Practice Nurse

Job summary
We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and compassionate Practice Nurse to join our supportive GP surgery team.

This is a part time position of 16 hours per week, worked over two days: Tuesday and Wednesday each week.

The successful candidate will work as part of the nursing team to provide high-quality care to our patients. You will have the opportunity to develop and use a broad range of clinical skills within a supportive primary care environment.

We welcome applications from experienced Practice Nurses as well as nurses who are looking to develop their skills and experience within general practice. The successful candidate will be expected to work autonomously within their scope of practice while working closely with GPs, and the wider practice team.

Informal enquiries/visits welcome.

Main duties of the job
The Practice Nurse will provide a range of nursing services to our registered patient population, supporting the delivery of safe, effective and patient-centred care.

The role will include:

• Providing general nursing care and treatment to patients.
• Undertaking routine chronic disease reviews and management.
• Supporting the management of patients with long-term conditions.
• Carrying out health assessments and clinical observations.
• Providing immunisations and vaccinations in line with national guidance.
• Undertaking cervical screening where appropriately trained.
• Wound care, dressings and management of minor injuries.
• Providing health promotion and lifestyle advice.
• Supporting preventative healthcare and screening programmes.
• Working collaboratively with GPs, pharmacists and other members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Maintaining accurate and contemporaneous clinical records.
• Working within professional, legal and practice policies and procedures.
• Participating in clinical audits, quality improvement and practice development.

The successful candidate will be expected to maintain their professional knowledge and skills and contribute positively to the ongoing development of the nursing service.

About us
We are a friendly GP surgery providing high-quality primary care to our local patient population.

We are committed to delivering safe, effective and patient-centred care while continually looking for ways to improve our services. We work closely as a multidisciplinary team and value good communication, teamwork and a supportive working environment.

We are committed to supporting staff development and encourage our team members to maintain and develop their clinical skills through appropriate training and continuing professional development.

We are looking for someone who will become a valued member of our team and contribute to the continued delivery and development of high-quality primary care services.

Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
The Practice Nurse will be responsible for providing a high standard of nursing care to patients registered at the practice, working within their professional scope of practice and level of competence.
Clinical Responsibilities

• Carry out routine reviews and monitoring of patients with long-term conditions, including:
• Asthma
• COPD
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Cardiovascular disease
• Chronic kidney disease
• Other conditions as appropriate to the practice.
• Undertake new patient health checks and routine health assessments.
• Provide health promotion and lifestyle advice, including advice regarding smoking cessation, weight management, diet, exercise and cardiovascular risk.
• Administer vaccinations and immunisations in accordance with national guidance and practice protocols.
• Undertake cervical screening where appropriately trained and competent.
• Provide wound care, dressings and removal of sutures/clips where appropriate.
• Perform venepuncture and other clinical procedures within scope of practice.
• Carry out clinical observations and investigations, including blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation, temperature, BMI and other appropriate measurements.
• Provide advice and education to patients regarding the management of their conditions.
• Recognise and appropriately respond to patients whose condition is deteriorating, escalating concerns to an appropriate clinician.
• Support patients with self-management and shared decision-making.
• Provide appropriate advice regarding urgent and routine care and signpost patients to other services where appropriate.
• Maintain appropriate infection prevention and control standards.
• Ensure equipment is maintained, cleaned and used safely in accordance with practice procedures.

Long-Term Condition Management

• Undertake planned reviews of patients with long-term conditions.
• Identify patients requiring additional clinical review or intervention.
• Review and interpret relevant clinical information within scope of competence.
• Work with the wider clinical team to develop and support appropriate care plans.
• Ensure appropriate recalls, referrals and follow-up arrangements are made.
• Support achievement of relevant quality and contractual standards.

Administration and Record Keeping

• Maintain accurate, complete and contemporaneous patient records.
• Ensure all consultations and clinical activity are appropriately documented.
• Complete referrals and correspondence accurately and in a timely manner.
• Review and action relevant clinical results within agreed practice processes.
• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
• Work in accordance with GDPR, information governance and practice policies.
• Ensure all clinical documentation meets professional and organisational standards.

Professional Responsibilities

• Work within the NMC Code and relevant professional standards.
• Maintain professional registration and revalidation requirements.
• Maintain appropriate continuing professional development.
• Keep clinical knowledge and skills up to date.
• Work within individual competence and seek advice or support when required.
• Participate in clinical supervision, appraisal and appropriate training.
• Contribute to practice clinical meetings and multidisciplinary working.
• Maintain awareness of current national guidance and developments within primary care nursing.

Quality Improvement and Practice Development

• Participate in clinical audit and quality improvement initiatives.
• Contribute to the development and review of practice protocols and procedures.
• Support the practice in achieving relevant clinical and quality standards.
• Identify opportunities to improve patient care and service delivery.
• Participate in significant event reviews and learning where appropriate.
• Contribute to infection prevention and control, health and safety and safeguarding processes.

Team Working

• Work collaboratively with GPs, Healthcare Assistants, Practice Pharmacists, Practice Managers, administrative staff and other members of the wider multidisciplinary team.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues and external healthcare professionals.
• Support and contribute to a positive team culture.
• Assist colleagues and share clinical knowledge and experience where appropriate.
• Participate in practice meetings and relevant team activities.

Safeguarding

• Recognise and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns involving children and adults.
• Follow practice safeguarding policies and local safeguarding procedures.
• Maintain appropriate safeguarding training and knowledge.
• Escalate concerns promptly to the appropriate safeguarding lead or external service.

Health and Safety

• Work in accordance with practice health and safety policies.
• Maintain safe working practices for patients, colleagues and visitors.
• Report accidents, incidents and hazards appropriately.
• Ensure clinical equipment is used safely and appropriately.
• Follow infection prevention and control procedures at all times.

Confidentiality

• Maintain strict confidentiality in relation to patients, colleagues and practice information.
• Comply with information governance and data protection requirements.
• Ensure patient information is only accessed, used or shared appropriately.

General

• Undertake any other reasonable duties appropriate to the role and level of responsibility.
• Work flexibly as required to support the needs of the practice.
• Contribute to the continued development of the nursing service and wider practice team.

Person Specification
Personal Qualities
Essential

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to prioritise workload and manage time effectively.
• Compassionate and person-centred approach.
• Commitment to continuing professional development.

Desirable

• Experience of contributing to audit, quality improvement or service development.

Qualifications
Essential

• Registered General Nurse with current NMC registration.

Desirable

• Relevant Practice Nursing/Primary Care experience.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development relevant to primary care nursing.
• Immunisation and vaccination qualification.
• Cervical screening qualification.

Experience
Essential

• Experience of working autonomously within scope of professional practice.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a GP practice or Primary Care.
• Experience of working with SystmOne clinical system.
• Experience of chronic disease management and reviews.
• Experience of delivering NHS vaccination and immunisation programmes.

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.