Practice Nurse

Post Title: Practice Nurse Grade / Salary: to be negotiated depending on experience Band 5/6 Hours: up to 25 hours Location: Gibson Lane Practice Reports to: Lead Nurse Accountable to: GP Partners and Practice Manager Accountable Professionally: NMC JOB PURPOSE The post holder will be responsible for the delivery of basic practice nursing services within the practice. They will work with support from senior practice nurses and the clinical nurse manager to deliver high quality care. They will work within all aspects of practice nursing after completion of training and competencies. Supporting patients to be healthy and participating in the monitoring of patients with long term conditions and health screening.

CLINICAL All clinical tasks and duties will be performed after completion of accredited courses and competent. Assess, plan, develop, implement and evaluate programmes to promote health and well- being of patients attending the practice Assist in the screening for patients at risk of long term conditions. Administer prescribed nebulised therapy to patients after referral from GP or non medical prescriber. Participate and undertake opportunistic and routine cardiovascular risk assessments, providing health advice and making appropriate referrals into exercise, alcohol, smoking, weight management and mental health services where applicable.

Assist in opportunistic health screening for patients attending the practice and provide appropriate advice and support where necessary. Work with patients in order to support compliance with and adherence to prescribed treatments. Provide information and advice on prescribed or over the counter medication on medication regimes, side-effects and interactions. Support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that promote healthy lifestyles, and apply principles of self care.

Support and manage health needs of women presenting for family planning, cervical screening and sexual health consultations (cervical screening after completion of course) Assess, identify and refer patients presenting with mental health needs. Participate in annual mental health reviews. Assess, plan, implement and evaluate treatment plans for patients with hypertension. Apply and manage patients who require 24 hour AMPM machines.

Make appropriate referrals as necessary in accordance with practice and national guidelines. Undertake ECGs as per practice policies or referrals from the Nurse or GP. Perform spirometry testing for diagnosis and annual reviews as per practice and national guidelines. Assist in regular calibration and routine checks as per practice guidelines (Spirometry screening after completion of course) Participate in vaccination and immunisation programmes for both adult and children (after completion of course) Provide advice, support and administer vaccinations for patients travelling abroad after completion of travel health assessments (after completion of course) Administer medications or injections as per prescription, patient group directions or patient specific directions.

Assist GPs in Minor surgery as delegated by the Lead Nurse. Ensuring high standards of care and infection control standards are maintained. Assist the Lead Nurse in the delivery of the seasonal flu vaccinations for at risk patients. Assess, plan, implement and evaluate treatment for patients presenting with acute and chronic wounds.

Including removal of clips and sutures. Undertake doppler assessments and provide leg ulcer management (after completion of course) Undertake the collection, storage and despatch of pathological specimens to a high standard (blood samples, urines, stool, sputum, swabs, smears etc) ensuring universal precautions are followed and manage the results of these samples, referring to GP as necessary. Perform any investigatory procedures requested by the GPs or opportunistically if clinically indicated from patients records. Participate in the process and management of results from specimens, action and refer to GP or Nurse practitioner when indicated.

Provide information to patients regarding their results and any actions required. Ensure high standards of clinical care are provided to patients attending the practice. Participate in support and supervision of students and junior nursing staff in clinics. Referring any concerns or development needs to their mentor or clinical service manager.

MANAGEMENT OF RISK Ensure safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs. Apply infection control standards (universal precautions, the collection and handling of laboratory specimens, disposal of waste materials, decontamination and disposal of clinical equipment, reporting of needle stick injuries according to practice policy and dealing with blood and body fluid spillage). Ensure clinical and non clinical incidents are reported in accordance with practice policy and agree actions in response. Attend mandatory training and statutory training requirements.

Maintain own NMC registration and work within the NMC code of professional conduct. Report any Faults, repairs or non clinical incidents to the appropriate manager (i.e. IT Manager, Premises Manager or Practice Manager) Ensure all patient identification is checked before procedures are performed. Assist in the transportation of equipment and supplies in accordance with health and safety guidelines.

Ensure all patients and relatives are treated with respect and dignity at all times. Utilise and demonstrate good communication styles, to ensure patients are fully informed and consent given to treatment. Comply with practice and NMC regulations to record accurate information into patients records. Act as an advocate for patients and colleagues in a professional manner.

Ensure safe transfer of patients from practice wheelchair, couch or chair in accordance to moving and handling guidelines. 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 post holder will work under local and practice policies to ensure patients health needs are met and providing support to junior nurses, healthcare assistants, phlebotomists and student nurses as required. MANAGING INFORMATION Review and process data using accurate read codes in order to ensure easy and accurate information retrieval and monitoring and audit process.

Ensure clinical information is documented using practice templates. Assist in the recording of information for clinical audits: minor surgery procedures, cytology, child immunisation and high risk drug monitoring. DELIVERY OF QUALITY SERVICES Recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct as regulated by the NMC. Produce accurate, contemporaneous and complete records of patient consultation, consistent with legislation, policies and procedures.

Prioritise, organise and manage own workload in a manner that maintains and promotes quality. Deliver care as an individual and team according guidelines and evidence-based care. Work closely with other clinical leads within services delivered at the practice. Understand and apply legal policy that supports the identification of vulnerable and abused children and adults, being aware of statutory child/vulnerable adult health procedure and the local guidance of safeguarding.

Work within policies regarding family violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive behaviour, and refer as appropriate.