[ref. o80056202] Practice nurse

Primary key 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: To be instrumental in the support of the Infection Prevention Control (IPC) lead and to work to the IPC requirements by providing audits, training, support and evidence of compliance to the practice manager To support in the publication of the IPC annual statement in conjunction with the practice manager To develop, implement and embed an effective care management programme for the frail and housebound patients registered at the practice To assess the needs of patients ensuring the provision of healthcare is appropriate, incorporating evidence-based practice To develop, implement and embed health promotion and wellbeing programmes To implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for chronic disease patients that promote health and wellbeing To identify, manage and support patients at risk of developing long-term conditions, preventing adverse effects to patients health As required, to provide routine nursing care to patients in accordance with clinical based evidence, NICE and the NSF As required, to diagnose and manage acute and chronic conditions Provide wound care (ulcer/Doppler, etc.) to patients To review patient medications to enhance compliance To provide guidance to patients in the use of prescribed and over-the-counter medications regarding side effects and dosages To co-ordinate the provision of travel medicine services To request pathology services and process pathology results as required To oversee the provision of chronic disease clinics, delivering patient care as necessary, referring patients to secondary/specialist care as required To maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with extant legislation To ensure SNOMED CT codes are used effectively by all members of the nursing team To ensure the appropriate maintenance and use of chronic disease registers To develop, implement, embed and participate in well woman clinics To develop, implement, embed and participate in well man clinics To ensure compliance with the practice chaperone policy To assist GPs with minor surgery when required To prioritise health issues and intervene appropriately To support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies To recognise, assess and refer patients presenting with mental health needs To implement vaccination programmes for adults and children To support patients in the use of their prescribed medicines or over-the-counter medicines (within own scope of practice) To liaise with external services/agencies to ensure the patient is supported appropriately (vulnerable patients etc.) To delegate clinical responsibilities appropriately (ensuring safe practice and the task is within the scope of practice of the individual) To support the clinical team with all safeguarding matters, in accordance with local and national policies To understand practice and local policies for substance abuse and addictive behaviour, referring patients appropriately To deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate Secondary key responsibilities In addition to the primary key responsibilities, the Practice Nurse may be requested to: Develop and review audit protocols and process for the practice, effectively utilising the audit cycle Develop, review and implement nursing protocols in conjunction with the partners Support all members of the nursing team, providing guidance when necessary, conducting appraisals and training needs analyses as required Participate in local / national initiatives and targets to enhance service delivery and patient care (eg QOF) Support and participate in shared learning within the practice in order to improve patient care Continually review clinical practices, responding to national policies and initiatives where appropriate Participate in the review of significant and near-miss events applying a structured approach, i.e., root cause analysis (RCA) Lead the planning and implementation of changes within the nursing team, enhancing the provision of services to patients Support the practice team with the reviewing and implementation of practice policies and protocols, ensuring conformance to extant legislation