Job responsibilities
The purpose of the post is to deliver safe, high quality primary care nursing services to the practice population. Working within the NMC Code of Conduct and professional boundaries, the post holder will deliver primary health care interventions and care. The post holder will support service development, the safe delivery of policy and procedures, and demonstrate effective professional nurse standards, advocacy and performance.
DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Job Responsibilities/Principal Duties to include:
Responsible for providing and delivering primary health care interventions and care effectively and efficiently.
Working collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary general practice team and other healthcare professionals to promote integrated pathways of care to meet patient needs.
Effective communication with patients, carers and all members of the MDT.
Effective prioritisation and completion of daily work in line with clinical / patient need and practice priorities.
Maintenance of accurate and legible patient records in line with professional and organisational requirements this includes contemporary paper records and electronic patient record system.
Actively participates and contributes to nurse team meetings.
Initiates health promotion activities with individuals, patients and carers.
Participates in clinical audit and the implementation of changes to ways of working and/or clinical practice as a result of findings, recommendations and action plans.
Proactive in improving and influencing the patient care pathway/ journey.
Participates in risk assessment and promotes the safety and well-being of patients, staff and any other persons at all times and assist in ensuring a safe work environment.
Ensure that any complaints or incidents are identified and reported to the lead GP, Nurse Manager or Practice Manager in accordance with the organisational policy and expected professional practice.
Monitors and orders stock levels and equipment in line with budget and lean principles.
Responsible for the security, care and maintenance of equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained.
Ensure clinical practice is safe and effective and remains within boundaries of competence and to acknowledge limitations.
Duties include:-
Providing treatment services and health education advice: including Dietary advice, blood pressure checks, urinalysis, health screening, Ear syringing, dressings, ECGs, Phlebotomy, routine injections (including housebound patients requiring a home visit), sexual health, contraception, routine immunisations and vaccinations, removal of sutures / clips, baby immunisations, assisting with the fitting of IUCD / IUS, first registration checks / health surveillance / general health advice, assisting with minor procedures in the treatment room and acting as chaperone as required.
Provide general and specific health screenings to the practice patients (within agreed protocols) with referral to other members of the primary and secondary health care team as necessary.
Working within guidelines and protocols undertake and record:
Urinalysis and preparation of specimens for laboratory analysis
Temperature, pulse and respiratory rate
Weight, height, waist circumference and Body Mass Index
Measurement of legs for compression hosiery
ECGs, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
Near patient testing e.g. blood glucose, lipids and INR
Doppler ultrasound measurement
Measurement of airway function (peak expiratory flow rate and spirometry)
Obtain venous blood samples from individuals for investigation.
Administer medications by injection with the appropriate legal authorisation.
Recognise health promotion opportunities and give brief, focused lifestyle advice using motivational interviewing techniques which may include:
Alcohol screening
Smoking cessation
Weight management
Sexual health
Undertake initial assessment of patients presenting with wounds, working within expertise to manage independently or refer to other services as necessary.
Remove wound closure materials including sutures, clips and staples.
Take samples for the cervical screening programme according to recognised standards.
Provide ear care including removal of cerumen and provide education and advice.
Administer vaccines to adults and children according to the UK immunisation schedule.
Provide a pre-travel health service including administration of vaccines and advice after undertaking appropriate risk assessment.
Administer prescribed therapies such as contraceptive injections, vitamin B12, and depo neuroleptic medications recognising side effects and contraindications.
Develop and follow referral pathways for patients with specialist needs.
Long term conditions:-
Assist nurse-run long term condition clinics and carry out clinical measurements and near patient testing for patients with diabetes, asthma and COPD in line with NICE guidance and Quality and Outcome Framework indicators which may include:
blood sugar monitoring
assessment of feet with appropriate risk stratification
spirometry
pulse oximetry
Peak Expiratory Flow rate
teaching inhaler technique
assessment of breathlessness.
Recognise signs and symptoms that may indicate undiagnosed long term conditions e.g. poor wound healing, winter cough in smokers and also factors that may indicate mental health problems and use relevant referral pathways.
Work in accordance with Practice protocols to ensure the safe and effective management of patients with Chronic Diseases.
Pathological specimens and investigatory procedures:
Undertake the collection of pathological specimens including intravenous blood samples, swabs etc. Perform investigatory procedures requested by the GPs.
Other administration and professional responsibilities:
Record accurate consultation data in patients records in accordance with the latest NMC guidance and other pertinent standards.
Maintain professional registration and practice in accordance with NMC requirements.
Attend and participate in nurse meetings.
Training and personal development:
Actively participate in the education and training of students of all disciplines and the introduction of all members of the practice staff where appropriate.
Maintain professional portfolio and ensure professional requirements are met.
If it is necessary to expand the role to include additional responsibilities, full training will be given.
