Neilston Medical Centre, 1 High Street Neilston. G78 3HJ

Job description for Practice Nurse

Job TitlePractice Nurse

SalaryDependant upon experience

Accountable toPractice Manager and GP partners

Job summaryTo work as part of a high achieving clinical team and to provide support for both the health care assistant and doctors.

To be flexible and responsive to the health needs of the population.

The successful candidate will be expected to provide a high standard of compassionate clinical care.

Training & supportIn-house training and appropriate health authority training as applicable.

Hours:Minimum hours 25per week over 5 days

Annual leave entitlement: 25 days, pro rata and ten public holidays pro rata.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

  • To provide nursing care in terms of administrative, diagnostic and treatment procedures within the scope of professional indemnity
  • To provide general and specific health screening, including registration medical examinations
  • To participate in chronic disease management, having a good understanding of the requirements of the GP contract/enhanced services
  • To be responsible for organising call and recall of patients with chronic diseases and working towards achieving excellency of standards for patient care
  • Actively engage patients and carers in the management of their health, promoting health and wellbeing
  • To be involved in practice audit and research
  • To be responsible for stock ordering of clinical requisites
  • To lead health promotion in the practice
  • To maintain accurate and comprehensive patient records and to be aware of entry of all data on computer for the purposes of the GP enhanced and locally delivered services.
  • Contributes to clinical governance activities within the team including audit and evaluation and seeks to underpin practice with current evidence of effectiveness.
  • To supervise and mentor GP Registrar and Healthcare Assistant to assist in their professional development.
  • To maintain own professional development. Use appraisal and supervision to identify development needs and maintain and develop competence in line with NMC requirements, supporting the development of other team members and acting as required as a mentor for students. To engage with revalidation and seek advice and supervision and training as the process requires.

Duties to include (subject to appropriate training / experience):

  • Acute assessment and treatment of small injuries,
  • Assisting in the delivery of the childhood immunization programme & other immunisation programmes (e.g. Influenza & Pneumococcal immunisation.)
  • Collecting information to help support health promotion
  • Contraception follow up,
  • Ear care advice & ear syringing,
  • Injections (as per local protocols) (i.e. B12, Prostap, Contraceptive Depo)
  • Removal of wound closure materials (sutures/clips/staples),
  • Smoking cessation advice,
  • Supporting patients in the treatment and follow up of chronic disease management, including diabetes, asthma, COPD, and CHD risk assessment and management.
  • Travel advice andadministration of vaccinations.
  • Venepuncture
  • Wound care management & dressings

(This list is meant as a guide only and is not exhaustive)

  • Supports other members of the practice team in maintaining health, safety and security, identifying and assessing potential risks and contributing to management.

Decisions and Judgements

  • Works at all times within the limits of professional competence and the standards set by NMC.
  • Works within established policies, protocols and guidelines and contributes to their development and evaluation
  • Practices autonomously, forming appropriate clinical judgements within own areas of expertise and practice protocols.

Communications and Relationships

  • Communicates clearly and effectively with patients and carers, recognising patients’ rights and taking appropriate action to address discrimination.
  • Communicates clearly within the primary health care team and with other agencies, referring patients to other members of the clinical team in line with agreed procedures.
  • Actively participates as a member of the primary health care team, contributing to the development of clinical services.

Knowledge, Training and Experience Required

  • First level registered nurse with current registration.
  • Post registration clinical experience in an appropriate clinical setting essential.
  • Good verbal and written communication skills.
  • Experience / understanding of primary care and general practice.
  • Able to work effectively as part of a small, clinical team.
  • Self-motivating and able to work under own direction with relevant supervision.
  • Able to practice autonomously within appropriate standards, policies and protocols but appreciates limitations of own competence.
  • IT literacy required. Experience with EMIS software is desirable but not essential.

The above description is to serve as a guide, but may vary as the need arises. Administrative matters will be supervised by the Practice Manager and clinical matters by the GPs.

Data collection and audit:

Where necessary in line with Best Practice, Clinical Governance and National Service Frameworks (NSF)

Job revision:

This job is subject to periodic revision, following discussion with the post holder.

The duties outlined above are subject to changes that meet the needs of the service as a result of our strategy on patient centred care.

No smoking policy:

In recognition of our commitment to health promotion and health and safety responsibility, Neilston Medical Centre has a no smoking policy, which prevents all staff from smoking whilst on duty.

Personal specification

Practice Nurse

Qualifications

Registered Nurse (level 1)Essential

Experience

Having worked in the NHS or similar caring environment

(Minimum experience 24 months post registration)Essential

Willing to undertake further training as applicableEssential

Skills & Abilities

Ability to show compassion and concern for patientsEssential

Ability to work on own initiativeEssential

Computer literateEssential

Confident and self-assuredEssential

Good written and communication skills Essential

Knowledge of Emis Medical software Desirable

Attitudes & disposition

Ability to remain calm in a stressful situationEssential

Caring and compassionateEssential