Practice Nurse

Primary 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: Clinical Practice Assess, plan, develop, implement and evaluate programmes to promote health and well being and prevent adverse effects on health and well-being. Implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for patients with a known long-term condition.

Identify, and manage as appropriate, treatment plans for patients at risk of developing a long-term condition. Prioritise health problems and intervene appropriately to assist the patient in complex, urgent or emergency situations, including initiation of effective emergency care. Support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that encourage patients to live healthier, and apply principals of self-care. Deliver opportunistic health promotion using opportunities such as new-patient medicals.

Provide information and advice on prescribed or over-the-counter medications and regimens, side effects and interactions within remit of knowledge Manage medicines including prescribing and administering medication and appliances for patients, as an Independent/Supplementary Prescriber, or within Patient Group Directions/Patient Specific Directions. Assess and care for patients presenting for wound evaluation and care. Support and manage health needs of women presenting for cervical cytology consultations. Recognise, assess and refer patients presenting with mental health needs in accordance with the National Service Framework (NSF) for mental health.

Implement and participate in vaccination and immunisation programmes for both adults and children. Advised, support and where appropriate, administer vaccines for patients travelling abroad. Promote and deliver evidence based care for patients presenting with aural conditions. Communication Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles, to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment.

Communicate with and support patients who receive bad news. Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising the need for alternative methods of communication to overcome different levels of understanding and cultural backgrounds. Utilise communication skills to support patients to adhere to prescribed treatment regimens. Anticipate barriers to communication and take appropriate action to improve communication.

Maintain effective communication skills with individuals and groups within the practice. Act as an advocate when representing the patients and colleagues viewpoints to others. Delivery a quality service Recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct as defined and regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery council (NMC). Produce accurate, contemporaneous and complete records of patients consultation, consistent with legislation and policies and procedures.

Prioritise, organise and manage own workload in a manner that maintains and prompts quality. Deliver evidence base care according to NICE guidelines and NSF. Assess effectiveness of care delivery through self and peer review, audit and formal evaluation, implementing improvements when required. Participate in the maintenance of quality governance systems and processes across the organisation.

To implement vaccination programmes for adults and children To support patients in the use of their prescribed medicines or over the counter medicines (within own scope of practice) To liaise with external services/agencies to ensure the patient is supported appropriately (vulnerable patients etc.) To delegate clinical responsibilities appropriately (ensuring safe practice and the task is within the scope of practice of the individual) To support the clinical team with all safeguarding matters in accordance with local and national policies To understand practice and local policies for substance abuse and addictive behaviour, referring patients appropriately To deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate In partnership with other clinical teams, collaborate on improving the quality of care. Participate in shared learning across the practice and wider organisation. Participate in the management, review and identify learning from patients complaints. Evaluate
patients response to health care provisions.

Understand and apply legal policy that supports the identification of vulnerable client groups. Work within policies relating to domestic violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive behaviour, refer as appropriate. Team working Understand own role and scope in the organisation and identify ways of further development. Be and effective and responsible team member, supporting others and exploring new ways of working.

Delegate clearly and appropriately, adopting the principals of safe practice and assessment of competence of those taking on delegated duties. Ensure clear understanding of referral mechanisms within the practice. Accept delegation from other nurses, prioritise own workload and ensure effective time management strategies are embedded within own practice. Work effectively with others; participate in team activities that create opportunities to improve patient care.

Management of risk Manage and assess risk within the areas of responsibility, ensuring adequate measures are in place to protect patients and staff. Monitor work areas ensuring they are safe and free from hazards. Be aware of practice and national policies/legislation relating to safety and security. Ensure safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs is undertaken.

Ensure documentation of controlled drug usage according to legal requirements. Undertake statutory and mandatory training. Apply infection control measures within the practice according to local and national guidelines. Participates in the local implementation strategies that are aligned to the values and culture of general practice.

Utilising information Use technology as an aid to management in planning, implementation and monitoring, cascading information as appropriate. Review and process data using recognised read codes to aid future audit and ensure easy and accurate retrieval of information. Manage information searches from the internet. Understand own and others responsibility as regards the Freedom of Information Act.

Collate, analyse and present clinical data and information to the team. Learning and development Act as a mentor to students, assessing competence against set standards. Disseminate learning and information gained to other team members sharing good practice and informing others on current and future developments. Assess own learning needs, undertaking relevant learning as appropriate.

Make effective use of learning opportunities within and outside the workplace, evaluating effectiveness and cascading information back. Provide and educational role to patients, carers and families and colleagues in an environment that facilitates learning. Equality and diversity Identify patterns of discrimination, take action to overcome this, and promote diversity and equality of opportunity. Enable others to promote equality and diversity in a non-discriminatory culture.

Support people who need assistance in exercising their rights. Monitor and evaluate adherence to local chaperoning policies. Act as a role model in good practice relating to equality and diversity. Accept the rights of individuals to choose their care providers participate in care and refuse rights.