Practice Nurse inDarlington inDarlington PUBLISHED THU 24 OCT 2024

We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and highly motivated Practice Nurse to join our friendly and supportive team.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced Practice Nurse who will work as an integral part of the nursing team, using their skills and knowledge to offer holistic care to our registered patients.

This is an exciting opportunity for individuals who are passionate about healthcare and want to make a positive impact on patients lives.

A high standard of patient care is our utmost priority together with the work-life balance of our whole team.

We are offering a permanent post of between 28 - 37.5 hours per week. We offer a competitive salary, NHS Pension and opportunities for ongoing professional development and training.

As part of our nursing team you will be required to adhere to the NMC Code of Conduct and Scope of Professional Practice.

You will ensure that the highest standards of care is being provided for our patients.

You will deliver a high standard of patient care using specialist practice nursing skills.

Must be able to deliver a whole range of nursing duties to include but not limited to:-

ECG's, dressings, cervical screening, child and adult vaccinations (including travel), baby immunisations, women's health and long term condition reviews etc.

You will also perform a wide variety of other nursing duties according to skills and provide a caring and empathetic approach to the role.

You must have excellent communication skills, be organised, work well under pressure and enjoy working flexibly within a multi-disciplinary team setting.

About us

The following are the core responsibilities of the practice nurse. There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks:

Venepuncture, handling of specimens.

Undertaking diagnostic tests and screening procedures within agreed practice protocols (e.g. ECG and cervical cytology).

Immunisation and vaccination of children and adults (including travel vaccines)

Ear examination and syringing.

Wound care, dressings and removal of sutures.

Care and maintenance of equipment.

New patient checks.

Effectively manage, assess, plan, implement and evaluate the care of patients with chronic diseases/long term conditions as detailed by the Quality and Outcomes Framework and Practice vision including: Respiratory, Diabetes, Heart Disease, LD, Hypertension etc.

Deliver care to the frail and housebound population at the practice.

Support the practice in achieving quality indicators and targets of the contract and any relevant National Service Frameworks.

Undertake opportunistic screening when clinically required.

Undertake male, female and family planning assessments, give advice and refer patients appropriately.

Perform cervical screening, pill checks and promote breast awareness.

Administer adult and paediatric injections under an individualised prescription or Patient Group Direction ensuring safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs as per Practice policy.

Undertake accredited training in specific chronic disease management as or if required e.g diabetes, respiratory, epilepsy, CHD etc.

Contribute to the maintenance of the practice disease registers.

Provide advice on lifestyle issues, assist and support patients with healthy lifestyle choices and refer appropriately.

Ensure that current evidence based approaches to patients are standard practice.

Apply infection control measures when collecting and handling of laboratory specimens, disposing of waste materials, dealing with blood and bodily fluid spillages and report and treat sharps injuries.

Undertake annual training and demonstrate competency in anaphylaxis and resuscitation techniques.

Maintaining GP and Nurses rooms, stocking and rotating items as required

Exercise an autonomous role in prescribing from the independent nurse prescribing formulary in accordance with The Medical Products: Prescription by Nurses Act 1992, taking into account the NMC guidelines for the Administrations of Medicines 2002 within the scope of national and local protocols

Chaperoning and assisting patients where appropriate who are being examined by another clinician

To provide appropriate signposting to the relevant clinician or external organisation whilst ensuring that the patient receives appropriate ongoing care

To promote high standards of patient care by the application of a systematic triage approach and undertake comprehensive holistic assessments of person-centred care needs

To maintain clear, concise and accurate documentation within the systems provided

To maintain effective communication with multidisciplinary teams to the benefit of the patient

To maintain the confidentiality of matters relating to patients and patient care in accordance with the NMC guidelines

To communicate complex and sensitive information concerning a patients medical condition effectively to patients/carers, recognising that sometimes there are barriers to understanding. To foster good public relations by ensuring courtesy and discretion when dealing with patients and their relatives

To support and advise patients on the promotion of health, prevention of ill-health and the self-management of their health within their limitations.

To recognise situations that may be detrimental to the health and well-being of the individual and act on the findings.

To ensure that care given is supported by the best available evidence and local policies and procedures.

To deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate

To understand practice and local policies for substance abuse and addictive behaviour, referring patients appropriately

To maintain professional competency whilst remaining current and in date for NMC revalidation