Job Title: Practice Nurse Accountable to: Nurse lead / Practice Manager Aims of Role The Practice Nurse will undertake a range of nursing assessments and provide appropriate care and treatment working in conjunction with GPs and the Nursing team as well as independently in accordance with Practice policy and protocols. The Practice Nurse will strive to improve standards of care at Queens Park Medical Centre and be involved in identifying Practice population needs and provide and enhance nursing services within the Practice. Duties and Responsibilities Job Responsibilities Main duties: To offer comprehensive care in the area of Chronic Disease Management specifically Diabetes, Asthma and COPD QoF management Contraception Sexual Health Wound care Act as a resource for other team members by taking a lead role in some clinical areas Professional Responsibilities Contribute to the development of policies/standards/protocols/guidelines within the Practice Apply Practice policies, standards, protocols and guidance Discuss with other members of the team how the policies/standards/protocols/guidelines will affect own work Participate in audit where appropriate Aid the Practice team with the implementation of new initiatives in the delivery of specific nursing services Support the formulation of reports as part of service development and improvement for the Nursing, Administrative or Medical team Deliver high quality care in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Councils code of conduct and act as a role model for the nursing team Support the nursing team in implementing evidence-based guidelines Promote the continuous personal and professional development of both you and the wider Nursing team Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needs Recognise the opportunities for working in partnership with the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Public Health Participate in annual appraisals and meet the requirements for nurse revalidation Effectively manage own time, workload and resources Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk Leadership Provide professional support to the wider Nursing team Offer guidance and support to junior members of the Nursing team including participation in a mentorship scheme with Health Care Assistants Provide clinical input where required alongside the Nursing team, particularly with newly appointed Nurses and GPs to assist in skill development and sharing of best practice Delegate where appropriate in accordance with relevant skills, knowledge and competence Encourage best nursing practice in line with relevant evidence-based research Act as a resource to patients, carers, families and other health care providers Equality and Diversity The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include: Acting in a way that recognises the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with Practice procedures/policies and current legislation Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights. Personal/Professional Development The post-holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the Practice as part of this employment, such training to include: Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work Education and Training Help support integration across primary, secondary and tertiary care services Maintain an interest in national research initiatives and disseminate appropriate information to health professionals if asked to do so Ensure all care is evidence based using up-to-date validated literature Contribute to research and development programmes where required to improve clinical practice Provide professional advice /support to health care professionals within the Practice Following identified training needs; participate in training and facilitation of other Practice Nurses & Health Care Assistants Maintain a level of expertise in pertinent areas of health care, and seek to develop new and improved skills by attending updates and utilising other education resources Advise members of the public on the concepts of health promotion, education, prevention and protection Seek out new knowledge of nursing and health by reading, enquiring and partaking in continuous education programmes Take responsibility for personal development and education including in-service training Direct, supervise and help mentor Nurses and Health Care Assistants in the clinical setting Actively participate in multidisciplinary education and training Monitor and maintain consistency of professional standards and take appropriate action if standards are not met Maintain professional development by attending relevant courses Confidentiality Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other health care workers or Practice business may only be divulged to authorised personnel in accordance with Practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data Communication Maintain communication and liaise with other disciplines across primary, secondary and tertiary care services as and when necessary Contribute to, and work effectively within the Practice Assist in clinical audit and the setting and monitoring of standards of care Maintain accurate patient records Advise and support other members of the team aiming towards common objectives Infection Control: Support patients and colleagues in adopting sound infection control measures within the Practice according to local and national guidelines. To include universal hygiene precautions the collection and handling of laboratory specimens segregation and disposal of waste material reporting and treatment of sharps injuries dealing with blood and bodily fluids Health & Safety The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the Practice Health & Safety Policy, to include: Using personal security systems within the workplace according to Practice guidelines Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards Reporting potential risks identified Risk Management It is the responsibility of all staff at Queens Park Medical Centre that they fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards. All employees have a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. Employees are required to co-operate with management to enable the practice to meet its own legal duties and to report any hazardous situations or defective equipment. Records Management All employees at Queens Park Medical Centre must abide by the rules of Clinical Governance as detailed in the Staff Handbook. All staff are expected to ensure confidentiality is practiced to protect their patients and, if required, their colleagues. All staff is legally responsible for all records gathered, created or used as part of their day to day work within the surgery (Including patient health, financial, personal and administrative) whether paper based or on computer. Flexibility Statement The content of this job description represents an outline of the post only and is therefore not a precise catalogue of duties and responsibilities. The job description is therefore intended to be flexible and is subject to review and amendments in the light of changing circumstances, following consultation with the post holder. Queens Park Medical Centre will ensure that staff are recruited, managed, developed, promoted and rewarded on merit and that equal opportunities are given to all staff. Each employee is responsible for his or her own professional and personal behaviour and there is a requirement of all staff to conduct themselves in a manner which does not cause offence to another person.