Practice Nurse

Job responsibilities

Job title: Practice Nurse

Reports to: Nurse Lead/Lead GP - Clinically / Practice Manager Administratively

Hours: Part or Full time position

Job Summary

The post holder is responsible for the delivery of general practice nursing to the whole practice population. The focus of the role is both the delivery of evidence-based practice for patients presenting with a long term condition, and the provision of preventative health care to the practice population. As an autonomous practitioner the nurse is responsible for the care delivered, demonstrating critical thinking and skills in clinical decision-making in the management of patients. They will work collaboratively within the general practice team to meet the needs of patients, support the delivery of policy and procedures.

Key Responsibilities

Assess, plan, develop, implement and evaluate treatment programmes that promote health and well-being

Assess, plan, implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for patients with a known long-term condition

Work with other health care professionals to diagnose, monitor, manage and treat long-term conditions, including non-drug-based treatment methods using a management plan, and in line with national and local policies and practice needs

Work with patients in order to support adherence to prescribed treatments

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

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

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

Advise, support and administer vaccinations where appropriate for patients travelling abroad

Meet the needs of patients presenting for opportunistic wound care

Communication

Demonstrate sensitive communication styles to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment

Communicate with and support patients receiving bad news

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

Anticipate barriers to communication and take action to improve communication

Estimate and maintain effective communication with individuals and groups within the practice environment and with external stakeholders

Act as an advocate when representing patients and colleagues

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

Delivering a quality service

Recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct as regulated by the NMC

Produce accurate, contemporaneous and complete records of patient consultation, consistent with legislation, policies and procedures

Prioritise, organise and manage own workload in a manner that maintains and promotes quality

Deliver care according to NSF, NICE guidelines and evidence-based care

Assess effectiveness of care delivery through self and peer review, benchmarking and formal evaluation

Participate in the maintenance of quality governance systems and processes across the practice

Collaborate on improving the quality of health care in partnership with other clinical teams, responding to 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 and wider organisation

Participate in the management and review of patient complaints, and identify learning from clinical incidents and near-miss events using the practices structured framework

Assess the impact of policy implementation on care delivery

Participate in the performance monitoring review of the team, providing feedback as appropriate

Understand and apply legal policy that supports the identification of vulnerable and abused children and adults, being aware of statutory child/vulnerable adult health procedure and local guidance

Work within policies regarding family violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive behaviour, and refer as appropriate

Continuous Professional Development

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

Support the development of others in order to maximise potential and 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 (eg PALS), and provide information in an acceptable format to all patients, recognising any difficulties and referring where appropriate

Act as a mentor for more junior staff and students, assessing competence against set standards as requested

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

Participation in an annual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal/professional development

Team working

Understand own role and scope, and identify how this may develop over time

Work as an effective and responsible team member, supporting others and exploring the mechanisms to develop new ways of working

Delegate clearly and appropriately, adopting the principles of safe practice and assessing competence

Prioritise own workload and ensure effective time-management strategies are embedded within the culture of the team

Work effectively with others to clearly define values, direction and policies impacting upon care delivery

Participate in team activities that create opportunities to improve patient care

Participate in and support local projects as agreed with the practice management team

Management of risk

Manage and assess risk within the areas of responsibility, ensuring adequate measures are in place to protect staff and patients

Monitor work areas and practices to ensure they are safe and free from hazards and conform to health, safety and security legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines

Ensure safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs. Oversee the monitoring, stock control and documentation of controlled drug usage according to legal requirements

Undertake mandatory and statutory training requirements

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

Apply policies that reduce environmental health risks, are culturally sensitive and increase access to health care for all

Participate in the local implementation strategies that are aligned to the values and culture of general practice

Utilising information

Use technology as an aid to management in planning, implementation and monitoring, presenting and communicating information

Review and process data using accurate Read codes to ensure easy and accurate retrieval for monitoring and audit processes

Manage information searches using the internet and local library databases, for example, the retrieval of relevant information for patients on their condition

Understand the responsibility of self and others regarding the Freedom of Information Act

Confidentiality

In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with or allow us to collate sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in absolute confidence and have the right to expect that staff 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, their carers, practice staff and other health care 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 and other health care workers or to the business of the practice may only be divulged in accordance with practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data

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 right

Special requirements for this post

Keyboard and computer skills

Flexibility of working hours

Excellent communication skills

An understanding and acceptance of own capabilities and awareness of own limitations

Ability to work without direct supervision and determine own workload priorities

All members of staff must be prepared to take on additional duties or relinquish existing duties in order to maintain efficient running of the practice. The Reception Manager and Business Manager reserve the right to re distribute duties and functions amongst members of staff from time to time and requests for such changes shall not be reasonably refused

Other

Essential

• - Self-directed practitioner
• - Highly motivated
• - Flexibility
• - Enthusiasm
• - Team player
• - Ability to work across boundaries

Experience

Desirable

• - Minimum 3 years post-registration experience
• - At least 1 year recent primary and community nursing experience
• - Management of long-term conditions
• - Involvement in implementing and using protocols and clinical guidelines

Skills

Essential

• - Clinical skills immunisation and vaccination, ear care, wound care
• - Change-management skills and ability to support patients to change lifestyle
• - Communication skills, both written and verbal
• - Ability to communicate difficult messages to patients and families
• - Negotiation and conflict management skills
• - IT skills
• - Management of Long Term Conditions

Desirable

• - Family planning and cervical smear sampling

Qualifications

Essential

• - Registered first level nurse
• - Clinical supervision training and experience
• - Relevant nursing/health degree

Knowledge

Essential

• - Knowledge of needs of patients with long-term conditions
• - Knowledge of health promotion strategies
• - Aware of accountability of own role and other roles in a nurse-led service
• - Awareness of clinical governance issues in primary care
• - Knowledge of public health issues in the local area
• - Awareness of local and national health policy
• - Awareness of issues within the wider health economy

Desirable

• - Knowledge of patient group directions and associated policy
• - Participation in quality initiatives such as clinical QOF

Behaviours

Essential

• - Planning and organising
• - Performing under pressure
• - Adaptability
• - Team working
• - Self-motivated
• - Flexibility
• - Confidentiality

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).