Practice Nurse

Job Title: Practice Nurse Reports to: Clinically to GPs/Nurse Manager Managerially to the Practice Manager Salary: Dependent on experience Job Purpose To provide nursing care for the patients that the practice serves and share workload and responsibility with GPs making best use of clinical skills within the practice to enable the practice to develop and deliver the nursing services. Organisational Chart Partners Practice Manager Nurse Manager Practice nurses Phlebotomists Health Care Assistants Main Duties: 1. Diabetes Support patients in the management of insulin and non- insulin dependent diabetes Undertake opportunistic screening for the diagnosis of diabetes Support and provide education for diabetic patients Provide emergency treatment for hypo/hyperglycaemic emergencies Make appropriate referrals Contribute to the maintenance of the practice diabetic register Initiates the process of diagnosis on patients with suspected diabetes Manages patients newly diagnosed with diabetes under protocols Undertakes annual review of patients understanding and ability to self manage Provides the management of patient converting to or commencing insulin within protocols Refers to dietician, chiropodist and diabetes and specialist nurses Maintains a disease register Audits outcomes of care against standards and initiate changes as necessary 2. Respiratory Disease Management Has a basic understanding of asthma care; its diagnosis, asthma treatments and the principles of self-management Use a spirometer to aid the diagnosis and management of COPD Know about the factors which contribute to the development of COPD Contribute to the management of patients within the framework of national and local guidelines for asthma and COPD Manage emergency treatment of asthma attacks Advise patients of their asthma control including the use of self-management plans Teach and advise patients how to use various inhalers and peak flow meters Contribute to the maintenance of the practice respiratory register Make appropriate referrals Manages newly diagnosed patients with asthma and COPD Maintains a disease register Work within agreed local/BTS guidelines and patient group directions to manage patients with asthma, aiding diagnosis, reviewing inhaler technique and advising on treatment changes 3. Cardiovascular Disease Contribute to the implementation of the National Service Framework Contribute to the maintenance of the practice CHD register Advise patients on lifestyle management and drug compliance for reducing risk factors of: Hypertension Angina Myocardial infarction Cerebrovascular accident Long term conditions: Management of CVD and Stroke according to protocol and template Contraception Advise patients on available methods of contraception and refer patients as appropriate Support patients attending for emergency contraceptive and refer patients as appropriate Perform interval health checks for patients using hormonal contraception Teach patients correct condom use Advise patients on reducing risk of sexually transmitted diseases and refer patients appropriately Clinical Nursing Practice` Perform wound care using aseptic technique Undertake uncomplicated dressings, including leg ulcers Suture and clip removal Screening: Undertake opportunistic screening BP checks, height, weight BMI, urinalysis, smoking status Undertake opportunistic venepuncture 7. Health Promotion: Recognise patients readiness to change in supporting their attempts to change unhealthy behaviour Provide healthy eating advice to individuals or to groups, including the underweight Provide smoking cessation advice individually in opportunistic consultations Provide individual advice to patients about increasing activity or exercise Offer advice on recommended safe limits for alcohol consumption Refer as appropriate 8. Vaccinations and Immunisations Administer injections under an individualized prescription or Patient Group Direction Ensure safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs Provide an adult and childhood immunization service Develop and work to Patient Group Directions for POMs 9. Infection control Support patients and colleagues in adopting sound infection control measures Apply infection control measures within the practice according to local and national guidelines This includes: Universal hygiene precautions The collection and handling of laboratory specimens Segregation and disposal of waste materials Decontamination of instruments and clinical equipment Reporting and treatment of sharps injuries Dealing with blood and body fluid spillages Educate colleagues in adopting sound infection control measures 10. Emergency Management Is competent in anaphylaxis and resuscitation techniques 11. Womens Health Advise patients on the national and local Cervical Cytology screening programmes Undertake a programme of cervical cytology sampling under supervision until competent Audit a minimum of twenty consecutive smears each year to demonstrate adequate sampling rates Promote breast self-awareness, demonstrate breast self-examination and provide supporting literature Advise patients about reducing the risk of sexually transmitted diseases and make appropriate referrals Take swabs for microscopy as directed Any other delegated duties considered appropriate to the post. e.g. Family Planning Clinics Travel advice This List is not exhaustive. Your position brings you into contact with information which is personal and confidential. Under no circumstances must this information be discussed or divulged. A breach of confidentiality is a dismissable offence.