Practice Nurse/Travel Vaccination 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. Training will be given in case of learning needs:

a. To develop, implement and embed health promotion and well-being programmes

b. To implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for chronic disease patients

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

d. To provide routine nursing care to patients as required in accordance with clinical based evidence, NICE and the National Standards Framework

e. To provide wound care (ulcer/Doppler etc.) to patients

f. To provide travel medicine services including malaria prophylaxis, safe sex, sun protection, food hygiene, first aid and health vaccinations training will be provided if needed

g. Prescribe medication for patients in accordance with PGDs and own scope of practice

h. To request pathology services as necessary

i. To process pathology results as required

j. To provide chronic disease clinics, delivering patient care as necessary, referring patients to secondary/specialist care as required

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

l. To ensure read codes are used effectively, such as for immunisations, wound care, smoking cessage, ECGs, phlebotomy

m. To maintain chronic disease registers

n. Contributing to QOF, locally enhanced services and GMS contractual obligations

o. To chaperone patients where necessary

p. To assist GPs with minor surgery when required

q. To prioritise health issues and intervene appropriately

r. To support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies

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

t. To implement vaccination programmes for adults and children

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

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

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

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

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

z. To deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate

aa. Ensure safe storage rotation and disposals of vaccines and drugs in line with CQC advice

1. Waste management, including collection, handling, segregation, container management, storage, and collection
2. Competent in ear syringing / irrigation for removal of ear wax

Secondary responsibilities

In addition to the primary responsibilities, the practice nurse may be requested to:

a. Act as the audit lead, effectively utilising the audit cycle, including the infection control audit

b. Monitor and ensure the safe storage, rotation and disposal of medicaments

c. Support junior members of the nursing team, providing guidance when necessary

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

e. Support and participate in shared learning within the practice

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)

The person specification for this role is detailed below. Full training will be provider in areas which are jointly identified during induction as learning needs.

Qualifications

Essential

• QualificationsEssential
• * Registered nurse
• * Experience of chronic disease management
• * Wound care/removal of sutures and staples
• * ECG's
• * Venepuncture
• * Requesting pathology tests and processing the results, advising patients accordingly
• *Understanding 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 control measures
• * Knowledge of health promotion strategies
• * Understand the requirement for PGD's and associated policy
• * Excellent communication skills (written or oral)
• *Clear, polite telephone manner
• * Competent in the use of Office and Outlook
• * 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
• * 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 utilises recourses
• * Punctual and committed to supporting the team effort
• * Flexibility to work outside core office hours
• * Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check
• * Occupational health clearance
• * NMC registration

Desirable

• Qualifications Desirable
• * Post graduate diploma or degree (Primary Care)
• * Experience of working in a primary care environment
• * Experience of working as a practice nurse or community nurse
• * Experience of infection prevention and control measures
• * Complex wound management
• * Travel medicine
• * Diabetes
• * Asthma
• * Spirometry
• * CHD
• * Immunisations (routine, childhood and travel)
• * Women's health (cervical cytology, contraception, etc.)
• * Knowledge of public health issues in the local area
• * Awareness of issues within the wider health arena
• * Systemone user

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).