JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE:
PRACTICE NURSE
ACCOUNTABLE TO:
Clinical Accountability:
Managerial Accountability:
THE PARTNERS
THE PRACTICE MANAGER
QUALIFICATIONS:
RGN and membership of a professional body
Desirable: Additional training related to tasks/roles
identified below, e.g. family planning certificate,
appropriate teaching certificate or clinical specialist
evidence of post-basic study.
Salary:
Depending on qualifications and experience
SUMMARY
This post will suit an imaginative and flexible professional who wishes to work full or part time
(hours to be negotiated). S/he must be able to work well independently and within a
multidisciplinary team alongside the current practice nurse. Qualifications and experience in
managing patients with asthma, diabetes or coronary heart disease will be an advantage.
PURPOSE OF THE POST
To work with practice nurse colleagues and the Primary Health Care Team (PHCT) to
provide quality care to the practice population.
 To assess, plan, implement and evaluate nursing care for patients within specific groups;
 To contribute to the development of health promotion and audit initiatives;
 To participate in the teaching activities of the practice;
 To contribute to the achievement of the practice’s contract objectives;
 To work within the UKCC Code of Conduct.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Nursing procedures: To conduct in conjunction with nursing colleagues.
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Venepuncture
Blood pressure checks
Blood sugar measurements
Ear syringing
Dressings and wound care
Removing sutures
Nebulising
o Teach procedures, e.g. inhaler techniques, injections
o Teach self-examination
Hetherington Group Practice SW4 PN/JD
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Urine testing
Pregnancy testing
Assist in minor surgical procedures
Obtain specimens, maintain under the right conditions and despatch
24 hr BP monitoring
ECG
Any other procedures as reasonably deemed to be within the scope of the post
2. Preventive health programmes
To participate in the implementation of screening and health promotion services, including
the development of protocols in conjunction with other clinical staff:
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Call and Recall Programmes - childhood immunisations & cervical smears
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Chronic disease management programmes e.g. diabetes, asthma, hypertension
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To develop protocols in chronic disease management.
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To manage programmes within agreed guidelines, including running clinics.
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Family Planning (This will depend on previous experience and qualifications.)
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To provide services within agreed guidelines
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Teach, advise and recommend various methods of contraception.
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Pill checks and give advice.
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IUCDs - cap fittings and checks, assist in coil fitting and removals, coil checks.
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Health Screening
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To provide routine and opportunistic health screening of new patients and over
75s.
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To participate in the programme for breast screening.
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Health Promotion
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To contribute to the planning, implementation and evaluation of the practice health
promotion programme.
3. Vaccinations and injections
To conduct whilst a doctor is on the premises and according to the Department of Health
and Health Authority guidelines, e.g. green book.
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Children immunisations.
Adult - regular maintenance therapies.
Travel and Flu vaccinations.
Depot injections.
Other routine injections.
Hetherington Group Practice SW4 PN/JD
4. Health Education, Advice and Referrals
To participate in the development and implementation of the health education programme for
the practice population, working closely with nursing and HV colleagues, practice manager
and outside agencies, e.g. Health First, Lambeth HealthCare, Occupational Health (Guy’s &
STH), homeless care agencies.
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Offer health advice/education to patients in person, in small groups or by phone on
first aid, common minor ailments and other subjects within agreed guidelines.
Give advice on sources of information and help outside the Primary Health Care
Team.
Be informed of national and local campaigns and participate/lead where appropriate.
To put up displays on the Health Education Board, changing them regularly and
linking into national campaigns.
Act as information resource person of local facilities for health promotion/education.
Make appropriate referrals to doctors and other health and social services
professionals.
5. Stocks, supplies and equipment
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Assist in maintenance of instruments, supplies and other clinical equipment in the
treatment & consulting rooms
Assess need, research and recommend equipment for the treatment room and
purchasing same within an agreed budget.
Assist in maintaining supplies of appropriate patient education information leaflets.
6. Working as part of the Primary Health Care Team
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To work closely with other care professionals within and outside the practice in the
achievement of quality patient care.
To actively participate in practice team meetings, protected learning events and away
days
To participate in the educational activities of the practice, e.g. teaching other clinical
colleagues, medical and nursing students.
To undertake some responsibilities within the practice Health & Safety Policy.
7. Professional Development
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To maintain professional development in line with PREP and practice objectives by
attending courses/study days as arranged with the GPs and/or practice manager.
To keep updated on evidence-based clinical and nursing practices.
Hetherington Group Practice SW4 PN/JD
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To actively participate in practice clinical meetings protected learning events and away
days
To participate in own annual appraisal.
To develop and maintain strong professional liaisons with other practice nurses in the
area, e.g. through local practice nurse group.
8. Audit and Research
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To participate in the development and implementation of the practice clinical audit
programme,
To participate/help in research studies by external agencies
9. Computer (training will be provided)
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Be proficient in using the EMIS clinical system.
Maintain accurate patient computer records.
Input all immunisation and vaccination data resulting from consultations.
Do searches on the computer.
10. Others
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To contribute to the effective and efficient running of the practice:
Summarise patient medical records when necessary.
Provide some cover for nursing colleague’s absence, e.g. holidays, study days and
sickness if possible
Any other delegated tasks reasonably considered to be within the scope of the post and
as agreed with the doctors and/or practice manager.
Hetherington Group Practice SW4 PN/JD
PRACTICE NURSE - PERSON SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL:
Professional
 RGN/RN (on the live register of the NMC)
 Practice or community nursing experience, i.e. health visiting, district or school nursing
 Membership of a professional body, e.g. RCN
 Minimum 3 years post basic experience
 Evidence of recent professional development
 CRB check completed & certificate available
Personal
 Ability to work well in a team and independently
 Excellent communication skills - verbal and written
 Excellent interpersonal skills
 Ability to manage self and others
 Self-motivated and able to take the lead when necessary
 Good time management and ability to prioritise workload
 Willing to learn new skills
 Sociable, reliable, flexible
 Able to work under stress
 Able to provide some cover for colleague e.g. for holidays, study leave.
DESIRABLE:
Professional
 Family Planning qualification - ENB Certificate 901
 Experience of chronic disease management.
 Experience of General Practice computer system, e.g. EMIS, Meditel or other electronic
information database.
 Other relevant qualification(s) and experience, e.g. degree or diploma, casualty,
midwifery, gynaecology, paediatrics.
 Teaching & Assessment Certificate - ENB 998
Personal
 Helpful, cheerful, resourceful
 Have some local knowledge
 Easy travel to work (limited car parking available)
Hetherington Group Practice SW4 PN/JD