Practice Nurse in Runcorn

Overview

Purpose of Post

Undertake a range of nursing assessments and provide appropriate care/treatment in conjunction with GPs according to practice policy, protocols etc. Strive to improve standards of care and be involved in identifying practice population needs. Chronic Disease management is an essential part of the role. Knowledge of the GMS contract, e.g. The Quality and Outcomes Framework, LES/DES is a vital element of the post. The practice nurse will run screening clinics in participation with general practitioners in accordance with agreed protocols. To promote health by Health Education and Counselling. To administer vaccinations and immunisations in participation with general practitioners in accordance with agreed protocols. To accept continuing responsibility for the assessment of care needs, development, implementation and evaluation of the programme. The setting of Standards and recording data for various clinical groups as defined by the general practitioner.

Responsibilities and duties

• Assist GPs and other practice nurses to help deliver effective implementation of management of patients with chronic diseases as detailed by the Quality and Outcomes framework.
• Support the implementation of evidence-based guidelines in conjunction with the practice nursing team.
• Encourage the development of integrated services within Primary Care to include integrated practice based teams and multidisciplinary working.
• Promote your own continuing professional development.
• Recognise the opportunities for working in partnership with the Primary Health care team.
• Participate in an annual appraisal.
• Support the practice in achieving quality indicators and targets of the GMS contract and any relevant National Service Frameworks.
• Experience in Chronic Disease Management or willingness to undertake training.
• Undertake opportunistic screening when clinically required; perform cervical screening and promote breast awareness.
• Administer adult and paediatric injections under an individualised prescription or Patient Group Direction, ensuring safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs.
• Provide advice on lifestyle issues, assist and support patients in changing their unhealthy behaviours and refer appropriately.
• Participate in the smoking cessation service; provide an adult and childhood immunisation service working to Patient Group Directions following appropriate training if required.
• Deliver travel health care, including vaccinations and advice for patients following appropriate training if required.
• Recognise the signs of child abuse, family violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse, addictive behaviours, suicidal tendencies and be aware of local referral procedures.
• Ensure that current evidence based approaches to patient care are standard practice; apply infection control measures.
• Apply infection control measures when collecting and handling of laboratory specimens, disposing of waste materials, dealing with blood and body fluids spillages and report and treat sharps injuries.
• Undertake annual training and demonstrate competency in anaphylaxis and resuscitation techniques.

Research, Audit and Quality:

• Contribute to the provision of equitable, high quality services for patients in the locality.
• Contribute to research and development programmes where required to improve clinical practice.

Education and Training:

• Provide professional advice/support to health care professionals within the Primary health care team; participate in training; provide mentorship and guidance for health care assistants; participate in partnership programmes of awareness raising, detection and prevention of chronic diseases; maintain a level of expertise in specific chronic disease management and other pertinent areas of health care; seek to develop new and improved skills.
• Advise members of the public on health promotion, education, prevention and protection; take responsibility for personal development and education including inservice training; actively participate in multidisciplinary education and training; monitor and maintain consistency of professional standards and take appropriate action if standards are not met; maintain professional development by attending relevant courses and study days to keep abreast of current knowledge and developments.

Abide by legal requirements and statutory rules relating to practice and record and maintain periodic professional registration with RCN & NMC; participate in an annual appraisal; completing all mandatory training modules as specified by the Organisation Quality; alert other team members to issues of quality and risk; assess own performance and take accountability for own actions; contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the team’s performance; work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needs; effectively manage own time, workload and resources.

Communication and teamwork

• Maintain communication and liaise with other disciplines across primary, secondary and tertiary care services as and when necessary; contribute to and work effectively within the primary care team; assist in clinical audit and the setting and monitoring of standards of care; advise and support other members of the team aiming towards common objectives.

Competence and professional standards

You are responsible for limiting your actions to those, which you feel competent to undertake. If you have any doubts about your competence during the course of your duties you should immediately speak to the Lead Clinician in the first instance.

REGISTERED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL: Maintain registration with NMC/ Medical Indemnity provided by the Organisation.

SUPERVISION: Where the appropriate professional organisation details a requirement in relation to supervision, it is the responsibility of the post holder to ensure compliance with this requirement. If you are in any doubt about the existence of such a requirement, in the first instance advice should be sought from the Lead Clinician.

RISK MANAGEMENT: It is a standard element of the role and responsibility of all staff that they fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions, including risk assessment, appropriate actions and reporting incidents, near misses and hazards.

Records, safety and confidentiality

• RECORDS MANAGEMENT: You are legally responsible for all records that you gather, create or use as part of your work; all such records are public records and you have a legal duty of confidence to service users. Consult the Practice Manager if you have doubts about correct management of records.
• HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS: All employees have a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others; report hazardous situations or defective equipment.
• CONFIDENTIALITY: Maintain confidentiality of members of the public and staff in line with Practice policies.

Flexibility and other

FLEXIBILITY STATEMENT: The Job Description represents an outline of the post only and is not a precise catalogue of duties; it is flexible and subject to review following consultation.