Practice Nurse in Taunton

This is an exciting opportunity for a nurse with a special interest in respiratory care. Candidates with a recognised Asthma and/or COPD qualification, or a strong desire to develop this specialism, are particularly encouraged to apply, as this post will play a key role in the delivery and development of our respiratory clinics.

Main duties of the job

• Delivering high-quality chronic disease management clinics, with a particular focus on asthma and COPD reviews.
• Providing a broad range of general practice nursing duties including immunisations, wound care, cervical screening, travel health and health promotion.
• Working closely with GPs, the wider nursing team and allied health professionals to deliver holistic patient-centred care.
• Contributing to QOF achievement and clinical audit within the practice.
• Supporting the ongoing development of the practice’s respiratory service, with opportunities to help shape pathways and patient education.

About us

St James Medical Centre is a friendly, forward-thinking GP practice with a list size of approximately 18,000 patients, proud to deliver high-quality primary care as part of the Taunton Central Primary Care Network. St James Medical Centre has two sites one being in the centre of Taunton and the branch site is at Norton Fitzwarren. We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and committed Practice Nurse to join our experienced nursing team.

Key Responsibilities Clinical

• Deliver structured asthma and COPD review clinics, including assessment, spirometry, where trained, inhaler technique review, and self-management planning.
• Undertake chronic disease management clinics e.g. diabetes, hypertension, CHD in line with practice protocols and QOF requirements.
• Administer immunisations and vaccinations in accordance with the national schedule and PGDs/PSDs.
• Carry out treatment room duties including wound care, dressings, ear irrigation, ECGs, venepuncture and phlebotomy.
• Provide travel health advice and administer travel vaccinations where competent to do so.
• Undertake cervical cytology screening, if trained, in line with the national programme.
• Support health promotion and disease prevention initiatives, including smoking cessation and lifestyle advice.
• Recognise and respond appropriately to medical emergencies, escalating to a GP or emergency services as required.
• Maintain accurate, timely and contemporaneous clinical records on the clinical system (EMIS).

Respiratory Specialism (where qualification held or developing)

• Act as a point of clinical reference for asthma and COPD care within the nursing team.
• Support development and audit of respiratory pathways, including exacerbation and referral criteria.
• Contribute to patient education resources and self-management plans for respiratory conditions.
• Liaise with community respiratory teams and secondary care as needed for complex patients.

Key Responsibilities Professional

• Work within the NMC Code of Conduct and maintain professional registration and revalidation.
• Maintain competence through mandatory and role-specific training, and identify own CPD needs.
• Participate in clinical supervision, appraisal and practice meetings.
• Contribute to clinical audit, significant event analysis and quality improvement activity.
• Ensure compliance with infection prevention and control, safeguarding, and health and safety policies.
• Maintain patient confidentiality in accordance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Key Responsibilities Organisational

• Work flexibly across core practice hours to meet service need, including occasional extended access sessions where applicable.
• Support the induction and mentorship of new staff and students as required.
• Assist with the ordering, storage and stock control of vaccines, medical equipment and consumables.
• Contribute to the practice’s CQC readiness and adherence to the Single Assessment Framework.

Person Specification

Skills and Knowledge

• Essential: Sound clinical assessment, decision-making and record-keeping skills.
• Competent in venepuncture, wound care, immunisation and vaccination technique.
• Good IT skills, including clinical (Emis).
• Effective communication skills with patients, carers and colleagues.

Desirable

• Knowledge of spirometry testing and interpretation.
• Understanding of asthma/COPD national guidelines (e.g. NICE, GOLD, BTS/SIGN).
• Knowledge of the NHS Long Term Plan and PCN structures.

Personal Qualities

• Essential: Caring, compassionate and patient-focused approach.
• Flexible and adaptable team player.
• Able to remain calm under pressure.
• Committed to equality, diversity and safeguarding principles.

Experience

• Essential: Recent post-registration clinical nursing experience.
• Experience of chronic disease management.
• Experience of working autonomously and prioritising own workload.

Desirable

• Experience running respiratory (asthma/COPD) reviews and clinics within a primary care setting.
• Previous experience working within general practice / primary care.
• Experience of QOF-related chronic disease recall and monitoring.

Other Criteria

• Essential: Enhanced DBS clearance (or willingness to undergo).
• Up to date immunisation status/occupational health clearance.
• Willingness to work flexibly across core hours to meet service need.

Desirable

• Full UK driving licence and access to own transport.

Qualifications

• Essential: Registered Nurse, RN, Adult with current, unrestricted NMC registration.
• Evidence of continued professional development (CPD) in line with NMC revalidation requirements.

Desirable

• Recognised post-registration qualification in Asthma and/or COPD management (e.g. Diploma/Certificate in Respiratory Care, National Asthma & COPD accredited course).
• Independent Nurse Prescriber (V300) or working towards this.
• Diploma/degree in Practice Nursing or General Practice Nursing.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Employer name: St James Medical Centre

Address: Coal Orchard, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 1JP, United Kingdom

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact: Practice Manager Tracey Pike, Tracey.pike@nhs.net, 07738600422.