Lead Practice Nurse

Friary House Surgery; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Friary House Surgery in Plymouth is seeking a Lead Practice Nurse to manage the nursing team and support the practice management in policy delivery. You will oversee infection prevention, health promotion, and chronic disease management for the patient population.

The role involves implementing care management programmes for frail and housebound patients, supervising clinical policies, and collaborating with GPs to ensure high-quality, safe care within a busy primary care setting.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with current NMC pin and UK registration.
• Experience working in a GP/practice setting and with chronic disease management.
• Knowledge of infection prevention and control measures and best practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead the nursing team and coordinate a multidisciplinary approach to patient care.
• Oversee infection prevention, health promotion and chronic disease management.
• Develop and implement care programmes for frail and housebound patients.
• Prescribe within scope and monitor medication management and safety.

Skills

NMC Registered Nurse

Primary Care

Chronic disease management

Infection prevention and control

Tools

SystemOne

Job description

Job summary

The lead practice nurse will be responsible for the management of the practice nursing team, consisting of nurses, HCAs and Phlebotomists.

The lead practice nurse will be responsible for several clinical areas including infection prevention and control, health promotion, chronic disease management, health prevention, well woman and well man clinics, as well as supporting the practice management team in the reviewing and delivery of clinical policy and procedure.

Main duties of the job

The lead practice nurse will be responsible for the implementation of processes for the effective management of patients with long-term health conditions using evidence-based practice including care for the elderly and housebound patients. Working as a senior member of the practice multidisciplinary team, the post holder will ensure nursing services are delivered effectively to the entitled patient population.

About us

Friary House Surgery is a GP practice based in Plymouth, providing high-quality, patient-focused primary care to the local community. With a committed team of GPs, nurses, and allied health professionals, the practice delivers a wide range of services designed to meet the diverse health needs of its patients.

Services include routine and urgent appointments, chronic disease management, health promotion and screening, minor illness care, and access to a multidisciplinary team. Friary House Surgery is dedicated to offering compassionate, accessible, and effective care in a welcoming environment.

The practice continually seeks to improve services, support staff development, and work collaboratively with local health partners to ensure responsive, safe, and forward-thinking care for the community it serves.

Details

Date posted: 23 October 2026

Pay scheme: Other

Salary: Depending on experience

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Part-time

Reference number: A1754-26-0011

Closing date: 31 December 2026

Job responsibilities

The core responsibilities of the Lead Practice Nurse are as follows. On occasion, there may be a requirement to carry out tasks not listed below, that are within the reasonable scope of the role.

• To act as Infection Prevention Control (IPC) lead and to work to the IPC Policy supporting the implementation of audits, training, support and evidence of compliance to the Practice/Operations Manager
• To produce the IPC annual statement in conjunction with the Practice/Operations Manager
• To develop, implement and embed an effective care management programme for the frail and housebound patients registered at the practice
• To assess the needs of patients ensuring the provision of healthcare is appropriate, incorporating evidence-based practice
• Develop, implement and embed health promotion and wellbeing programmes
• Implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for chronic disease patients that promote health and wellbeing
• To identify, manage and support patients at risk of developing long-term conditions, preventing adverse effects to patients health
• Provide routine nursing care to patients in accordance with clinical based evidence, NICE and NSF
• To diagnose and manage acute and chronic conditions as required
• To prescribe medication for patients in accordance with PGDs and own scope of practice
• To review patient medications to enhance compliance
• Provide guidance to patients in the use of prescribed and over-the-counter medications regarding side effects and dosages
• Co-ordinate the provision of travel medicine services
• Request pathology services and process pathology results as required
• To oversee the provision of chronic disease clinics, delivering patient care as necessary, referring patients to secondary/specialist care as required
• Maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with existing legislation
• Ensure read codes are used effectively by all member of the nursing team
• Ensure appropriate use of the chronic disease registers
• To develop, implement, embed and participate in the well woman and well man clinics
• To ensure compliance with the practice chaperone policy
• To assist GPs with minor surgery when required
• Prioritise health issues and intervene appropriately
• To support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies
• Recognise, assess and refer patients presenting with mental health needs
• To implement vaccination programmes for adults and children
• To support patients in the use of their prescribed medicines or over-the-counter medicines (within the scope of their own practice)
• To liaise with external services/agencies to ensure the patient is supported appropriately
• To delegate clinical responsibilities appropriately, ensuring safe practice and the task is within the scope of practice of the individual
• To support the clinical team with all safeguarding matters, in accordance with local and national policies
• To understand practice and local policies for substance abuse and addictive behaviour, referring to patients appropriately
• Deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential:

• Registered Nurse (NMC Pin)
• Experience of working within Primary Care
• Experience of chronic disease management
• Experience in infection prevention and control measures

Desirable:

• Wound care/removal of sutures and staples
• ECGs
• Venepuncture
• New patient medicals
• Requesting pathology tests and processing results
• Understanding requirement of PGDs and associated policies
• Womens health (cytology, contraception, etc)
• Immunisations (routine, childhood and travel)
• Travel Medicine
• Spirometry

Experience

Essential:

• Experience in a GP practice
• Experience with SystemOne
• Experience leading a nursing team
• Experience managing elderly and housebound patients
• Clear, polite telephone manner
• Competent in the use of Office and Outlook
• Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure
• Effective time management

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.

Employer details

Employer name: Friary House Surgery

Address: 2a Beaumont Road, St Judes, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 9DP, United Kingdom

Employer's website: https://www.friaryhousesurgery.nhs.uk

For questions about the job, contact:

Recruitment Manager, Zoe Moore, [e-mail]

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