Band 6 Practice Nurse

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Band 6 Practice Nurse to join our friendly and supportive GP practice team. The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering high-quality nursing care and running a range of clinics, including cervical screening, wound care, hypertension, chronic disease and vaccination clinics. You will play a vital role in promoting health and wellbeing within the community, working collaboratively with the wider primary care team to ensure the best possible patient outcomes.

Main duties of the job

• Cervical Screening Clinics: Conducting smear tests in accordance with NHS Cervical Screening Programme guidelines.
• Wound Care Clinics: Providing assessment, treatment, and management of acute and chronic wounds, including post-operative care.
• General Nursing Clinics: Managing minor illnesses, health promotion, and chronic disease monitoring.
• 24-Hour Blood Pressure (BP) Clinics: Fitting and interpreting ambulatory BP monitors.
• Hypertension Clinics: Monitoring and supporting patients with high blood pressure, including medication reviews in collaboration with GPs.
• Baby Clinics: Assisting in childhood immunisations and providing parental support.
• Vaccination Clinics: Administering routine and seasonal vaccinations, including COVID-19, Influenza, Shingles, B12, and Pneumococcal.

About us

Join our friendly and forward-thinking team at Pontardawe Primary Care Centre! Are you looking for a rewarding role in a supportive and innovative practice? At Pontardawe Primary Care Centre, we take pride in our close-knit, dynamic team and our commitment to delivering high-quality patient care. As part of the Upper Valleys cluster within Swansea Bay University Health Board, we serve a thriving patient population of 13,300, with a focus on collaboration, professional development, and work-life balance.

Our team includes 4 GP partners, 4 salaried GPs, an Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Physician Associate, practice nurses, a pharmacy team, healthcare support workers, and a dedicated administrative team, all led by our experienced Practice Business Manager. We foster a friendly and forward-thinking environment where new ideas and innovation are welcomed, ensuring continuous improvements in patient care. We have recently migrated to EMIS clinical system and experience in using this would be desirable.

If you're looking to join a supportive team that values your expertise and well-being, we would love to hear from you. This is your chance to be part of a practice that truly makes a difference in the community!

To be considered for this role, you must meet the following requirements:

• Registered Nurse (RN) qualification with valid NMC registration.
• Evidence of post-registration training and clinical experience relevant to the role.
• Accredited training in cervical screening (NHS Cervical Screening Programme).
• Proficiency in wound care management, including the use of dressings and compression bandaging.
• Competence in vaccination administration, including knowledge of anaphylaxis management and resuscitation procedures.
• Experience in hypertension monitoring, including the fitting and interpretation of ambulatory BP monitors.
• Experience in running long-term condition management clinics.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to educate and support patients.
• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience working in a GP practice or primary care setting.
• Additional qualifications in long-term conditions management (e.g., diabetes, asthma, or COPD).
• Prescriber qualification (V150 or V300) or willingness to work towards this.

Competitive NHS salary in line with Agenda for Change Band 6.

Continuous professional development opportunities, including training and mentorship.

Supportive and friendly team environment.

Person Specification

Experience

• Minimum of 2 years post-registration experience in primary care or a related setting.
• Experience in chronic disease management (e.g., diabetes, asthma, COPD, hypertension).
• Experience in cervical screening (NHSCSP-accredited smear taker qualification preferred).
• Experience in providing immunisations and vaccinations (e.g., childhood, adult, travel vaccines).
• Experience in wound care, suturing, and dressings.
• Experience in health promotion and patient education (e.g., smoking cessation, weight management).
• Experience in infection control and clinical governance within primary care.
• Experience in multi-disciplinary teamwork and liaison with healthcare professionals.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong understanding of general practice nursing, including QOF (Quality and Outcomes Framework).
• Competence in triage and assessment of minor illnesses.
• Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures (adults and children).
• Ability to work autonomously and manage own caseload effectively.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• IT literacy and experience with GP clinical systems (e.g., EMIS).

Personal Attributes

• Ability to prioritise and manage workload efficiently.
• Commitment to high-quality patient care and evidence-based practice.
• Flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of the service.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to mentor junior staff.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Experience of working in Primary Care and working on the EMIS clinical system.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse (RN) qualification Must hold a valid NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council) registration.
• Degree or Diploma in Nursing Typically, an RGN (Registered General Nurse) qualification.
• Additional qualifications in primary care nursing e.g., a Specialist Practice Qualification (SPQ) or relevant postgraduate courses.
• Cervical Screening Qualification (Smear Taking).
• Completion of an accredited cervical cytology sample taker course (e.g., NHSCSP-accredited).
• Competency in obtaining cervical samples and following national screening protocols.
• Experience in providing patient education regarding cervical screening.

Leadership and Management Training

• Leadership or management course (e.g., ILM Level 3/5, NHS Leadership Academy course).
• Supervision or mentorship qualification (e.g., Practice Assessor/Practice Supervisor course).

Advanced Clinical Skills

• Venepuncture and Cannulation training.
• Wound care and tissue viability expertise.
• Long-term condition management (e.g., diabetes, asthma, COPD).

Prescribing and Medications Management

• Non-Medical Prescribing (V150/V300) (if applicable to role).

Specialist Training Relevant to the Role

• Family Planning and Contraception (DFSRH or LoC IUT/SDI).
• Sexual Health and Genitourinary Medicine (GUM).
• Advanced Life Support (ALS) or Immediate Life Support (ILS).

Teaching and Mentorship

• PGCert in Education or Teaching Qualification.
• Experience in staff training and development.

Audit and Research Skills

• Experience in clinical audits, quality improvement projects, or service evaluations.

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.