Practice Nurse

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Description Practice Nurse (PN)

Responsible to: The Practice Nurse (PN) is accountable to the Partners for clinical matters and the Practice Manager for non-clinical matters.

Purpose of the Role: To deliver high-quality nursing services to the patients of The Red Practice, supporting their health and well-being through expert care and treatment.

Scope of the Role: The PN will undertake tasks prescribed and delegated by the GP Partners, operating independently under Patient Group Directions, agreed protocols, and defined competencies. The role involves assessing patients, planning, implementing, and reviewing treatment programs in line with best practices.

Key Relationships and Contacts:

Internal:

• Practice Nursing Team and Healthcare Assistants
• General Practitioners (GPs)
• Practice Manager
• Administration Team
• Reception Team
• Secretarial Team

External:

• Patients, carers, and relatives
• Practice suppliers (equipment, supplies, and services)

Duties and Responsibilities:

Patient Care:

• Management of chronic diseases, including diabetes, asthma, and hypertension.
• Administration of cervical cytology, routine and travel vaccinations, and Vitamin B injections.
• Conducting venepuncture, urine testing, blood pressure monitoring, ECGs, and other diagnostic tests.
• Wound care, including the removal of sutures.
• Providing advice on contraception, safe sex, and self-management of diseases.
• Managing minor injuries, burns, and other acute conditions.
• Chaperoning during clinical procedures as required.
• Administering medications as per signed medical authorisation.

Record Keeping and Administration:

• Maintain accurate and contemporaneous records of all patient encounters.
• Label and document patient samples accurately for analysis.
• Work within practice protocols for safe data management and patient record coding.

Maintaining a Safe Clinical Environment:

• Comply with health and safety policies to minimize risks.
• Report hazards and adhere to infection control policies, including proper handling of clinical waste and sharps.
• Prepare clinical areas, manage stock, and ensure equipment is maintained and calibrated.

Supplies Management:

• Monitor and order clinical supplies and vaccines while maintaining accurate stock records.
• Ensure compliance with cold chain protocols and maintain updated health information displays.

Quality and Governance:

• Deliver patient care to the highest standards, monitor service quality, and contribute to clinical audits.
• Participate in complaints reviews, significant event analysis, and shared learning sessions.
• Provide and receive constructive feedback to support team performance.

Communication:

• Clearly outline the scope of the PN role to patients.
• Modify communication methods to address barriers and ensure patient understanding.
• Actively participate in practice and team meetings.

Personal Development:

• Adhere to the NMC Code of Conduct and maintain up-to-date registration.
• Engage in continuous professional development, including mandatory training (e.g., safeguarding, basic life support).
• Develop and maintain a Personal Development Plan and participate in staff appraisals.

Confidentiality:

• Handle all patient and practice information with the utmost confidentiality in compliance with GDPR and other relevant legislation.

Equality and Diversity:

• Respect the rights and dignity of patients, carers, and colleagues.
• Comply with the Equality Act 2010, ensuring no discrimination occurs.

Other Duties:

• Perform additional reasonable duties as requested to maintain service delivery, with appropriate training provided.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• - Registered General Nurse RGN with valid NMC registration.
• - Proven experience in primary care or community nursing.
• - Competence in chronic disease management, e.g., diabetes, asthma, hypertension.
• - Experience with vaccinations, cytology, and wound care.

Desirable

• - Additional training in chronic disease management or specific patient groups.
• - Independent Nurse Prescriber qualification.
• - Experience with Quality and Outcomes Framework QOF targets and audits.
• Skills and Competencies:
• - Excellent clinical skills, including history taking and care planning.
• - Ability to work independently and within a multidisciplinary team.
• - Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks.
• - Competence in using electronic patient record systems.
• - Effective communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Personal Attributes:
• - Compassionate, approachable, and patient-focused.
• - Commitment to continuous professional development.
• - Flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of the practice.
• - A proactive and solutions-oriented approach to challenges.
• Other Requirements:
• - Understanding of confidentiality, GDPR, and safeguarding principles.
• - Commitment to equality and diversity in healthcare.
• - Awareness of infection control and health & safety regulations.

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).

Employer details

Employer name

The Red Practice

Address

Walton Health Centre

Rodney Road

Walton

KT12 3LB

Employer's website

https://redpracticewalton.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)