Practice Nurse

Job summary

Join our supportive practice team and play an important role in delivering high-quality, patient-centred nursing care to people registered with Staffa Health.

The role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference through the monitoring and management of long-term conditions. You will also contribute to a varied range of nursing services, including clinical procedures, technical measurements, investigations, immunisations and wound care, in response to the needs of our patients and the service.

Although the role is advertised as a Full Time position, we are happy to consider part time hours for the right candidate.

Main duties of the job

1. Assess patients health needs and develop care plans to meet their needs.
2. Take part in the screening for, maintenance of and treatment for all long-term conditions according to the protocols of the practice, referring to other health professionals as appropriate.
3. Actively engage patients and carers in the management of health problems and actions to improve health by providing health education and support according to practice and national guidelines e.g. chronic disease management, obesity management, smoking cessation, travel health advice.
4. Administer and monitor medication including issue of medication within Patient Group Directions and according to individual prescription instructions e.g. Zoladex, Myocrisin, Rheumatology drug monitoring.
5. In conjunction with other nurse team members, provide nursing care for the following areas:
6. Wound care
7. Venepuncture
8. Immunisations for adults and children
9. Investigations as instructed by other clinicians and interpreting results where appropriate e.g. vaginal swabs, wound swabs, blood tests.
10. Provide screening for patients, implement management plans and/or refer patients as appropriate to other health professionals within the practice team e.g. hypertension screening, contraceptive checks, Cervical screening, Chronic Disease Management in Diabetes, COPD, CHD and Asthma.

About us

We are a large, supportive, friendly and innovative practice, with a focus on the highest quality of care for our patients. We are rated as an outstanding practice by the Care Quality Commission

Situated in a semi-rural community, close to the Peak District we have 17,144 patients, we provide services over 3 sites and utilise the clinical system SystmOne. We are a training practice for Trainee GPs, medical students and student nurses. We are a pro-active and innovative practice and this role provides a great opportunity for you to make a difference through the support you provide to the team.

WE NO LONGER ALLOW EMPLOYEES TO BE PATIENTS AT STAFFA HEALTH. IF APPLICANTS ARE PATIENTS, THEY WILL BE ASKED TO REGISTER AT ANOTHER GP SURGERY IN THE LOCAL AREA ONCE APPLICATION HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL

Job responsibilities

Management of Health and Illness

Assess patients health needs and develop care plans to meet their needs.

Take part in the screening for, maintenance of and treatment for all long-term conditions according to the protocols of the practice, referring to other health professionals as appropriate.

Actively engage patients and carers in the management of health problems and actions to improve health by providing health education and support according to practice and national guidelines e.g. chronic disease management, obesity management, smoking cessation, travel health advice.

Undertake nursing procedures.

Administer and monitor medication including issue of medication within Patient Group Directions and according to individual prescription instructions e.g. Zoladex, Myocrisin, Rheumatology drug monitoring.

Management of Nursing Procedures

In conjunction with other nurse team members, provide nursing care for the following areas:

• Wound care
• Venepuncture
• Immunisations for adults and children
• Investigations as instructed by other clinicians and interpreting results where appropriate e.g. vaginal swabs, wound swabs, blood tests.

Assisting with minor operations and intrauterine device fitting, supporting patients, preparing and disposing of equipment, record keeping and offering appropriate follow up.

Health Screening

In conjunction with other team members provide screening for patients, implement management plans and/or refer patients as appropriate to other health professionals within the practice team e.g. hypertension screening, contraceptive screening checks, Cervical screening, Chronic Disease Management in Diabetes, COPD, CHD and Asthma.

Infection Control

Ensure the practice infection control policy is adhered to in own work area in treatment room areas and when using equipment.

Stock Control

In conjunction with other nurse team members be responsible for clinical stock ordering, maintenance of clinical equipment and emergency drug stocks.

Communication and Teamwork

• Communicate within the Primary Health Care Team and other agencies referring patients and carers as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate records of clinical activities.
• Undertake telephone consultations with patients within own competence.
• Refer patients to other team members in line with agreed protocols.
• Take part in Primary Health Care Team meetings and Nurse Team meetings.

Quality Improvement

• Use current evidence of clinical effectiveness to inform clinical practice.
• Collect data for audits and research and take part in the evaluation of audits and action planning.
• Contribute to the development of policies and procedures and their evaluation within own work area.

Learning and Personal Development

• Act as mentor for nursing students and health care assistants within the practice and community setting.
• Participate in the practice appraisal scheme and clinical supervision.
• Develop a Personal Learning Plan under the supervision of the Nurse Manager

Accountability for Practice

The post holder will:

• Be accountable as a registered nurse for all areas of personal practice
• Manage self and others according to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct.
• Accept delegated responsibility and inherent accountability for own practice as an autonomous practitioner.

Work in accordance with the policies and procedures of Staffa Health which may be amended from time to time. The use of these policies and procedures is implicit in the duties laid out.

Identify and manage risks involved in work activities.

Health and Safety

Staff are responsible for the care of their own personal safety and the safety of others whilst at work. No person shall interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interest of health, safety and welfare.

Confidentiality

Employees must treat all management and clinical information as confidential.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Good standard of general education - GCSE Maths and English at grade C or above or equivalent.
• RGN with current NMC Registration.
• Membership of professional body.
• Certificate/Diploma in Chronic Disease Management.
• Evidence of Revalidation Portfolio.

Desirable

• Supervisory Management or mentorship qualification.
• Independent prescriber.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Knowledge of needs of patients with long term conditions.
• General Treatment Room skills including cytology, immunisations, wound management, venepuncture,
• Knowledge of Health Promotion Strategies.
• Awareness of Clinical Primary Care.
• Excellent communication skills (Written and Oral)
• IT skills
• All areas of chronic disease management
• Time Management and the ability to work to deadlines
• Problem solving skills
• Interpersonal and communication skills

Desirable

• Knowledge of Public Health Issues in the local area.
• Awareness of Local and National Health Policy.
• Leadership, supervision and training.

Experience

Essential

• Practical experience of working with others.
• Experience of using own initiative and working autonomously.
• Experience of working within a General Practice.
• Practical experience of computerised recording systems.
• A detailed understanding of a General Practice environment.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a community setting.
• Some knowledge of the Practice clinical system SystmOne.

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Car driver and access to a vehicle.
• Planning and organising.
• Performing under pressure.
• Adaptability.
• Team working.
• Self-motivated.
• Flexibility.
• Confidentiality.