POST SUMMARY: The post holder is responsible for the delivery of general practice nursing to the whole practice population. The focus of the role is both the delivery of evidence-based practice for patients presenting with a long-term condition and the provision of preventative health care to the practice population. As an autonomous practitioner the nurse is responsible for the care delivered, demonstrating critical thinking and skills in clinical decision making in the management of patients. To work collaboratively with the whole Primary Care multi-disciplinary team (from within the practice and via external sources i.e. Sheffield Teaching Hospital) to meet the needs of patients, support the delivery of policy and procedures, and provide nurse leadership as required. Key responsibilities: Assess, plan, develop, implement and evaluate treatment programmes that promote health and well-being. Assess, plan, implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for patients with a known long term condition. Proactively identify, diagnose and management of treatment plans for patients at risk of developing a long term condition, (e.g. COPD, Diabetes) as appropriate. Work with other health care professionals to diagnose, monitor, manage and treat long term conditions, including non-drug based treatment methods using a management plan, and in line with national and local policies and practice needs. Review medication for therapeutic effectiveness, appropriate to patient needs and in accordance with evidence based practice and national and practice protocols. Work with patients in order to support adherence to prescribed treatment. Provide information and advice on prescribed or over the counter medication on medication regimens, side effects and interactions. Support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that promote patients to live healthily, and apply principles of self-care. Support and manage health needs of women presenting for family planning and cervical cytology consultations. Implement and participate in vaccination and immunisation programmes for both adults and children. Advise, support and administer vaccinations where appropriate for patients travelling abroad. Promote and deliver evidenced based care for patients presenting with aural conditions. Meet the needs of presenting for opportunistic wound care. Communication Demonstrate sensitive communication styles to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment. Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising the needs for alternative methods of communication to overcome different levels of understanding cultural background and preferred ways of communicating. Estimate and maintain effective communication with individuals and groups within the practice environment. Participate in practice team meetings, delivering the nursing agenda. Delivering a quality service Recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct as regulated by the NMC. Produce accurate, contemporaneous and complete records of patient consultation, consistent with legislation, policies and procedures. Prioritise, organise and manage own workload in a manner that maintains and promotes quality. Deliver care according to NSF, NICE guidelines and evidence based care. Assess effectiveness of care delivery through self and peer review, benchmarking and formal evaluation. Participate in the maintenance of quality governance systems and processes across the practice. Participate in the quality agenda in responding to local and national policies and initiates as appropriate. Evaluate the patients response to health care provision and the effectiveness of care. Participate in shared learning across the practice and wider organisation. Participate in the performance monitoring review of the team, providing feedback as appropriate. Understand and apply legal policy that supports the identification of vulnerable and abused children and adults, being aware of statutory child/vulnerable adult health procedure and local guidance. Work within policies regarding family violence, vulnerable adults, substance misuse and addictive behaviour, and refer as appropriate. Interpret national strategies and policies into local implementation strategies that are aligned to the value and culture of general practice. Leadership personal and people development Take responsibility for own development, learning and performance including participating in clinical supervision and acting as a positive role model. Support the development of others in order to maximise staff potential. Actively promote the workplace as a learning environment, encouraging everyone to learn from each other and from external good practice. Participate in the planning and implementation of changes within the area of care and responsibility. Participate in the development of local guidelines, protocols and standards. Participate within the nursing team, as appropriate, in the planning and engagement of practice based commissioning or similar initiatives. Promote the role of the nursing team in the provision of care. Team working Understand own role and scope in the practice and identify how this may develop over time. Work as an effective and responsible team member, supporting others and exploring the mechanisms to develop new ways of working. Delegate appropriately, adopting the principles of safe practice and assessment of competence of nurses. Ensure clear referral mechanisms are in place to meet patient needs. Prioritise own and others workload and ensure effective time-management strategies are utilised within the culture of the team. Work effectively with others to clearly define values, direction and policies impacting upon care delivery. Participate in nursing team activities that create opportunities to improve patient care. Participate in and support local projects as agreed with the practice management team. Management of risk Manage and assess risk within the areas of responsibility, ensuring adequate measures are in place to protect staff and patients. Monitor work areas and practices to ensure they are safe and free from hazards and conform to health, safety and security legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines. Ensure safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs. Ensure monitoring, stock control and documentation of controlled drug usage according to legal requirements. Support members of the nursing team to undertake mandatory and statutory training requirements. Apply infection control measures within the practice according to local and national guidelines. Apply policies that reduce environment health risks, are culturally sensitive and increase access to healthcare for all. Participate in the local implementation strategies that are aligned to the values and culture of general practice. Utilising information Manage and assess risk within the areas of responsibility, ensuring adequate measures are in place to protect staff and patients. Monitor work areas and practices to ensure they are safe and free from hazards and conform to health, safety and security legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines. Ensure the safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs. Ensure monitoring, stock control and documentation of controlled drug usage according to legal requirements. Act as a role model to support members of the nursing team to undertake mandatory and statutory training requirements. Apply infection control measures within the practice according to local and national guidelines. Apply policies that reduce environmental health risks, are culturally sensitive and increase access to health care for all. Participate in the local implementation strategies that are aligned to the values and culture of general practice. Utilising information Use technology as a aid to management in planning, implementation and monitoring, presenting and communicating information. Review and process data using accurate read codes to ensure easy and accurate retrieval for monitoring and audit processes. Manage information searches using the internet and local library databases, for example, the retrieval of relevant information for patients on their condition. Understand the responsibility of self and others regarding the Freedom of Information Act. Collate, analyze and present clinical data and information within the team to enhance care. Learning and Development. Disseminate learning and information to other team members in order to share good practice and inform others about current and future developments (e.g. courses and conferences). Assess own learning needs and undertake learning as appropriate. Provide an educational role to patients, carers, families and colleagues in an environment that facilities learning. Equality and diversity Identify patterns of discrimination and take action to overcome this and promote diversity and equality of opportunity. Enable others to promote equality and diversity in a non-discriminatory culture. Act as a role model in the observance of equality and diversity to ensure good practice. Accept the rights of individuals to choose their care providers to participate in care and to refuse care. Assist patients from marginalised groups to access quality care. This job description is not exhaustive and the duties may be changed from time to time depending on the needs of the service. Any changes will be discussed with the post holder prior to their implementation.