The purpose of the post is to deliver safe, high-quality primary care nursing services. Working within the NMC Code of Conduct, the post holder will deliver primary health care interventions to the practice population.
Main duties of the job
This job description is intended to provide an outline of the key tasks and responsibilities only. There may be other duties required of the post-holder commensurate with the position. This description will be open to regular review and may be amended to take account of developments within the practice.
About us
White Medical Group is a dispensing practice serving 8,500 patients from Ponteland and a branch site in Wylam.
Job responsibilities
Nursing Duties
1. Screening
o Undertake opportunistic screening BP checks, height, weight, BMI, urinalysis, smoking status.
2. Health Promotion
o Provide healthy eating advice to individuals.
o Provide smoking cessation advice individually in opportunistic consultations.
o Provide individual advice to patients about increasing activity or exercise.
o Offer advice on recommended safe limits for alcohol consumption.
3. Vaccinations and Immunisations
o Administer injections under an individualised prescription or Patient Group Direction.
o Ensure safe storage, rotation, and disposal of vaccines and drugs.
o Provide an adult and childhood immunisation service.
o Develop and work to Patient Group Directions for POMs.
4. Infection Control
o Support patients and lead colleagues in adopting sound infection control measures.
o Apply infection control measures within the practice according to local and national guidelines, including universal hygiene precautions, collection and handling of laboratory specimens, segregation and disposal of waste materials, decontamination of instruments and clinical equipment, reporting and treatment of sharps injuries, and dealing with blood and body fluid spillages.
5. Emergency Management
o Be competent in anaphylaxis and resuscitation techniques.
6. Child Health Protection
o Recognise the signs, symptoms, and categories of child abuse.
o Understand the importance of recognition, observation, documentation, and communication.
o Be aware of child health procedures, statutory local procedures, and points of referral.
o Have knowledge of roles of other practitioners and agencies.
o Understand basic legal issues around child abuse.
7. Men's Health
o Raise awareness and give basic advice on issues covering testicular self-examination, incontinence and prostatic disease, family planning, and sexual health.
o Initiate opportunistic consultations with patients to cover issues of men's health.
o Make appropriate referrals.
8. Family Planning
o Advise patients on available methods of contraception and refer as appropriate.
o Support patients attending for emergency contraception and refer as appropriate.
o Perform interval health checks for patients using hormonal contraception.
o Teach patients correct condom use and how to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases.
9. Women's Health
o Advise patients on the national and local cervical cytology and mammography screening programmes.
o Undertake a programme of cervical cytology sampling under supervision until competent.
o Audit a minimum of twenty consecutive smears each year to demonstrate adequate sampling rates.
o Promote breast self-awareness and provide supporting literature.
o Advise patients about reducing the risk of sexually transmitted diseases and make appropriate referrals.
o Provide NHS Health Checks.
10. Travel Health Advice
o Offer a holistic approach to travel health including comprehensive advice for patients prior to travel, vaccinations and medications, malaria prophylaxis, safe sex, food hygiene, first aid, and emergency medication.
11. Chronic Disease Management
o Assist and support with management of chronic disease clinics (e.g. Diabetes & CHD).
12. Wound Management
o Perform wound care using aseptic techniques and undertake uncomplicated dressings, including leg ulcers.
13. Minor Illness
o Assess and treat conditions presented by patients.
14. Venepuncture
o Take blood in line with local procedures.
15. Minor Surgery / IUCDs
o Provide support to GPs who perform Minor Surgery and fit IUCDs.
16. Personal and Professional Development
o Assist in clinical audit and provide chaperone services to other clinicians.
o Work effectively in the team and monitor professional standards.
o Participate in evidence-based practice and clinical supervision.
o Attend and participate in Practice meetings when required.
17. Research
o Occasional requirement to participate in clinical research studies.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Skills
* Knowledge of needs of patients with long-term chronic disease
* Aware of accountability of own role and other roles in a nurse-led service
* Sound knowledge of GP contracts; QOF, enhanced services, LPHS
* Knowledge of health promotion strategies
* Awareness of clinical governance issues in primary care
* Knowledge of patient group directions and associated policy
* Clinical skills - immunisation, vaccination, including travel.
* Cervical cytology
* Change-management skills and ability to support patients to change lifestyle
* Communication skills, both written and verbal
* Ability to communicate difficult messages to patients and families
* Negotiation and conflict management skills
* Ability to identify determinants of health in the local area
* Knowledge of public health issues in the local area
* Awareness of local and national health policy
* Experience of teaching and mentorship in a clinical setting.
Experience
* Minimum 1 year post-registration experience
* At least 1 year recent primary and community nursing experience
* Management of long-term conditions
* Involvement in implementing and using protocols and clinical guidelines
* Experience of audit
* Working in a busy environment
* Willingness to be trained and mentored where previous experience is not available
Qualifications
* Registered first level nurse
* Training relevant to the practice nurse role
* Clinical supervision training and experience
* Mentor, teaching qualification
* Evidence of Continuing Professional Development
Other
* Highly motivated
* Flexibility
* Team player
* Ability to work across boundaries
* Professional attitude / appearance and be courteous at all times
* Car owner / access to a car
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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