Practice Nurse in Cambridge

Working in accordance with the NMC Code of Conduct and with reference to practice agreed protocols and guidelines, the post holder will:

• Provide nursing treatments to patients both independently and in participation with nurse colleagues and general practitioners.
• Provide assessment, treatment, screening, health education service and advice to patients of the practice.
• Manage care programmes directly to patients.
• Deliver a holistic approach to patient services and initiate and manage a methodical assessment of patient and service needs, including public health.
• Assist the Practice Business Manager and Senior Practice Nurse in the development of practice clinical protocols for the clinical team.
• Participate in an effective, quality driven Practice Nurse Service, liaising and working effectively with other agencies.
• Develop a working environment that promotes health, safe and effective work outcomes.
• Have a positive attitude and approach towards helping solve the problems and challenges that face General Practice today and be part of the process to help the Practice achieve its goals.
• The post-holder will have the required level of training and competence and will work within patient group directions where these are available. A nurse with prescribing qualifications will use these appropriately.

Main Responsibilities:

• Assess, plan, provide and evaluate nursing care to meet the care needs of individuals and groups in the practice population.
• Assess and treat specific diseases in accordance with agreed medical/nursing protocols.
• Provide direct access to specialist nursing care for undifferentiated patients within the practice population.
• Undertake diagnostic, health screening, health surveillance and therapeutic interventions within a broader health promotion/public health strategy.
• Participate in developing programmes to improve health and well-being and meet the specific needs of communities, groups and individuals.
• Participate in quality assurance, development and clinical governance.
• Ensure continuation of personal professional development.
• Use nursing skills appropriately and effectively to deliver best patient care.

Nursing Duties and Responsibilities will include:

• Management of chronic disease.
• Identifying significant abnormalities.
• Monitoring and development of individual management plans; agreeing these as appropriate with the patient and other health professionals.
• If required, home visits for QOF / Chronic Illness Reviews / Vaccinations.
• Therapeutic monitoring.
• Checking compliance with and adherence to appropriate treatments using a holistic patient-centred approach.
• Wound Care and management.
• Health screening.
• Travel health.
• First contact.
• Insertion and Removal of Contraceptive Devices.
• Mental health.
• Emergency Management.
• Infection control.

General responsibilities will include:

• Assist in and perform routine tasks related to patient care as directed by GPs.
• Cytology, Cryotherapy, Removal of Sutures, Travel Advice, ECGs, Asthma, Diabetic reviews, Venepuncture, Ear Irrigation.
• Chaperoning and assisting patients where appropriate who are being examined by another clinician.
• Assisting GPs with Insertion and removal of contraceptive devices.
• Requesting pathology tests, for example urine culture, swabs.
• Following agreed clinical protocols with referral to GPs as appropriate.
• Maintaining and cleaning equipment used by the nurses and GPs.
• Maintaining Nurses and GPs rooms, stocking and rotating items as required.
• Maintain general tidiness and cleanliness of nurses and treatment rooms.
• Ordering of Health Promotion Literature, stock, and vaccinations to maintain stock levels and participate in data return audits.
• Participation in administrative systems in the practice.
• Maintain accurate records at all times.
• Attend and participate in any practice meetings when required.
• On occasion there may be a requirement to undertake home visits i.e. flu vaccinations.
• Any other delegated duties appropriate to the post.
• Administration of the Clinical Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF).
• Liaise with Practice Business Manager to ensure maximum benefit is gained from the Quality and Outcomes Framework in support of patient care.

Person Specification:

• An understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality.
• Ability to use own judgement, resourcefulness and common sense.
• Ability to work without direct supervision and determine own workload priorities.
• Ability to work as part of an integrated multi-skilled team.
• Pleasant and articulate.
• Able to work under pressure.
• Able to work in a changing environment.
• Able to use own initiative.
• Clean and tidy appearance.

Experience:

• Experience working in either a hospital or General Practice Environment.
• Experience dealing with the public and patients.
• Experience of using TPS SystmOne Clinical System & T-Quest.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Competency in basic nursing.
• Excellent communication skills, written and spoken.
• Basic IT Literacy.
• Knowledge of Quality Outcomes Framework.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.

Other:

• Flexibility of working hours/ able to work at the desired times.
• Experience of Primary Care.

Qualifications:

• A national Nursing Qualification.
• Diabetes Course.

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.