Practice Nurse

at  Parkside Medical Practice

Job Purpose The Practice Nurse will undertake a range of nursing assessments and care interventions in order to meet the nursing needs of the practice population; this will be done in collaboration with other members of the practice team and with other partner organisations as appropriate. Care provided will remain evidence based in line with practice, local and national guidelines, policies and procedures as appropriate. The Practice nurse will strive to secure the best possible outcomes for the patients under their care, whilst at the same time having due regard for the financial, ethical and organisational impacts of their activity. Clinical Practice Working collaboratively with the wider practice team, help to assess, deliver and evaluate nursing care in a holistic manner to the practice population, including Management of chronic disease from diagnosis, monitoring and development of individual care plans, agreeing where appropriate with the patient and other health care professionals.
Provide information and advice on prescribed or over-the-counter medication on medication regimens, side-effects and interactions. Obtaining appropriate information using a lifestyle questioning approach and identifying health promotional issues. Working with patients to develop a management plan where potential/actual health problems are identified. Undertake the collection of pathological specimens including intravenous blood samples, swabs etc.
Assessing and managing routine wounds including trauma. Support and advise women requesting information relating to family planning needs. Support and manage health needs of women presenting for cervical cytology consultations. Implement and participate in vaccination and immunisation programmes for both adults and children.
Removing and inserting pessaries Undertake and interpret spirometry to enable the diagnosis and monitoring of Asthma/COPD . Advice, support and where appropriate, administer vaccinations for patients travelling abroad. Provision of ear care as appropriate, including syringing. Assisting in providing minor-surgery sessions when required.
To carry out appropriate domiciliary visits to patients as directed by the Partners. Communication and confidentiality Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles, to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treat. Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising the need for alternative methods of communication. Communicate effectively with colleagues; both within the practice and within the wider health and social care environment.
Recognise that information obtained and accessed through the role of Practice Nurse will often be confidential in nature and that the trust of patients and the wider community in the practice and the nursing profession may be seriously damaged through breach of this trust. Maintain patient confidentiality; whilst at the same time recognising the situations where confidentiality may lawfully be disregarded. Hold information about the management and working of the practice as confidential, unless specifically authorised to disclose such information. This does not affect your rights and obligations under English Law.
Administration Ensure accurate and timely notes of all consultations and treatments are recorded in the patients notes accurately. Attend and participate in practice and clinical meetings. The only reason for not attending will be annual/study or sick leave. Assisting in stocking, cleaning, auditing and preparation of clinical areas as may be required.
Training and Development Actively participate in the annual appraisal process, through which training and development needs may be identified in line with the requirements of the practice. Remain up to date with developments within their scope of professional practice; taking into account changes in practice, local and national guidelines as appropriate. Attendance at courses and study days as agreed as appropriate. Maintain compliance with all elements of statutory and mandatory training as notified from time to time.
Undertake the supervision, training, assessment and support of unregistered colleagues and / or students as may be required from time to time, within the scope of ones own competence. Professional practice The Practice Nurse shall at all times Recognise and work within their own competence and professional code of conduct as regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Priorities, organise and manage own workload in a manner that maintains and promotes quality. Engage in and operate the child and adult protection policies and procedures of the practice and local authority as appropriate to their role; ensuring that safeguarding is prioritised, including the escalation of concerns in a timely manner.
Comply with the policies and procedures of the practice; with particular regard to domestic violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive behaviour and refer as appropriate. Health and Safety Comply with all policies procedures and instructions relating to Health and Safety in the Workplace. Monitor work areas and practices to ensure they are safe and free from hazards and conform to health, safety and security legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines. Maintain an awareness of national standards of infection control and cleanliness and Regulatory / contractual / professional requirements and good practice guidelines.
Ensure safe management of sharps storage and disposal. Recognise that there may be times where lone working is required; when this occurs to follow the policy and procedures relating to lone working as provided by the practice. Medicines management Ensure safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs is undertaken. Where appropriate, oversee the monitoring and stock control.
Unless authorised as an independent / supplemental prescriber, to only administer medications that have been authorised under either a PSD or PGD. Equality and diversity Act in a way that recognises the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with practice procedures and policies and current legist ration. Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues. Behave in a manner that is welcoming others, is non-judgemental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights.
Research and audit As a Research Practice, the Practice Nurse is to be involved in Research to provide better quality of care for Patients. Undertake audit s from time to time in order to evidence the safety of services provided and / or provide evidence to drive service improvement. Engage fully in service development and / or improvement activities as may be required form time to time. Other duties To undertake any other duties as may from time to time be required, which are commensurate with the role described above

Please refer the Job description for details