Practice Nurse

Job description

Job responsibilities

MAIN CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF THE ROLE

· To offer a wide range of nursing care provision to patients.

· Opportunity to develop specialist areas of interest. We are especially keen for a member of the nursing team to develop skills in relation to chronic disease management.

· Working as part of a team.

· Working in a rapidly changing environment.

COMMUNICATIONS AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

· Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment.

· 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.

· Utilise communication skills to support patients to adhere to prescribed treatment regimens.

· Act as an advocate when representing patients and colleagues viewpoints to others.

· Need to have the ability to work with all levels of staff as part of a diverse team.

· The post holder needs to show integrity, loyalty, courtesy and respect for patients, and protection of their confidentiality at all times.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

· The applicant must be a qualified nurse. Experience in a primary care setting is preferable but not essential.

· They must be able to work in a changing environment.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

N.B It is recognised that additional training will be required for some of the tasks listed. Applicants to the post are not expected to be proficient in all tasks listed.

· Assist in and perform routine tasks related to patient care as directed by senior nursing staff and GPs.

· Cervical cytology.

· Wound care, ulcer care, Doppler.

· Removal of sutures.

· Urinalysis.

· Travel clinic.

· ECGs.

· Asthma/Peak Flow Readings/Spirometry.

· Venepuncture.

· Hypertension management.

· Ear syringing.

· Chaperoning and assisting patients where appropriate who are being examined by another clinician.

· Assisting GPs with minor surgery and coil fittings.

· Requesting pathology tests, for example urine culture, swabs.

· Following agreed clinical protocols with referral to senior nurse or GPs as appropriate.

· NHS Health Checks.

· Extended hours (Saturdays).

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

· Deliver opportunistic health promotion.

· Provide information and advice on prescribed or over-the-counter medication, on medication regimens, side effects and interactions as appropriate and within your level of competency.

· Support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that promote patients to live healthily, and encourage principles of self-care.

· Assess and care for patients presenting with uncomplicated wounds.

· Support and advise women requesting information relating to family planning needs appropriate to your level of training.

· Support and manage health needs of women presenting for cervical cytology consultations.

· Implement and participate in vaccination and immunisation programmes for both adults and children.

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

Other tasks may include:

· Maintaining and cleaning equipment used by the nurses and GPs.

· Maintaining GP and nurses rooms, stocking and rotating items as required.

· Maintain general tidiness and cleanliness of nurses and treatment rooms.

· Ordering of health promotion literature.

· Participation in administrative systems in the Practice.

· At all times there will be a need to maintain accurate records.

· A duty to advise senior nurse of potential problems or errors within the range of assigned tasks.

· Attend and participate in any Practice meetings when required.

· Other delegated duties appropriate to the post.

· On occasion there may be a requirement to undertake home visits.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE POST

· An understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality.

· Ability to use own judgement, resourcefulness and common sense.

· A commitment to maintain a high professional standard of nursing care and keep up to date with all aspects of nursing care relevant to the post.

· A commitment to ensure all Health and Safety requirements and Infection Control measures are met and reported appropriately.

· A commitment to the effective use of Practice and NHS resources.

· An awareness of own limitations and experience.

· To work only in accordance with the UKCC Code of Conduct and within the Scope of Professional Practice.

· Cooperate with annual appraisal meetings and training where appropriate.

· To maintain evidence folder for 3 yearly NMC revalidation.

· MDU Group membership will be provided by the Partners.

· Keep up to date with all mandatory training.

· Understand own role and scope in the organisation and identify how this may develop over time.

· Work as an effective and responsible team member, supporting others and being receptive to change.

· Ensure clear understanding and utilisation of referral mechanisms within the Practice.

· Accept delegation from other nurses, prioritise own workload and ensure effective time management strategies are embedded in own practice.

· 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.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• NMC Registered

Desirable

• Trained in Spirometry
• Trained in Asthma Reviews
• Trained in Cervical Cytology

Experience

Essential

• Experience of conducting COPD Reviews
• Experience of conducting Asthma Reviews

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Firs House Surgery

Address

Station Road

Histon

Cambridge

CB24 9NP

Employer's website

https://www.firshouse.com/ (Opens in a new tab)