Job responsibilities
JOB DESCRIPTION
NURSE PRACTITIONER
JOB TITLE: Nurse Practitioner
MAIN PURPOSE/ROLE SUMMARY:
- The post holder will be an experienced nurse, who acting within their professional boundaries; will provide care for the presenting patient from initial history taking, clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of their care. They will demonstrate safe, clinical decision-making and expert care for patients within the general practice.
- The post holder will work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary general practice team to meet the needs of patients, supporting the delivery of policy and procedures.
- The post holder will build effective working relationships with other health care professionals.
- The post holder will work within the team of nurses and health care assistants to deliver excellent primary health care services within the practice.
RESPONSIBLE TO:
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POST
1. MANAGEMENT OF PATIENT HEALTH AND ILLNESS
1.1. To deliver a high standard of patient care as Nurse Practitioner in general practice, using advanced autonomous clinical skills, and a broad and in-depth theoretical knowledge base.
1.2. Provide a first point of contact within the Practice for patients presenting with undifferentiated, undiagnosed problems, making use of skills in history taking, physical examination, problem-solving and clinical decision-making, to establish a diagnosis and management plan.
1.3. Instigate necessary invasive and non-invasive diagnostic tests or investigations and interpret findings/reports.
1.4. Where the post holder is an independent prescriber: to prescribe safe, effective and appropriate medication as defined by current legislative framework.
1.5. To prioritise health problems and intervene appropriately, including initiation of effective emergency care.
1.6. Promote health and well-being through the use of health promotion, health education, screening and therapeutic communication skills
1.7. To clearly communicate the health status of the patient using appropriate terminology, technology and format.
1.8. Provide safe, evidence-based, cost-effective, individualised patient care.
1.9. To work within the practice guidelines, policies and protocols.
1.10. To maintain accurate and contemporaneous records, utilising computer systems where appropriate and consider the Caldecott Principles in relation to all data handling
2. PROFESSIONAL ROLE
2.1. To promote personal development and clinical excellence.
2.2. Working with the nursing team and others in developing new roles, responding to changing healthcare needs.
2.3. To facilitate and participate in multi-disciplinary education and clinical supervision.
2.4. To work within the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Professional Conduct and Scope of Professional Practice.
2.5. Participate in organisational decision making, interpret variations in outcomes and use data from information systems to improve practice.
2.6. To maintain own professional development in line with the Nursing and Midwifery Council Regulations.
2.7. To promote evidence-based practice through the use of the latest research-based guidelines and the development of practice-based research.
2.8. Monitor the effectiveness of their clinical practice through the quality assurance strategies such as the use of audit and peer review
2.9. Participate in continuing professional development opportunities to ensure that up-to-date evidence-based knowledge and competence in all aspects of the role is maintained
2.10. Keep up to date with pertinent health-related policy and work with the practice team to consider the impact and strategies for implementation.
2.11. Pro-actively promote the role of the NP within the Practice, and externally to key stakeholders and agencies
2.12. To play an active role in the development of practice development plans and new services.
3. TEAM ROLE
3.1. As a clinician be available to support other healthcare team members and to accept referrals from other team members.
3.2. To liaise with all members of the Primary Health Care Team and other agencies local authority, social services, secondary care, voluntary sector and Primary Care Trust in order to assure appropriate care is provided for the practice population.
3.3. To participate as a key member of the multi-professional team through the development of collaborative and innovative practice.
3.4. To value all team members.
3.5. To delegate appropriate tasks to the HCA team whilst still maintaining responsibility for this area.
3.6 To support the delivery of health and safety guidance as agreed within the practice.
3.7 To support the writing of, maintenance and delivery of CQC guidance within the practice
4. ORGANISATIONAL
4.1. To complete records, audits, reports and respond to appropriate questions and requests.
4.2. To attend meetings as requested.
4.3. Support effective communication channels between the whole team.
4.4. Develop a sound understanding of the appointments database; event scheduling, session planning and essential practice cover needs.
4.5. To keep the Nurse Manager informed about pressures and difficulties or problem areas when aware.
4.6. Ensure that orders for supplies are within a reasonable budget and one is constantly seeking to reduce costs to the Partnership.
4.7. To contribute to practice strategy and developments when requested.
4.8. To work according to Clinical Governance and support the Clinical Governance Agenda.
4.9. Understand that common patient complaints may also be the catalyst for change within practice procedures.
4.10. To understand the role of the Risk Management Team within the practice contributing to risk assessment and Significant Event Audit and the importance of Infection Control.
4.11. The individual may be required to undertake the assessment and management of patients within the home environment.
4.12 To actively participate in the delivery of QOF targets and others as deemed by the arrangements in general practice finance.
5. MISSION, VALUES AND STRATEGIC DIRECTION
5.1. To promote at all times, the Practices, mission, values and understand the strategic direction of business plans.
5.2. Ensure that patient centred care and safety is central to the culture, philosophy and organisation of the practice.
5.3. To encourage and support patients with long term conditions to develop their ability to self manage.
5.4. To develop a culture of ongoing review, taking into account new methods of working
6. CODES OF CONDUCT AND ACCOUNTABILITY
6.1. To work at all times within the highest levels of standards commensurate with the post.
7. HEALTH AND SAFETY
7.1. The post holder must comply with the Practices Health and Safety Policy, in particular by following agreed safe working procedures and report incidents using the organisations Incident Reporting System. Specifically they must:
7.1.1. Comply with any safety instructions;
7.1.2. Use in a proper and safe the equipment and facilities provided;
7.1.3. Refrain from the wilful misuse or interference with anything provided in the interest of healthy and safety;
7.1.4. Report as soon as practical any hazards and defects;
7.1.5. Report as soon as practical, accidents and untoward occurrences and ensure that accident forms are completed.
8. RULES, REGULATIONS, STANDING ORDERS AND FINANCIAL INSTRUCTIONS
8.1. Required to comply with the rules, regulations, standing orders and financial instructions and policies of the Practice.
9. EMPLOYMENT ACTS AND CODES OF PRACTICE
9.1. Comply with employment legislation and codes of good practice.
10. CLINICAL GOVERNANCE
10.1. To be familiar with and comply with the Practices Clinical Governance standards, policies and procedures.
11. Safeguarding Lead
11.1 It is mandatory to complete annually the necessary Safeguarding training on Children & Adults in line with your role. (Completion of Level 2 & 3 in Adults & Children.
Update the practice Safeguarding Protocols annually or when there are new guidelines
12. Information Governance/GDPR
It is mandatory to complete annually the necessary training on Information Governance/GDPR in line of your role
12.1 Please ensure you adhere to all areas of information Governance. Any breach will be addressed either by a disciplinary or a training need action.
12.2 Smartcards
The secure use of smartcards is paramount; any failure to comply with our policy will be documented in our Smartcard Audit Trail and addressed at an urgent meeting with Dr Walji, Frankie and the person concerned
POSTSCRIPT
This job description is intended to provide an outline of the key tasks and responsibilities only. There may be other duties required of the post-holder commensurate with the position. This description will be open to regular review and may be amended to take into account development within the Practice. All members of staff should be prepared to take on additional duties or relinquish existing duties in order to maintain the efficient running of the Practice. Any changes will be made in consultation with the post holder.
The practice operates a No Smoking Policy and is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
Signature of Employer Date
Signature of Employee Date