Job responsibilities
A practice nurse is an important
part of the primary care team and ensures the well-being of service users.
Your role is to support GPs and the clinical team as a whole by providing
routine nursing and medical care and you will be responsible for the assessing,
screening and treatment of patients of all ages. Depending on training and
qualifications you may take blood, specimens and swabs, treat and dress wounds,
give vaccinations, and offer general medical advice, such as information regarding
family planning or health-related travel advice. You may also set up and run
clinics for those suffering from diabetes, asthma or a heart condition. You will be expected to work within the NMC Code of
Conduct and to agreed practice standards and protocols.
DESCRIPTION
The
Practice Nurse works independently using own initiative and is accountable for
their own professional actions. Provides support and leadership for other
members of the Primary Health Care Team and leads towards the co-ordination of
team activities. Duties can include:
Takes a lead in areas such as diabetes, asthma and
COPD management, undertakes the establishment and running of disease management
clinics and provides specialist nursing care for the patients or communities
that the practice serves.
Initiates the process of diagnosis with patients
suspected to have a chronic disease e.g. diabetes, COPD, asthma, CHD referring
to other clinicians as appropriate.
Manages programmes of care for patients with chronic
diseases by planning, providing and evaluating care under agreed local/national
guidelines, protocols and patient group directions.
Takes lead and manages programmes of care for womens
health including cervical screening, providing and evaluating care under agreed
local/national guidelines, protocols and patient group directions.
Audits outcomes of care against standards and
initiates changes as necessary.
Undertakes annual review of patients understanding and
ability to self-manage.
Refers to other members of the extended primary health
care team e.g. podiatrist, dietician, and specialist nurses.
Administers adult and child immunisations and
vaccinations in accordance with national and local programmes. Is competent in
anaphylaxis and resuscitation techniques. Ensures safe storage, rotation and
disposal of vaccines and drugs and adequate stock levels are maintained.
Offers comprehensive travel health advice for patients
prior to travel including malaria prophylaxis, safe sex, food hygiene, sun
protection, first aid and emergency medication, health insurance and
vaccinations.
Undertakes procedures to include, venepuncture,
glucose tolerance tests, BP management, urinalysis, peak flow, spirometry, new
patient health checks, pregnancy testing, stitch/clip removal, cytology, wound
management.
Provides a comprehensive family planning service.
Recognises and understands the importance of
observing, documenting and communicating the signs and symptoms of child and
adult abuse.
Works within all relevant practice and NHSE/CCG policies
and procedural guidelines e.g. infection control, chaperoning and patient group
directions.
Initiates and carries out programmes of health screening.
Enables, encourages and supports individuals, families
and groups to address issues which affect their health and social well-being.
Represents individuals and families interests when
they are not able to do so themselves.
Provides healthy lifestyle and smoking cessation
advice to individuals and groups.
Develops and maintains the health promotion material
within the practice.
Makes referrals to statutory and voluntary agencies as
appropriate.
2. The
Practice Nurse has a role in promoting good leadership for all grades of staff.
Contributes to and initiates the development,
monitoring and evaluation of care delivery by the Nursing Team and carries out supervisory
duties of non-registered health professionals.
Promotes effective communication and relationships
within the team.
Works collaboratively as a team member to achieve the
objectives of the GMS contract and aspirations of the team.
Partakes in clinical supervision for own development.
Recognises the development needs of others and
provides clinical supervision.
Actively participates in clinical and practice meetings.
Develops own knowledge and practice to meet
objectives/changes in service.
Create and capitalise upon opportunities to influence
the setting of policies which will affect health and social wellbeing.
Assists in the development of clinical protocols for
the surgery and the team.
Monitors and uses resources appropriately within the
team e.g. dressings,
vaccines, stationary.
Makes effective use of the clinical system (SystmOne)
by ensuring the consistent and accurate entering of data and use of Read Codes.
Facilitates the use of up to date information
technology in order to collate accurate and timely information as and when required
by the practice and PCN/ICB.
Makes recommendations and initiates rising of practice
standards and service delivery.
