Practice Nurse (with respiratory interest)

Job responsibilities

Title- Practice Nurse

Responsible to- Lead Practice Nurse & Clinical GP Lead

Accountable to- GP Partners/ Practice Manager

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, and provide nurse leadership as required.

Key responsibilities

Clinical practice

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

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

Proactively identify, diagnose and manage treatment plans for patients at risk of developing a long-term condition

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

Review medication for therapeutic effectiveness, appropriate to patient needs and in accordance with evidence-based practice and national and practice protocols

Work with patients in order to support adherence to prescribed treatments

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

Prioritise health problems and intervene appropriately to assist the patient in complex, urgent or emergency situations, including initiation of effective emergency care

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, family planning procedures and cervical cytology consultations, and including health promotion for sexual health

Recognise, assess and refer patients to GP or CPN, presenting with mental health needs in accordance with the NSF for Mental Health

Implement and participate in vaccination and immunisation programmes for both adults and children under national guidelines and PGDs

Advise patients travelling abroad, using support materials and risk assessment. Include health promotion and disease prevention, using evidence based and up to date professional travel health resources, and administration of vaccinations under PGDs

Promote and deliver evidence-based care for patients presenting with aural conditions

Meet the needs of patients presenting for acute and chronic wound care

Preparation of equipment and patient, and supporting of patient, during minor surgical and family planning procedures

Administration of prescribed medicines for acute and long term conditions

Maintaining and monitoring patient safety and infection control

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

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

Utilise the audit cycle as a means of evaluating the quality of the work of self and the team, implementing improvements where required

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 a 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

Leadership personal and people development

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

Support the development of others in order to maximise potential

Actively promote the workplace as a learning environment, encouraging everyone to learn from each other and from external good practice

Encourage others to make realistic self-assessment of their application of knowledge and skills, challenging any complacency and actions that are not in the interest of the public and/or users of services

Participate in planning and implementing changes within the area of care and responsibility

Work with practice management to ensure sufficient staff of appropriate ability, quality and skill-mix are available to meet current and future service delivery

Contribute and participate in the development of local guidelines, protocols and standards

Participate in the planning and engagement of practice-based commissioning or similar initiatives

Ensure awareness of sources of support and guidance , and provide information in an acceptable format to all patients, recognising any difficulties and referring where appropriate

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

Ensure clear referral mechanisms are in place to meet patient needs

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

Qualifications

Essential

• RGN Qualification
• Current NMC registration
• 2 years post-registration experience

Desirable

• -

Experience

Essential

• General nursing experience
• Experience of working within a nursing team

Desirable

• Respiratory chronic disease management
• Cervical cytology qualification
• Travel Vaccinations
• Childhood and Adult Immunisations
• Wound Management
• Ear Irrigation
• Health promotion
• Family planning

Qualities & Attributes

Essential

• IT skills (MS Office, Internet etc)
• Interpersonal skills
• Time Management
• Good interpersonal skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to performing under pressure
• Adaptable
• Ability to work independently
• Able to use initiative
• Team worker
• Self motivated

Desirable

• -

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).