Health jobs in United Kingdom

We are seeking a proactive Lead Practice Nurse to join our dynamic team. This senior role is pivotal in managing the practice nursing team, including nurses and healthcare assistants (HCAs), and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred care.

The successful candidate will lead on key clinical areas such as infection prevention and control, chronic disease management, health promotion, and preventative care. They will also oversee the development and implementation of care plans for patients with long-term conditions, with a particular focus on supporting frail and housebound individuals.

As a core member of the multidisciplinary team, the Lead Practice Nurse will contribute to clinical audits, policy development, and the delivery of specialist services including well woman and well man clinics. This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled nurse leader to make a meaningful impact on patient outcomes and service quality within a forward-thinking practice.

The Lead Practice Nurse plays a pivotal role in delivering high-quality, evidence-based care across the practice. Key responsibilities include line management of the nursing team, leading infection prevention and control, managing care for frail and housebound patients, overseeing chronic disease clinics, and supporting health promotion initiatives. The role also involves coordinating vaccination and travel medicine services, and ensuring accurate clinical documentation.

Avisford Medical Group, is a busy surgery situated in dual sites at Yapton and Middleton-on-Sea. We are a team of 48 experienced clinical and non-clinical members all striving to give our 12,500 population the best possible care.

The Lead Practice Nurse will be responsible for managing the practice nursing team, consisting of nurses and HCAs.

The Lead Practice Nurse will oversee clinical areas such as infection prevention and control, health promotion, chronic disease management, health prevention, well woman and well man clinics, and support the practice management team in reviewing and delivering clinical policies, audits, and procedures.

The Lead Practice Nurse will implement processes for managing patients with long-term conditions using evidence-based practices, 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 patient population.

The core responsibilities include:

• Acting as the Infection Prevention Control (IPC) lead, working to the IPC policy, providing audits, training, support, and evidence of compliance.
• Producing the IPC annual statement in conjunction with the practice manager.
• Developing, implementing, and embedding care management programmes for frail and housebound patients.
• Assessing patient needs to ensure appropriate healthcare provision, incorporating evidence-based practice.
• Developing and embedding health promotion and wellbeing programmes.
• Implementing and evaluating individual treatment plans for chronic disease patients.
• Supporting patients at risk of long-term conditions, preventing adverse health effects.
• Providing routine nursing care as per clinical evidence, NICE guidelines, and NSF.
• Diagnosing and managing acute and chronic conditions.
• Prescribing medication within PGD and scope of practice.
• Reviewing patient medications to improve compliance.
• Guiding patients on medication use, side effects, and dosages.
• Coordinating travel medicine services.
• Requesting and processing pathology services and results.
• Overseeing chronic disease clinics and referring patients to secondary/specialist care when needed.
• Maintaining accurate clinical records and ensuring SNOMED CT coding is used effectively.
• Ensuring proper use of chronic disease registers.
• Participating in and developing well woman and well man clinics.
• Ensuring compliance with the practice chaperone policy.
• Assisting GPs with minor surgeries as required.
• Prioritising health issues and intervening appropriately.
• Supporting the team in clinical emergencies.
• Recognising, assessing, and referring mental health needs.
• Implementing vaccination programmes for adults and children.
• liaising with external services to support vulnerable patients.
• Delegating clinical responsibilities appropriately.
• Supporting safeguarding matters per policies.
• Understanding policies on substance abuse and referring patients accordingly.

Additional tasks may include developing and reviewing audit protocols, supporting team guidance, participating in local initiatives, and leading practice changes.

• Excellent communication skills
• Effective time management
• Ability to work autonomously and in a team
• Interpersonal skills
• Problem solving and analytical skills
• Ability to follow policies and procedures
• Proficiency with clinical IT systems
• Polite, confident, flexible, and co-operative
• High integrity and loyalty
• Empathetic and sensitive
• Commitment to professional development
• Punctual and team-oriented
• Experience with audits and clinical risk management
• Clear communication skills
• Motivated and forward-thinking
• Ability to work under pressure

• Registered Nurse
• Mentor or teaching qualification
• Postgraduate diploma or degree in chronic disease management
• Nurse prescriber
• Infection prevention and control training
• Family planning qualification

• Wound care, sutures, and staples removal
• ECGs
• Venepuncture
• New patient assessments
• Pathology testing and advising patients
• Evidence-based practice understanding
• Knowledge of PGDs and policies
• Accurate clinical documentation
• Working within scope and referral when necessary
• Chaperone procedures
• Immunisations
• Chronic disease management
• Clinical governance and public health awareness

• Primary care environment
• Leading a nursing team
• Chronic disease management
• Autonomous working
• Practice or community nursing
• Infection control measures
• Managing elderly and housebound patients
• Quality initiatives

This post is subject to a DBS check as per legal requirements.

Depending on experience, the role may be in line with Agenda for Change Band 7.