Practice Nurse

The following are the core responsibilities of the practice nurse. There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks: Venepuncture, handling of specimens. Undertaking diagnostic tests and screening procedures within agreed practice protocols (e.g. ECG and cervical cytology). Immunisation and vaccination of children and adults (including travel vaccines) Ear examination and syringing. Wound care, dressings and removal of sutures. Care and maintenance of equipment. New patient checks. Effectively manage, assess, plan, implement and evaluate the care of patients with chronic diseases/long term conditions as detailed by the Quality and Outcomes Framework and Practice vision including: Respiratory, Diabetes, Heart Disease, LD, Hypertension etc. Deliver care to the frail and housebound population at the practice. Support the practice in achieving quality indicators and targets of the contract and any relevant National Service Frameworks. Undertake opportunistic screening when
clinically required. Undertake male, female and family planning assessments, give advice and refer patients appropriately. Perform cervical screening, pill checks and promote breast awareness. Administer adult and paediatric injections under an individualised prescription or Patient Group Direction ensuring safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs as per Practice policy. Undertake accredited training in specific chronic disease management as or if required e.g diabetes, respiratory, epilepsy, CHD etc. Contribute to the maintenance of the practice disease registers. Provide advice on lifestyle issues, assist and support patients with healthy lifestyle choices and refer appropriately. Ensure that current evidence based approaches to patients are standard practice. Apply infection control measures when collecting and handling of laboratory specimens, disposing of waste materials, dealing with blood and bodily fluid spillages and report and treat sharps injuries. Undertake
annual training and demonstrate competency in anaphylaxis and resuscitation techniques. Maintaining GP and Nurses rooms, stocking and rotating items as required Exercise an autonomous role in prescribing from the independent nurse prescribing formulary in accordance with The Medical Products: Prescription by Nurses Act 1992, taking into account the NMC guidelines for the Administrations of Medicines 2002 within the scope of national and local protocols Chaperoning and assisting patients where appropriate who are being examined by another clinician To provide appropriate signposting to the relevant clinician or external organisation whilst ensuring that the patient receives appropriate ongoing care To promote high standards of patient care by the application of a systematic triage approach and undertake comprehensive holistic assessments of person-centred care needs To maintain clear, concise and accurate documentation within the systems provided To maintain effective communication with
multidisciplinary teams to the benefit of the patient To maintain the confidentiality of matters relating to patients and patient care in accordance with the NMC guidelines To communicate complex and sensitive information concerning a patients medical condition effectively to patients/carers, recognising that sometimes there are barriers to understanding. To foster good public relations by ensuring courtesy and discretion when dealing with patients and their relatives To support and advise patients on the promotion of health, prevention of ill-health and the self-management of their health within their limitations. To recognise situations that may be detrimental to the health and well-being of the individual and act on the findings. To ensure that care given is supported by the best available evidence and local policies and procedures. To deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate To understand practice and local policies for substance abuse and addictive
behaviour, referring patients appropriately To maintain professional competency whilst remaining current and in date for NMC revalidation