General Practice Nurse (Trainee)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job description and person specification

Job title

General Practice Nurse (Trainee)

Service

London GP Practice employers offering the GPN Academic Programme package

Location

To be confirmed, all practices will be in London

Salary band

Band 5

Responsible to

Practice Manager in recruiting practices

Accountable to

Lead General Practice Nurse in recruiting practices

Aim of the role

This role is a 1 year fixed term training post for nurses new to General Practice who are employed by local General Practice teams. Trainees are supported by their practice, including their named mentor, their Training Hub and HEI.

The role of the General Practice Nurse is expanding as the NHS now funds education to degree or post graduate diploma level. The programme is delivered in partnership with participating Universities. If successful, trainees will be awarded either a BSc (Hons) in Primary Care (Practice Nursing) or a Post Graduate Diploma (PG Dip) according to academic ability at the start of the programme.

General Practice Nurses care for patients who are registered with General Practices who have been referred by the GP or have self-referred for appropriate care. The unique aspects of General Practice Nursing are the personal relationships built up one to one with patients and the cradle to grave aspect of General Practice (nurses may see patients at every stage of life from an 8-week-old baby to the most elderly resident in a care home.) Practice Nursing is becoming a career choice with expanding opportunities for clinical and academic opportunities (DOH July 2017).

Key working relationships

Internal: working with all clinical and non-clinical staff in the General Practice team, accountable to the Lead General Practice Nurse and GP employers.

External: working with other practices in local networks and with the Training Hub and Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) at a Borough level.

Key result areas

• Positively impacting the public health of patients and residents via vaccinations, screening etc.
• Providing care to those with complex and chronic disease physical and mental problems, enabling them to stay well and stay out of hospital.
• Supporting families and carers who are caring for those with mental or physical problems and distress.
• Maintaining and improving excellence within the primary care team.

Main duties and responsibilities

The role will expand following training and competency assessment over the training period to include: Cervical screening, sexual health and contraception, screening for other cancers, health promotion and disease prevention, wound care, managing complex vaccination programmes for babies, children and adults (including, where required, for adults and children travelling abroad) and working with patients suffering from chronic disease and long-term conditions.

Core values

You are expected to work in ways that demonstrate an understanding and commitment to our values as follows:

• We will work together to put patients at the heart of their care
• Deliver high quality care that achieves the best outcomes for patients
• Focus our work to help reduce inequalities
• Promote healthy lifestyles and self-care
• Take an evidence based public health approach
• Develop and value all staff
• Be an open and transparent with a no blame culture

Performance management and appraisal

You are expected to participate in individual performance management process and reviews.

Personal development and training

We actively encourage development and are committed to offering learning and development opportunities for all full-time and part-time employees. To support this you must attend all statutory and mandatory training as required.

Health and safety at work

You have a responsibility to work within the General Practice health and safety policies and procedures to ensure that a safe working environment for patients, visitors and employees is maintained.

Infection control

It is your responsibility to adhere to the General Practice infection control polices and guidelines in order to promote cleanliness and reduce infections.

Confidentiality and data protection

You are expected to comply with all General Practice policies and procedures related to confidentiality and data protection and to work in accordance with relevant data protection legislation.

Risk management

You are expected to be familiar with the General Practices risk assessment and risk control processes and procedures and to report accidents or incidents promptly.

Conflict of interest

You are required to declare any interest, direct or indirect with contracts involving the General Practice and should not further your private interests during your work.

Equality and diversity

The recruitment process for these posts is managed by Training Hubs and the Universities. We value equality and diversity in employment and in the services we provide. We will work hard to ensure that all job applicants, employees and service users are treated fairly and valued equally regardless of sex, marital status, domestic circumstances, age, race, colour, disablement, ethnic or national origin, social background or employment status, sexual orientation, religion, beliefs, HIV status, gender reassignment, political affiliation or trade union membership.

Code of conduct

You are expected to follow the General Practices code of conduct for employees and managers.

Safeguarding adults and children

You must make yourself aware of your responsibilities to maintain the wellbeing and protection of vulnerable children and adults. If you have reason for concern that a patient is at risk you should escalate this to an appropriate person, such as your manager, a safeguarding lead or any other appropriate colleague.

Budgetary management

If you have responsibility for a budget you are expected to operate within this and under the General Practices policies and guidance.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Up to date membership of the NMC preferably adult nursing branch.
• Qualification at Diploma level in Adult Nursing.

Desirable

• First degree in Adult Nursing

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Ability to work without constant supervision but remain within safe boundaries of competence.
• Able to demonstrate flexibility in practice to suit different patient needs.
• Commitment to learning about new areas of clinical care and how to apply knowledge in practice.
• Communication skills which can help the nurse to meet the needs of a diverse population varying in age, cultural backgrounds and economic status. Excellent written, verbal and IT communication skills.

Knowledge

Essential

• Good foundational knowledge in all basic physiology and anatomy of the human body.
• Understanding of professional NMC conduct and attitudes and ability to apply these in practice.

Personal qualities

Essential

• Willingness to learn and develop
• Leads by example

Experience

Essential

• No experience is necessary for this training post. You can apply as a Newly Qualified RN. Equally, you can transition from another area of nursing as long as you have qualified as an Registered Adult Nurse.

Other requirements

Essential

• The post holder may need to travel between different practices within their network, but this will be minimal.

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

Hammersmith & Fulham GP Federation

Address

All GP Practices in London

London

London

SW67EN

Employer's website

https://www.hfgpfed.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)