Practice Nurse inBedford inBedford PUBLISHED TUE 12 NOV 2024

We are looking to recruit an experienced Practice Nurse to join our friendly practice to implement assess, plan & develop treatment programmes for our patients. This role will be for 2 days per week (approx 16 hours per week).

The main duties will include: Providing and evaluating a range of health interventions to ensure that patients health and social care needs are met; Health and well-being promotion plus individual person centred plans for patients with/at risk of a long term condition; Managing and treating long-term conditions in line with national and local policies and practice needs; Reviewing medication for therapeutic effectiveness, in accordance with evidence based practice and national/practice protocols, and work with patients to support adherence to prescribed treatments. Prioritising health problems, intervening appropriately, to assist the patient in complex, urgent or emergency situations, including initiation of effective emergency care; Supporting and managing health needs of women presenting for family planning and cervical cytology consultations; Implementing and participating in vaccination and immunisation programmes for both adults and children including patients travelling abroad; Meeting the needs of patients presenting for opportunistic wound care; Hypertension review and management; Running Asthma, COPD, Diabetes clinics and reviews; New patient and health checks.

About us

NURSING ROLE 1. Manage care programmes directly to patients with referral from another nurse or doctor. 2. Manage a holistic approach to patient services. 3. Initiate and manage a methodical assessment of service needs, including the public health role of the practice. 4. Where necessary develop & agree practice protocols for the surgery and clinical protocols for the clinical team to work within. 5. Recognise the development needs of others providing clinical supervision as required. 6. Provide support for all practice initiatives MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Assess, plan, provide and evaluate nursing care to meet the needs of individuals within the Asthma & COPD register of the practice. 2. Use a spirometer to aid diagnosis and management of COPD 3. Know about the factors which contribute to the development of COPD 4. Advice patients on their asthma control including the use of self management plans 5. Teach and advise patients on use of various inhalers and peak flow meters. 6. Assess, diagnose & assist in treatments in accordance with agreed protocols. 7. Provide emergency nebuliser care for patients with acute exacerbations of asthma. 8. Provide broad health promotion throughout all interventions. 9. Provide direct patient access to specialist nursing care for the patients within practice population. 10. Maintain a call and recall of patients 11. Telephone advice line - Offer basic health advice or refer to GP as appropriate CLINICAL CARE 1. Wound Management 2. Screening; BP checks, height weight, BMI, Urinalysis. 3. Undertakes over 75 checks 4. Undertake opportunistic venepuncture. 5. Blood tests 6. Maintain a call and recall of patients HEALTH PROMOTION 1. Applies motivational identification to help patients change their behaviour to reduce health risks. 2. Provides nutritional advice individually, or group sessions, including the underweight. 3. Offers opportunistic smoking cessation advice. 4. Offers lifestyle advice on smoking and exercise. 5. Develops and maintains the health promotion material within the practice and waiting room notice board. 6. Refer as appropriate. VACCINATIONS AND IMMUNISATIONS 1. Administers injections under an individualised prescription or Patient Group Directive 2. Ensures safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccine. INFECTION CONTROL 1. Support & educate colleagues in adopting sound infection control measures. 2. Apply infection control measures within the practice according to local & national guidelines. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 1. Be competent in anaphylaxis and resuscitation techniques. CHILD PROTECTION 2. Recognise the signs, symptoms and categories of child abuse. 3. Understand the importance of recognition, observation, documentation and communication. 4. Understands basic legal issues around child abuse 5. Be aware of statutory and local Child Protection Procedures including points of referral. MENS HEALTH 1. Raise awareness and be able to give basic advice and appropriate referral on issues covering; testicular self examination, incontinence & prostatic disease, family planning & sexual health. 2. Make appropriate referrals. FAMILY PLANNING 1. Advise patients on available methods of contraception. 2. Support patients attending for emergency contraceptive. 3. Perform interval health check for patients using hormonal contraception. 4. Teach patients in correct condom use. 5. Advise patients on reducing of sexually transmitted disease. 6. Refer patients as appropriate. WOMENS HEALTH Advise patients on the national and local Cervical Cytology and mammography screening programmes. Undertake a programme of cervical cytology sampling under supervision until competent. Audit a minimum of twenty executive smears each year to demonstrate adequate s0ampling rates. Promote breast awareness, demonstrate breast self- examination and provide supporting literature. Give patients basic knowledge on peri-menopausal and menopausal symptoms and makes appropriate referrals Advise on the increased peri and post-menopausal risk of osteoporosis and heart disease. Offer health promotion/lifestyle advice to patients. Advise on basic incontinence management and make appropriate referral. MENTAL HEALTH 1. Recognise and be aware of appropriate referral mechanisms for family violence, vulnerable adults, substance abuse and addictive behaviours. 2. Recognise psychological needs of patients presenting with depression or suicidal tendency. 3. Make appropriate referrals. CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT 1. Diabetes:Supports patients in the management of their insulin and non- insulin dependant diabetes. I. Undertakes tests for the diagnosis of diabetes ii. Supports diabetic patients and makes appropriate referrals 2.Asthma: I. Initiates discussion and advises patients on their asthma control, including the use of self -management plans II. Educates patients and carers in managing asthma 3. COPD:Supports patients and the practice team in the diagnosis of COPD using spirometry testing 4. Cardiovascular Disease: Advises patients of lifestyle management and drug compliance for reducing the risk factors of: a. Hypertension b. Angina c. Myocardial infarction d. Cerebrovascular accident TRAVEL HEALTH 1. Offers up to date travel advice & information using supporting literature as appropriate. 2. Determines necessary vaccinations/medication, informs patient of cost of medication/vaccination for travel. 3. Administers vaccinations in accordance with practice guidelines 4. Records details of vaccination, medication and advice on the patient record and where necessary on the patients vaccination record card.