Practice Nurse

Job responsibilities

Provide routine and acute nursing care to patients in accordance with clinical based evidence, NICE and the NSF

Diagnose and manage chronic conditions, support the provision of chronic disease clinics, delivering patient care as necessary

Provide guidance to patients in the use of prescribed and over-the-counter medications regarding side effects and dosages and prescribe medication for patients in accordance with PGDs and own scope of practice

Request diagnostic investigations and interpret within agreed protocols e.g. x-ray, blood tests, scans etc.

Prioritise health issues and intervene appropriately, delivering opportunistic health promotion where appropriate

Support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies

Support the implementation of vaccination programmes for adults and children and support the provision of travel medicine services

Contribute to practice targets (QOF etc.), complying with local and regional guidance and participate in local initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient care

Support and participate in shared learning within the practice to improve patient care

Continually review clinical practices, responding to national policies and initiatives where appropriate

Maintain professional registration and adhere to revalidation requirements

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered nurse

Desirable

• Post graduate diploma or degree (relevant to role)
• Qualified Nurse prescriber
• Qualified Triage Nurse

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a primary care environment
• Experience of working autonomously
• Experience of infection prevention and control measures

Desirable

• Experience of working as a practice nurse or community nurse
• Experience of chronic disease management
• Experience of prescribing and undertaking medication reviews

Clinical Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Wound care including removal of sutures and staples
• ECGs
• Venepuncture
• Chaperone procedure
• Understand the importance of evidence based practice
• Broad knowledge of clinical governance
• Ability to record accurate clinical notes
• Ability to work within own scope of practice and understand when to refer to GPs
• Understanding of infection prevention and control measures
• Knowledge of health promotion strategies
• Understand the requirement for PGDs and associated policy

Desirable

• Request pathology tests process results advising patients accordingly
• Travel medicine
• Diabetes initiation and monitor
• Hypertension
• Asthma
• Spirometry perform and interpret
• CHD
• Immunisations routine, childhood and travel
• Womens health cervical cytology contraception etc
• Knowledge of public health issues in the local area
• Awareness of issues within the wider health arena

Skills

Essential

• Excellent communication skills written and oral
• Strong IT skills
• Clear polite telephone manner
• Effective time management planning and organising
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
• Good interpersonal skills
• Problem solving and analytical skills
• Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure

Desirable

• Competent in the use of Office and Outlook
• Systmone EMIS Vision user skills
• Experience with audit and able to lead audit programmes
• Experience with clinical risk management

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Polite and confident
• Flexible and co-operative
• Motivated forward thinker
• Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively interpreting data as required
• High levels of integrity and loyalty
• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
• Ability to work under pressure in stressful situations
• Effectively able to communicate and understand the needs of the patient
• Commitment to ongoing professional development
• Effectively utilise resources
• Punctual and committed to supporting the team effort

Other Requirements

Essential

• Flexibility to work outside of core office hours
• Disclosure Barring Service check
• Occupational health clearance
• Meet the requirements and produce evidence for nurse revalidation
• Evidence of continuing professional development commensurate with the role

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).