Job responsibilities
Key responsibilities:
Complete weekly ward rounds
Assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate treatment/interventions and care for patients presenting with an undifferentiated diagnosis
Clinically examine and assess patient needs from a physiological and psychological perspective, and plan clinical care accordingly
Assess, diagnosis, plan, implement and evaluate interventions/treatments for patients with complex needs Proactively identify, diagnose and manage treatment plans for patients at risk of developing a long-term condition (as appropriate)
Diagnose and manage both acute and chronic conditions, integrating both drug- and non-drug-based treatment methods into a management plan
Prescribe and review medication for therapeutic effectiveness, appropriate to patient needs and in accordance with evidence-based practice and national and practice protocols, and within scope of practice
Work with patients in order to support compliance with and adherence to prescribed treatments Provide information and advice on prescribed or over-the-counter medication on medication regimens, side-effects and interactions
Prioritise health problems and intervene appropriately to assist the patient in complex, urgent or emergency situations, including initiation of effective emergency care
Support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that promote healthy lifestyles, and apply principles of self-care
Support and manage health needs of women presenting for family planning, cervical cytology or sexual health consultation
Assess, identify and refer patients presenting with mental health needs in accordance with the NSF for Mental Health Implement and participate in vaccination and immunisation programmes for both adults and children
Advise, support and administer vaccinations for patients travelling abroad, where appropriate
Promote and deliver evidence-based care for patients presenting with aural conditions
Meet the needs of patients presenting for opportunistic wound care
Undertake minor surgery as appropriate to competence
Assessment upon admission of new patients to care homes
Proactive, timely and consistent weekly support to the care home
Timely same day response to the in-reach teams where appropriate e.g. CRIS
Advanced end of life care planning to include ReSPECT discussions and development of Personalised Care and Support Plans.
Support prescribing anticipatory care medications where appropriate
Fully document all aspects of patient care and complete all required paperwork for legal and administrative purposes.
Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles, to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment
Communicate with and support patients who are receiving 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
Maintain effective communication within the practice environment and with external stakeholders
Act as an advocate for patients and colleagues
Ensure awareness of sources of support and guidance (eg PALS) and provide information in an acceptable format to all patients, recognising any difficulties and referring where appropriate
Recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct as regulated by the NMC
Produce accurate, contemporaneous and complete records of patient consultation, consistent with legislation, policies and procedures
Prioritise, organise and manage own workload in a manner that maintains and promotes quality
Deliver care according to NSF, NICE guidelines and evidence-based care
Assess effectiveness of care delivery through self and peer review, benchmarking and formal evaluation
Initiate and participate in the maintenance of quality governance systems and processes across the organisation and its activities
Utilise the audit cycle as a means of evaluating the quality of the work of self and the team, implementing improvements where required
In partnership with other clinical teams, collaborate on improving the quality of health care responding to local and national policies and initiatives as appropriate
Evaluate patients response to health care provision and the effectiveness of care
Support and participate in shared learning across the practice and wider organisation
Use a structured framework (eg root-cause analysis) to manage, review and identify learning from patient complaints, clinical incidents and near-miss events
Understand and apply legal issues that support the identification of vulnerable and abused children and adults, and be aware of statutory child/vulnerable patients health procedures and local guidance
Working with practice management to ensure the whole team have skills and knowledge regarding domestic violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive behaviour. Provide guidance and support to ensure appropriate referral if required
Act as a clinical leader in the delivery of practice nursing services ensuring that the needs of the patient are a priority
Contribute to the development of local guidelines, protocols and standards
Maintain active involvement in the planning and processes of practice-based commissioning or similar initiatives
Work as an effective and responsible team member, supporting others and exploring the mechanisms to develop new ways of working
Delegate clearly and appropriately, adopting the principles of safe practice and assessment of competence
Work effectively with others to clearly define values, direction and policies impacting upon care delivery
Discuss, highlight and work with the team to create opportunities to improve patient care
Manage and lead on the delivery of specifically identified services or projects as agreed with the practice management team
Agree plans and outcomes by which to measure success
Manage and assess risk within the areas of responsibility, ensuring adequate measures are in place to protect staff and patients
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
Ensure appropriate supervision of safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs. Oversee the monitoring, stock control and documentation of controlled drug usage according to legal requirements where appropriate
Working with the practice management, ensure the nursing team has access to and undertakes mandatory and statutory training requirements
Apply infection-control measures within the practice according to local and national guidelines
Advocate for policies that reduce environmental health risks, are culturally sensitive and increase access to health care for all
Interpret national strategies and policies into local implementation strategies that are aligned to the values and culture of general practice
Use technology and appropriate software as an aid to management in planning, implementation and monitoring of care, presenting and communicating information
Review and process data using accurate Read codes in order to ensure easy and accurate information retrieval for monitoring and audit processes
Manage information searches using the internet and local library databases
Understand responsibility of self and others to the practice and primary care trust regarding the Freedom of Information Act
Disseminate learning and information gained to other team members in order to share good practice and inform others about current and future developments (eg courses and conferences)
Provide an educational role to patients, carers, families and colleagues in an environment that facilitates learning
Identify patterns of discrimination and take action to overcome this and promote diversity and equality of opportunity
Monitor and evaluate adherence to local chaperoning policies
Act as a role model in the observance of equality and diversity good practice
Accept the rights of individuals to choose their care providers, participate in care and refuse care
Person specification
Knowledge
ESSENTIAL
Advanced clinical practice skills
.Management of patients with long-term conditions
Management of patients with complex needs
Clinical examination skills
Accountability of own role and other roles in a nurse-led service
Local and national health policy
Wider health economy
Clinical governance issues in primary care
Patient group directions and associated policy
DESIRABLE
. Knowledge of public health issues
Able to identify determinants on health in the area
Knowledge of public health issues in the area
Skills
ESSENTIAL
.Clinical leadership skills
Communication skills, both written and verbal
Communication of difficult messages to patients and families
Negotiation and conflict management skills
Change management
Teaching and mentorship clinical setting
Resource management
Experience
.Significant post registration experience
Recent primary and community nursing experience
Nurse-led management of minor illness, minor ailments and injuries
Nurse-led triage
Compiling protocols and clinical guidelines
Clinical Leadership
Audit
Research
Nurse prescribing
. Ongoing evidence of CPD
. Experience of working in care homes
DESIRABLE
Working with community development initiatives
Health-needs assessment
Qualifications
ESSENTIAL
.Registered first level nurse MSc or equivalent
Relevant nursing/health degree
Mentor/teaching qualification
Clinical supervision training and experience
Extended/independent nurse
.Digital Badge
. IP Qualfication
DESIRABLE
Community nursing specialist qualification
Other
Self-directed practitioner
Highly motivated
Flexibility
Enthusiasm
Team player
Ability to work across boundaries
. Meets DBS reference standards and criminal records check
. Access to own transport and ability to travel across the locality, including to visit people in their own homes