Practice Nurse - Diabetes

We are seeking to recruit an experience Diabetes Practice Nurse at our highly successful 14,000 patient practice in Dorking.

Hours for this post:

• 25 hours up to 37.5 hours a week

We are a friendly practice with a large supportive nursing team.

Main duties of the job

To lead and deliver a high-quality, evidence-based diabetes service for the practice population. The postholder will manage a defined caseload of adults living with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, providing assessment, treatment, education, and ongoing review to optimise care, prevent complications, and support self-management.

They will work collaboratively with GPs, practice nurses, healthcare assistants, and allied health professionals to ensure safe, consistent, and coordinated care across the patient journey. The postholder will also act as a clinical resource within the practice, contributing to the professional development of colleagues and the continuous improvement of diabetes care.

About us

Medwyn Surgeryis a well-established GP practice located in the heart of Dorking, Surrey, serving a growing patient population of over 14,000. Our mission is to deliver the highest standard of primary healthcare, encompassing not only medical treatment but also comprehensive health information, community engagement, and fostering strong doctor-patient relationships.

Operating from the purpose-built Medwyn Centre on Reigate Road, our facility, completed in 2006, offers a modern and accessible environment for both patients and staff. The Centre houses a range of services, including Medwyn Surgery, physiotherapy and podiatry services, community health staff, conference and meeting facilities, a pharmacy, audiometry services, and a variety of services provided by sessional medical practitioners.

The Centre is fully accessible, featuring step-free access, wheelchair-friendly facilities, an induction loop, and a disabled toilet. Additional amenities include CCTV for security, comfort cooling, and automated check-in and patient calling systems, all contributing to a comfortable and efficient healthcare environment.

Medwyn Surgery offers a full range of Enhanced Services to our patients, ensuring comprehensive care that meets the diverse needs of our community. We provide Improved Access appointments every weekday evening and on Saturdays, accommodating patients who require flexibility in scheduling their healthcare visits.

Job responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Clinical Patient Care & Management

• Maintain a definedcaseload of patients with diabetes (Type 1, Type 2, and other forms) anddeliver ongoing assessment, monitoring, review, and follow-up.
• Undertake complexassessments (clinical history, physical exam, risk stratification,complication screening) and develop individualised care plans.
• Monitor and interpretrelevant investigations (HbA1c, lipids, renal function, microalbuminuria,liver function, etc.).
• Initiate, titrate, adjustand monitor diabetes medications (oral and insulin therapies) in line withagreed protocols and prescribing qualifications.
• Manage insulininitiation, intensification, and review, including basalbolus regimes,premixed insulins, andwhere appropriateadvanced or technology-assistedtherapies.
• Educate patients inself-management: blood glucose monitoring, carbohydrate counting, sick-dayrules, prevention of hypoglycaemia, lifestyle modification, and foot care.
• Provide structurededucation (or refer/deliver programmes such as DESMOND/DAFNE/equivalent)for newly diagnosed and existing patients.
• Conduct group andone-to-one education and support sessions to promote behaviour change andadherence.
• Identify, assess, andrefer patients with complications (e.g. retinopathy, neuropathy, footproblems, renal disease) as appropriate.
• Provide telephone,virtual, or in-person follow-up as clinically required.
• Undertake home visitswhere necessary (e.g. housebound patients) for assessment, treatment, oreducation.
• Ensure continuity of careand coordinate with secondary care and community services to supportintegrated diabetes management.

2. Clinical Leadership & Service Development

• Lead and coordinatediabetes clinics within the practice, including scheduling, patientrecall, and quality assurance.
• Develop, implement, andreview local pathways, policies, and protocols in diabetes care (e.g.insulin safety, hypoglycaemia management, foot screening).
• Audit and monitordiabetes care metrics (QOF indicators, IIF, local targets, and clinicaloutcomes) and drive improvement initiatives.
• Act as a specialistresource and support for practice staff (GPs, nurses, HCAs), providingexpert advice, support, and supervision.
• Deliver or facilitatein-house training sessions and case-based discussions to enhance teamcompetence in diabetes care.
• Contribute to theplanning and delivery of health promotion and prevention programmes (e.g.prediabetes identification, obesity management, smoking cessation).
• Liaise closely with localdiabetes networks, community teams, and secondary care providers topromote continuity and best practice.
• Support implementation ofnew technologies such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), flashmonitoring, and digital diabetes tools.
• Lead or contribute toquality improvement projects, audits, and service redesign initiativesaligned with local and national priorities.

3. Professional & Quality Assurance Duties

• Maintain up-to-dateknowledge of national and local diabetes guidance (NICE and local ICSpathways) and ensure clinical compliance.
• Maintain accurate,contemporaneous, and professional clinical records in accordance with NMCand practice standards.
• Participate in practiceclinical governance processes, including risk management, incident review,and medicines safety.
• Undertake regular auditsand contribute to service evaluation, research, and outcome measurement.
• Participate in andsupport CQC, or other relevant quality frameworks as required.
• Engage in continuingprofessional development (CPD) and reflective practice to maintain anddevelop specialist competence.
• Maintain professionalregistration andif applicableindependent prescribing qualification.
• Adhere to the NMC Code,professional boundaries, and practice policies including confidentiality,data protection, and safeguarding.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES ADMINISTRATIVE

• Accurately record allconsultations, care plans, and interventions on the clinical system.
• Ensure appropriate codingto support QOF and local enhanced service reporting.
• Maintain and reviewdiabetes registers, ensuring systematic recall and proactive managementusing PARM clinical management software.
• Contribute to datacollection, audits, and reporting for clinical and performance monitoring.
• Participate in the reviewand development of practice policies and standard operating procedures.
• Attend and contribute toclinical meetings, case reviews, and multidisciplinary discussions.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES PROFESSIONAL

Professional Registration

• Be professionallyaccountable for nursing practice in accordance with the NMC Code.
• Maintain active NMCregistration and up-to-date professional knowledge.
• Participate in annualappraisal and maintain a personal development plan.
• Attend relevant training,study days, and clinical supervision sessions to maintain and enhanceclinical competence.
• Recognise and work withinscope of professional practice, seeking advice and support when required.

CONFIDENTIALITY

• Patients entrustsensitive information to the practice, which must be handled with theutmost confidentiality.
• Information relating topatients, carers, colleagues, or the business of the practice must not bedisclosed to unauthorised persons and must be processed in line with dataprotection legislation.
• All staff must complywith the Practice Confidentiality Policy and the NMC Code regardingconfidentiality.

SAFEGUARDING

• Demonstrate commitment tosafeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, andvulnerable adults.
• Follow practicesafeguarding procedures and attend appropriate training.
• The postholder will berequired to undergo an enhanced DBS check.

EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY

• Uphold the principles ofequality, diversity, and human rights in all patient and teaminteractions.
• Deliver care that isrespectful of privacy, dignity, and cultural or individual needs.
• Promote a non-judgementaland inclusive environment for patients and colleagues.

PERSONAL / PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Participate in an annualperformance review and maintain an up-to-date record of CPD.
• Take responsibility forpersonal learning, reflective practice, and skill development.
• Contribute to thetraining and supervision of student nurses, medical students, or othertrainees within the practice.

COMMUNICATION

• Communicate effectivelywith patients, carers, colleagues, and partner organisations.
• Use motivationalinterviewing, shared decision-making, and other techniques to supportengagement and self-management.
• Recognise the need foralternative methods of communication and adapt accordingly.
• Contribute to effectivecommunication across the multidisciplinary team.

OTHER DUTIES

• Undertake any otherduties commensurate with the role as required by the Partners or LeadNurse.
• Actively participate inreviewing systems, suggesting and implementing improvements to enhancequality of care and patient experience.

SUMMARY

This roleprovides an exciting opportunity for an experienced diabetes nurse to deliverexpert, compassionate care in a forward-thinking primary care environment. Thepostholder will combine advanced clinical practice with leadership, education,and quality improvement to drive excellence in diabetes management across thepractice population.

Person Specification

Experience

• Broad knowledge of general practice and experience of working as a Practice or Community Nurse
• Experience with diabetes and other chronic disease management
• Experience of working autonomously
• Experience of infection prevention and control measures
• Experience of managing elderly and housebound patients
• Experience of quality initiatives, i.e., benchmarking
• An appreciation of the NHS landscape including the relationship between individual organisations, PCNs and the commissioners

Clinical Knowledge and Skills

• Experience of Practice Nurse skills including wound care, ECG, venepuncture, immunisations, new patient medicals and womans health (cervical cytology, contraception etc.)
• Request pathology tests and process the results, advising patients accordingly
• Understanding of the importance of evidence-based practice
• Ability to promote best practice regarding nursing matters
• Ability to work within own scope of practice and understand when to refer to GPs
• Good clinical system IT knowledge and an ability to record accurate clinical notes
• Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information effectively with people by telephone, email and face to face
• Understanding of safeguarding adults and children
• Understanding and knowledge of healthcare provision in GP surgeries, QOF and enhanced service
• Effectively able to communicate and understand the needs of the patient
• Broad knowledge of clinical governance
• Awareness of issues within the wider health arena and knowledge of health promotion strategies
• Knowledge of public health issues in the local area
• Knowledge of national standards that inform general practice (NSF NICE guidelines)

Qualifications

• Registered General Nurse
• Qualification in Diabetes
• Evidence or working at relevant level of practice required for this post
• Cervical Screening
• Mentor or teaching qualification
• Family planning qualification
• Non-Medical Prescriber
• Effective time management (planning and organising)
• Ability to follow legal, ethical and professional policies/local policies/procedures and codes of conduct
• Knowledge of IT systems including the ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet
• Understand the requirement for PGDs and associated policy
• Ability to use own initiative, discretion, and sensitivity
• Able to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity
• Ability to identify risk and assess/manage risk when working with individuals
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
• Good interpersonal and organisational skills
• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
• Commitment to ongoing professional development
• Clear, polite telephone manner
• Occupational Health clearance
• Meet the requirements and produce evidence for professional revalidation
• Evidence of CPD commensurate with the role
• Demonstrate personal accountability, emotional resilience and work well under pressure

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.