MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

To provide nursing services to the practice population by assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of care.

To assist in the development of practice protocols for the surgery and clinical protocols for the clinical team.

MAIN TASKS – PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Undertake and record the following clinical tasks as required:

oAssess, plan, provide and implement and evaluate nursing care to meet the care needs of individuals in the practice population
oProvide access to specialist nurse/GP’s
oAssisting with minor surgery
oIdentify, and manage as appropriate, treatment plans for patients at risk of developing a long-term condition
oPrioritise health problems and intervene appropriately to assist the patient in complex, urgent or emergency situations, including initiation of effective emergency care
oCheck all emergency equipment and drugs regularly and ensure records are up to date.
oSupport patients to adopt health promotion strategies that encourage patients to live healthily, and apply principles of self-care e.g. diet, exercise, alcohol, smoking cessation
oActively maintain health promotion material within the practice and waiting room notice boards
oAct as a chaperone when applicable
oUndertake health screening, surveillance, new-patient screens and immunisation
oMaintain patient confidentiality and accurate record keeping
oAttend and participate in practice team and clinical meetings
oAssess and care for patients presenting with wounds including removal of sutures and clips and leg ulcer management
oVaccination and immunisations, administering injections, ensuring safe vaccine storage, implementing cold chain policy
oInfection Control – support patients and colleagues in adapting sound infection measures, implementing infection control policy
oTo perform venepuncture
oTo chaperone for clinicians when appropriate

Specific Health Care responsibilities:
Ear Care
•Advise patients about safe ear care, e.g. cotton buds.
•Undertake ear syringing after assessing patient.

Child Care and Child Protection
•Recognise signs, symptoms and categories of child abuse.
•Understand importance of recognition, observation, documentation and communication.
•Is aware of child health procedures, statutory local procedures and points of referral.
•Has knowledge of other practitioners and agencies roles.
•Understands basic legal issues around child abuse.

Mental Health
•Recognise and be aware of referral mechanisms for vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive behaviours
•Recognise psychological needs of patients presenting with depression or suicidal tendencies

Men’s Health
Raise awareness and give basic advice covering:
•Testicular self examination
•Incontinence and prostatic disease
•Family Planning
•Sexual health
•Make appropriate referrals
•Initiate opportunistic consultations with patient to cover issue of men’s health.

Family Planning
•Advise patients on available methods of contraception and refer as appropriate.
•Support patients attending for emergency contraception and refer as appropriate.
•Perform interval health checks on patients attending using hormonal contraception.
•Teach patients on risk of STD and refer as necessary.

Women’s Health
•Advise women on national/local cervical cytology and mammography screening programmes.
•Undertake cervical smears and patient recalls
•Audit minimum of 20 consecutive smears each year to demonstrate adequate sampling rates.
•Promote breast self-awareness and provide supporting literature for breast self-examination.
•Take swabs for microscopy as directed.
•Make appropriate referrals re menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis, and heart disease.
•Advise on basic incontinence management and make appropriate referrals.

Chronic Disease Management
(Including diabetes, asthma, COPD, CHD, epilepsy)
•Assist in maintaining GP contract re chronic disease patients.
•Additional training for chronic disease management can be provided.
•Work within practice guidelines, ensuring safe practice and acknowledge limitations.

Travel Health Advice
•Vaccinations and medications
•Malaria prophylaxis and bite avoidance
•Safe sex
•Food and water hygiene
•Sun protection
•Health insurance
•First aid

Person Specification

oRN, Practice Nurse qualification desirable and post-registration clinical experience in Primary Care/A&E
oMust have a good knowledge on Quality outcomes Framework
oUnderstanding of the roles, values, procedures and standards of The Practice/Walk-in Centre
oAble to direct and co-ordinate programmes of care working autonomously and collaboratively, recognising when referrals are required
oThe post holder must be an excellent communicator both spoken and written
oThe post holder must be well presented and wear a uniform in line with The Practice plc requirements
oMust be able to work a flexible work pattern inclusive of Weekends and Bank Holidays and cover team annual leave and sickness when applicable
oMust be able to relay clinical information and maintain accurate, comprehensive consultation records
oMust have PC skills – ideally will be able to use basic Word, Excel and e-mail
oShould be organised, friendly, approachable, polite, self motivated, positive and patient. Needs to have an empathy with patients, some of whom may not be so patient or polite due to anxiety
oAbility to remain calm in sometimes fraught circumstances
oNeeds to be sensitive when dealing with confidential issues
oNeeds to apply common sense when dealing with situations which do not fit the norm
oMust be adaptable and comfortable dealing with changing priorities and be a team player
oMust be able to assess their own competency
oMust be aware of the professional boundaries they are working to and highlight any areas of required development and ensure continual professional development maintained
oTake a lead role in supporting the HCA and support receptionists in obtaining HCA status
oAble to work in a changing environment and implement change when applicable to provide high quality health outcomes

Additional benefits:
+ NHS Pension + 25 Days Annual Leave + Additional Paid Study Leave