Minor Illness Practice Nurse

Job summary

We have a diversified workforce made up of GPs, Nurses, Phlebotomists, Health Care Assistant, Receptions, Secretarys and Practice Management staff. We as a group are committed to providing a friendly, open and supportive environment where our staff feel valued, appreciated and comfortable with sharing ideas which could improve and diversity our services further.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for a motivated, friendly, clinically astute experienced Practitioner to join our existing team to support delivering the highest standards of patient care through face to face and telephone appointments for patients presenting with a wide range of minor illness, under the supervision of our Same Day Access GP as well as managing and caring for the chronic disease requirements of our patient population.

About us

John Hampden Surgery is a small, friendly, village GP practice serving a population of around 4000 patients, and we consider ourselves as forward thinking and driven team of professionals meeting the demands of patient care and have been awarded and successfully retained an outstanding status from CQC.

Job description

Job responsibilities

A qualified registered nurse who is responsible for attending to patients in managing their continuing medical and nursing needs. The role will involve supporting patients registered to John Hampden Surgery within the community setting. Where a nurse is recruited the post holder will adhere to the NMC code of conduct. Responsibilities:Diagnosing and treating patientsReview, advise and treat patients wishing to see a health care professional, making any necessary referrals to other members of the primary or secondary health care teamEnsure clinical practice is safe and effective and remains within boundaries of competence, and to acknowledge limitations.Patients should be treated with evidence-based health interventions in accordance local policy and guidelines Providing assessment, screening treatment services and health education advice:Dietary adviceBlood pressure checksUrinalysisHealth screeningDressings ECG PhlebotomyRoutine injections Contraception Routine immunisations and vaccinations Removal of sutures / clipsBaby immunisations First registration checks / health surveillance / general health adviceProvide general and specific health screenings to the practice patients (within agreed protocols) with referral to other members of the primary and secondary health care team as necessaryUndertake management reviews to meet Quality and Frameworks targetConduct Minor Illness assessment and guidance to patients under the supervision of our same day GP. Pathological specimens and investigatory proceduresUndertake the collection of pathological specimens including intravenous blood samples, swabs etc. Perform investigatory procedures requested by the GPs.Administration and professional responsibilitiesParticipate in the administrative and professional responsibilities of the practice teamEnsure accurate and legible notes of all consultations and treatments are recorded in the patients notesEnsure the clinical computer system is kept up to date, with accurate details recorded and amendedEnsure appropriate items of service claims are made accurately, reporting any problems to the practice administratorEnsure accurate completion of all necessary documentation associated with patient health care and registration with the practiceEnsure collection and maintenance of statistical information required for regular and ad hoc reports and auditAttend and participate in practice meetings as requiredRestocking and maintenance of clinical areas and consulting roomsSupplies and equipmentMaintenance of equipment and stock relating to patient careReport any problems to Practice ManagerPost holder must be able to drive and hold valid insurance that covers home visiting element of role, at their own costThe post holder will be responsible for the upkeep of their own vehicle with the right to claim mileage allowance in lines with the practices travel expense policy. Confidentiality:In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriatelyIn the performance of the duties outlined in this job description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidentialInformation relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data Health & safety:The post-holder will implement and lead on a full range of promotion and management their own and others health and safety and infection control, as defined in the practice Health & Safety policy, the practice Health & Safety manual, and the practice Infection Control policy and published procedures. This will include (but will not be limited to):Using personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelinesAwareness of national standards of infection control and cleanliness and regulatory / contractual / professional requirements, and good practice guidelinesResponsible for correct and safe management of the specimens process, including collection, labelling, handling, use of correct and clean containers, storage and transport arrangementsManagement and maintenance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the practice including provision, ordering, availability and ongoing correct usage by staffResponsible for hand hygiene across the practiceOwnership of infection control and clinically based patient care protocols, and implementation of those protocols across the practiceActive observation of current working practices across the practice in relation to infection control, cleanliness and related activities, ensuring that procedures are followed and weaknesses / training needs are identified, escalating issues as appropriate Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks across clinical and patient processMaking effective use of training to update knowledge and skills, and initiate and manage the training of others across the full range of infection control and patient processesMonitoring practice facilities and equipment in relation to infection control, ensuring that provision of hand-cleansing facilities, wipes etc. are sufficient to ensure a good clinical working environment. Lack of facilities to be escalated as appropriate.Safe management of sharps procedures, including training, use, storage and disposal Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy, clean and sterile, and safe way, free from hazards. Initiation of remedial / corrective action where needed or escalation to responsible managementActively identifying, reporting, and correction of health and safety hazards and infection hazards immediately when recognisedKeeping own work areas and general / patient areas generally clean, sterile, identifying issues and hazards / risks in relation to other work areas within the business, and assuming responsibility in the maintenance of general standards of cleanliness across the business in consultation (where appropriate) with other sector managers Undertaking periodic infection control training (minimum twice annually)Routine management of own team / team areas, and maintenance of work space standardsWaste management, including collection, handling, segregation, container management, storage and collectionSpillage control procedures, management and trainingDecontamination control procedures, management and training, and equipment maintenanceMaintenance of sterile environmentsDemonstrate due regard for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.The post holder would be expected to meet the minimal national occupational health standard required for Practice Nursing activities. Personal/Professional development:The post-holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the practice as part of this employment, such training to include:Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional developmentTaking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work Quality:The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the practice, and will:Alert other team members to issues of quality and riskAssess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervisionContribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performanceWork effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needsEffectively manage own time, workload and resources Communication:The post-holder should recognize the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to:Communicate effectively with other team membersCommunicate effectively with patients and carersRecognize peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordinglyWork in line with the practices significant event reporting and recording policy

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Nursing experience within a Primary Care setting, OR Experience of working within a team. Experience with minor illness and acute care Experience of dealing with all age groups including children and vulnerable patients

Desirable

Experience of working in primary / secondary care setting Experience of working in a GP practice of Primary Care Network

Qualifications

Essential

Hold a Qualified Nursing Qualification and be registered with the NMC

Desirable

Hold Minor Illness and / or Prescribing qualifications (preferred) Qualified in Phlebotomy

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