The following are the core responsibilities of the Practice Nurse in delivering health services:
- a. Support the Infection Prevention Control (IPC) lead and work to the IPC Policy
- b. Consult with patients and their families to undertake assessments of patient need
- c. Support in the long-term condition management within the organisation, including being involved with quality improvement and assurance initiatives
- d. Develop, implement and embed an effective care management programme for the frail and housebound patients registered with the organisation
- e. Support public health and screening programmes, including immunisations, vaccinations, and cervical screening and also provide opportunistic health promotion advice
- f. Embed population health management approaches within general practice, targeting health inequalities and improving access
- g. As required, provide routine nursing care to patients in accordance with clinical based evidence, NICE and the NSF
- h. Support new-to-practice nurses and other healthcare professionals within the organisation
- i. Teach and advise patients and their families on how to manage their condition
- j. Participate in clinical audits and research projects and implements changes as required, including supporting with the development, and updating of practice protocols/guidelines and procedures locally
- k. Work within national and local protocols where these exist
- l. Recognise the boundaries of their practice and know when and to whom patients should be referred
- m. Support in the delivery of enhanced services and other service requirements
- n. Be aware of duties and responsibilities regarding current legislation and adhere to practice policies and procedures on Safeguarding Adults and Safeguarding Children
- o. Participate in the management of patient complaints when requested to do so and participate in the identification of any necessary learning brought about through incidents and near‑miss events
- p. Undertake all mandatory training and induction programmes
- q. Contribute to and embrace the spectrum of clinical governance
- r. Support the practice team with the reviewing and implementation of practice policies and protocols, ensuring conformance to extant legislation
- s. Attend a formal appraisal with their manager at least every 12 months. Once a performance/training objective has been set, progress will be reviewed on a regular basis so that new objectives can be agreed
- t. Lead on public health campaigns (e.g., flu clinics)
- u. Provide travel advice services
- v. Provide wound care (ulcer/Doppler, etc.) to patients
- w. Maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with extant legislation ensuring that SNOMED CT codes are used effectively
- x. Contribute to practice targets (QOF, etc.), complying with relevant guidance
- y. Maintain chronic disease registers and implement an effective call/recall system
- z. Maintain a clean, tidy, effective working area at all times
- aa. Maintain a clean, tidy, effective working area at all times
- aa. Chaperone patients where necessary
- bb. Support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies
- cc. Liaise with external services/agencies to ensure the patient is supported appropriately (vulnerable patients, etc.)
Wider Responsibilities In addition to the primary responsibilities, the Practice Nurse has the following wider responsibilities:
- a. Develop, review and implement nursing protocols in conjunction with the partners
- b. Participate in local initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient care
- c. Support and participate in shared learning in order to improve patient care
- d. Coordinate the nursing team rota, ensuring sufficient staff are available to meet patient needs
- e. Support with the planning and implementation of changes within the nursing team, enhancing the provision of services to patients
- f. Support in the coordination of the nursing team rota