LEAD NURSE

Job responsibilities

The following are the core responsibilities of the Lead Nurse. There may be on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels:

a.To produce the IPC annual statement in conjunction with the Practice Manager

b.To act as the Infection Prevention Control (IPC) lead and to work to the IPC Policy providing audits, training, support and evidence of compliance to the Practice Manager

c.To develop, implement and embed an effective care management programme for the frail and housebound patients registered at the practice

d.To assess the needs of patients ensuring the provision of healthcare is appropriate, incorporating evidence-based practice

e.To develop, implement and embed health promotion and wellbeing programmes

f.To implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for chronic disease patients that promote health and wellbeing

g.To identify, manage and support patients at risk of developing long-term conditions, preventing adverse effects to patients health

h.As required, to provide routine nursing care to patients in accordance with clinical based evidence, NICE and the NSF

i.To ensure compliance with the practice chaperone policy

j.To ensure SNOMED CT codes are used effectively by all members of the nursing team

k.To ensure the appropriate use of chronic disease registers

l.To ensure compliance with the practice chaperone policy

m.To co-ordinate the provision of travel medicine services

n.To implement vaccination programmes for adults and children

o.To support the clinical team with all safeguarding matters, in accordance with local and national policies

p.To deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate

q.Support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that promote healthy lifestyles and apply principles of self-care.

r.Instigate necessary invasive and non-invasive diagnostic tests or investigations and interpret findings/reports

s.Refer patients directly to other services/agencies as appropriate

t.Recognise and work within own competence as regulated by the NMC

u.Processing of administration in a timely manner, including referrals and other associated administrative tasks

v.Maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with good practice, policy and guidance

w.Working collaboratively, accepting an equal share of the practice workload

x.Adhere to best practice recommended through clinical guidelines and the audit process

y.To request pathology services and process pathology results as required

z.To oversee the provision of chronic disease clinics, delivering patient care as necessary, referring patients to secondary/specialist care as required

aa.Contribute to the successful implementation of continuous improvement and quality initiatives within the practice

bb.Attend and contribute effectively to practice meetings as required

cc.Prepare and complete the revalidation process

dd.Participating in an annual individual performance review taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and professional development.

ee.Commit to self-learning and instil an ethos of continuing professional development across the practice team

ff.Support the training of medical students from all clinical disciplines

gg.Support the partners in achieving the strategic aims of the practice, making recommendations to enhance income and reduce expenditure

hh.Review and adhere to practice protocols and policies at all times

ii.Promote Sepsis awareness within the practice

jj.Encourage collaborative working, liaising with all staff regularly, promoting a culture of continuous improvement at all times

kk.Overall management of the nursing team, providing guidance when necessary, acting as a mentor to assist, maintain and develop clinical skills

ll.Maintain an effective nursing staff rota, ensuring all clinics are staffed appropriately

mm.Take and test pathology samples from patients for analysis

nn.Other chronic disease management/QOF activities

oo.Support and advise women with family planning needs, including contraception and safe sex advice

pp.Maintain professional registration and adhere to revalidation requirements

qq.Perform other clinical duties as required, within the scope of their competencies and training

rr.Carry out, support and advise women with regards to cervical smear tests

ss.Care for patients with uncomplicated wounds, including (but not limited to):

tt.Removal of sutures

uu.Tissue viability assessment

vv.Wound cleaning and dressing

ww.Management of burns and scalds

xx.Management of skin conditions and referral where necessary

yy.Implement and participate in vaccination and immunisation programmes for both adults and children, including (but not limited to):

oRoutine immunisations

oPertussis immunisation for pregnant women

oFlu immunisation

oPneumococcal immunisation

oCovid-19 immunisation

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered nurse (Nursing and Midwifery Council)

Desirable

• Post graduate diploma or degree (Chronic Disease Management)
• Nurse prescriber
• Mentor or teaching qualification
• Completed or working towards formal infection prevention and control training

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a primary care environment
• Experience of leading a nursing team in a primary care environment
• Experience of working as a practice nurse or community nurse
• Experience of chronic disease management
• Experience of working autonomously
• Experience of infection prevention and control measures
• Experience of managing elderly and housebound patients

Desirable

• Experience of quality initiatives, i.e., benchmarking

Clinical Knowledge & Skills

Essential

• Wound care/removal of sutures and staples
• ECGs
• Venepuncture
• New patient medicals
• Chaperone procedure
• Requesting pathology tests and processing the results, advising patients accordingly
• Chronic disease management in;
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Asthma
• COPD
• Spirometry
• CHD
• Immunisations (routine, travel and childhood)
• Womens health (cervical cytology, contraception, etc.)
• 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
• Knowledge of health promotion strategies
• Understand the requirement for PGDs and associated policy

Desirable

• Travel medicine
• Knowledge of public health issues in the local area
• Awareness of issues within the wider health arena

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).