Embrace Medical Centre
Lead Practice Nurse

The closing date is 31 January 2027

Job summary
Are you an experienced Practice Nurse ready to take the next step in your career? Do you have the ambition, clinical expertise and leadership skills to help shape the future of primary care nursing?

Embrace Medical Centre is looking for an enthusiastic and forward-thinking Lead Practice Nurse to lead and develop our nursing team, while continuing to deliver excellent, patient-centred care.

This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of our nursing services, influence clinical development and introduce new ideas within a growing and ambitious practice. Working closely with our GP Partners and Practice Management Team, you will lead and support our Practice Nurses and Healthcare Assistants, promote high clinical standards and help drive continuous improvement.

We are particularly keen to hear from qualified Independent Nurse Prescribers, as this would be a valuable addition to our developing clinical team.

With opportunities to influence service delivery, develop colleagues and contribute to innovative ways of working, this is a role where your experience, ideas and leadership can make a genuine difference.

If you are passionate about high-quality patient care and want to be part of a supportive team with a shared ambition to improve and evolve, we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job
As Lead Practice Nurse, you will oversee the day-to-day running and development of the nursing team, providing clinical leadership, guidance and support to Practice Nurses and Healthcare Assistants.

You will balance your leadership responsibilities with direct patient care, maintaining an active clinical role across a range of general practice services. This will include long-term condition management, immunisations, cervical screening, women's health, wound care, preventative healthcare and treatment room services, in line with your qualifications and experience.

You will take a lead role in maintaining clinical standards and Infection Prevention and Control, supporting staff competencies, training and professional development, and ensuring the nursing team is well organised and supported.

Working closely with the GP Partners and Practice Management Team, you will contribute to clinical governance, audits, quality improvement and the development of policies and procedures.

You will also identify opportunities to improve patient pathways, introduce new ways of working and develop nursing services to meet the changing needs of our patients.

This is a varied, hands-on leadership role for someone who enjoys supporting others, taking initiative and making a positive difference to the delivery of patient care.

About us
Embrace Medical Centre is a growing, forward-thinking GP practice based in Kesgrave, on the outskirts of Ipswich. We are passionate about providing high-quality, patient-centred care and creating a supportive working environment where our staff feel valued, encouraged and able to develop.

We are part of a wider GP partnership with Martlesham Heath Surgery, allowing us to share knowledge, experience and resources while maintaining the individual identity and needs of each practice. We are also part of Wolsey Primary Care Network (PCN), working collaboratively with other local healthcare providers to improve services for our communities.

As our practice continues to grow, we are investing in our facilities, developing our services and embracing new technology and innovative ways of working. We are a training practice with a strong commitment to learning, professional development and shared knowledge.

Our teams work collaboratively across clinical and non-clinical roles, with an emphasis on communication, mutual support and finding better ways to deliver care.

We value people who bring ideas, enthusiasm and a willingness to make a difference. Joining Embrace offers the opportunity to become part of an ambitious and supportive team, contribute to meaningful service development and help shape the future of primary care.

Details
Date posted: 13 November 2026
Pay scheme: Other
Salary: Depending on experience
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working
Reference number: A5323-26-0003
Job locations: Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave, Suffolk, IP5 1JF, United Kingdom

Job description
Job Purpose The Lead Practice Nurse will provide clinical and professional leadership to the nursing team at Embrace Medical Centre, including Practice Nurses and Healthcare Assistants (HCAs), ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and high-quality nursing services to our registered patient population.

Working as a senior member of the multidisciplinary team, the post holder will combine clinical expertise with leadership and service development responsibilities. They will support the day-to-day management of the nursing service, promote high standards of clinical practice and create an environment where colleagues feel supported, valued and encouraged to develop.

The role will play an important part in shaping the future of nursing at Embrace, identifying opportunities to improve patient care, introduce innovative approaches and develop services in response to changing patient needs and national healthcare priorities.

The post holder will work closely with the GP Partners and Practice Management Team, contributing to clinical governance, service delivery and the ongoing development of the practice.

An Independent Nurse Prescriber qualification is strongly preferred, and the successful candidate will be encouraged to use their clinical expertise to support effective patient pathways and the development of prescribing services, where appropriate.

Key Responsibilities
Clinical Leadership and Team Development

• Provide visible clinical leadership, supervision and day-to-day support to Practice Nurses and HCAs.
• Promote a positive, supportive and accountable team culture, encouraging collaboration and shared responsibility.
• Support recruitment, induction and integration of new nursing team members where required.
• Coordinate nursing rotas, clinical cover and resources to ensure safe and effective service delivery.
• Support staff appraisals, competency assessments, training and ongoing professional development.
• Identify learning needs and facilitate opportunities for clinical development and shared learning.
• Act as a clinical point of contact for colleagues, providing guidance and escalating concerns appropriately.
• Promote professional standards and act as a positive clinical role model.

Clinical Service Delivery

• Maintain an active clinical role, delivering a range of general practice nursing services within your professional competence.
• Support the management and review of patients with long-term conditions, including diabetes, respiratory disease and cardiovascular conditions, as appropriate to training and experience.
• Deliver preventative healthcare, health promotion and patient education.
• Provide immunisation and vaccination services, including routine, childhood and travel immunisations, where appropriately trained.
• Undertake cervical screening, contraception and women's health services within scope of practice.
• Provide wound care, minor procedures, ECGs, clinical assessments and treatment room services.
• Support the care and coordination of older, frail and housebound patients.
• Use independent prescribing skills where qualified and appropriate to the needs of the service.
• Maintain accurate, contemporaneous and confidential clinical records.
• Recognise clinical risk and ensure appropriate referral or escalation to GPs or other healthcare professionals.

Clinical Governance and Patient Safety

• Take a lead role in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), ensuring appropriate standards, processes and monitoring arrangements are maintained.
• Coordinate IPC audits, risk assessments, training and improvement actions.
• Support the development, implementation and review of clinical policies, protocols and procedures.
• Contribute to clinical audit, quality improvement and service evaluation.
• Support the review of significant events, near misses and clinical incidents, ensuring learning is shared and appropriate improvements are implemented.
• Monitor clinical standards and respond to changes in national guidance, legislation and professional requirements.
• Support the practice in maintaining compliance with CQC requirements, NHS contractual obligations and relevant professional standards.
• Promote evidence-based practice and a culture of continuous improvement.

Service Development and Innovation

• Work with the GP Partners and Practice Management Team to identify opportunities to improve nursing services and patient pathways.
• Contribute ideas and initiatives that support more effective, accessible and coordinated patient care.
• Support the introduction of new clinical services, processes and ways of working.
• Review service delivery in response to patient feedback, population health needs and national priorities.
• Encourage innovation, appropriate use of technology and efficient working practices.
• Contribute to wider practice and partnership development initiatives.

Partnership and Multidisciplinary Working

• Work collaboratively with GPs, HCAs, administrative colleagues and the wider multidisciplinary team.
• Build effective working relationships across Embrace Medical Centre and Martlesham Heath Surgery.
• Support communication and shared learning across the partnership.
• Work with local primary care and wider healthcare services where required to support coordinated patient care.
• Contribute to the development of a positive learning environment as part of a training practice.

Clinical Responsibilities
Alongside the leadership responsibilities of the role, the Lead Practice Nurse will remain actively involved in direct patient care. Clinical duties will be determined by the needs of the practice and the post holder's qualifications, training, competence and professional scope of practice.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Work autonomously, demonstrating sound clinical judgement and decision-making.
• Assess, plan, deliver and evaluate patient care using evidence-based practice.
• Maintain professional accountability and work within NMC requirements.
• Recognise the limits of their competence and seek advice or escalate appropriately.
• Maintain appropriate clinical documentation and confidentiality.
• Support patients to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.
• Promote equality, inclusion and access to high-quality care.

Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain current NMC registration and comply with the NMC Code.
• Maintain continuing professional development relevant to the role.
• Keep clinical knowledge and skills up to date in line with current guidance and best practice.
• Maintain appropriate training and competency in Infection Prevention and Control.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with information governance and data protection requirements.
• Adhere to practice policies, procedures and professional standards.
• Promote a safe, respectful and inclusive working environment.

General
This job description outlines the main duties and responsibilities of the role and is not intended to be exhaustive. The post holder may be required to undertake other duties appropriate to the role and level of responsibility, following discussion with the GP Partners and Practice Management Team.

The role will evolve in response to the changing needs of the practice, its patients and the wider primary care environment.

Person Specification
Experience
Essential

• Significant experience working as a Practice Nurse within a primary care or general practice setting.
• Experience of providing clinical leadership, supervision or day-to-day support to nursing colleagues.
• Experience of working autonomously and managing a varied clinical workload.
• Experience of managing patients with long-term conditions and delivering preventative healthcare.
• Experience of Infection Prevention and Control within a healthcare setting.
• Experience of supporting the care and coordination of older, frail and housebound patients.
• Experience of supporting staff development, clinical training or competency assessment.
• Experience of clinical audit, quality improvement or service development.
• Experience of working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
• Experience of maintaining high clinical standards, patient safety and professional accountability.

Desirable

• Experience of leading or implementing clinical quality improvement initiatives.
• Experience of developing, reviewing or implementing clinical policies, protocols and procedures.
• Experience of clinical risk management and significant or near-miss event reviews.
• Experience of supporting a GP practice with CQC inspections or regulatory requirements.
• Experience of coordinating nursing rotas, clinical resources or workforce planning.
• Experience of working as an Independent Nurse Prescriber within primary care.
• Experience of leading, mentoring or developing clinical colleagues.
• Experience of introducing new clinical services, improving patient pathways or implementing innovative ways of working.
• Experience of working collaboratively across multiple practice sites or within a wider primary care partnership.

Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Nurse with current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
• Relevant general practice nursing qualification, training or demonstrable equivalent experience.
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) relevant to general practice nursing.
• Current Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) training and evidence of maintaining clinical competence.

Desirable

• Independent Prescriber qualification strongly preferred.
• Qualifications in Primary Care, Advanced Practice or Chronic Disease Management.
• Family Planning and Contraception.
• Mentor, Practice Assessor or recognised clinical teaching qualification.
• Relevant leadership or management skills.
• Additional clinical qualifications relevant to General Practice Nursing.

Leadership and Personal Qualities
Essential

• Demonstrates effective leadership skills and the ability to motivate, support and develop colleagues.
• Approachable, supportive and able to build positive working relationships.
• Confident decision-maker with sound clinical judgement and problem-solving skills.
• Able to organise, prioritise and manage competing demands effectively.
• Demonstrates initiative and the ability to identify opportunities for service improvement.
• Able to manage change positively and encourage others to embrace new ways of working.
• Committed to high standards of patient care, clinical safety and professional accountability.
• Demonstrates a flexible, collaborative and proactive approach to work.
• Committed to continuous learning, professional development and shared knowledge.
• Able to maintain professionalism, confidentiality and discretion when dealing with sensitive or challenging situations.

Clinical Knowledge and Skills
Essential

• Broad knowledge of general practice nursing, including wound care, minor procedures, ECGs and clinical assessment.
• Competence in long-term condition management, health promotion and preventative healthcare.
• Competence in immunisations, cervical screening, contraception and women's health, appropriate to training and scope of practice.
• Knowledge and understanding of Infection Prevention and Control requirements within primary care.
• Understanding of evidence-based practice, current clinical guidance and professional standards.
• Understanding of Patient Group Directions (PGDs), prescribing governance and relevant clinical protocols.
• Ability to recognise, assess and appropriately escalate clinical risk.
• Ability to work autonomously within professional boundaries and recognise when further clinical advice is required.
• Ability to maintain accurate, contemporaneous and confidential clinical records.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with patients, colleagues and external professionals.

Desirable

• Knowledge of QOF, enhanced services and primary care contractual requirements.
• Knowledge of local public health priorities and health inequalities.
• Experience of spirometry and respiratory assessment.
• Knowledge and experience of clinical prescribing within primary care.
• Experience of using clinical audit findings and patient feedback to improve services.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: Embrace Medical Centre
Address: Twelve Acre Approach, Kesgrave, Suffolk, IP5 1JF, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.embracemedicalcentre.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: GP Partner, Dr Foyzur Miah, foyzur.miah@nhs.net, 01473610028

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