Deputy Lead Practice Nurse Development to Lead Nurse

NHS; Exeter; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

A primary healthcare practice in Exeter seeks a Deputy Lead Practice Nurse to manage the nursing team and support high-quality patient care. The ideal candidate is an NMC Registered Nurse with primary care experience and skills in chronic disease management. This part-time position offers the chance to advance in practice nursing under the guidance of an experienced lead nurse.

Qualifications

• NMC Registered Nurse essential for the role.
• Experience in primary care, particularly with long-term conditions is required.
• Strong IT skills and ability to follow clinical policy are crucial.

Responsibilities

• Support the lead nurse and manage the practice nursing team.
• Oversee vaccination programmes and contribute to policy review.
• Coordinate the nursing team rota and support appraisals.

Skills

Excellent communication

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Strong IT skills

Education

NMC Registered Nurse

Postgraduate diploma/degree in Chronic Disease Management

Job description

Overview

This is an exciting opportunity for a practice nurse to grow into the role of Lead Nurse, supported by the current lead nurse prior to her retirement. You will benefit from the support of an experienced Lead Practice Nurse within a small and friendly nursing team. Applicants should be enthusiastic about providing high-quality patient care with strong communication and administrative skills. A drive to improve the health of our patient population through identifying, influencing and implementing process changes and efficiencies is essential, as is the desire to develop clinical knowledge and personal leadership skills. You are encouraged to read the supporting information and ask any clarification questions before applying.

Main duties

This position will be well-suited to an individual who has previous primary care nursing experience, particularly with long-term conditions and women’s health, and is seeking to take the next step in their practice nursing career.

About us

We are a two-site practice in Exeter with approx 8,000 patients. Our team includes 7 GPs, 2 practice nurses, a trainee nurse associate and a Patient Services Advisor Team. As a Training Practice we have a GP Registrar and medical students.

Details

Date posted: 03 September 2025

Pay scheme: Other

Salary: Depending on experience

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Part-time

Reference number: A3272-25-0006

Job locations: Southernhay House Surgery, 30 Barnfield Road, Exeter, EX1 1RX; 10 Whipton Village Road, Exeter, EX4 8AR

Job description

Responsibilities

Main responsibilities

1. Patient Support and Clinical Services

The Deputy Lead Practice Nurse will support the Lead Nurse with duties as delegated, including management of the practice nursing team (nurses, TNAs, HCAs and Phlebotomists). They will oversee clinical areas such as vaccination programmes, health promotion, chronic disease management, well woman/man clinics, IPC, and contribute to policy and procedure review in collaboration with the practice management team. They will assist in implementing processes for managing long-term conditions, including care for elderly and housebound patients.

Working as a senior member of the multidisciplinary team, the post holder will ensure nursing services are delivered effectively to the registered population.

2. Systems and Administrative Support

In consultation with the Management Team, continually review, plan and implement clinical and non-clinical protocols; ensure accurate data recording and embrace IT advancements. Coordinate the nursing team rota and support the team with appraisals, training needs analyses, and shared learning.

3. Team-working

We value teamwork and collaboration, with clear communication and defined roles. All staff should delegate appropriately and participate in meetings as required.

4. General Duties

Maintain filing and administrative systems; open and secure premises as required.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential: NMC Registered Nurse

Desirable: Mentor/teaching qualification; Postgraduate diploma/degree in Chronic Disease Management; Nurse prescriber; infection prevention and control training; Family planning qualification

Skills

Essential: Excellent communication (written and oral); effective time management; team work and autonomy; interpersonal skills and telephone manner; problem solving; ability to follow clinical policy; strong IT skills; clear telephone manner

Personal qualities

Essential: Polite, confident, flexible, high integrity, empathetic, good communication with patients, commitment to professional development, punctual, able to work under pressure, forward-thinking and innovative, problem solving, resourceful

Clinical knowledge and skills

Essential: Wound care and sutures removal; ECGs; Venepuncture; New patient medicals; pathology tests; evidence-based practice; PGDs; accurate clinical notes; chaperone; women’s health; immunisations; chronic disease management (diabetes, asthma, stroke, heart disease)

Desirable: Travel medicine; Spirometry; governance knowledge; public health knowledge; health promotion strategies

Experience

Essential: Primary care experience; practice nurse experience; chronic disease management; autonomous work; IPC measures; clinical IT systems

Desirable: Leading a nursing team in primary care; training/managing people; managing elderly patients

Other

Essential: GDPR/confidentiality awareness; ability to work outside core hours; DBS check; Occupational Health clearance; nurse revalidation evidence; CPD

Desirable: CPD evidence for Lead Practice Nurse

Regulatory

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post requires DBS checks. UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer details

Southernhay House Surgery, 30 Barnfield Road, Exeter, EX1 1RX