Practice Nurse

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical

· Assess, plan, implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for patients with a known long-term condition, including but not necessarily limited to; Asthma, COPD, Diabetes, Hypertension, Heart failure and Chronic kidney disease

· Support the protection of population health by working collaboratively with colleagues to identify and manage patients at risk of developing a long-term condition as appropriate.

· Working collaboratively with colleagues to ensure that patients receive timely access to clinical interventions, social subject, non-drug-based therapies and medications.

· Review medication(s) for therapeutic effectiveness, appropriate to patient needs and in accordance with evidence-based practice and national and practice protocols.

· Work with patients in order to support adherence to their individual treatment plans.

· Provide information and advice on prescribed or over-the-counter medication on medication regimens, side-effects and interactions.

· Prioritise health problems and intervene appropriately to assist the patient in complex, urgent or emergency situations, including initiation of effective emergency care.

· Support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that promote patients to live healthily, and apply principles of self-care.

· Support and manage health needs of women presenting for family planning and cervical cytology consultations.

· Recognise, assess and refer patients presenting with mental health needs

· Implement and participate in vaccination and immunisation programmes for both adults and children.

· Advise, support and administer vaccinations for patients travelling abroad.

· Deliver evidence-based care for patients presenting with aural conditions.

· Assess, manage and review patients requiring wound care, including the removal of sutures.

· Provide support to colleagues when delivering minor surgery and other clinical interventions as appropriate

Communication

· Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising the need for alternative methods of communication to overcome different levels of understanding, cultural background and preferred ways of communicating.

· Obtain, and document, informed consent for proposed treatments and interventions, taking into account the communication needs of patients and those who support them.

· Utilise communication skills to support patients to adhere to prescribed treatment regimens.

· Anticipate barriers to communication and take action to improve communication; including the use of translation services.

· Act as an advocate when representing the patients’ and colleagues’ viewpoints to others.

Quality and Safety

· Recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct.

· Produce accurate, contemporaneous and complete records of patient consultations

· Deliver care according to national, local and practice policies and guidelines; utilising evidence-based care.

· Undertake and engage in audit activities as required.

· Collaborate on improving the quality of health care in partnership with the wider practice team, taking into account local and national policies and initiatives as appropriate.

· Evaluate the patients’ response to health care provision and the effectiveness of care.

· Support and participate in shared learning across the practice.

· Participate in the management and review of patient complaints, and identify learning from clinical incidents.

· Engage in clinical supervision, team meetings and annual appraisal processes

Team working

· Understand own role and scope, and identify how this develops over time.

· Work as an effective team member.

· When appropriate, delegate clearly and appropriately, adopting the principles of safe practice.

· Prioritise own workload to meet the needs of patients and the practice.

Management of risk

· Monitor work areas and practices to ensure they are safe and free from hazards and comply with health, safety and security legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines, identifying and reporting areas of concern in line with agreed policies and procedures.

· Ensure safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and medications.

· Undertake mandatory and statutory training requirements as required.

· Apply infection-control measures within the practice according to local and national guidelines.

Learning and development

· Actively engage in learning and development activities appropriate to the role.

· Act as mentor to students, assessing competence against set standards as requested and if appropriately qualified

· Share learning and information gained to other team members in order to share good practice and inform others about current and future developments

· Provide an educational role to patients, carers, families and colleagues in an environment that facilitates learning.

Leadership

· Take responsibility for own development learning and performance including participating in clinical supervision and acting as a positive role mode.

· Actively promote the workplace as a learning environment, encouraging everyone to learn from each other and from external good practice.

· Participate in planning and implementing changes within the area of care and responsibility.

· Contribute and participate in the development of local guidelines, protocols and standards.

· Ensure awareness of sources of support and guidance, and provide information in an acceptable format to all patients, recognising any difficulties and referring where appropriate.

Safeguarding

The Practice takes the issues of safeguarding and domestic violence seriously. All employees have a responsibility to:

· Attending mandatory training on Safeguarding children and adults.

· Adhering to all relevant national and local policies, procedures, practice guidance (e.g. LSCB Child Protection Procedures and Practice Guidance) and professional codes.

· Reporting any concerns appropriately.

Equality and Diversity

The Practice is committed to promoting equal opportunities to achieve equity of access, experience and outcomes and to recognising and valuing people’s differences. As such, all employees are expected to

· Practice in a manner that recognises and supports equality and diversity of patients and colleagues, supporting others to promote equality, diversity and a non-discriminatory culture

· Support people who need assistance in exercising their rights

· Accept the rights of individuals to choose their care providers, participate in care and refuse care.

Resource Management

The post holder should ensure the effective and efficient use of physical and financial resources, make recommendations regarding supplies and equipment

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• First level registered nurse (by the time of commencing in post)
• Evidence of continued professional development

Desirable

• Inclusion on local cervical cytology takers register
• Accredited practice nurse qualification or evidence of training in chronic disease management
• Immunisation and vaccination initial training

Experience

Essential

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Computer literate; good keyboard skills, use of Office products and email

Desirable

• Use of SystmOne; including SnoMed coding and use of templates
• Knowledge of contraception and sexual health relevant to role
• Experience of supply of medications / vaccinations via PGD
• Venepuncture training

Additional skills

Essential

• Team Player
• Time management and organisational skills
• Ability to work independently and under pressure, using own initiative
• Ability to undertake home visits when required

Desirable

• Venepuncture training
• Experience of wound care

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Parkside Medical Practice

Address

Bulwell Riverside Building

Main Street

Bulwell

Nottinghamshire

NG6 8QJ

Employer's website

https://parksidemedicalpractice.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)