Practice Nurse inPeterborough inPeterborough PUBLISHED 7 NOV 2024

Our Practice Nurses are key members of our team. You will be responsible for delivering safe, high quality nursing services to the practice population. We provide a wide range of primary health services under the GMS contract and Enhanced Services specifications, including minor surgery, minor injury, child health care, phlebotomy, chronic disease management, womens health, contraception services, travel clinics and minor illness.

We are looking for a Practice Nurse to further support our current nursing team. The successful candidate will deliver a high standard of patient care and use advanced autonomous clinical skills, enabling you to assess and manage chronic diseases, and diagnose and treat a wide variety of acute presentations. You will be competent in the usual Practice Nursing/Treatment Room skills, and ideally have Primary Care experience, but training will be provided for the right candidate. There is also a role for development and innovation to improve patient care.

Providing treatment services and health education advice: including dietary advice, blood pressure checks, urinalysis, health screening, ear syringing, dressings, ECG, phlebotomy, routine injections, sexual health, contraception, routine immunisations and vaccinations, removal of sutures - clips, baby immunisations, assisting with the fitting of IUCD - IUS, first registration checks - health surveillance - general health advice, assisting with minor procedures in the treatment room, minor illness and acting as chaperone as required

Provide general and specific health screenings to the practice patients within agreed protocols with referral to other members of the primary and secondary health care team as necessary

Undertake initial assessment of patients presenting with wounds, working within expertise to manage independently or refer to other services as necessary.

Remove wound closure materials including sutures, clips and staples.

Take samples for the cervical screening programme according to recognised standards.

Provide ear care including removal of cerumen and provide education and advice.

About us

The purpose of the post is to deliver safe, high quality primary care nursing services to the practice population. Working within the NMC Code of Conduct and professional boundaries, the post holder will deliver primary health care interventions and care. The post holder will support service development, the safe delivery of policy and procedures, and demonstrate effective professional nurse standards, advocacy and performance.

DUTIES & AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Job Responsibilities/Principal Duties to include:

• Responsible for providing and delivering primary health care interventions and care effectively and efficiently
• Working collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary general practice team and other healthcare professionals to promote integrated pathways of care to meet patient needs.
• Effective communication with patients, carers and all members of the MDT
• Effective prioritisation and completion of daily work in line with clinical / patient need and practice priorities
• Maintenance of accurate and legible patient records in line with professional and organisational requirements this includes contemporary paper records and electronic patient record system
• Actively participates and contributes to nurse team meetings
• Initiates health promotion activities with individuals, patients and carers
• Participates in clinical audit and the implementation of changes to ways of working and/or clinical practice as a result of findings, recommendations and action plans
• Proactive in improving and influencing the patient care pathway/ journey
• Participates in risk assessment and promotes the safety and well-being of patients, staff and any other persons at all times and assist in ensuring a safe work environment
• Ensure that any complaints or incidents are identified and reported to the lead GP, Nurse Manager or Practice Manager in accordance with the organisational policy and expected professional practice
• Monitors and orders stock levels and equipment in line with budget and lean principles
• Responsible for the security, care and maintenance of equipment ensuring standards of infection control and safety are maintained
• Ensure clinical practice is safe and effective and remains within boundaries of competence and to acknowledge limitations.

Duties include:-

• Providing treatment services and health education advice: including Dietary advice, blood pressure checks, urinalysis, health screening, Ear syringing, dressings, ECG, Phlebotomy, routine injections, sexual health, contraception, routine immunisations and vaccinations, removal of sutures / clips, baby immunisations, assisting with the fitting of IUCD / IUS, first registration checks / health surveillance / general health advice, assisting with minor procedures in the treatment room and acting as chaperone as required
• Provide general and specific health screenings to the practice patients (within agreed protocols) with referral to other members of the primary and secondary health care team as necessary
• Working within guidelines and protocols undertake and record:
• Urinalysis and preparation of specimens for laboratory analysis
• Temperature, pulse and respiratory rate
• Weight, height, waist circumference and Body Mass Index
• Measurement of legs for compression hosiery
• ECGs, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
• Near patient testing e.g. blood glucose, lipids and INR
• Doppler ultrasound measurement working with registered nurse
• Measurement of airway function (peak expiratory flow rate and spirometry)
• Obtain venous blood samples from individuals for investigation.
• Administer medications by injection with the appropriate legal authorisation.
• Recognise health promotion opportunities and give brief, focussed lifestyle advice using motivational interviewing techniques which may include:
• Alcohol screening
• Smoking cessation
• Weight management
• Sexual health
• Undertake initial assessment of patients presenting with wounds, working within expertise to manage independently or refer to other services as necessary.
• Remove wound closure materials including sutures, clips and staples.
• Take samples for the cervical screening programme according to recognised standards.
• Provide ear care including removal of cerumen and provide education and advice.
• Administer vaccines to adults and children according to the UK immunisation schedule.
• Provide a pre-travel health service including administration of vaccines and advice after undertaking appropriate risk assessment.
• Administer prescribed therapies such as contraceptive injections, vitamin B12, and depo neuroleptic medications recognising side effects and contraindications.
• Develop and follow referral pathways for patients with specialist needs.

Minor Illness

• Support the Same Day/Urgent Care services as defined by role and competence
• Triage and treat patients wishing to see a health care professional making any necessary referrals to other members of the primary health care team.
• Ensure clinical practice is safe and effective and remains within boundaries of competence and to acknowledge limitations.
• Advise patients on general health care and minor ailments with referral to other members of the primary and secondary health care team as necessary

Long term conditions:-

• Assist nurse-run long term condition clinics and carry out clinical measurements and near patient testing for patients with diabetes, asthma and COPD in line with NICE guidance and Quality and Outcome Framework indicators which may include:
• blood sugar monitoring
• assessment of feet with appropriate risk stratification
• spirometry
• pulse oximetry
• Peak Expiratory Flow rate
• teaching inhaler technique
• assessment of breathlessness.
• Recognise signs and symptoms that may indicate undiagnosed long term conditions e.g. poor wound healing, winter cough in smokers and also factors that may indicate mental health problems and use relevant referral pathways
• Work in accordance with Practice protocols to ensure the safe and effective management of patients with Chronic Diseases.

Pathological specimens and investigatory procedures:

• Undertake the collection of pathological specimens including intravenous blood samples, swabs etc. Perform investigatory procedures requested by the GPs

Other administration and professional responsibilities:

• Record accurate consultation data in patients records in accordance with the latest NMC guidance and other pertinent standards
• Maintain professional registration and practice in accordance with NMC requirements
• Attend and participate in nurse meetings

Training and personal development:

• Actively participate in the education and training of students of all disciplines and the introduction of all members of the practice staff where appropriate
• Maintain professional portfolio and ensure professional requirements are met.
• If it is necessary to expand the role to include additional responsibilities, full training will be given.