Practice Nurse

Job responsibilities

Primary key 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:

a. To act as the Infection Prevention Control (IPC) lead and to work to the IPC Policy providing the implementation of audits, training, support and evidence of compliance to the practice manager

b. To produce the production of the IPC annual statement in conjunction with the practice manager

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

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

e. To develop, implement and embed health promotion and wellbeing programmes

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

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

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

i. As required, to diagnose and manage acute and chronic conditions

j. To prescribe medication for patients in accordance with PGDs and own scope of practice

k. To review patient medications to enhance compliance

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

m. To co-ordinate the provision of travel medicine services

n. To request pathology services and process pathology results as required

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

p. To maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with extant legislation

q. To ensure read codes are used effectively by all members of the nursing team

r. To ensure the appropriate maintenance and use of chronic disease registers

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

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

u. To ensure compliance with the practice chaperone policy

v. To assist GPs with minor surgery when required

w. To prioritise health issues and intervene appropriately

x. To support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies

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

z. To implement vaccination programmes for adults and children

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

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

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

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

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

ff. To deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate

Secondary responsibilities

In addition to the primary responsibilities, the Practice Nurse may be requested to:

a. Develop and review audit protocols and process for the practice, effectively utilising the audit cycle

b. Develop, review and implement nursing protocols in conjunction with the partners

c. Support all members of the nursing team, providing guidance when necessary, conducting appraisals and training needs analyses as required

d. Participate in local initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient care

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

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

g. Participate in the review of significant and near-miss events applying a structured approach, i.e., root cause analysis (RCA)

h. Coordinate the nursing team rota, ensuring sufficient staff are available to meet patient needs

i. Lead the planning and implementation of changes within the nursing team, enhancing the provision of services to patients

j. Support the practice team with the reviewing and implementation of practice policies and protocols, ensuring conformance to extant legislation

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse (Nursing and Midwifery Council).

Desirable

• Mentor or teaching qualification.
• Post graduate diploma or degree (Chronic Disease Management).
• Nurse prescriber.
• Family planning qualification.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a primary care environment.
• Experience of chronic disease management.
• 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.

Other requirements

Essential

• Flexibility to work outside of core office hours.
• Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check.
• Occupational Health clearance.
• Meet the requirements and produce evidence for nurse revalidation.
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) commensurate with the role of a Practice Nurse.

Skills and Personal Qualities

Essential

• Wound care/removal of sutures and staples.
• ECGs.
• Venepuncture.
• New patient medicals.
• Requesting pathology tests and processing the results, advising patients accordingly.
• 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.
• Womens health (cervical cytology, contraception, etc.).
• Immunisations (routine, childhood and travel).
• Chronic disease management.
• Travel medicine.
• Spirometry.
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral).
• 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.
• Strong IT skills.
• Clear, polite telephone manner.
• Personal qualities.
• Polite and confident.
• Flexible and co-operative.
• High levels of integrity and loyalty.
• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations.
• Effectively able to communicate and understand the needs of the patient.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Punctual and committed to supporting the team effort.

Desirable

• Broad knowledge of clinical governance.
• Knowledge of public health issues in the local area.
• Awareness of issues within the wider health arena.
• Knowledge of health promotion strategies.
• Motivated, forward thinker.
• Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required.
• Ability to work under pressure/in stressful situations.
• Effectively utilise resources.

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).