Practice Respiratory Nurse

The Lodge Health Partnership; St Albans; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lodge Health Partnership is seeking an experienced Practice Nurse with a strong focus on respiratory health to join our multidisciplinary team. The role emphasises Asthma and COPD care, spirometry performance and interpretation, and development of respiratory pathways within primary care.

You will work autonomously within professional boundaries, delivering high-quality assessment, treatment, and management of acute and chronic conditions, while promoting health education and contributing to

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse (Adult) with current NMC registration.
• Spirometry trained and competent in performing and interpreting spirometry.
• Experience managing patients with asthma and COPD.
• Knowledge of current NICE guidance and respiratory disease management.
• CPD ongoing development and participation in professional learning.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the delivery of Asthma and COPD services.
• Undertake, interpret and maintain competency in spirometry testing.
• Provide comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation of care.
• Promote health education and empower patients to adopt self-care strategies.
• Contribute to service development and respiratory pathways in primary care.
• Ensure documentation meets clinical governance and NICE guidance.
• Maintain infection control and safeguarding in all clinical activities.

Education

NMC registration

Job description

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced, compassionate, and motivated Practice Nurse to join our multidisciplinary team. This is an exciting opportunity for a nurse who is passionate about delivering high-quality patient care and has a particular interest and expertise in respiratory health.

Respiratory care is a key priority within this role. The successful candidate will help lead and support the delivery of our respiratory services, including the assessment and management of patients with Asthma and COPD, undertaking and interpreting spirometry, and contributing to the ongoing development of respiratory pathways and clinics. Experience and competency in respiratory care and spirometry are therefore highly desirable.

Working autonomously and within professional boundaries, the post holder will provide high-quality clinical assessment, treatment, management, and evaluation of care for patients with both acute and long-term conditions. They will work collaboratively with the wider clinical team to deliver evidence-based care, support health promotion, and improve patient outcomes.

The successful candidate will also play an important role in chronic disease management, patient education, clinical governance, and service development. They will contribute to achieving practice, local, and national healthcare objectives while helping to shape and improve the services we provide to our patients.

We are committed to supporting professional growth and development and actively encourage ongoing learning through training, education, and participation in both internal and external development opportunities.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Practice

• Lead and support the delivery of Asthma and COPD services.


• Undertake, interpret, and maintain competency in spirometry testing.


• Provide comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation and evaluation of care for patients presenting with undifferentiated and complex health needs.


• Undertake holistic clinical examinations, considering both physiological and psychological aspects.


• Diagnose and manage acute and chronic conditions using evidence-based, patient-centred approaches.


• Deliver safe, effective minor illness services within professional competency and clinical guidelines.


• Identify and manage patients at risk of developing long-term conditions, implementing proactive treatment plans.


• Assess, identify and appropriately refer patients with mental health concerns.


• Conduct holistic health checks for patients aged 75+, ensuring proactive support and continuity of care.


• Prioritise and manage urgent or emergency clinical situations, initiating appropriate interventions.


• Promote health education and empower patients to adopt self-care strategies.


• Contribute to service development, resource optimisation, and enhanced patient pathways.


• Support achievement of GMS contract requirements, QOF targets, enhanced services, and practice protocols.


• Continue to expand and refine clinical competencies as identified with the Practice.

Communication

• Use clear, sensitive and professional communication styles to ensure patients understand and consent to their care.


• Communicate effectively with patients, carers and colleagues, adapting methods to meet individual needs or barriers.


• Represent the Practice with professionalism, compassion and integrity.


• Advocate for patients and colleagues when appropriate, ensuring their voices are heard.

Delivering a Quality Service

• Work within the NMC Code and maintain high standards of professional practice.


• Participate in clinical team meetings, nurse meetings and TARGET training to support shared learning.


• Produce accurate, contemporaneous clinical records in accordance with legislation, NMC requirements and Practice policies.


• Ensure accurate coding of clinical data to support QOF, enhanced services and reporting.


• Deliver care in line with NICE guidance, CMO recommendations and current evidence-based practice.


• Use audit, peer review and evaluation to improve care quality and service delivery.


• Engage in learning from complaints, incidents and near‑miss events.


• Apply safeguarding policies for children and vulnerable adults, ensuring timely action and referral.


• Adhere to policies relating to domestic abuse, substance misuse and vulnerable adults.


• Maintain high standards of personal presentation and infection control.

Team Working

• Understand and support the evolving roles of team members, promoting a positive, collaborative working environment.


• Delegate tasks appropriately, ensuring patient safety and assessing competence before delegation.


• Support HCAs and other staff where elements of care can be safely delegated.


• Manage your own workload effectively, prioritising patient care.


• Remain flexible in response to clinical demand and emergencies.


• Contribute to the development of practice values, processes and service improvements.


• Support practice‑led projects as required.

Management of Risk

• Identify and manage risk within the scope of responsibility, seeking advice when required.


• Maintain safe working environments in accordance with health and safety regulations.


• Complete mandatory and statutory training.


• Apply infection prevention and control measures in line with national and local guidance.


• Maintain required immunisation status in accordance with Practice policy.

Learning and Development

• Act as a role model, educator and mentor to learners, assessing competence where appropriate.


• Share new learning with the wider team to support continuous improvement.


• Take responsibility for ongoing professional development and revalidation requirements.

Managing Information

• Use clinical systems and digital tools effectively to support planning, delivery and monitoring of care.


• Maintain competence in the Practice clinical IT systems.

Equality and Diversity

• Recognise and challenge discrimination, promoting inclusivity and equal opportunities.


• Support others to uphold equality and diversity in day‑to‑day practice.


• Assist individuals in exercising their rights and respecting personal choice in care decisions.


• Uphold local chaperoning policies and act as a role model for inclusive practice.

Environmental Sustainability

The NHS recognises climate change as a health emergency. All staff are expected to act in accordance with the Trust Green Plan, making environmentally responsible decisions in service delivery, resource use, travel and procurement. Our surgeries are Smoke Free sites, and smoking is not permitted on any Practice property or grounds.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse (Adult) with current NMC registration.


• Practice Nurse experience within a primary care setting.


• Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD).


• Spirometry trained and competent in performing and interpreting spirometry (or working towards competency if local policy permits).


• Experience managing patients with asthma and COPD.


• Knowledge of current NICE guidance and respiratory disease management.


• Experience undertaking respiratory reviews and annual chronic disease reviews.


• Competent in inhaler technique assessment and patient education.


• Competent in administering vaccinations, including flu and pneumococcal vaccines.


• Ability to work autonomously and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable

• Diploma, Degree or Postgraduate qualification in Respiratory Care.


• ARTP Spirometry Certification.


• Independent Nurse Prescriber (V300).


• Asthma Diploma or equivalent respiratory qualification.


• COPD management qualification.


• Experience leading respiratory services within general practice.


• Experience conducting respiratory audits and quality improvement projects.


• Smoking cessation adviser qualification.


• Experience using EMIS Web and Accurx.


• Experience supporting QOF and Enhanced Services related to respiratory care.

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.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).