Willingness to visit patients in their home environment if required.

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered General Nurse (with current NMC registration).
• Recognised qualification in Diabetes, Asthma & COPD.
• A demonstrable commitment to professional development.

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).