NursingNetUK

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical practice

• Assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate treatment/interventions and care for patients presenting with an undifferentiated diagnosis as part of new clinical model which separates urgent and non-urgent cases.
• Clinically examine and assess patient needs from a physiological and psychological perspective, and plan clinical care accordingly.
• Assess, diagnosis, plan, implement and evaluate interventions/treatments for patients with complex needs. Proactively identify, diagnose and manage treatment plans for patients at risk of developing a long-term condition (as appropriate).
• Diagnose and manage both acute and chronic conditions, integrating both drug- and non-drug-based treatment methods into a management plan.
• Prescribe and review medication for therapeutic effectiveness, appropriate to patient needs and in accordance with evidence-based practice and national and practice protocols, and within scope of practice.
• Work with patients in order to support compliance with and adherence to prescribed treatments.
• Prioritise health problems and intervene appropriately to assist the patient in complex, urgent or emergency situations, including initiation of effective emergency care.
• Support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that promote healthy lifestyles, and apply principles of self-care.
• Support and manage health needs of women presenting for family planning, cervical cytology or sexual health consultation.
• Participate in vaccination and immunisation programmes for both adults and children.
• Advise, support and administer vaccinations for patients travelling abroad, where appropriate.

Communication

• Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles, to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment.
• Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising the need for alternative methods of communication to overcome different levels of understanding, cultural background and preferred ways of communicating.
• Anticipate barriers to communication and take action to improve communication.
• Maintain effective communication within the practice environment and with all practice and non-practice based staff.

Delivering a quality service

• Recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct as regulated by the NMC.
• Produce accurate, contemporaneous and complete records of patient consultation, consistent with legislation, policies and procedures.
• Prioritise, organise and manage own workload in a manner that maintains and promotes quality.
• Deliver care according to NSF, NICE guidelines and evidence-based care.
• Assess effectiveness of care delivery through self and peer review, benchmarking and formal evaluation.
• Initiate and participate in the maintenance of quality governance systems and processes across the organisation and its activities.
• Utilise the audit cycle as a means of evaluating the quality of the work of self and the team, implementing improvements where required.
• Support and participate in shared learning across the practice and wider organisation.
• Contribute to the appraisal of the performance of the team, providing feedback as appropriate.

Leadership – personal and people development

• Act as a clinical leader in the delivery of practice nursing services ensuring that the needs of the patient are a priority.
• Take responsibility for own learning and performance including participating in clinical supervision and acting as a positive role model.
• Support staff development in order to maximise potential.
• Critically evaluate and review innovations and developments that are relevant to the area of work.
• Contribute to the development of local guidelines, protocols and standards.

Team working

• Understand own role and scope and identify how this may develop over time.
• Work as an effective and responsible team member, supporting others and exploring the mechanisms to develop new ways of working.
• Delegate to Allied Health Professionals clearly and appropriately, adopting the principles of safe practice and assessment of competence.
• Create clear referral mechanisms to meet patient need.
• Prioritise own workload and ensure effective time-management strategies are embedded within the culture of the team.
• Work effectively with others to clearly define values, direction and policies impacting upon care delivery.
• Discuss, highlight and work with the team to create opportunities to improve patient care.

Management of risk

• Manage and assess risk within the areas of responsibility, ensuring adequate measures are in place to protect staff and patients.
• Monitor work areas and practices to ensure they are safe and free from hazards and conform to health, safety and security legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Apply infection-control measures within the practice according to local and national guidelines.

Managing information

• Use technology and appropriate software as an aid to management in planning, implementation and monitoring of care, presenting and communicating information.
• Review and process data using accurate Read codes in order to ensure easy and accurate information retrieval for monitoring and audit processes.
• Manage information searches using the internet and local library databases.
• Understand responsibility of self and others to the practice and primary care trust regarding Caldicott principles and information governance.

Specialist/technical requirements

• Advanced clinical practice skills
• Management of patients with long-term conditions
• Management of patients with complex needs