Practice nurse

Job responsibilities

1. Main purpose of the role

The post holder is responsible for the delivery of basic practice nursing services care to the practice population. Supported by senior clinicians within the practice, the post holder will deliver care within the boundaries of their role, focusing upon supporting patients to be healthy, monitoring of long-term conditions, health prevention and screening activities. They will work collaboratively with the general practice team to meet the needs of patients, supporting the delivery of policy and procedures, and providing nurse leadership as required.

2. Key Responsibilities

2.1 Clinical practice

• Assess, plan, develop, implement and evaluate programmes to promote health and well-being, and prevent adverse effects on health and well-being
• Implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for patients with a known long-term condition (particularly diabetes / COPD / asthma)
• Identify, and manage as appropriate, treatment plans for patients at risk of developing a long-term condition
• Support and manage health needs of women presenting for cervical cytology consultations
• Support and advise women needing checks or requesting information relating to HRT and family planning needs
• Assess and care for patients presenting with uncomplicated wounds
• Implement and participate in vaccination and immunisation programmes for both adults and children
• Advise, support and, where appropriate, administer NHS vaccinations for patients travelling abroad
• Promote and deliver evidence-based care for patients presenting with hearing conditions
• Provide information and advice on prescribed or over-the-counter medication on medication regimens, side effects and interactions
• Support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that promote patients to live healthily, and encourage principles of self-care
• Recognise, assess and refer patients presenting with mental health needs in accordance with the National Service Framework (NSF) for Mental Health
• 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 encourage patients to live healthily, and apply principles of self-care
• Deliver opportunistic health promotion using opportunities such as new-patient medicals
• Assist senior practitioners in providing minor-surgery sessions

Qualifications

Essential

• * Registered general nurse
• * Evidence of ongoing post basic education at diploma or degree level
• * Interest in primary care

Desirable

• * Diploma or degree level training in diabetes, CHD, asthma or COPD
• * Willingness to undertake further training and personal development as identified by the practice

Experience

Essential

• * Smear taker
• * CPR training

Desirable

• * Child protection
• * Family planning training/experience
• * Child immunisation
• * Post graduate experience in chronic disease management

Skills and abilities

Essential

• * Effective communication skills
• * Ability to work in a team
• * Ability to work unsupervised
• * Personal management skills
• * Computer literate

Desirable

• * Ability to manage change
• * Experience of emis-web

Personal qualities

Essential

• * Friendly, confident, professional approach
• * Self-motivated
• * Good sense of humour
• * Ability to work in stressful situations
• * Assertive
• * Committed and hard working
• * Reliable and flexible
• * Team player

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).