Practice Nurse

Job responsibilities

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

To oversee the provision of chronic disease identification, monitoring and management, delivering patient assessment and treatment in accordance with national and local guidelines.

To review and recommend changes to patient medications for chronic diseases where appropriate, providing advice to patients regarding dosages and side effects to enhance compliance.

To assess the individual needs of patients, ensuring their health care is appropriate, evidence-based and in accordance with the national GP contract and our Local Quality Contract (LQC).

To identify, manage and support patients at risk of developing long-term conditions, by implementing health promotion programmes to help prevent adverse clinical outcomes.

To develop, implement and embed an effective care management programme for the frail and housebound patients registered at the practice, home visits will be a requirement.

To perform practical investigations, including but not limited to the following: phlebotomy, processing of patient specimens, cervical cytology screening and electrocardiograms.

To be responsible for implementing and administering national vaccination programmes for adults and children, and to co-ordinate the provision of travel medication services.

To keep accurate medical records in accordance with extant legislation, and to ensure that appropriate clinical templates and agreed SNOMED-CT codes are used effectively.

To maintain the Practice Nurse and treatment rooms, by ordering, stocking and rotating items as required, and ensuring their general tidiness & cleanliness.

To order vaccinations and other personally administered medications to maintain adequate stock levels, and to support the Practice Manager with the associated claims processes.

To recognise medical emergencies and support the team in their management, performing cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and managing anaphylaxis in accordance with UK guidelines.

To lead on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), and to work to the IPC policy, supporting the implementation of audits, training and evidence for compliance to the Practice Manager.

To ensure adherence to the practice policies and procedures at all times, including but not limited to the safeguarding, data protection and chaperone policies.

To attend and participate in relevant practice/ locality meetings when required, and to support the Practice Manager and Partners with the implementation of any new clinical processes.

Experience

Essential

• 1. Working in a primary care environment;
• 2. Working autonomously;
• 3. Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures.
• 4. Clinical knowledge and skills:-
• a. Phlebotomy;
• b. Processing of patient specimens;
• c. Electrocardiograms;
• d. Patient Group Directions;
• e. Good interpersonal and communication skills;
• f. Accurate medical record keeping;
• g. Effective time management;
• h. Competent in the use of MS Office software

Desirable

• 1. Working as a practice nurse or community nurse;
• 2. Chronic disease management;
• 3. Childhood immunisation & cervical smears;
• 4. Managing frail and housebound patients.
• 5. Clinical knowledge and skills:-
• a. Chronic disease management;
• b. Cervical cytology screening;
• c. Vaccinations;
• d. National and local GP surgery performance indicators;
• e. Awareness of national and local health priorities;
• f. Problem solving and analysis;
• g. Clinical audit and risk management;
• h. Competent in the use of EMIS Web software

Other Requirements

Essential

• 1. Flexibility to work outside of core office hours for the delivery of flu clinics;
• 2. Disclosure and Barring Service check;
• 3. Occupational health clearance;
• 4. Meet the requirements and produce evidence for nurse revalidation;
• 5. Evidence of continuing professional development commensurate with the role of a Practice Nurse.

Qualifications

Essential

• UK Registered Nurse (Nursing and Midwifery Council).

Desirable

• 1. Post graduate qualification in Chronic Disease Management;
• 2. Family planning qualification;
• 3. Nurse prescriber

Personal Qualities

Essential

• 1. Polite and confident;
• 2. Flexible and co-operative;
• 3. High levels of integrity and loyalty;
• 4. Sensitive and empathetic;
• 5. Punctual team player;
• 6. Effective resource utilisation;
• 7. Commitment to ongoing professional development

Desirable

• 1. Works well under pressure in stressful situations;
• 2. Motivated, forward-thinker.

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).