About this role
Job summary
This role is responsible for the delivery of evidence-based nursing services, working as part of the practice multi-disciplinary team, delivering care within their scope of practice to the entitled patient population.
Working autonomously, the Practice Nurse will be responsible for a number of clinical areas such as public health and screening programmes, including infection prevention and control, chronic disease management, immunisations, health promotion and prevention, cervical screening, dressings, and vaccine ordering and stock taking. Furthermore, they embed population health management approaches within general practice, targeting health inequalities and improving access.
The post-holder will be an integral part of the general practice team, as well as supporting the wider practice nurse network and multi-disciplinary team. They are to participate in formal training events and to promote best practice in their area of expertise as well as supporting the practice management team in the reviewing and delivery of clinical policy and procedure.
Main duties of the job
The following are the core responsibilities of the Practice Nurse in delivering health services:
- Undertake Infection Prevention Control Audits and work to the IPC policy.
- Support public health and screening programmes, including immunisations, vaccinations, and cervical screening and also provide opportunistic health promotion advice.
- As required, provide routine nursing care to patients in accordance with clinical based evidence, NICE and the NSF
- Support new-to-practice nurses and other healthcare professionals within the organisation
- Work within national and local protocols where these exist
- Support in the delivery of enhances services and other service requirements
- Be aware of duties and responsibilities regarding current legislation and adhere to practice policies and procedures on Safeguarding Adults and Safeguarding Children
- Participate in the identification of any necessary learning brought about through incident and near-miss events
- Undertake all mandatory training and induction programmes
- Lead on public health campaigns (e.g. flu clinics)
- Provide travel advice services and travel vaccinations
- Provide wound care including dressings and stich removal to patients
- Maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with extant legislation ensuring that SNOMED CT codes are used effectively
- Contribute to practice targets (QOF, etc.), complying with relevant guidance
- Chaperone patients where necessary
- Liaise with external services/agencies to ensure the patient is supported appropriately
About us
Wickham Park Surgery is a friendly and supportive GP practice based in West Wickham, on the borders of Bromley and Croydon, providing services to 5,600 patients. We are part of the Hayes Wick Primary Care Network and work as a close-knit multidisciplinary team, bringing together GPs, nursing, healthcare, reception and administrative colleagues alongside a range of PCN professionals.
We pride ourselves on providing high-quality, safe and compassionate care while maintaining a positive and welcoming working environment for our staff. Teamwork is at the heart of the practice and we value colleagues who are approachable, committed and willing to support one another. We encourage ongoing training, professional development and opportunities to learn and grow within the role.
We are recruiting for a Practice Nurse following the retirement of a valued member of our nursing team, who has been with the surgery for 18 years. We are now looking for someone to take over her duties and become and established part of the practice team. This is an excellent opportunity for an experience Practice nurse, or someone looking to develop their career in general practice, to join a supportive and well-established surgery.
You will be joining a small, friendly nursing team and will work closely alongside our existing Practice Nurse and Healthcare Assistant, supporting one another with the day-to-day demands of general practice.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job Title: Practice Nurse
Location: Wickham Park Surgery, West Wickham
Reports to: Practice Management / GP Partners
Working within: Nursing Team
Working Pattern: We are looking to recruit a Practice Nurse covering 18 hours per week, working every weekday apart from Tuesday. The current shift pattern for this role is below, however this can be discussed and re-arranged according to needs upon interview:
- Mondays 9am - 12:30pm & 4pm - 6:30pm
- Wednesdays 9am - 1pm
- Thursdays 9am - 1pm
- Fridays 9am - 1pm
Job Purpose
We are looking for a caring, motivated and enthusiastic Practice Nurse to join our friendly and supportive team following the retirement of one of our long-standing nurses after 18 years with the practice.
The successful candidate will take over an established range of nursing duties and work closely with our existing Practice Nurse and Healthcare Assistant. The role involves providing high-quality, evidence-based nursing care to our patient population, with a strong focus on disease prevention, health promotion, long-term condition management and supporting patients to manage their health and wellbeing.
You will work independently within your professional competence while also being an integral part of our wider multidisciplinary practice team. Wickham Park Surgery places a strong emphasis on teamwork, professional development and providing safe, compassionate patient care.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
The duties of the role will include, where appropriately trained and competent:
- Providing general Practice Nurse appointments and treatment room services.
- Management and review of patients with long-term conditions, in accordance with practice protocols and agreed clinical pathways.
- Cervical screening and supporting the practice's screening programme.
- Childhood and adult immunisations.
- Seasonal vaccination programmes, including influenza vaccinations.
- Travel health advice and vaccinations, where applicable.
- Wound assessment, treatment, dressing and ongoing wound care.
- Suture and clip removal.
- Health promotion and lifestyle advice, including supporting patients with smoking cessation, weight management and other health improvement measures.
- NHS health checks and cardiovascular risk assessment, where required.
- Blood pressure monitoring and appropriate follow-up.
- Routine health assessments and observations.
- Supporting infection prevention and control within the practice.
- Providing advice and education to patients regarding their conditions, treatment and self-management.
- Maintaining accurate, timely and comprehensive clinical records.
- Recognising and appropriately escalating clinical concerns or deterioration in a patient's condition.
- Working in accordance with practice policies, clinical guidelines and relevant professional standards.
- Participating in clinical audits, quality improvement and practice development where appropriate.
- Long-Term Condition Management
Depending upon experience and competency, the successful candidate may be involved in the management and monitoring of patients with conditions such as:
- Diabetes
- Asthma
- COPD
- Cardiovascular disease
- Hypertension
We recognise that candidates may have different areas of clinical experience. Training and development can be supported for appropriate candidates who do not currently hold competency in every area of the role.
You will work closely with our existing Practice Nurse and Healthcare Assistant, sharing responsibility for delivering high-quality nursing services to our patients.
The successful candidate will be expected to contribute positively to the nursing team, communicate effectively regarding patient care and workload, and support colleagues during busy periods.
There will also be regular interaction with GPs, reception and administrative colleagues and professionals working through the Hayes Wick Primary Care Network as part of our wider multidisciplinary approach to patient care.
Professional Responsibilities
The postholder will be expected to:
- Maintain current NMC registration.
- Work within the limits of their professional competence and scope of practice.
- Maintain appropriate continuing professional development.
- Keep mandatory training and clinical competencies up to date.
- Participate in relevant practice meetings and training.
- Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
- Follow appropriate safeguarding procedures for adults and children.
- Maintain high standards of infection prevention and control.
- Report incidents, significant events, clinical concerns or safety issues appropriately.
- Work in accordance with practice policies and procedures.
- Promote equality, dignity and respect for patients and colleagues.
About the Person
We are looking for someone who is:
- A Registered Nurse with current NMC registration.
- Friendly, approachable and patient-focused.
- Able to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Organised and able to manage a varied clinical workload.
- A confident and effective communicator.
- Committed to delivering high-quality and compassionate patient care.
- Willing to learn and undertake further training where required.
- Flexible and willing to contribute to the wider needs of the practice.
- Comfortable working within a busy general practice environment.
Previous Practice Nurse or primary care experience would be desirable, although we would be happy to consider applicants with relevant nursing experience who are enthusiastic about developing their skills within general practice.
Our Approach
Wickham Park Surgery is committed to providing high-quality, safe and effective care in a professional, respectful and welcoming environment. We also place importance on providing a supportive and positive workplace, promoting equality of opportunity and encouraging ongoing training, development and professional growth.
Person Specification
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Effective time management (planning and organising)
- Understand the requirement for PGDs and associated policy
- Ability to use own initiative, discretion, and sensitivity
- Ability to identify risk and assess/manage risk when working with individuals
- Commitment to ongoing professional development
Desirable
- Knowledge of IT systems including the ability to use work processing skills, emails and the internet.
- Demonstrate personal accountability, emotional resilience and work well under pressure.
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Nurse (Nursing and Midwifery Council)
- Has evidence of working at the relevant level of practice as described in the Primary Care and General Practice Nursing Career and Core Capabilities Framework
Desirable
- Mentor or teaching qualification
- Family planning qualification
Experience
Essential
- Broad knowledge of general practice and experiene working as a Practice or Community Nurse
- Experience with chronic disease management
- Experience of working autonomously
- Experience of infection prevention and control measures
- Experience of Practice Nurse skills including wound care, venepuncture, immunisations, travel advice and woman's health (cervical cytology, contraception etc.)
Desirable
- Experience of working in primary care
- Experience of working in a GP Practice
- Experience with EMIS Web, Docman and AccuRx
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Wickham Park Surgery
Address
Wickham Park Surgery
2 Manor Road
West Wickham
Kent
BR4 9PS
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.wickhamparksurgery.org/ (Opens in a new tab)