Practice Nurse

Job responsibilities

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

Develop, implement and embed health promotion and wellbeing programmes

Develop, implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for acute and non-acute conditions

Support the clinical team in the development of individual treatment plans for chronic disease patients

Identify, manage and support patients as risk of developing long-term conditions, preventing adverse effects on the patients health

Provide routine nursing care to patients as required in accordance with clinical based evidence, NICE and the NSF

Prescribe medication in accordance with PGD and within own scope of practice

Review medication for effectiveness, need and national guidance

Support patients to ensure compliance with prescribed medications

Provide wound care (ulcer/Doppler, etc.) to patients

Provide travel medicine services

Request pathology services as necessary, processing and interpreting results as required

Refer patients directly to other services as appropriate

Provide chronic disease clinics, delivering patient care as necessary, referring patients to secondary/specialist care as required

Maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with extant legislation

Ensure SNOMED codes are used effectively

Maintain chronic disease registers

Develop, implement and embed well woman clinics

Develop, implement and embed well man clinics

Chaperone patients where necessary

Assist GPs with minor surgery when required

Prioritise health issues and intervene appropriately

Support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies

Recognise, assess and refer patients presenting with mental health needs

Recognise, assess and refer patients with community health needs, developing strategies for effective care pathways

Implement vaccination programmes for adults and children

Liaise with external services/agencies to ensure the patient is supported appropriately (vulnerable patients etc.)

Support the clinical team with all safeguarding matters, in accordance with local and national policies

Understand organisation and local policies for substance abuse and addictive behaviour, referring patients appropriately

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council
• Recognised qualification to diploma level or above

Desirable

• Non-medical prescriber

Experience

Essential

• Working in a primary care environment
• Working knowledge of chronic disease management
• Working autonomously
• Knowledge of the chaperone procedure
• Broad knowledge of clinical governance
• Ability to record accurate clinical notes

Desirable

• Working as a practice nurse
• Managing, leading and developing a team

Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
• Strong IT skills including EMIS/SystmOne/Vision user skills
• Clear, polite telephone manner
• Effective time management (planning and organising)
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
• Good interpersonal skills
• Problem solving and analytical skills
• Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure

Desirable

• Experience with audit and able to lead audit programmes
• Experience with clinical risk management

Personal qualities

Essential

• Polite and confident
• Flexible and co-operative
• Motivated, forward thinker
• Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required
• High levels of integrity and loyalty
• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
• Ability to work under pressure/in stressful situations
• Effectively able to communicate and understand the needs of the patient
• Commitment to ongoing professional development
• Effectively utilise resources
• Punctual and committed to supporting the team effort

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).