Practice Nurse

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: a. To support the Infection Prevention Control (IPC) lead and to work to the IPC Policy providing or supporting the implementation of audits, training, support and evidence of compliance to the practice manager. b. To support the production of the IPC annual statement in conjunction with IPC lead. c. To develop, implement and embed an effective care management programme for the frail and housebound patients registered at the practice. d. To assess the needs of patients ensuring the provision of healthcare is appropriate, incorporating evidence-based practice. e. To develop, implement and embed health promotion and wellbeing programmes. f. To implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for chronic disease patients that promote health and wellbeing. g. To identify, manage and support patients at risk of developing long-term conditions, preventing adverse effects to patients health. h. As required, to provide routine nursing care to patients in accordance with clinical based evidence, NICE and the NSF. i. As required, to diagnose and manage acute and chronic conditions. j. To prescribe medication for patients in accordance with PGDs and own scope of practice. k. To review patient medications to enhance compliance. l. To provide guidance to patients in the use of prescribed and over-the-counter medications regarding side effects and dosages. m. To co-ordinate the provision of travel medicine services. n. To request pathology services and process pathology results as required. o. To oversee the provision of chronic disease clinics, delivering patient care as necessary. p. To maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with extant legislation q. To ensure read codes are used effectively by all members of the nursing team. r. To ensure the appropriate maintenance and use of chronic disease registers. s. To develop, implement, embed and participate in well woman clinics. t. To develop, implement, embed and participate in well man clinics. u. To ensure compliance with the practice chaperone policy. v. To assist with minor surgery and vasectomy clinics when required. w. To prioritise health issues and intervene appropriately. x. To support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies. y. To recognise, assess and refer patients presenting with mental health needs. z. To implement vaccination programmes for adults and children. aa. To support patients in the use of their prescribed medicines or over-the-counter medicines (within own scope of practice) bb. To liaise with external services/agencies to ensure the patient is supported appropriately (vulnerable patients etc.) cc. To delegate clinical responsibilities appropriately (ensuring safe practice and the task is within the scope of practice of the individual). dd. To support the clinical team with all safeguarding matters, in accordance with local and national policies ee. To deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate. Secondary responsibilities In addition to the primary responsibilities, the Practice Nurse may be requested to: a. Develop and review audit protocols. b. Develop, review and implement nursing protocols in conjunction with the Nurse Lead. c. Support all members of the nursing team, providing guidance when necessary, conducting appraisals and training needs analyses as required. d. Participate in local initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient care e. Support and participate in shared learning within the practice in order to improve patient care f. Continually review clinical practices, responding to national policies and initiatives where appropriate g. Participate in the review of significant and near-miss events applying a structured approach, i.e., root cause analysis (RCA). Job description 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: a. To support the Infection Prevention Control (IPC) lead and to work to the IPC Policy providing or supporting the implementation of audits, training, support and evidence of compliance to the practice manager. b. To support the production of the IPC annual statement in conjunction with IPC lead. c. To develop, implement and embed an effective care management programme for the frail and housebound patients registered at the practice. d. To assess the needs of patients ensuring the provision of healthcare is appropriate, incorporating evidence-based practice. e. To develop, implement and embed health promotion and wellbeing programmes. f. To implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for chronic disease patients that promote health and wellbeing. g. To identify, manage and support patients at risk of developing long-term conditions, preventing adverse effects to patients health. h. As required, to provide routine nursing care to patients in accordance with clinical based evidence, NICE and the NSF. i. As required, to diagnose and manage acute and chronic conditions. j. To prescribe medication for patients in accordance with PGDs and own scope of practice. k. To review patient medications to enhance compliance. l. To provide guidance to patients in the use of prescribed and over-the-counter medications regarding side effects and dosages. m. To co-ordinate the provision of travel medicine services. n. To request pathology services and process pathology results as required. o. To oversee the provision of chronic disease clinics, delivering patient care as necessary. p. To maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with extant legislation q. To ensure read codes are used effectively by all members of the nursing team. r. To ensure the appropriate maintenance and use of chronic disease registers. s. To develop, implement, embed and participate in well woman clinics. t. To develop, implement, embed and participate in well man clinics. u. To ensure compliance with the practice chaperone policy. v. To assist with minor surgery and vasectomy clinics when required. w. To prioritise health issues and intervene appropriately. x. To support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies. y. To recognise, assess and refer patients presenting with mental health needs. z. To implement vaccination programmes for adults and children. aa. To support patients in the use of their prescribed medicines or over-the-counter medicines (within own scope of practice) bb. To liaise with external services/agencies to ensure the patient is supported appropriately (vulnerable patients etc.) cc. To delegate clinical responsibilities appropriately (ensuring safe practice and the task is within the scope of practice of the individual). dd. To support the clinical team with all safeguarding matters, in accordance with local and national policies ee. To deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate. Secondary responsibilities In addition to the primary responsibilities, the Practice Nurse may be requested to: a. Develop and review audit protocols. b. Develop, review and implement nursing protocols in conjunction with the Nurse Lead. c. Support all members of the nursing team, providing guidance when necessary, conducting appraisals and training needs analyses as required. d. Participate in local initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient care e. Support and participate in shared learning within the practice in order to improve patient care f. Continually review clinical practices, responding to national policies and initiatives where appropriate g. Participate in the review of significant and near-miss events applying a structured approach, i.e., root cause analysis (RCA).