Job summary The Role of a Practice Nurse in Primary Care A Practice Nurse is a highly skilled and essential member of the primary care team, delivering a wide range of clinical services that support patient health and well-being. They work closely with GPs, Nursing Associates, and Healthcare Assistants to provide preventative care, manage long-term conditions, and deliver essential health services to patients of all ages. Why is the Role of a Practice Nurse Important? Practice Nurses enhance patient care, reduce GP workload, and contribute significantly to the prevention and early detection of health conditions. Their expertise in chronic disease management, cervical screening, and immunisations ensures that patients receive safe, effective, and proactive care within the community. Main duties of the job Key Responsibilities: Chronic Disease Management Practice Nurses play a crucial role in monitoring and managing long-term conditions, ensuring patients receive personalised care and education to help them manage their health. This includes: Conducting annual reviews for patients with diabetes, asthma, COPD, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Performing blood pressure monitoring, FENO and spirometry to assess and track disease progression. Offering lifestyle advice, including smoking cessation and weight management. Supporting patients in self-management of their conditions through education and action plans. Cervical Screening As part of the National Cervical Screening Programme, our Practice Nurses: Perform cervical smear tests to detect early signs of cervical cancer. Provide patient education and reassurance, addressing any concerns about the procedure. Ensure accurate record-keeping and referral for any abnormal results. Child Immunisations Our Practice Nurses are responsible for administering routine childhood vaccinations to protect against serious illnesses, Other Responsibilities: Wound Care & Dressings Managing minor wound care and simple dressings. Contraceptive & Sexual Health Offering guidance on contraception, STI testing, and reproductive health. Health Promotion & Screening Supporting NHS Health Checks, smoking cessation support, and weight management. Supporting Minor Procedures Assist GPs during minor surgical procedures and implant insertions/removals. About us Why Join Our Team? We offer a supportive and collaborative working environment where your skills and contributions are truly valued. Our practice encourages professional growth, providing opportunities for further development and career progression. With a friendly, patient-focused team and a commitment to excellence in primary care, this is the perfect place to build a rewarding career. Date posted 13 March 2025 Pay scheme Other Salary Depending on experience Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Part-time Reference number A3828-25-0003 Job locations Haverflatts Lane Milnthorpe Cumbria LA7 7PS New Street Surgery 21 New Street Carnforth Lancashire LA5 9BX Job description Job 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: a. To support the Infection Prevention Control (IPC) lead and to work to the IPC Policy providing [or supporting the implementation of] audits, training, support and evidence of compliance to the Lead Nurse b. To support the production of the IPC annual statement in conjunction with the Lead Nurse / Practice Manager c. To assess the needs of patients ensuring the provision of healthcare is appropriate, incorporating evidence-based practice d. To develop, implement and embed health promotion and wellbeing programmes e. To implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for chronic disease patients that promote health and wellbeing f. To identify, manage and support patients at risk of developing long-term conditions, preventing adverse effects to patients health g. As required, to provide routine nursing care to patients in accordance with clinical based evidence, NICE and the NSF h. To request pathology services and process pathology results as required i. To oversee the provision of chronic disease clinics, delivering patient care as necessary, referring patients to secondary/specialist care as required j. To maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with extant legislation k. To ensure read codes are used effectively by all members of the nursing team l. To ensure the appropriate maintenance and use of chronic disease registers m. To ensure compliance with the practice chaperone policy n. To prioritise health issues and intervene appropriately o. To support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies p. To implement vaccination programmes for adults and children q. To support patients in the use of their prescribed medicines or over-the-counter medicines (within own scope of practice) r. To liaise with external services/agencies to ensure the patient is supported appropriately (vulnerable patients etc.) s. To delegate clinical responsibilities appropriately (ensuring safe practice and the task is within the scope of practice of the individual) t. To support the clinical team with all safeguarding matters, in accordance with local and national policies u. To understand practice and local policies for substance abuse and addictive behaviour, referring patients appropriately v. To deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate In addition to the primary responsibilities, the Practice Nurse may be requested to: a. Develop and review audit protocols and process for the practice, effectively utilising the audit cycle b. Develop, review and implement nursing protocols in conjunction with the partners c. Support all members of the nursing team, providing guidance when necessary, conducting appraisals and training needs analyses as required d. Participate in local initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient care e. Partake and support colleagues with research projects (via NIHR) f. Support and participate in shared learning within the practice in order to improve patient care g. Continually review clinical practices, responding to national policies and initiatives where appropriate h. Participate in the review of significant and near-miss events applying a structured approach, i.e., root cause analysis (RCA) j. Lead the planning and implementation of changes within the nursing team, enhancing the provision of services to patients k. Support the practice team with the reviewing and implementation of practice policies and protocols, ensuring conformance to existing legislation Job description Job 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: a. To support the Infection Prevention Control (IPC) lead and to work to the IPC Policy providing [or supporting the implementation of] audits, training, support and evidence of compliance to the Lead Nurse b. To support the production of the IPC annual statement in conjunction with the Lead Nurse / Practice Manager c. To assess the needs of patients ensuring the provision of healthcare is appropriate, incorporating evidence-based practice d. To develop, implement and embed health promotion and wellbeing programmes e. To implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for chronic disease patients that promote health and wellbeing f. To identify, manage and support patients at risk of developing long-term conditions, preventing adverse effects to patients health g. As required, to provide routine nursing care to patients in accordance with clinical based evidence, NICE and the NSF h. To request pathology services and process pathology results as required i. To oversee the provision of chronic disease clinics, delivering patient care as necessary, referring patients to secondary/specialist care as required j. To maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with extant legislation k. To ensure read codes are used effectively by all members of the nursing team l. To ensure the appropriate maintenance and use of chronic disease registers m. To ensure compliance with the practice chaperone policy n. To prioritise health issues and intervene appropriately o. To support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies p. To implement vaccination programmes for adults and children q. To support patients in the use of their prescribed medicines or over-the-counter medicines (within own scope of practice) r. To liaise with external services/agencies to ensure the patient is supported appropriately (vulnerable patients etc.) s. To delegate clinical responsibilities appropriately (ensuring safe practice and the task is within the scope of practice of the individual) t. To support the clinical team with all safeguarding matters, in accordance with local and national policies u. To understand practice and local policies for substance abuse and addictive behaviour, referring patients appropriately v. To deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate In addition to the primary responsibilities, the Practice Nurse may be requested to: a. Develop and review audit protocols and process for the practice, effectively utilising the audit cycle b. Develop, review and implement nursing protocols in conjunction with the partners c. Support all members of the nursing team, providing guidance when necessary, conducting appraisals and training needs analyses as required d. Participate in local initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient care e. Partake and support colleagues with research projects (via NIHR) f. Support and participate in shared learning within the practice in order to improve patient care g. Continually review clinical practices, responding to national policies and initiatives where appropriate h. Participate in the review of significant and near-miss events applying a structured approach, i.e., root cause analysis (RCA) j. Lead the planning and implementation of changes within the nursing team, enhancing the provision of services to patients k. Support the practice team with the reviewing and implementation of practice policies and protocols, ensuring conformance to existing legislation Person Specification Qualifications Essential See attached Person Specification Qualifications Essential See attached 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. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information 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. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Park View Surgery Address Haverflatts Lane Milnthorpe Cumbria LA7 7PS Employer's website https://www.parkviewsurgerynhs.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)