Practice Nurse

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:

a. 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

b.

To

support in the publication of the IPC annual statement in conjunction with the

practice manager

c.

To

develop, implement and embed an effective care management programme for the

frail and housebound patients registered at the practice

d.

To

assess the needs of patients ensuring the provision of healthcare is

appropriate, incorporating evidence-based practice

e.

To

develop, implement and embed health promotion and wellbeing programmes

f.

To

implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for chronic disease patients

that promote health and wellbeing

g.

To

identify, manage and support patients at risk of developing long-term

conditions, preventing adverse effects to patients health

h.

As

required, to provide routine nursing care to patients in accordance with

clinical based evidence, NICE and the NSF

i.

As

required, to diagnose and manage acute and chronic conditions

j.

Provide

wound care (ulcer/Doppler, etc.) to patients

k.

To

review patient medications to enhance compliance

l.

To

provide guidance to patients in the use of prescribed and over-the-counter

medications regarding side effects and dosages

m.

To

co-ordinate the provision of travel medicine services

n.

To

request pathology services and process pathology results as required

o.

To

oversee the provision of chronic disease clinics, delivering patient care as

necessary, referring patients to secondary/specialist care as required

p.

To

maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with extant legislation

q.

To

ensure SNOMED CT codes are used effectively by all members of the nursing team

r.

To

ensure the appropriate maintenance and use of chronic disease registers

s.

To

develop, implement, embed and participate in well woman clinics

t.

To

develop, implement, embed and participate in well man clinics

u.

To

ensure compliance with the practice chaperone policy

v.

To

assist GPs with minor surgery when required

w.

To

prioritise health issues and intervene appropriately

x.

To

support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies

y.

To

recognise, assess and refer patients presenting with mental health needs

z.

To

implement vaccination programmes for adults and children

aa. To support patients in

the use of their prescribed medicines or over-the-counter medicines (within own

scope of practice)

bb. To liaise with external

services/agencies to ensure the patient is supported appropriately (vulnerable

patients etc.)

cc. To delegate clinical

responsibilities appropriately (ensuring safe practice and the task is within

the scope of practice of the individual)

dd. To support the clinical

team with all safeguarding matters, in accordance with local and national

policies

ee. To understand practice

and local policies for substance abuse and addictive behaviour, referring

patients appropriately

ff.

To

deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate

gg. To conduct patient home

visits as required

In addition to the

primary key responsibilities, the Practice Nurse may be requested to:

a.

Develop

• and review audit protocols and process for the practice, effectively utilising
• the audit cycle
• b.
• Develop,
• review and implement nursing protocols in conjunction with the partners
• c.

Support

all members of the nursing team, providing guidance when necessary, conducting

appraisals and training needs analyses as required

d.

Participate

in local initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient care

e.

Support

and participate in shared learning within the practice in order to improve

patient care

f.

Continually

review clinical practices, responding to national policies and initiatives

where appropriate

g.

Participate

in the review of significant and near-miss events applying a structured

approach, i.e., root cause analysis (RCA)

h.

Coordinate

the nursing team rota, ensuring sufficient staff are available to meet patient

needs

i.

Lead

the planning and implementation of changes within the nursing team, enhancing

the provision of services to patients

j.

Support

the practice team with the reviewing and implementation of practice policies

and protocols, ensuring conformance to extant legislation