Practice Nurse

Job responsibilities

The post holder is responsible for the delivery of general practice nursing to the whole practice population. The role encompasses two main roles; 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 and must demonstrate critical thinking and skills in clinical decision making when managing patients. The practice nurse will work collaboratively within the general practice team to meet the needs of patients and support the delivery of policy and procedures. Key Responsibilities Clinical Practice • Assess, plan, implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for individuals with long term conditions, particularly respiratory conditions • For patients with the above condition, review medication for therapeutic effectiveness, appropriate to patient needs and in accordance with evidence based practice, national and practice protocols • Proactively identify and manage treatment plans for patients at risk of developing a long term condition as appropriate • Work alongside patients in order to support adherence to prescribed medications • Educate, advise or counsel patients and their families on health issues and ensure delivery of opportunistic health promotion at all times • Support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that promote patients to live healthily and promote principles of self care • Support and manage health needs of women presenting for cervical cytology consultations • Support and advise women requesting information relating to family planning needs • Provision of travel advice and administration of vaccinations where appropriate for patients travelling abroad • Implement and participate in vaccination and immunisation programmes for both adults and children and ordering of vaccines to maintain stock levels • Promote and deliver evidence based care for patients presenting with aural conditions • Meet the continuing needs of patients presenting for wound care Further Clinical Duties • Chaperoning and assisting patients who are being examined by another clinician • Assisting GP’s with minor surgery and gynaecological procedures • Venepuncture • Dopplers • Removal of sutures/clips • Performing ECG’s • Spirometry • New patient health checks • Administration of injections • Assist with re-stocking and maintaining clinical areas and consulting rooms in absence of HCA • Checking of emergency trolley, defibrillator, oxygen cylinder in absence of HCA COMMUNICATION • Demonstrate sensitive communication styles to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment • Communicate with and support patients who have received bad news or suffered a bereavement • 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 • Maintain effective communication with individuals and groups within the practice environment • Act as an advocate for patient and colleagues 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 • Deliver care according to NSF, NICE guidelines and evidence based care • Use of clinical audits to evaluate quality of work of self and nursing team, implementing improvements where required • Participate in the management and review of patient complaints and identify learning from clinical incidents using significant event recording • Work as effective and responsible team member and participate in team activities that create opportunities to improve patient care • Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk • Contribute to the effectiveness of the practice team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance • Effectively manage own time, workload and resources • Adherence to Rosemary Medical Centre’s Confidentiality policy • Take the lead in the maintenance and delivery of infection control standards as Infection Control and Prevention lead nurse. Provide education and mandatory training to general Practice team. Personal/Professional Development • Participation in an annual appraisal and revalidation, to include taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development • Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and maintaining a personal development plan/professional portfolio Health and Safety • Adherence to Rosemary Medical Centre’s Health and Safety Policy • Manage and assess risk within areas of responsibility, ensuring adequate measures are in place to protect staff and patients • Application of infection control measures within the practice according to local and national guidelines Utilising Information • Record, review and process data using accurate read codes in order to ensure easy and accurate retrieval for monitoring and audit processes • Maintaining patients computerised records, updating recalls and taking responsibility for allocated QOF target groups Learning and Development • Disseminate learning and information gained to other members of the team in order to share good practice and inform about current and future developments • Assess own learning needs and undertake learning as appropriate • Provide an educational role to patients, carers, families and colleagues in an environment that facilitates learning Other Responsibilities • Practice clinical Infection Control Lead o With Nurse Manager and Practice Manager ensure that the Practice is compliant with all aspects of Infection Control

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered General Nurse
• Evidence of continued professional development

Desirable

• Additional specific nursing skills/qualifications
• Respiratory Diploma

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and The Scope of Professional Practice
• Experience of working in a multi disciplinary team
• Health Promotion within current working environment

Desirable

• Experience of working in primary care
• Experience of working in an Emergency Department
• Experience of using TPP Systm One clinical system

Skills, Knowledge & Qualities

Essential

• Good communication skills with both patients & colleagues
• Able to demonstrate enthusiasm in developing nursing skills
• Ability to self motivate, organise and prioritise own workload
• Able to work both independently and as a team player
• Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the practice
• Computer literate and able to operate features of Microsoft Office
• Able to engage confidently with a wide range of professionals, service users/carers and patients
• Knowledge of child protection and vulnerable adults
• Knowledge of issues relating to confidentiality
• Ability to understand and adhere to quality care standards
• Ability to undertake research appropriate to the role

Desirable

• Competent in basic nursing duties required for the post
• Knowledge of Infection Control policies and procedures

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).