Practice Nurse

Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Practice Nurse to join our friendly and supportive primary care team at Belgrave Medical Centre . The successful candidate will work collaboratively with GPs, Advanced Clinical Practitioners, Pharmacists, Healthcare Assistants and the wider multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care to our practice population.

The role will involve providing evidence-based nursing care, health promotion, chronic disease management and preventative services, ensuring patients receive safe, effective and compassionate care. The post holder will contribute to improving patient outcomes, supporting national screening and vaccination programmes, and helping the practice achieve its clinical and quality objectives.

The hours are 35 hours over 4 days
Monday Day off, Tuesday 08.00- 18:30, Wednesday 08:00 - 18:30, Thursday 08:00 - 13:00 and Friday 08:00 -18.30
Salary Negotiable dependent upon experience

Main duties of the job

• Deliver a range of treatment room services including wound care, dressings, injections, cervical screening and immunisations.
• Undertake chronic disease management clinics, including asthma, COPD, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease monitoring, within the scope of competence.
• Support vaccination and immunisation programmes, including seasonal flu and childhood immunisations where appropriately trained.
• Carry out health promotion activities and provide lifestyle advice to patients.
• Monitor, assess and manage patients within agreed clinical protocols and guidelines.
• Maintain accurate and contemporaneous patient records using the clinical system (Emis).
• Participate in infection prevention and control activities.
• Process pathology results and undertake follow-up actions as required within agreed protocols.
• Work collaboratively with the wider multidisciplinary team to ensure seamless patient care.
• Contribute to clinical audits, quality improvement initiatives and practice development.
• Maintain professional registration and comply with NMC requirements, revalidation and continuing professional development.

About us
We currently have 14600 patients with a clinical team of 3 General Practitioner Partners, 4 Salaried GPs, 3 Pharmacists, 3 Advanced Nurse Practitioner, 3 Practice Nurse, 1 Phlebotomist, 1 HCA and an admin team of 18.

We use the EMIS Web clinical system

We are a teaching practice and support medical students and GP registrars during their training

The practice is keen on research and participates in several research programmes taking place with the Keele Research team

Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities

• Provide evidence-based nursing care and treatment to patients within own scope of practice.
• Deliver treatment room services including:
• Wound care and dressings
• Removal of sutures and clips
• Injections
• Ear care (where appropriately trained)
• ECGs
• Venepuncture
• Blood pressure monitoring
• Health checks
• Undertake cervical cytology screening in accordance with national guidelines.
• Administer vaccinations and immunisations in line with training, competency and practice protocols.
• Support seasonal vaccination programmes including flu and COVID-19 vaccinations.
• Assist in the identification, assessment and management of patients with long-term conditions.

Chronic Disease Management

• Undertake reviews and monitoring of patients with chronic diseases including:
• Diabetes
• Asthma
• COPD
• Hypertension
• Coronary heart disease
• Stroke and TIA
• Provide lifestyle advice and self-management support to patients.
• Monitor treatment effectiveness and escalate concerns to the appropriate clinician.

Health Promotion and Patient Education

• Promote health and wellbeing through education and preventative care.
• Provide smoking cessation, weight management and lifestyle advice where appropriate.
• Support national screening and public health initiatives.
• Encourage patient engagement in managing their own health conditions.

Clinical Administration

• Maintain accurate, contemporaneous and confidential patient records using EMIS Web.
• Process laboratory results and undertake follow-up actions in accordance with practice protocols.
• Complete referrals, recalls and patient correspondence as required.
• Ensure all clinical coding is accurate and completed in a timely manner.

Quality and Governance

• Adhere to NMC Code of Professional Conduct and maintain professional registration.
• Participate in clinical audits, quality improvement projects and practice development initiatives.
• Support infection prevention and control procedures.
• Report incidents, near misses and safeguarding concerns appropriately.
• Maintain awareness of current policies, procedures and clinical guidelines.

Communication and Team Working

• Work effectively within the multidisciplinary team to provide coordinated patient care.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with patients, relatives and colleagues.
• Participate in practice meetings and training events.
• Support and mentor colleagues, students and new staff members where appropriate.

Professional Development

• Maintain professional competence through mandatory training and continuing professional development.
• Participate in annual appraisal and personal development planning.
• Keep up to date with changes in clinical practice, guidelines and NHS initiatives.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities
Contraception and Women's Health

• Provide advice and support regarding contraception and sexual health.
• Administer and monitor contraceptive injections in line with current guidelines and Patient Group Directions (PGDs) where applicable.
• Undertake contraceptive reviews and provide patient education regarding available contraception methods.
• Support family planning and reproductive health services.
• Carry out cervical cytology screening and participate in the NHS Cervical Screening Programme.

Infection Prevention and Control

• Actively support and promote infection prevention and control policies and procedures throughout the practice.
• Undertake infection control audits and contribute to action plans where required.
• Ensure treatment rooms are maintained to a high standard of cleanliness and safety.
• Support the safe management and disposal of clinical waste and sharps.
• Assist with decontamination procedures and ensure compliance with national infection control guidance.

Medicines, Emergency Equipment and Stock Management

• Undertake regular checks of emergency drugs, resuscitation equipment and oxygen supplies, ensuring all items are in date and ready for use.
• Maintain accurate records of emergency equipment checks and report discrepancies promptly.
• Monitor vaccine storage, including cold chain management and temperature monitoring.
• Ensure clinical stock levels are maintained and order supplies as required.
• Participate in stock control and stock rotation to minimise wastage and ensure availability of clinical consumables.
• Report shortages and liaise with suppliers where necessary.
• Ensure all medicines and vaccines are stored securely and managed in accordance with practice policies and national guidance.

Practice Support and Quality Improvement

• Participate in CQC compliance activities and quality improvement initiatives.
• Contribute to the achievement of Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) targets.
• Support clinical audits and service development projects.
• Assist with implementing new clinical pathways and improving patient services.

Person Specification
Knowledge and Skills
Essential

• Demonstrates sound clinical knowledge relevant to General Practice Nursing.
• Knowledge of chronic disease management including diabetes, asthma, COPD and hypertension.
• Knowledge of infection prevention and control principles and best practice.
• Understanding of safeguarding responsibilities for children and vulnerable adults.
• Knowledge of immunisation and vaccination programmes.
• Understanding of clinical governance, risk management and quality improvement.
• Ability to work autonomously within own scope of practice and recognise limitations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective relationships with patients and colleagues.
• Strong organisational and time management skills.
• Ability to prioritise workload and work effectively under pressure.
• Ability to maintain accurate clinical records.
• Competent IT skills, including experience of using EMIS Web and Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to undertake stock control and monitor clinical supplies.
• Knowledge of cold chain processes and vaccine management.
• Ability to undertake emergency equipment and emergency drug checks accurately.

Desirable

• Knowledge of Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF).
• Knowledge of NHS health promotion and screening programmes.
• Understanding of CQC standards and regulatory requirements.
• Experience of supporting service improvement projects and clinical audit.

Personal Qualities
Essential

• Caring, compassionate and patient-centred approach.
• Calm, professional and resilient manner.
• Able to be firm and maintain professional boundaries when required.
• Passionate about improving patient outcomes and services.
• Reliable, flexible and adaptable.
• Positive team player with the ability to build strong working relationships.
• Demonstrates initiative and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to confidentiality and professional standards.
• Motivated to undertake continuing professional development.
• Professional appearance and attitude.

Desirable

• Enthusiasm for service development and innovation within primary care.
• Willingness to support and mentor colleagues and students.

Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Nurse (Adult) with current NMC registration.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Cervical Cytology qualification or willingness to undertake training.
• Immunisation and vaccination training.
• Basic Life Support and Anaphylaxis training (or willingness to undertake).

Desirable

• Chronic Disease Management qualification/training.
• Independent Prescribing Qualification.
• Family Planning/Contraception qualification.
• Mentorship or Teaching Qualification.

Experience
Essential

• Experience of working in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and The Scope of Professional Practice
• Experience of dealing with the public / patients of all ages and backgrounds
• Involvement in implementing change in practice
• Experience working as a Registered Nurse.
• Experience delivering treatment room services.
• Experience in wound care and dressings.
• Experience undertaking cervical screening.
• Experience delivering vaccinations and immunisations.
• Experience of health promotion and patient education.
• Experience maintaining accurate clinical records.
• Experience working within a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable

• Previous General Practice or Primary Care experience.
• Experience managing long-term condition clinics.
• Experience providing contraception services, including contraceptive injections.
• Experience undertaking infection prevention and control activities/audits.
• Experience monitoring vaccine refrigerators and cold chain compliance.
• Experience ordering and managing clinical stock.
• Experience carrying out emergency drug, oxygen and resuscitation equipment checks.
• Experience participating in clinical audit, QOF activity and quality improvement projects.
• Experience using EMIS Web.

Other requirements
Essential

• Flexible working

Desirable

• as above

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).

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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.