Practice Nurse

Job responsibilities

CORE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist in and perform routine tasks relating to patient care as directed by GPs and lead nurse.

• Assess, plan, develop, implement and evaluate programmes to promote health and well being of patients attending the practice.

• Assist in the screening for patients at risk of long-term conditions.

• Assist in opportunistic health screening and provide appropriate advice and support when necessary.

• Chronic disease management of patients with Asthma, COPD and Diabetes.

• Undertake routine and opportunistic cardiovascular risk assessments, providing appropriate health advice and making onward referrals to exercise, smoking, weight management and mental health services where applicable.

• Support patients to adopt health promotion strategies which encourage healthier lifestyle choices and self-care.

• Undertake ECGs referred from the GP/Clinical Practitioners in line with practice guidance.

• Provide advice and support to women seeking advice around family planning and cervical screening.

• Participate in vaccination and immunisation programmes for both adults and children.

• Provide advice and support, as well as the administration of vaccinations, for patients travelling abroad.

• Participate in the delivery of seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccinations for identified at risk groups within the patient list.

• Be competent in anaphylaxis and resuscitation techniques.

• Assess, plan, develop and evaluate treatment plans for patients presenting with acute and chronic wound care, including removal of clips and sutures and fitting of orthopaedic dressings as required.

• Undertake doppler assessments and provide leg ulcer management.

• Assist GPs within minor surgery, coil and implant clinics.

• Chaperoning patients where appropriate who are being examined by another clinician.

• Apply high standards of care at all times, including infection control standards (universal precautions, handling of all specimens, disposal of clinical waste materials, reporting of needlestick injuries, management of blood and bodily fluid spillage, decontamination / disposal of clinical equipment.

• Processing and management of results from specimens, action and refer to GP/Clinical Practitioner when required. Provide information to patients regarding their results and actions required.

• Ensure safe storage, stock rotation and disposal of drugs/vaccines/dressings.

• Maintain general tidiness and cleanliness of treatment and nursing rooms, maintaining agreed stock levels of day to day items within the rooms.

• Support and supervise Nursing Associates, Student Nurses, Healthcare Assistants & Phlebotomists in clinics as and when required.

• Contribute to the development of the nursing services provided by the practice.

• Maintain own NMC registration and work within the NMC Code of Professional Conduct.

• Comply with practice and NMC regulations to record accurate and timely information into patient records.

• Act as an advocate for patients and colleagues in a professional manner.

• Recognise the importance of effective communication within the team, and with patients/carers, adapting alternative methods of communication according to individual needs.

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Ability to follow legal, ethical and clinical policy and procedure
• Knowledge of and ability to work to key policies and procedures
• Ability to use own initiative, discretion and sensitivity
• Able get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
• Excellent communication skills and effective in communicating and understanding patient needs
• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
• Punctual and committed to supporting the team effort
• High levels of integrity and loyalty
• Flexible and cooperative

Desirable

• Demonstrate personal accountability, emotional resilience and work well under pressure
• Competent in the use of MS Office and Outlook
• Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively
• Good organisational skills
• Commitment to ongoing professional development

Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 2 years post registration experience
• Evidence of appropriate continuing professional development activity to maintain up-to-date knowledge and on-going competencies
• Evidence of working autonomously and as part of a team
• Proven ability to evaluate safety and effectiveness of own clinical practice

Skills

Essential

• Ability to assess and manage patient risk effectively and safely
• Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work flexibly and at times under pressure
• Ability to prioritise workload and manage time effectively
• Self and team motivator

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered General Nurse (currently registered with the Nursing & Midwifery Council)
• Post Registration qualifications related to practice nursing, e.g. diabetes management, respiratory diseases, childhood immunisations, cervical cytology.

Knowledge

Essential

• Understanding of evidence-based practice
• Knowledge of National Standards which inform practice (e.g. NICE etc.)
• Understanding of own accountability arising from the NMC Code of Professional Conduct (2004) and medico-legal aspects of the CDM role
• Understanding of equal opportunity and diversity issues
• Knowledge of clinical governance

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).