Practice Nurse

Job responsibilities

The following are the core responsibilities of the Practice Nurse. There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks. This will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels:

To be instrumental in the support of the Infection Prevention Control (IPC) lead and to work to the IPC requirements by providing audits, training, support and evidence of compliance to the practice managed

To support in the publication of the IPC annual statement in conjunction with the practice manager

To develop, implement and embed an effective care management programme for the frail and housebound patients registered at the practice

To assess the needs of patients ensuring the provision of healthcare is appropriate, incorporating evidence-based practice

To develop, implement and embed health promotion and wellbeing programmes

To implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for chronic disease patients that promote health and wellbeing

To identify, manage and support patients at risk of developing long-term conditions, preventing adverse effects to patients health

As required, to provide routine nursing care to patients in accordance with clinical based evidence, NICE and the NSF

As required, to diagnose and manage acute and chronic conditions

Provide wound care (ulcer/Doppler, etc.) to patients

To review patient medications to enhance compliance

To provide guidance to patients in the use of prescribed and over-the-counter medications regarding side effects and dosages

To co-ordinate the provision of travel medicine services

To request pathology services and process pathology results as required

To oversee the provision of chronic disease clinics, delivering patient care as necessary, referring patients to secondary/specialist care as required

To maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with extant legislation

To ensure SNOMED CT codes are used effectively by all members of the nursing team

To ensure the appropriate maintenance and use of chronic disease registers

To develop, implement, embed and participate in well woman clinics

To develop, implement, embed and participate in well man clinics

To ensure compliance with the practice chaperone policy

To assist GPs with minor surgery when required

To prioritise health issues and intervene appropriately

To support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies

To recognise, assess and refer patients presenting with mental health needs

To implement vaccination programmes for adults and children

To support patients in the use of their prescribed medicines or over-the-counter medicines (within own scope of practice)

To liaise with external services/agencies to ensure the patient is supported appropriately (vulnerable patients etc.

To delegate clinical responsibilities appropriately (ensuring safe practice and the task is within the scope of practice of the individual)

To support the clinical team with all safeguarding matters, in accordance with local and national policies

To understand practice and local policies for substance abuse and addictive behaviour, referring patients appropriately

To deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse (Nursing and Midwifery Council)

Desirable

• Post graduate diploma or degree (Chronic Disease Management)
• Family planning qualification

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 managing elderly and housebound patients
• Experience of quality initiatives, i.e., benchmarking

Clinical knowledge and skills

Essential

• Wound care/removal of sutures and staples
• ECGs
• Venepuncture
• New patient medicals
• Immunisations (routine, childhood and travel)
• Women's health cervical cytology, contraception, etc.
• Requesting pathology tests and processing the results, advising patients accordingly
• Travel medicine
• Chronic disease management awareness for
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• CHD
• Asthma
• Spirometry
• Understanding the importance of evidence-based practice
• Understand the requirement for PGDs and associated policy
• Ability to record accurate clinical notes
• Ability to work within own scope of practice and understanding when to refer to GPs
• Chaperone procedure
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
• Effective time management planning and organising
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure
• Strong IT skills, including clinical IT system user skills
• Clear, polite telephone manner

Desirable

• Experience with audit and able to lead audit programmes
• Experience with clinical risk management
• Broad knowledge of clinical governance
• Knowledge of public health issues in the local area
• Awareness of issues within the wider health arena

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).