This is a rare opportunity to join Lowestoft PCN as a Nurse Associate. You may have just completed your trainee nurse associate training or already be a qualified nurse associate. You will be working for Lowestoft PCN but based in Victoria Road Surgery in Lowestoft. You will be employed by Victoria Road Surgery on behalf of the PCN.
This is a one-year fixed-term contract to cover maternity leave.
You will work as a member of the General Practice Nursing team, under the supervision and assessment of a Registered General Nurse, to support the organisation and facilitation of clinical care in a holistic and proactive manner to patients registered at the practice.
You will maintain a high professional standard of nursing care in adherence to all practice protocols, policies & guidelines, as well as provide nursing assistance to the GPs and other members of the primary healthcare team.
Your role as the Nursing Associate needs to be flexible in line with the present atmosphere for change within health service delivery. It is essential that the nursing associate works within their own level of competency and expands their role in accordance with practice requirements and their own scope of practice. You will be well supported in your role in an already highly effective team.
Main duties of the job
You may be working in our busy treatment room giving wound care, vaccinations, or dealing with minor injuries.
You may be completing chronic disease annual reviews, lifestyle advice, or health checks.
You may be involved in research studies.
The role is varied every day. You are expected to work within your competence, and you will be supported to develop professionally and lead your own clinics.
You will be NMC registered, professional, reliable, and flexible. You will be passionate about giving the very best of care to your patients.
You will be a team player, working with others but also able to work on your own. You will engage in nurse meetings and clinical meetings and be prepared to try new initiatives.
You are prepared to challenge existing processes for the benefit of the patients.
About us
Lowestoft Primary Care Network comprises seven GP Practices that work collaboratively to provide the best care for the patients of Lowestoft.
Although we are all different independent GP practices, we all have a friendly, approachable, and supportive ethos, with patient care always at the heart of what we do.
As part of LPCN, you may be employed by an individual practice, but expected to work on behalf of LPCN. You may not always be based in your employing practice. All practices have common employment policies and common policies for the support and welfare of all staff.
We like to develop relationships with all of our staff, so working in the different practices will be an important part of the role.
We will be part of a friendly team of existing nursing teams comprising Nurse associates, Trainee Nurse associates, practice nurses, and advanced nurse practitioners.
We consider training and peer support to be of high importance. We will support you through all necessary training applicable for your continued professional development.
As well as a competitive salary, there will be access to the NHS pension scheme.
We are a progressive group of practices, and employing the right person for the role is important to us. So any flexible working requests will be considered.
Job responsibilities
To assist and perform routine nursing tasks related to patient care, such as routine BP checks, ECG, suture and clip removal, BMI and lifestyle advice, as directed and agreed with the line manager, registered general nurses, and GPs.
To support patients to improve and maintain their mental, physical, and behavioral health and wellbeing by using behavior change interventions, such as undertaking health checks (physical and mental) and smoking cessation services.
To support the RGN with the holistic assessment and planning of wound care plans for patients with chronic and acute wounds.
To implement agreed wound care plans, following local and national evidence-based guidelines, inclusive of the treatment of minor traumatic wounds within own level of competency. To recognize any deterioration of wounds or infection and arrange early review with PN/GP or specialist as required.
Following recognized Leg Ulcer management training and the completion of competencies, to undertake Leg Ulcer care and compression bandaging, following agreed care plans in line with local/practice policy.
Following training and competency assessment, to undertake adult NHS immunization programmes and ensure vaccines/injections are administered under patient group directives or patient-specific direction.
Provide holistic assessment and treatment of patients attending for ear irrigation following relevant training.
To undertake the collection of pathological & microbiology specimens including venepuncture, swabs, urine culture in line with local guidelines.
To support chronic disease management, including monitoring patients with stable asthma, undertaking preliminary investigations for Type 2 diabetes patients, such as foot checks.
To provide general health promotion education, advice on national screening programs, and guide/refer patients to appropriate services.
Provide contraception advice and sexual health guidance in line with competency, undertaking annual contraceptive reviews in line with practice policies.
In line with national guidance and with recognized competency-based training, undertake screening programs such as cervical screening tests.
To undertake any investigatory test, such as Ambulatory BP monitoring, automated Dopplers, and Spirometry, taking basic history and referring patients to the relevant clinician for interpretation/planning of care.
To be able to provide appropriate self-care advice for patients presenting with minor illness within own level of competency and referring to GP/ANP where appropriate.
Chaperone and assist patients where appropriate who are being examined by another clinician.
To assist GPs with minor surgery and well-women procedures.
To maintain effective infection control measures in line with local guidelines and practice policy.
To be able to recognize and manage anaphylaxis, according to the current UK Resuscitation Council guidelines.
To be able to perform Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (BLS) and the correct use of Automated Defibrillator following training, according to the current UK Resuscitation Council guidelines.
To engage in the support and training of nursing and medical students, and newly appointed colleagues.
Ensure safe storage, rotation, and disposal of vaccines and medication. Assist in the completion of monthly stock take and support the cost-effective use of disposable items.
Maintain adequate stock within the treatment room and assist with the re-stocking of other clinical rooms as required.
To participate in developments within the practice and support QOF requirements.
To be registered with the NMC. Work in accordance with the NMC Code of Conduct and Scope of Practice for Nursing Associates.
Ensure accurate notes of all consultations and treatments are recorded in the patients' notes and on computers, as per NMC guidelines.
Attend and actively participate in practice meetings as required.
Awareness of statutory protection procedures including referral and recognition of signs and symptoms of child abuse.
Awareness of referral mechanisms for mental health issues, family violence, vulnerable adults, and addictive behaviors.
Actively take part in mandatory and internal/external training as requested.
Adhere to and follow all policies and protocols as listed in the Staff Handbook and contract.
Any other requested duty commensurate with job role.
Person Specification
Experience
* Able to give lifestyle advice and promote self-care.
* Core medicine management knowledge.
* Wound care knowledge.
* Knowledge of National immunization and screening programmes.
* Understands the importance of evidence-based practice.
* Ability to undertake clinical skills relevant to primary care, such as ECG, venepuncture, suture removal, urinalysis, and swab taking.
* Able to listen to patients/carers history and interpret relevant information to understand health needs.
* Potential to cope with stressful situations and undertake responsibility.
* Uses resources efficiently.
* Recognizes own limitations and shares the load with others.
* Calm under pressure and able to switch-off outside work.
* To be able to work towards:
* Interest or working knowledge of any area of Chronic Disease management.
* Leg Ulcer management knowledge.
* Spirometry/Doppler skills and competency.
* Completed training to be able to administrate injections following PGD/PSD.
* Understands Principles of Audit.
* Understands the principles of Risk Management.
* Competent in use of System One and other software used in electronic medicine.
* Access to own vehicle/public transport.
Qualifications
* Must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council with no restrictions on Practice.
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.
Practice Manager and PCN Non-Clinical Lead
£13.57 to £14.89 an hour. Starting Salary will depend on primary care experience.
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