Practice Nurse

Job responsibilities

The following are the core responsibilities of the Practice Nurse:

Assist in and perform routine tasks related to patient care as directed by senior nursing staff and GPs

Perform a holistic assessment of patients attending cervical cytology smear tests and promote breast self-awareness

Provide a holistic approach to wound management and implement wound care in line with current evidence-based guidelines using additional skills of dopplers, compression, measuring legs for compression hosiery, removal of sutures and staples

Undertake urinalysis and preparation of specimens for path lab investigations

Provide a holistic assessment and lifestyle advice on diet, smoking, alcohol intake and exercise and to sign post appropriately

Offer a holistic approach to travel health by providing comprehensive advice to patients

Take ECGs

Have knowledge of the types of contraception available and to carry out Contraceptive Pill checks

Perform venipuncture according to local guidelines

Maintain annual health reviews including hypertension, cardiovascular disease and diabetic foot checks

Ear examination and awareness of sign posting to other services

Offer advice about childhood and adult vaccinations and ensure vaccines are administered under patient group directions

Administer injections under patient specific directions for example B12, Prostap, depo, prolia, nebido and Sayana press

Assist GPs with minor surgery and coil fittings.

Other tasks will include:

Demonstrate and apply knowledge related to the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF)

Provide appropriate standards for student nurses supervision and assessment

Able to perform cardio-pulmonary resuscitation according to current UK guidelines

Able to recognize and manage anaphylaxis according to current UK guidelines

Chaperone and assist patients who are being examined by another clinician

Use appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards

Good IT skills ability to utilize appropriate electronic systems to accurately record data/ system one

Recognize the signs of child abuse, family violence, vulnerable adults and demonstrate awareness of local safeguarding referral procedures

Able to document accurate and precise consultations according to NMC guidelines

To advise senior nurse of potential problems or errors within the range of assigned tasks

Attend and participate in any Practice meetings when required

Participate in audits where appropriate

Ensure effective relationships and communications with the Primary Healthcare Team and other agencies

Any other delegated duties appropriate to the post.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working autonomously
• Experience of infection prevention and control measures

Desirable

• Experience of working in a primary care environment
• Experience of working as a practice nurse or community nurse
• Experience of chronic disease management

Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
• Strong IT skills
• Clear, polite telephone manner
• Competent in the use of Office and Outlook
• 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

• EMIS/Systmone/Vision user skills
• Experience with audits
• Experience with clinical risk management

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered nurse

Desirable

• Post graduate diploma or degree (Chronic Disease Management)
• Nurse prescriber

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
• Always maintains confidentiality
• 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

Clinical knowledge and skills

Essential

• Chaperone procedure
• Understand the importance of evidence based practice
• Broad knowledge of clinical governance
• Ability to record accurate clinical notes
• Ability to work within own scope of practice and understand when to refer to GPs
• Understanding of infection prevention and control measures

Desirable

• Wound care/removal of sutures and staples
• ECGs
• Venepuncture
• Requesting pathology tests and processing the results, advising patients accordingly
• Travel medicine
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Asthma
• COPD
• Immunisations (routine, childhood and travel)
• Womens health (cervical cytology, contraception, etc.)
• Knowledge of public health issues in the local area
• Knowledge of health promotion strategies
• Understand the requirement for PGDs and associated policy

Other Requirements

Essential

• Flexibility to work outside of core office hours
• Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check
• Meet the requirements and produce evidence for nurse revalidation
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) commensurate with the role of a practice nurse

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).