Job summary
Are you a newly qualified registered nurse looking to develop your career in general practice?

Portslade Health Centre is looking for an enthusiastic and caring nurse to join our friendly team. This is an opportunity to build your skills in primary care, supporting patients of all ages and helping them to manage their health and wellbeing.

We recognise that moving into your first nursing role is an important step. You will work alongside our experienced nursing and wider clinical team, developing your confidence and taking on responsibilities as your training and skills progress.

If you wish, you will have the opportunity to enrol on the fully funded General Practice Nurse (GPN) Foundation Programme, subject to eligibility and confirmation of a programme place. Starting in January 2027, this one year programme combines supported clinical practice with academic study at City St Georges, University of London, leading to a Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Care Practice Nursing.

Main duties of the job
You will help deliver safe, compassionate nursing care, working within your competence and with appropriate support and supervision. Your duties will develop through training and may include:

• Carrying out health checks and providing advice on healthy lifestyles.
• Supporting patients with long term conditions, such as asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure.
• Providing wound care and dressings.
• Administering vaccinations and immunisations following appropriate training.
• Undertaking cervical screening once trained and assessed as competent.
• Maintaining accurate patient records and contributing to safe, effective care.
• Working closely with colleagues to identify and support patients who need additional care.
• Taking part in learning, supervision and activities to improve patient care.

Responsibilities

• Undertake patient observations and health checks, including blood pressure, urinalysis, peak flow measurements, ECG recording and venepuncture, as trained.
• Provide wound assessment and care, dressings and removal of sutures or clips. Undertake ulcer care and compression bandaging only following appropriate training, assessment and an agreed care plan.
• Support reviews of long term conditions, including asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure, referring concerns and treatment decisions to an appropriate clinician.
• Provide health promotion and personalised advice on matters such as smoking, diet, physical activity and prevention of illness.
• Administer childhood and adult immunisations, routine vaccinations and travel vaccinations once trained and authorised under the appropriate prescribing or medicines arrangements.
• Undertake cervical screening after completing the required training and assessment and meeting applicable screening programme requirements.
• Undertake ear care, including irrigation where offered by the practice, only after appropriate training and assessment and in accordance with practice protocols.
• Act as a chaperone and assist clinicians with procedures, including minor surgery and coil fittings, following training and local procedures.
• Collect and handle specimens safely and arrange agreed investigations, such as urine cultures and swabs, within local protocols and delegated authority.
• Undertake home visits where agreed, appropriate to competence and supported by the practices arrangements for safe working.
• Recognise deterioration or urgent concerns, seek immediate clinical assistance and contribute to emergency care within training and competence.
• Explain care and procedures clearly, check understanding and obtain and record appropriate consent. Respect a patients right to decline care.
• Treat patients, carers and colleagues with dignity and respect, recognising individual beliefs, circumstances and communication needs. Arrange appropriate communication support and reasonable adjustments.
• Work with the wider practice team and relevant services to support continuity of care and ensure concerns and agreed actions are communicated promptly.
• Recognise and report safeguarding concerns involving children or adults in line with practice procedures. Seek advice from the safeguarding lead or an appropriate clinician.
• Maintain accurate, timely and clear electronic patient records, including assessments, care provided, advice, consent and any escalation or follow up arrangements.
• Use practice clinical and administrative systems appropriately and take part in relevant recall and monitoring processes.
• Protect confidential information about patients, carers, staff and the practice. Access and share information only as authorised and in accordance with practice policies and applicable data protection requirements.
• Follow practice infection prevention procedures, including hand hygiene, appropriate personal protective equipment, safe sharps handling and disposal, and segregation of clinical waste.
• Keep treatment rooms and work areas clean, tidy and appropriately prepared. Follow procedures for cleaning and decontamination of clinical equipment.
• Handle, label, store and arrange transport of specimens safely. Report equipment faults, shortages, hazards and incidents promptly.
• Assist with checking clinical supplies, expiry dates and vaccination storage and cold chain records as delegated and following training.
• Follow health and safety, fire safety, lone working and personal security procedures. Complete required training and report concerns to the appropriate senior colleague.
• Attend relevant team meetings and contribute to a supportive working environment.
• Participate in audits, patient feedback reviews and improvements to care appropriate to the role and stage of development.
• Report errors, near misses and concerns promptly, contribute to learning and follow agreed actions.
• Organise allocated work safely, seek help with competing priorities and make responsible use of practice and NHS resources.
• Follow practice policies and undertake other reasonable duties appropriate to the post, training and assessed competence.

Essential criteria

• Experience of providing patient care through nursing placements or employment.
• Experience of working with colleagues as part of a healthcare team.
• Experience of communicating sensitively with patients and carers.
• Experience of maintaining accurate patient records.
• Previous employment in general practice is not essential. Examples from student placements are welcomed.
• Registered nurse with current Nursing and Midwifery Council registration by the agreed start date.
• Commitment to completing relevant training and developing the clinical skills required for general practice.
• Willingness to maintain professional registration and undertake continuing professional development.
• A caring, respectful approach that protects patients dignity and confidentiality.
• Good communication and listening skills.
• Ability to recognise personal limitations and seek advice and support appropriately.
• Ability to organise allocated work and respond to changing priorities with support.
• Willingness to learn, receive feedback and take part in supervision.
• Understanding of safeguarding, infection prevention and safe working appropriate to a newly qualified nurse.
• Confidence using computers and willingness to learn practice clinical systems.
• A reliable, flexible approach and commitment to working positively with the wider practice team.

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: Portslade Health Centre Medical Practice
Address: Portslade Health Centre, Church Road, Portslade, Brighton, BN41 1LX, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://portsladehealthcentre.co.uk/

Contact
Practice Manager: Tracy James, tracy.james10@nhs.net, 01273431031

Apply through our website.