Job responsibilities
Job
title
Practice
Nurse
Line
manager
Practice
Manager
Accountable
to
Dr
S Patel/Practice Manager
Hours
per week
Negotiable
Job
summary
To be responsible for the implementation of processes for the
effective management of patients with long-term conditions using
evidence-based practice including care for elderly and housebound patients.
Working as a senior member of the practice multidisciplinary
team, the post holder will ensure nursing services are delivered effectively
to the entitled patient population.
The Practice Nurse will be responsible for a number of clinical
areas such as infection
prevention and control, health promotion, chronic
disease management, health promotion, well women and well man clinics, as
well as actively supporting the practice management team in the reviewing and
delivery of clinical policy and procedure.
This organisation must ensure that the
post holder has access to appropriate clinical supervision and an appropriate
named individual in the organisation to provide general advice and support on
a day-to-day basis.
Further information on clinical supervision can be sought
within the Clinical Supervision Policy
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
be instrumental in the support of the Infection Prevention Control (IPC) lead
and to work to the IPC requirements by providing audits, training, support
and evidence of compliance to the practice manager
b.
To
support in the publication 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.
Provide
wound care (ulcer/Doppler, etc.) to patients
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 SNOMED CT 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 key responsibilities
In addition to the
primary key 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