Practice Nurse

Job responsibilities POST: Practice Nurse Accountable to: The Partners Responsible to: The Partners (Medically) The Practice Manager (Administration) Job Summary: 1. To provide nursing services to patients of the practice including treatment, screening and advice within the professional competence of the post holder. 2. To work independently in the surgery in the absence of a GP, possessing the initiative and confidence necessary to do so. 3. To have charge of the treatment room, maintain an adequate level of supplies including vaccines and be responsible for cleaning and sterilisation of instruments. 4. All duties will be carried out in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and with regard to the various practice protocols. 1 Principal Duties and Areas of Responsibilities: 1. Vaccination and Immunisation 1.1 To administer children and adults immunisations as per the NHS guidelines. 1.2 Will require knowledge of the implications of immunisation and of the contraindications. 1.3 Required to follow protocols and use knowledge and experience to determine whether to immunise. 1.4 To provide appropriate health advice and immunisation for travellers. 2 Diagnostic Testing, Screening and Health Promotion 2.1 To select, carry out and interpret results of specific tests within the agreed protocols of the practice, referring immediately when necessary. 2.3 To provide general and specific health screening to the practice population (within agreed protocols), with referral to the GP(s) as necessary. 2.4 To undertake registration and over 75 year Health Checks within agreed protocols. 2.5 To assist in the provision of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Management activities, e.g. dietary advice, hypertension, asthma and diabetes. 2.6 To advise on breast awareness, hormone replacement therapy and to take swabs and cervical smears where appropriate. 3 Administration 3.1 To maintain adequate stocks of Childhood Immunisations, Travel vaccinations, Emergency drugs etc. 3.2 To maintain accurate patient records in notes and enter onto the computer. 3.3 To collect data and participate in regular practice audit and research projects. 3.4 To liaise with the Practice Manager with regard to claims for the ordering of appropriate Childhood Immunisations, Travel vaccinations, Emergency drugs etc. 3.5 To enter cytology results in the appropriate record book and on the computer; inform patients promptly with abnormal results of the appropriate action needed. 3.6 To monitor and maintain cytology and childhood immunisation uptake in order to achieve maximum target levels. 4 Education 4.1 To maintain continuous professional development in line with the requirements of the practice. 4.2 To participate in the training of other personnel as appropriate. 4.3 To contribute to the preparation of the Practice and Professional Development Plan. 4.4 To contribute to the training of other members of the practice team including medical students. 5 Personnel 5.1 To maintain yearly registration with the NMC. 5.2 To be conversant with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and understand the importance of professional accountability. 5.3 To maintain indemnity insurance for all clinical work under taken. Health and Safety: Under the provisions contained in the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, it is the duty of every employee to: - Take reasonable care of themselves and others at work - Co-operate with the practice as far as is necessary to enable them to carry out their legal duty - Not to intentionally or recklessly interfere with anything provided; including personal protective equipment, for health and safety or welfare at work. This job description may need to be reviewed from time to time as the practice develops.