Experienced Practice Nurse in Canterbury

To provide and maintain a high standard of general nursing care to the University Medical Centre's patients, working in accordance with specific practice guidelines and protocols. The duties include all tasks normally undertaken by an experienced RGN. Working as a member of the practice multidisciplinary team, the post holder will ensure nursing services are delivered effectively to the entitled patient population. The hours we are recruiting for are 22.5 a week with the following working pattern: 3 days a week: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday (shared Thursday evening cover).

Main duties of the job:

• The Practice Nurse will be responsible for a number of clinical areas such as infection prevention and control, health promotion, chronic disease management, well women and well man clinics, as well as actively supporting the practice management team in the reviewing and delivery of clinical policy and procedure.
• The post holder will undertake any additional roles agreed between the post holder and the Partnership as appropriate, having regard to current training.
• The post-holder will work in accordance with the NMC and ensure adherence to NICE and other relevant clinical guidelines.

Responsibilities:

• To be instrumental in the support of the Infection Prevention Control (IPC) lead and to work to the IPC requirements by providing audits, training, support and evidence of compliance to the practice manager.
• To assess the needs of patients ensuring the provision of healthcare is appropriate, incorporating evidence-based practice.
• To develop, implement and deliver health promotion and wellbeing programmes.
• To implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for chronic disease patients that promote health and wellbeing.
• To identify, manage and support patients at risk of developing long-term conditions, preventing adverse effects to patients' health.
• As required, to provide routine nursing care to patients in accordance with clinical based evidence, NICE and the NSF.
• To provide wound care (ulcer/Doppler, etc.) to patients.
• To review patient medications to enhance compliance.
• To request pathology services and process pathology results as required.
• To oversee the provision of chronic disease clinics, delivering patient care as necessary, referring patients to secondary/specialist care as required.
• To maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with extant legislation.
• To ensure SNOMED CT codes are used effectively by all members of the nursing team.
• To ensure the appropriate maintenance and use of chronic disease registers.
• To ensure compliance with the practice chaperone policy.
• To assist GPs with minor surgery when required.
• To support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies.
• To recognise, assess and refer patients presenting with mental health needs.
• To implement vaccination programmes for adults and children.
• To support patients in the use of their prescribed medicines or over-the-counter medicines (within own scope of practice).
• To liaise with external services/agencies to ensure the patient is supported appropriately (vulnerable patients etc.).
• To support the clinical team with all safeguarding matters, in accordance with local and national policies.
• To understand practice and local policies for substance abuse and addictive behaviour, referring patients appropriately.

CQC (Care Quality Commission): Under supervision of the GP Partners / Practice Manager to assist staff and clinicians to ensure that the practice fully complies with the CQC regulations.

Confidentiality: In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately.

Health & Safety: The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others' health, safety and security as defined in the practice Health & Safety Policy, the practice Health & Safety Manual, and the practice Infection Control policy and published procedures.

Equality and Diversity: The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues.

Personal/Professional Development: The post-holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the practice as part of this employment.

Quality: The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the practice.

Communication: The post-holder should recognise the importance of effective communication within the team.

Contribution to the Implementation of Services: The post-holder will apply practice policies, standards and guidance.

Person Specification:

• Flexibility to work outside of core office hours.
• Occupational Health clearance.
• Meet the requirements and produce evidence for nurse revalidation.
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) commensurate with the role of a Practice Nurse.

Personal Qualities:

• Polite and confident.
• Flexible and co-operative.
• High levels of integrity and loyalty.
• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations.
• Effectively able to communicate and understand the needs of the patient.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Punctual and committed to supporting the team effort.
• Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required.
• Ability to work under pressure/in stressful situations.
• Motivated, forward thinker.

Experience:

• Experience of working in a primary care environment.
• Experience of working autonomously.
• Experience of infection prevention and control measures.
• Experience of working as a practice nurse or community nurse.
• Experience of quality initiatives, i.e., benchmarking.

Clinical Knowledge and Skills:

• Clinical knowledge in wound care/removal of sutures and staples, ECGs, venepuncture, new patient medicals, immunisations - routine, childhood and travel.
• Requesting pathology tests and processing the results, advising patients accordingly.
• Chronic disease management awareness for diabetes, CHD, asthma.
• Understanding the importance of evidence-based practice.
• Ability to record accurate clinical notes.
• Ability to work within own scope of practice and understanding when to refer to GPs.
• Chaperone procedure.
• Excellent communication skills - written and oral.
• Effective time management - planning and organising.
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure.
• Clear, polite telephone manner.
• Understand the requirement for PGDs and associated policy.
• Broad knowledge of clinical governance.
• Knowledge of public health issues in the local area.
• Aware of issues within the wider health arena.
• Knowledge of health promotion strategies.
• Experience with audit and able to lead audit programmes.
• Experience with clinical risk management.

Qualifications:

• Registered Nurse - Nursing and Midwifery Council.
• Post graduate diploma or degree - Chronic Disease Management.
• Family planning qualification.

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 CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.