Practice Nurse

Job responsibilities

As an autonomous practitioner, you are responsible for the care delivered, demonstrating critical thinking and skills in clinical decision-making in the management of patients. You will work collaboratively to meet the needs of patients, ensuring the highest standards of care, supporting the delivery of policy and procedures.

1. LeadershipTake responsibility for own development, learning and performance including participating in clinical supervision and acting as a positive role model

Promote and work to the Practice’s Vision and Values

2. Clinical practiceAssess, plan, develop, implement, provide and evaluate treatment programmes including, but not limited to:

Chronic Disease management. To work with the practice leads and where appropriate take a lead in developing and delivering specialist primary care services, such as long term disease management.

Health promotion and well-being plus individual plans for patients with/at risk of a long term condition

Manage and treat long-term conditions, in line with national and local policies and practice needs

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

Implement and participate in vaccination and immunisation programmes for both adults and children including patients travelling abroad

Meet the needs of patients presenting for opportunistic wound care

Diagnose and treat minor illnesses

3. Delivering a quality serviceRecognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct, to:

Produce accurate, contemporaneous and complete records of patient consultation, consistent with legislation, policies and procedures

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

Deliver care as an individual and team according to NSF, NICE guidelines and evidence-based care, assessing effectiveness of care delivery through peer review, benchmarking and formal evaluation and leading on the maintenance of quality governance systems for the nursing team

Implement and review the application of evidence-based practice in nursing

Plan and manage nursing appointments across the Practice sites, adjust to seasonal need, and oversee the working day over the clinical team, including extended hours/ improved access

Implement and review the application of evidence-based practice in nursing

Evaluate patients’ response to health care provision and the effectiveness of care

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

Produce accurate, contemporaneous and complete records of patient consultation, consistent with legislation, policies and procedures Team Working;

This practice continually strives to improve work processes which deliver health care with improved results across all areas of our service provision. We promote a culture of continuous improvement, where everyone counts and staff are permitted to make suggestions and contributions to improve our service delivery and enhance patient care.

4. Communication and RelationshipsDemonstrate sensitive communication styles to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment

Act as an advocate when representing patients and colleagues

Produce written documents that evidence the contribution of the clinical team to the practice priorities

Provide and receive confidential and complex information from a range of sources, and escalating as required.

To identify and use the most effective means of communication, appropriate to the situation and individuals involved.

To manage own behaviour in a positive manner to maintain effective working relationships

To always behave professionally and uphold the reputation of the Practice

To observe complete confidentiality of all information including awareness and adherence to the legal requirements of the Data Protection Act.

5. Analysis and JudgementTo ensure you are competent and appropriately trained to carry out your areas of responsibility.

Recognise and inform managers of any matters requiring their immediate attention or expedite and progress issues with appropriate lead, as and when necessary, to ensure that deadlines are met.

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 safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs

Apply infection-control measures within the practice according to local and national guidelines

Participate in the local implementation strategies that are aligned to the values and culture of general practice

6. Planning and OrganisingPrioritise own workload and ensure effective time-management strategies are embedded within the culture of the team

Expectation to be flexible in undertaking any other duties as deemed appropriate to the role

7. Service and Policy DevelopmentTo be aware of relevant Practice related policies/procedures relevant to the post.

Develop clinical standard operating procedures with leads, where required.

8. Personal DevelopmentTake personal responsibility to ensure any mandatory training is undertaken.

Be willing to undertake additional training and development as identified at annual appraisal.

9. Information System use and managementUse relevant IT systems to support role including SystmOne, Team Net, Word, Excel, Access, and other systems where necessary.

10. Freedom to Act and AutonomyExpected to work on own initiative regarding own allocated work.The post holder will be required to manage own workload and will be required to adjust priorities as required to meet continually changing service needs.Work is discussed in regular supervision sessions and the post holder is responsible for deciding which issues need to be referred to Line manager.To ensure that relationships and own behaviour is managed in line with the practice policiesTo always work with due regard for personal safety, adhering to Health & Safety requirements of the service.

11. Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I)A good attitude and positive action towards ED&I creates and environment where all individuals are able to achieve their full potential. Creating such an environment is important for three reasons: it improves operational effectiveness, it is morally the right thing to do, and it is required by law.

Patients and their families have the right to be treated fairly and be routinely involved in decisions about their treatment and care. They can expect to be treated with dignity and respect and will not be discriminated against on any grounds including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Patients have a responsibility to treat other patients and our staff with dignity and respect.

Staff have the right to be treated fairly in recruitment and career progression. Staff can expect to work in an environment where diversity is valued and equality of opportunity is promoted. Staff will not be discriminated against on any grounds including age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Staff have a responsibility to ensure that you treat our patients and their colleagues with dignity and respect.

12. Safety, Health, Environment and Fire (SHEF)This practice is committed to supporting and promoting opportunities to for staff to maintain their health, well-being and safety. The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others’ health, safety and security as defined in the Practice Health & Safety Policy and the practice infection control policy and published procedures. All personnel are to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Environmental Protection Act 1990, Environment Act 1995, Fire Precautions (workplace) Regulations 1999 and other statutory legislation.

13. ConfidentialityThis practice is committed to maintaining an outstanding confidential service. Patients entrust and permit us to collect and retain sensitive information relating to their health and other matters, pertaining to their care. They do so in confidence and have a right to expect all staff will respect their privacy and maintain confidentiality at all times. It is essential that if, the legal requirements are to be met and the trust of our patients is to be retained that all staff protect patient information and provide a confidential service.

14. Collaborative WorkingAll staff are to recognise the significance of collaborative working. Teamwork is essential in multidisciplinary environments. Effective communication is essential and all staff must ensure they communicate in a manner which enables the sharing of information in an appropriate manner.

Qualifications

Essential

• Maths and English GCSE or equivalent experience
• Registered nurse with NMC
• Relevant nursing/health degree

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Planning and organising
• Flexible and cooperative
• Motivated and proactive
• Forward thinker
• High levels of integrity and loyalty
• Resilient
• Ability to work under pressure

Experience

Desirable

• Experience in nurse-led management of long-term conditions
• Experience of working in a GP practice
• Experience in quality initiatives such as clinical benchmarking
• Knowledge of public health issues and promotion
• Knowledge of clinical governance issues in primary care
• Knowledge of patient group directions and engagement

Skills

Essential

• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of people
• Clinical skills - eg cervical cytology, immunisation and vaccination, ear care, would management, minor illness, contraception
• Self-directed practitioner
• Strong IT skills
• Effective time management (planning & organising)
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
• Good interpersonal skills
• problem solving & analytical skills
• Excellent attention to detail

Other Requirements

Essential

• Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) check
• Willingness to travel to other sites
• Flexibility to work outside of core office hours
• Maintains confidentiality at all times
• Full UK driving licence

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).