Practice Nurse in Whitby

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and experienced Practice Nurse to join our friendly and supportive team following the relocation of a staff member. The successful candidate will ideally have experience in diabetes management or be a prescriber. They will play a key role in the effective management of patients with long-term conditions. Using evidence-based practice, they will deliver high-quality patient care within a busy and forward-thinking primary care setting.

Main duties of the job

As we are currently undergoing a period of service transition, the successful applicant will be appointed as a Practice Nurse, with the opportunity to undertake one of two key clinical roles depending on their experience, qualifications and the needs of the practice:

• Diabetes Specialist Nurse managing patients with diabetes, running specialist clinics and independent prescribing (for suitably experienced candidates).
• Outreach Practice Nurse providing proactive care to patients living in care homes, including management of long-term conditions, assessment and treatment of acute illnesses, and independent prescribing where appropriate.

We welcome applications from experienced Practice Nurses and Nurse Prescribers. Independent prescribing is desirable, although we would also be pleased to hear from candidates who are keen to develop their skills within a supportive practice.

About us

Whitby Group Practice is a personal Medical Services Practice, located in Spring Vale Medical Centre in Whitby, North Yorkshire. It has a current list size of 13,500 patients. The Practice provides a service to residents of Whitby and the surrounding villages. It has a branch surgery at Robin Hoods Bay, approximately 5 miles from Whitby along the coast. Both surgeries are purpose built, have a dispensary and ample parking. They are owned by the Partners. The Practice is a large team which works together to deliver high quality, accessible care within a supportive, friendly learning environment. If you are an adaptable, patient-centred nurse who enjoys working as part of a collaborative team, we would love to hear from you.

Job responsibilities

The following are the core responsibilities of the Practice Nurse. There may be on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels:

• As required, to provide routine nursing care to patients in accordance with clinical based evidence, NICE and the NSF.
• Implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for chronic disease patients that promote health and wellbeing.
• Identify, manage and support patients at risk of developing long-term conditions, preventing adverse effects on the patients' health.
• Provide routine nursing care to patients as required in accordance with clinical based evidence, NICE and the NSF.
• To work autonomously in the provision of high-quality specialist, evidence-based diabetes care for people with diabetes and those at risk of acquiring diabetes.
• To promote self-care management to patients to prevent worsening of their condition and improve health outcomes.
• Request pathology services as necessary.
• Process pathology results as required.
• Provide chronic disease clinics, delivering patient care as necessary, referring patients to secondary/specialist care as required.
• Maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with extant legislation. Ensure read codes are used effectively.
• Maintain chronic disease registers.
• Chaperone patients where necessary.
• Prioritise health issues and intervene appropriately.
• Support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies.
• Recognise, assess and refer patients presenting with mental health needs.
• To ensure delivery of best practice in clinical practice, caseload management, education, research, and audit, to achieve local population objectives.
• Support patients in the use of their prescribed medicines or over-the-counter medicines (within own scope of practice).
• Liaise with external services/agencies to ensure the patient is supported appropriately (vulnerable patients etc.).
• Delegate clinical responsibilities appropriately (ensuring safe practice and the task is within the scope of practice of the individual).
• Support the clinical team with all safeguarding matters, in accordance with local and national policies.
• Understand practice and local policies for substance abuse and addictive behaviour, referring patients appropriately.
• Deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate.
• To participate in any training and development as relevant to the role.
• Support other members of the nursing team, providing guidance when necessary.

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience of working autonomously.
• Experience of diabetes management.
• Experience of infection prevention and control measures.
• Experience of chronic disease management.
• Experience of working in a primary care environment.
• Experience of working as a Practice Nurse or Community Nurse.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified Practice Nurse, registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
• Competent in diabetes management, chronic disease monitoring, immunisations, and clinical procedures.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Organised, proactive, and able to work independently and within a team.
• Commitment to delivering compassionate, patient-centred care.
• Post graduate diploma or degree (Chronic Disease Management).
• Mentor or teaching qualification.
• Previous experience in a GP Practice environment.

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.