Clinical Nurse Specialist

Position Overview

Fell Cottage Surgery is seeking a dedicated and passionate Clinical Nurse Specialist to become an integral part of our evolving, supportive, and patient-centered healthcare team.

The Clinical Nurse Specialist will oversee various clinical domains, including infection control, health promotion, chronic illness management, vaccinations, and cervical screening, while also providing essential support to the practice team in executing clinical policies and procedures.

A solid understanding of Primary Care and Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) is advantageous.

Key Responsibilities

The Clinical Nurse Specialist will be tasked with implementing processes for the effective management of patients with chronic conditions, utilizing evidence-based practices, including care for elderly and housebound individuals.

As a senior member of the multidisciplinary practice team, the incumbent will ensure that nursing services are delivered efficiently to the eligible patient population.

Fell Cottage Surgery is committed to providing the post holder with access to suitable clinical supervision and a designated individual within the organization for daily guidance and support.

About Our Practice

Located in a historic building in the heart of our community, Fell Cottage Surgery is led by a team of four GP partners and two salaried GPs, supported by a dedicated nursing team comprising a Lead Nurse, a Practice Nurse, and two Health Care Assistants. We are a training practice, nurturing GP trainees, Physician Associates, and Nurse Associates. Our administrative team, consisting of 11 staff members, is managed by our Office Manager and Secretary. We also benefit from a Patient Care Coordinator who collaborates directly with our patients, alongside an extended team of additional role staff, including Pharmacists, Counsellors, Mental Health Practitioners, Social Prescribers, Midwives, and Health Visitors. Our practice fosters a family-like atmosphere while striving to provide exceptional healthcare to our patient population.

Primary Responsibilities

• Support the Infection Prevention Control (IPC) lead and adhere to the IPC Policy, assisting in audits, training, and compliance evidence for the practice manager.
• Contribute to the development of the IPC annual statement in collaboration with the practice manager.
• Assess patient needs to ensure appropriate healthcare delivery, incorporating evidence-based practices.
• Design, implement, and promote health and wellness initiatives.
• Develop and evaluate individualized treatment plans for patients with chronic diseases to enhance health and wellbeing.
• Identify and manage patients at risk of developing long-term conditions to prevent adverse health outcomes.
• Provide routine nursing care in accordance with clinical evidence, NICE guidelines, and the National Service Framework (NSF).
• Diagnose and manage acute and chronic conditions with support from the clinical team as needed.
• Administer medications in accordance with Patient Group Directions (PGDs) and within the scope of practice.
• Review patient medications to improve adherence.
• Guide patients on the use of prescribed and over-the-counter medications, including side effects and dosages.
• Coordinate travel medicine services.
• Request and process pathology services as required.
• Oversee chronic disease clinics, delivering patient care and referring to secondary/specialist care as necessary.
• Maintain accurate clinical records in compliance with current legislation.
• Ensure effective use of read codes by all nursing team members.
• Maintain chronic disease registers appropriately.
• Develop and participate in well-woman and well-man clinics.
• Ensure adherence to the practice chaperone policy.
• Prioritize health issues and intervene as necessary.
• Assist the team in managing clinical emergencies.
• Recognize, assess, and refer patients with mental health needs.
• Implement vaccination programs for adults and children.
• Support patients in the use of prescribed and over-the-counter medications within the scope of practice.
• Liaise with external services/agencies to ensure appropriate support for vulnerable patients.
• Delegate clinical responsibilities appropriately, ensuring safe practice.
• Assist the clinical team with safeguarding matters in accordance with local and national policies.
• Understand local policies regarding substance abuse and addictive behaviors, referring patients as needed.
• Deliver opportunistic health promotion when appropriate.

Secondary Responsibilities

• Develop and review audit protocols and processes for the practice, effectively utilizing the audit cycle.
• Collaborate with partners to develop, review, and implement nursing protocols.
• Establish an effective care management program for frail and housebound patients registered at the practice.
• Support nursing team members, providing guidance, conducting appraisals, and assessing training needs as required.
• Engage in local initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient care.
• Participate in shared learning within the practice to improve patient care.
• Continuously review clinical practices in response to national policies and initiatives.
• Participate in the review of significant and near-miss events using structured approaches, including root cause analysis (RCA).
• Assist the practice team in reviewing and implementing practice policies and protocols, ensuring compliance with current legislation.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• Experience in a primary care setting.
• Experience in chronic disease management.
• Ability to work autonomously.
• Experience as a practice nurse or community nurse.

Desirable

• Experience in infection prevention and control measures.
• Experience managing elderly and housebound patients.
• Experience with quality initiatives, such as benchmarking.

Clinical Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Understanding of evidence-based practice.
• Knowledge of PGD requirements and associated policies.
• Ability to accurately record clinical notes.
• Ability to work within the scope of practice and recognize when to refer to GPs.

Desirable

• Women's health knowledge, including cervical cytology and contraception.
• Immunization experience, including routine, childhood, and travel vaccinations.
• Travel medicine knowledge.

Skills

Essential

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Effective time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team and independently.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Problem-solving and analytical abilities.
• Ability to adhere to clinical policies and procedures.
• Clear and polite telephone communication skills.

Desirable

• Strong IT proficiency.

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Polite and confident demeanor.
• Flexible and cooperative attitude.
• High integrity and loyalty.
• Empathetic and sensitive in challenging situations.
• Effective communication and understanding of patient needs.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Punctual and dedicated to team efforts.

Desirable

• Motivated and forward-thinking.
• Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively.
• Ability to work under pressure and in stressful situations.
• Effective resource utilization.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Wound care and removal of sutures and staples.
• Electrocardiograms (ECGs).
• Venepuncture.
• Conducting new patient medical assessments.
• Requesting pathology tests and processing results, advising patients accordingly.

Desirable

• Spirometry knowledge.
• Broad understanding of clinical governance.
• Awareness of public health issues in the local area.
• Knowledge of health promotion strategies.