Diabetic Practice Nurse

*Job Description*

· The post-holder will be an experienced nurse, who is responsible for the delivery of practice nursing services care to the practice population

· Supported by the Lead Nurse Practitioner acting within their professional boundaries of their scope of practice, they will demonstrate safe, clinical decision-making and expert care for patients within the general practice.

· They will focus upon supporting patients to be healthy, monitoring and management of long-term conditions; specifically, diabetes, health prevention and screening activities, immunisations and may include cervical screening.

· The post-holder will work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary general practice team to meet the needs of patients, supporting the delivery of policy and procedures.

· The post-holder will build effective working relationships with other health care professionals.

· The post-holder will work within the team of GP’s, nurses and health care assistants to deliver excellent primary health care services within the Practice

*Primary responsibilities:*

· To ensure that the Practice's diabetes care is delivered in a timely, professional manner to include Diabetic Reviews, Diabetic Foot checks and insulin management

· To identify patient's diabetes care needs and to assess and offer advice

· Chronic disease management - assess, plan, implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for patient

· Review medication for therapeutic effectiveness, appropriate to patient needs and in accordance with evidence-based practice and national and practice protocols

· To demonstrate a positive supportive approach to patients at diagnosis and/or patients with the development of diabetes related complications

· Work with patients in order to support adherence to prescribed treatments
* Venepuncture, handling of specimens
* Undertaking diagnostic tests and screening procedures within agreed practice protocols (e.g. ECG and cervical cytology)
* Immunisation and vaccination of children, adults and travellers
* Ear examination and syringing
* Wound care, dressings and removal of sutures
* First aid and management of emergencies e.g. burns, haemorrhage, shock cardiac arrest. Triage of injuries
* Care and maintenance of equipment
* New patient checks

· To provide appropriate signposting to the relevant clinician or external organisation whilst ensuring that the patient receives appropriate ongoing care

· To promote high standards of patient care by the application of a systematic triage approach and undertake comprehensive holistic assessments of person-centred care needs

· To maintain clear, concise and accurate documentation within the systems provided

· To ensure that all necessary arrangements are completed promptly and in a safe manner

· To maintain effective communication with multidisciplinary teams to the benefit of the patient

· To maintain the confidentiality of matters relating to patients and patient care in accordance with the NMC guidelines

· To communicate complex and sensitive information concerning a patient’s medical condition effectively to patients/carers, recognising that sometimes there are barriers to understanding

· To foster good public relations by ensuring courtesy and discretion when dealing with patients and their relatives

· To support and advise patients on the promotion of health, prevention of ill-health and the self-management of their health within their limitations

· To recognise situations that may be detrimental to the health and well-being of the individual and act on the findings

· To ensure that care given is supported by the best available evidence and local policies and procedures

· To deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate

· To understand practice and local policies for substance abuse and addictive behaviour, referring patients appropriately

· To uphold the confidentiality of all records/information held by Pembroke Medical Group. This duty lasts indefinitely and will continue after you leave your employment at this practice. All information which identifies individuals in

whatever form should be managed locally with the Confidentiality Policy and in general in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018

· To maintain professional competency whilst remaining current and in date for NMC revalidation

· To ensure read codes are used effectively

· To recognise, triage and refer patients presenting with mental health needs

· To support the clinical team with all safeguarding matters in accordance with local and national policies

In addition to the primary responsibilities, the diabetic practice nurse may be requested to:
* Ordering of supplies and equipment
* Support junior members of the nursing team, providing guidance when necessary
* To assist in screening procedure undertaken by the practice
* Assist in the management of patients with chronic illnesses
* Support and participate in shared learning within the practice
* Participate in the review of significant and near-miss events applying a structured approach, i.e. root cause analysis (RCA)
* Support the practice team with the reviewing and implementation of practice policies and protocols, ensuring conformance to extant legislation

· To maintain accurate and contemporaneous records, utilising computer systems where appropriate and consider the Caldicott Principles and GDPR Regulations in relation to all data handling

· To be proactive in the identification of Carers

*PROFESSIONAL ROLE*

· To promote personal development and clinical excellence

· To facilitate and participate in multi-disciplinary education and clinical supervision

· To work within the relevant Professional Conduct and Scope of Professional Practice

· Participate in organisational decision making, interpret variations in outcomes and use data from information systems to improve practice

· To maintain own professional development in line with their professional regulations

· Participate in continuing professional development opportunities to ensure that up-to-date evidence-based knowledge and competence in all aspects of the role is maintained

*ORGANISATIONAL*

· To complete records, audits, reports and respond to appropriate questions and requests

· To attend meetings as requested

· Support effective communication channels between the whole team

· To keep the Lead Nurse Practitioner informed about pressures and difficulties or problem areas when aware

· To work according to Clinical Governance and support the Clinical Governance Agenda

· To understand the role of Risk Management within the Practice contributing to risk

assessment and Significant Event Audit and the importance of Infection Control

· The individual may be required to undertake the assessment and management of patients within the home environment

· To actively participate in the delivery of QOF targets and others as deemed by the

arrangements in general practice finance

*MISSION, VALUES AND STRATEGIC DIRECTION *

· To promote at all times, the Practices, mission, values and understand the strategic direction of business plans

· Ensure that patient centred care and safety is central to the culture, philosophy and

organisation of the Practice

· To encourage and support patient with long term conditions to develop their ability to self-manage

· To develop a culture of ongoing review, taking into account new methods of working

*CODES OF CONDUCT AND ACCOUNTABILITY*

· To work at all times within the highest levels of standards commensurate with the post

*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 appropriately

· In 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 confidential Information 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 assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others’ health, safety and security 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:

· Using personal security systems within the workplace according to practice guidelines

· Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks.

· Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills.

· Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way, free from hazards. Actively reporting health and safety hazards and infection hazards immediately when recognised.

· Keeping own work areas and general/patient areas generally clean, assisting in the maintenance of general standards of cleanliness consistent with the scope of the job holder’s role

· Undertaking periodic infection control training (minimum annually)

· Reporting potential risks identified

· Demonstrate due regard for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children & adults at risk.

*Equality and diversity:*

The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include:

· Acting in a way that recognises the importance of people’s rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with practice procedures and policies, and current legislation

· Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers, and colleagues.

· Behaving in a manner that is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and

respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights.

*Personal/professional development:*

The post-holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the practice as part of this employment, with such training to include:

· Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development.

· Taking 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 risk.

· Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision

· Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and

making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the team’s performance.

· Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients’ needs

· Effectively manage own time, workload, and resources

*Communication:*

The post-holder should recognise the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to: Communicate effectively with other team members.

· Communicate effectively with patients and carers.

· Recognise people’s needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly.

Contribution to the implementation of services:

The post-holder will:

· Apply practice policies, standards, and guidance.

· Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work.

· Participate in audit where appropriate.

*Personal Specification*

*Essential *

· Knowledge and experience of Long-term condition monitoring

· Excellent knowledge of diabetes management

· Wound care management

· Immunisations

· Knowledge of public health issues.

· Experience of working with clinical pathways.

· Ability to work independently within boundaries*.*

*Desirable knowledge and experience*
* Evidence of continuous academic development

· Experience as a practice nurse in primary care
* Cervical Screening
* Knowledge of QOF

*Qualifications:*

*Essential*
* Registered nurse

· Recognised qualification in Diabetes
* Membership of a professional body
* Evidence of CPD and Training

*Desirable*
* Prescribing qualification

*UK Registration*

Applicants must have current UK professional registration

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: £18.39-£21.89 per hour

Expected hours: 25 – 37.5 per week

Schedule:
* Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

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