Practice Nurse

The post holder is an experienced Practice Nurse, who is responsible for ensuring the delivery of safe and effective patient care to the practice population using autonomous clinical skills and a broad in-depth theoretical knowledge base. The post holder will manage a diverse clinical case load, dealing with the presenting patients needs within a primary care setting. They will contribute to developing the nursing services offered by the practice. The practice nurse works independently and contributes to audit, research and supporting, implementing and evaluating local standards, policies, guidelines and care pathways. NMC requirements will be met, and the individual will work within the NMC Code of Conduct to agreed practice standards and protocols. Main duties of the job

• The post holder is accountable for his/her own practice and will work independently managing their own clinical workload responding effectively to patient needs and ensuring patient choice and ease of access to services.
• To mentor and support other nurses and staff in developing and maintaining clinical skills.
• To participate in clinical supervision.
• To have an awareness of budgetary constraints and help make cost effective decisions.
• To use referral pathways for nurses as appropriate.
• To provide input and advice on evidence-based practice and care interventions within their sphere of knowledge., Primary Duties & Areas of Responsibility
Clinical Role
• Assess, plan, develop, implement and evaluate treatment programmes for patients that promote health and well-being.
• Help the practice develop and deliver specialist primary nurse led services, including chronic disease management (including for all areas of QOF). Manages programmes of care for patients with chronic diseases by planning, providing and evaluating care under agreed guidelines and patient group directions. Maintains disease registers in liaison with administrative staff. Undertakes annual reviews of patients understanding and ability to self-manage.
• Make professionally autonomous decisions for which he/she is accountable and provide safe, evidence based, cost effective, individualised patient care.
• Where necessary evaluate patient test results in conjunction with the patient and their GP and ensure the appropriate course of treatment is initiated.
• Make appropriate referrals to other members of the primary, community and secondary care teams.
• Undertake regular medication reviews for patients for groups of patients deemed suitable by the clinical team.
• Provide comprehensive travel health advice for patients prior to travel including malaria prophylaxis, safe sex, sun protection, food hygiene, first aid and emergency medication, health insurance and vaccinations.
• Administer child and adult immunisations and vaccinations in accordance with national and local programmes. Competent in anaphylaxis and resuscitation techniques. Ensuring safe storage, rotation and disposals of vaccines and drugs and that adequate stock levels are maintained
• Undertake procedures including, I.M and subcutaneous injections, venepuncture, BP management, urinalysis, peak flow, pregnancy testing, stitch/clip removal, acute and chronic wound management and cytology.
• Provide support and chaperoning to clinicians as required.
• Promote health and well-being, giving general education advice on diet, contraception, smoking chronic disease management, exercise etc...
• Initiate and carry out programmes of health screening as agreed with the practice clinical team.
• Enables, supports and encourage individuals, families and groups to address issues which affect their health and social well-being.
• Contribute to the practice achieving its GMS contract obligations including quality, organisational and access targets.
• Participate in clinical supervision with an identified senior nurse.
• Maintain accurate records according to NMC rules.
• Ensure all data protection requirements are met when gathering, recording and storing patient data.
• Liaise and maintain good working relationships with all members of the practice team. Work within the multi-disciplinary team within the practice and across the wider health system.
Undertake any additional training requirements deemed necessary for the success of the role. Teaching & Mentoring Role
• Promote a learning environment for patients, nurses and other health professionals.
• Assist with the planning and implementation and teaching for practice staff including medical students, nurse students, nurses and health care assistants.
Professional Role
• Attend and contribute to relevant internal and external meetings as required including practice clinical meetings, PLT meetings and nurse team meetings.
• Maintain a personal progress and training plan to keep up to date with current thinking and developments as well as identifying own training deficiencies and attending suitable courses and appropriate.
• Promote evidence-based practice through use of the latest research-based guidelines.
• Monitor the effectiveness or their own clinical practice through quality assurance strategies such as the use of peer audit and review.
• Maintain professional registration.
• Work within the latest NMC Code of Professional Conduct.
• Record accurate consultation data in patients records in accordance with NMC guidance and other standards.
• Keep up to date with pertinent health policy and work with the practice team to consider the impact and strategies for implementation.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues both internally and externally.
• Demonstrate leadership.
• Pro-actively promote the role of specialist nursing expertise within the practice and with the public.
Managerial Support Role
• Participate in protocol development.
  
  Essential
• NMC registered
• Experience in Primary Care
Person Specification Qualifications Essential
• NMC registered
• Experience in Primary Care
  
  About the Practice:
We serve a list size of 16,400 patients across two sites, with a commitment to clinical excellence, continuity of care, and innovation in service delivery. A Team Built Around Good Patient Care You'll work alongside an experienced multidisciplinary team including:
• Clinical pharmacists
• Paramedics