Practice Nurse

Job responsibilities

The focus of this role will be the development and implementation of processes and care for the effective management of patients with long term conditions, utilising evidence based practice and promoting self-care for these patients.

As an autonomous clinician the nurse is responsible for the care they deliver, demonstrating critical thinking and skills in clinical decision-making for the optimum management of patients. They will work collaboratively within the practice team to meet the needs of patients, support the development and delivery of policy and implementation of procedures.

All our Practice Nurses are expected to be passionate about the service they provide, actively engage in their own and team development and act with integrity and compassion at all times. They will lead by example with particular reference to promoting excellence in preventative healthcare, communication with patients, equality and diversity and patient confidentiality.

CLINICAL PRACTICE

To assess the physical, social and emotional health needs of patients within the limits of professional competence and act in accordance with findings to ensure provision of appropriate patient care incorporating best or evidence based practice and local policies for referral.

To order and interpret appropriate investigations, recording and reporting results and acting on them to achieve the best outcome for patients.

Assess, plan, implement and evaluate treatment programmes that promote health and wellbeing

Work with other health care professionals to diagnose, monitor, manage and treat long term conditions, including non-drug based treatments methods, using a management plan, and in line with national and local policies and practice initiatives

Assess, plan, implement and evaluate treatment plans for patients with long term conditions supporting these patients to adopt health promotion strategies that promote patients to live healthily, and apply principles of self-care

Review medication for therapeutic effectiveness, appropriate to patient needs and in accordance with evidence based practice and practice protocols

As required, and acting within scope of practice, undertake general practice duties, for example: Support and manage health needs of women presenting for family planning and cervical cytology consultations; implement and participate in vaccination and immunisation programmes for both adults and children; advise, support and administer vaccinations where appropriate for patients travelling abroad

Ensure adherence to practice chaperoning policy

Recognise, assess and refer patients presenting with mental health needs in accordance with local policy

Prioritise health problems and intervene appropriately to assist the patient in complex, urgent or emergency situations, including initiation of effective emergency care

To maintain contemporaneous and accurate medical records; utilising electronic patient information system, agreed templates and coding protocols.

To ensure the clinical environment is fit for purpose, and ensuring compliance with infection control measures, clinical waste disposal, safety of equipment and stock control (including Drug and vaccine storage)

COMMUNICATION

Demonstrate sensitive communication styles to ensure patients are fully informed, understand and consent to treatment and intervention

Communicate sensitively and support patients who have received ‘bad news’

Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising the need for alternative methods of communication to overcome different levels of understanding, cultural background and preferred ways of communicating

Anticipate barriers to communication and take action to improve communication

Establish and maintain effective and timely communication with individuals and groups within the practice environment and with external stakeholders

Act as an advocate when representing patients and colleagues

DELIVERING A QUALITY SERVICE

Recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct as regulated by the NMC

Prioritise, organise and manage own workload in a manner that maintains and promotes quality

Work with the team to deliver care according to NICE guidelines, evidence-based care and local policy

Assess effectiveness of care delivery through self and peer review, shared learning and formal evaluation including annual appraisal and revalidation

Be aware of NHS policies and initiatives relevant to areas of practice and work with the practice team to respond to these and develop patient services

Participate in the maintenance of quality governance systems and processes across the practice, including reporting and reviewing incidents and near-misses and the evaluation of complaints

Engage in the use of the audit cycle and patient feedback mechanisms as a means of evaluating the quality of the work of self and the team

Understand responsibilities and legal requirements relating to confidentiality and data protection; these are outlined in the practice policy on confidentiality and must be adhered to at all times

Be aware of Duty of Candour and appropriate behaviours regarding this within the practice

Understand and apply policies that support the identification of vulnerable children and adults, being aware of statutory child/vulnerable adult health procedures and local guidance on Safeguarding

Work within policies regarding domestic violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive behaviour, and refer as appropriate

Monitor work areas and practices to ensure they are safe and free from hazards and conform to health, safety and security legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines

LEADERSHIP, DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING

Take responsibility for own development and performance; assessing own learning needs and undertake learning as appropriate

Make effective use of learning opportunities within and outside the workplace, evaluating their effectiveness and feeding back relevant information to the wider practice team

Participate in planning and implementing changes within the areas of care and responsibility

Provide an educational role to patients, carers, families, students and colleagues in an environment that facilitates learning

Ensure awareness of sources of support and guidance and provide information in an acceptable format to all patients, recognising any difficulties and referring where appropriate.

Undertake mandatory and statutory training requirements

Promote the role of the Practice Nurse in the provision of care

With Lead Nurse, advance clinical nursing practice in the wider nursing team through the development of evidence based practice guidelines

With Lead Nurse and Practice Manager, implement systems to ensure quality nursing care is delivered by the right person at the right time.

TEAM WORKING

Understand own role and scope, and identify how this will develop over time

Work as an effective and responsible team member, supporting others and exploring the mechanisms to develop new ways of working

Ensure clear referral mechanisms are in place to meet patient need

Delegate clearly and appropriately, adopting the principles of safe practice and assessing competence

Participate in team activities that create opportunities to improve patient care

Participate in and support local projects as agreed with the practice management team

UTILISING INFORMATION AND IT SYSTEMS

Use technology as an aid to management in planning, implementation and monitoring, presenting and communicating information (EMIS WEB, NHS Mail and local intranet system)

Review and process data using accurate Read codes and local templates to ensure easy and accurate retrieval for monitoring and audit processes

Manage information searches using the internet and local library databases, for example, the retrieval of relevant information for patients on their condition

Understand the responsibility of self and others regarding the Data Protection Act and confidentiality

EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY

Promote equality and diversity in a non-discriminatory culture

Support people who need assistance in exercising their rights

Accept the rights of individuals to choose their care providers, participate in care and refuse care

Assist patients from marginalised groups to access quality care

Qualifications

Essential

• RGN Qualification
• NMC Registration

Desirable

• Accredited training in chronic disease management
• Cervical cytology qualification

Experience

Essential

• 1 year Post-registration

Desirable

• Childhood immunisation training
• Chronic disease management
• Health promotion experience
• Family planning
• Smoking cessation
• Evidence of recent primary care update
• Working in general practice / primary care
• Emis Web (Clinical system)

Skills, Behaviour & Knowledge

Essential

• IT Skills (MS Office & Internet)
• Interpersonal skills
• Time management
• Smart, polite and confident
• Planning and organising
• Performing under pressure
• Adaptability
• Using initiative
• Team working
• Self-motivated
• Flexibility
• Confidentiality
• Knowledge of clinical governance
• Knowledge of clinical audits

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).