Job responsibilities
A. Clinical
Assist in and perform routine tasks related to patient care as indicated by patient need including:
Cytology
Wound care / ulcer care/Doppler
Removal of Sutures/ clips
New Patient Medicals/Urinalysis
Travel Clinic
Asthma and COPD Management
Venepuncture
Hypertension Management / 24 hour ambulatory BP
Diabetes Management
Ear syringing
Routine immunizations/Childhood immunisations
Chaperoning and assisting patients where appropriate who are being examined by another clinician
Requesting pathology tests, for example urine culture, swabs
Following agreed clinical protocols.
Maintaining and cleaning equipment used by the nurses and GPs and upholding the standards required for Infection prevention and control.
Vaccine fridge temperature monitoring
Maintaining GP and Nurses rooms, stocking and rotating items as required
Maintain general tidiness and cleanliness of nurses and treatment rooms
Supervision of the HCA
Ordering of Health Promotion Literature
Ordering of vaccinations to maintain stock levels if required
Participation in administrative systems in the practice
Maintain accurate records
advise other team members of potential problems or errors within the range of assigned tasks
Attend and participate in any practice / clinical meetings monthly.
On occasion there may be a requirement to undertake home visits
Support and manage the QoF programmes and income generation for the practice relevant to role
Any other delegated duties appropriate to the post
B. Communication
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
Regularly engage with Sussex Primary Care Head of Nursing
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
C. Delivering a quality service
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
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
Assess the impact of policy implementation on care delivery
Working with the practice management monitor and develop the performance of the GPN team in accordance with local policies
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 in line with legislation, policies and procedures
D. Leadership
Support the lead nurse/ANP in the delivery of practice nursing services ensuring that the needs of the patient are a priority
Take responsibility for own learning and performance including participating in clinical supervision and acting as a positive role model
Critically evaluate and review innovations and developments that are relevant to the area of work
Contribute to the development of local guidelines, protocols and standards
Promote the role of the Practice Nurse in general practice
E. Team working
Understand own role and scope and identify how this may develop over time
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
Create clear referral mechanisms to meet patient need
Prioritise own workload and contribute to effective time-management strategies embedded within the culture of the team
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
F. Management of risk
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
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
G. Managing information
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
H. Learning and development
Undertake mentorship for more junior staff, assessing competence against set standards
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)
Assess own learning needs and undertake learning as appropriate
Provide an educational role to patients, carers, families and colleagues in an environment that facilitates learning
I. Equality and diversity
Identify patterns of discrimination and take action to overcome this and promote diversity and equality of opportunity
Enable others to promote equality and diversity in a non-discriminatory culture
Support people who need assistance in exercising their rights
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
Assist patients from marginalised groups to access quality care
