Lead Practice Nurse in Plymouth

The lead practice nurse will be responsible for the management of the practice nursing team, consisting of nurses, HCAs and Phlebotomists. The lead practice nurse will be responsible for several clinical areas including infection prevention and control, health promotion, chronic disease management, health prevention, well woman and well man clinics, as well as supporting the practice management team in the reviewing and delivery of clinical policy and procedure.

Main duties of the job include:

• Implementation of processes for the effective management of patients with long-term health conditions using evidence-based practice including care for the elderly and housebound patients.
• Working as a senior member of the practice multidisciplinary team to ensure nursing services are delivered effectively to the entitled patient population.

About us: Friary House Surgery is a GP practice based in Plymouth, providing high-quality, patient-focused primary care to the local community. With a committed team of GPs, nurses, and allied health professionals, the practice delivers a wide range of services designed to meet the diverse health needs of its patients.

Job responsibilities include:

• Acting as Infection Prevention Control (IPC) lead and working to the IPC Policy supporting the implementation of audits, training, support and evidence of compliance to the Practice/Operations Manager.
• Producing the IPC annual statement in conjunction with the Practice/Operations Manager.
• Developing, implementing and embedding an effective care management programme for frail and housebound patients registered at the practice.
• Assessing the needs of patients ensuring the provision of healthcare is appropriate, incorporating evidence-based practice.
• Developing, implementing and embedding health promotion and wellbeing programmes.
• Implementing and evaluating individual treatment plans for chronic disease patients that promote health and wellbeing.
• Identifying, managing and supporting patients at risk of developing long-term conditions, preventing adverse effects to patients' health.
• Providing routine nursing care to patients in accordance with clinical based evidence, NICE and NSF.
• Diagnosing and managing acute and chronic conditions as required.
• Prescribing medication for patients in accordance with PGDs and own scope of practice.
• Reviewing patient medications to enhance compliance.
• Providing guidance to patients in the use of prescribed and over-the-counter medications regarding side effects and dosages.
• Coordinating the provision of travel medicine services.
• Requesting pathology services and processing pathology results as required.
• Overseeing the provision of chronic disease clinics, delivering patient care as necessary, referring patients to secondary/specialist care as required.
• Maintaining accurate clinical records in conjunction with existing legislation.
• Ensuring read codes are used effectively by all members of the nursing team.
• Ensuring appropriate use of the chronic disease registers.
• Developing, implementing, embedding and participating in the well woman and well man clinics.
• Ensuring compliance with the practice chaperone policy.
• Assisting GPs with minor surgery when required.
• Prioritising health issues and intervening appropriately.
• Supporting the team in dealing with clinical emergencies.
• Recognising, assessing and referring patients presenting with mental health needs.
• Implementing vaccination programmes for adults and children.
• Supporting patients in the use of their prescribed medicines or over-the-counter medicines (within the scope of their own practice).
• Liaising with external services/agencies to ensure the patient is supported appropriately.
• Delegating clinical responsibilities appropriately, ensuring safe practice and the task is within the scope of practice of the individual.
• Supporting the clinical team with all safeguarding matters, in accordance with local and national policies.
• Understanding practice and local policies for substance abuse and addictive behaviour, referring to patients appropriately.
• Delivering opportunistic health promotion where appropriate.

Person Specification:

• Registered Nurse (NMC Pin).
• Experience of working within Primary Care.
• Experience of chronic disease management.
• Experience in infection prevention and control measures.
• Wound care/removal of sutures and staples.
• ECGs.
• Venepuncture.
• New patient medicals.
• Requesting pathology tests and processing results.
• Understanding requirement of PGDs and associated policies.
• Immunisations (routine, childhood and travel).
• Experience in a GP practice.
• Experience with SystemOne.
• Experience leading a nursing team.
• Experience managing elderly and housebound patients.
• Clear, polite telephone manner.
• Competent in the use of Office and Outlook.
• Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure.
• Effective time management.

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.