Job summary
The post holder will be an experienced nurse, who, acting within their professional boundaries will provide care for the presenting patient from initial history taking, clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of their care. They will demonstrate safe, clinical decision-making and expert care for patients within the general practice. They will work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary general practice team to meet the needs of patients, supporting the delivery of policy and procedures, and providing nurse leadership as required. In order to work at this level, NMC requirements for advanced practice must be met.

Only qualified Registered Practice Nurse will be considered for the position and shortlisted. The candidates should have completed training around Cervical Cytology & Immunisations as standard.

Main duties of the job
JOB REQUIREMENTS

• To manage their own clinical workload in a general practice environment; responding effectively to the patient needs and ensuring patient choice and ease of access to services
• The development and use of referral pathways.
• To mentor and support other nurses in developing and maintaining their clinical skills
• To promote a professional and positive attitude at all times to patients and colleagues.To actively promote and create a helpful and professional customer relationship with all patients and colleagues.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Is able to manage care programmes directly with patients without referral from another senior nurse or doctor.
• Manages relevant staff/team to deliver a holistic approach to patient services.
• Initiates and manages a methodical assessment of patient needs, including the public health role of the practice.
• Develops practice protocols for the surgery and clinical protocols for the clinical team to work within.

About us
At First 4 Health Group we are committed to ensuring that all patients receive the best possible care in relation to long term illnesses by promoting healthy living and encouraging a healthy lifestyle through various clinics and education meetings with patients is also key. Patient and Doctor/ Nurse face-to-face appointments are offered as well as the option for patients to speak to a doctor over the phone for their convenience to assist in their illness and health related concerns.

The aim of the practice is to ensure that all residents in Newham have access to the diverse range of high quality services, which are local to them and are linked between health and social care.

Job responsibilities
CLINICAL ROLE:
The post-holder will:

• Make professionally autonomous decisions for which he/she is accountable.
• Deliver Immunisation & Cervical Smear programme for the practice
• Be competent in dressings, suture removal and treatment of simple wounds and wound care.
• Manage Chronic Disease e.g. Diabetes, CHD, within training competencies
• Provide safe, evidence-based, cost-effective, individualised patient care.
• Offer a holistic service to patients and their families, developing where appropriate an on-going plan of care/support, with an emphasis on prevention and self-care.
• Promote health and well-being through the use of health promotion, health education, screening and therapeutic communication skills.
• Refer patients directly to other services/agencies as appropriate.
• Work with nursing, medical and health care assistant colleagues to ensure that National Service Frameworks (e.g. Coronary Heart Disease/Older People/ Diabetes /Mental Health) are being delivered.
• Contribute to the practice achieving its quality targets to sustain the high standards of patient care and service delivery.
• Be aware of and contribute to planning and delivery of practice-based commissioning.
• Carry out audits and complete patient summaries.
• Assess, plan, provide and evaluate nursing care to meet the care needs of individuals and groups in the practice population.
• Assess, diagnose and treat specific diseases in accordance with agreed medical/nursing protocols.
• Provide direct access to specialist nursing care for undifferentiated patients within the practice population.
• Undertake diagnostic, health screening, health surveillance and therapeutic interventions within a broader health promotion/public health strategy.

TEACHING AND MENTORING ROLE:
The post-holder will:

• Chair Customer Care, Clinical and any other meetings as required by the practice.
• Promote a learning environment for patients, nurses and other health professionals.
• Contribute to the planning and implementation of the teaching for existing staff, such as medical students, PN students, GP registrars, Health Care Assistants, within the Practice.

PROFESSIONAL ROLE:
The post-holder will:

• Promote evidence-based practice through the use of the latest research-based guidelines and the development of practice-based research.
• Maintain their professional registration.
• Participate in continuing professional development opportunities to ensure that up-to-date evidence-based knowledge and competence in all aspects of the role is maintained.
• Work within the latest NMC Code of Professional Conduct.
• Record accurate consultation data in patients records in accordance with the latest NMC guidance and other pertinent standards.
• Keep up to date with pertinent health-related policy and work with the practice team to consider the impact and strategies for implementation.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues within and external to the practice.
• Pro-actively promote the role of the PN within the Practice, and externally to key stakeholders and agencies.

SUPERVISORY and/or MANAGERIAL ROLE:
The post-holder will:

• Encourage and develop teamwork within the practice.
• Participate in multi-disciplinary protocol and Patient Group Directions development.
• Help the practice operate in a cost-effective manner.
• Identify and manage nursing care risks on a continuing basis.
• Participate in practice meetings and practice management meetings, reporting progress as required.
• Participate in audits and inspections as appropriate.
• Ensure that all Practice Policies are fully implemented
• Maintain necessary Occupational health records for clinical staff.
• Support, Manager and Train the practice Healthcare Assistants.
• Undertake personal development courses designed to support the role of Managers.
• Identify and support practice development plans.
• Provide effective and dynamic leadership and management skills by organising and leading a multi disciplinary team.
• As a clinical expert, be able to advise on educational opportunities that will facilitate the development and support of their specialist knowledge and skills to ensure the development of clinical practice.
• Recognise the development needs of others and provide appraisal and clinical supervision.
• Support clinicians as a mentor/preceptor in personal and professional development plans.
• Develop and guide learners in their education programmes as a mentor or preceptor.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• 1-5 Years relevant post registration experience
• Practice Nurse Qualification
• NMC Nurse Registration

Desirable

• Non - Medical Prescribing Qualification or the willingness to work towards this
• First Contact Course

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