We are looking for an experienced Practice Nurse to join our team. The role involves delivering practice nursing services as part of the multidisciplinary team, providing care within your scope of practice to the entitled patient population. The Practice Nurse will also support the management team in reviewing clinical policy and procedure.
Darwen Healthlink is a forward‑thinking, proactive training practice situated within the West Pennine Moors. We are a member practice of the Blackburn with Darwen LPC Federation.
There are 2 x 20 hour positions available, working over 5 days a week between 8am‑6.30pm with extended hours on Wednesdays and Thursdays until 8pm on a rota basis. Flexibility to cover the needs of the service is required.
Responsibilities
* Develop, implement and embed health promotion and well‑being programmes
* Implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for chronic disease patients
* Identify, manage and support patients at risk of developing long‑term conditions, preventing adverse effects on patient health
* Provide routine nursing care to patients in accordance with clinical evidence, NICE and the NSF
* Request pathology services as necessary and process results
* Provide chronic disease clinics, delivering patient care as necessary and referring to secondary/specialist care as required
* Maintain accurate clinical records and chronic disease registers, ensuring read codes are used effectively and compliance with legislation
* Develop, implement and embed well‑woman and well‑man clinics
* Chaperone patients where necessary
* Prioritise health issues and intervene appropriately
* Recognise, assess and refer patients presenting with mental health needs
* Implement vaccination programmes for adults and children
* Support patients in the use of prescribed medicines or over‑the‑counter medicines within your scope of practice
* Liaise with external services and agencies to ensure vulnerable patients are supported appropriately
* Support the clinical team with safeguarding matters, in accordance with local and national policies
* Deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate
* Assist GPs with minor surgery when required
* Support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies
* Delegate clinical responsibilities within the scope of practice, ensuring safe practice
* Understand policies for substance abuse and addictive behaviour and refer patients appropriately
* Complete audits, utilising the audit cycle
* Monitor safe storage, rotation and disposal of medicaments
* Support junior nursing team members, providing guidance
* Participate in local initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient care
* Support and participate in shared learning within the practice
* Review clinical practices continually, responding to national policies and initiatives
* Participate in the review of significant and near‑miss events using root cause analysis
Qualifications
* Registered Nurse
* Post‑graduate diploma or degree in Primary Care
Experience
* Experience of working in a primary care environment
* Venepuncture
* New patient medicals
* Chaperone procedure
* Understanding of evidence‑based practice
* Broad knowledge of clinical governance
* Ability to record accurate clinical notes
* Ability to work within your scope of practice and know when to refer to GPs
* Knowledge of health promotion strategies
* Understanding of PGDs and associated policy
* Excellent written and oral communication skills
* Clear, polite telephone manner
* Competent in Office and Outlook
* Effective time management (planning & organising)
* Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
* Good interpersonal skills
* Problem‑solving and analytical skills
* Ability to follow clinical policy and procedure
* Polite and confident
* Flexible and cooperative
* Motivated, forward thinker
* Ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required
* High levels of integrity and loyalty
* Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
* Ability to work under pressure / in stressful situations
* Effective communication with patients to understand their needs
* Commitment to ongoing professional development
* Punctual and committed to supporting the team effort
* Flexibility to work outside core office hours
* Occupational Health clearance
* NMC registration
* Experience as a practice nurse or community nurse
* Experience with chronic disease management
* ECG competence
* Requesting pathology tests and processing results, advising patients accordingly
* Knowledge of diabetes, asthma, CHD and routine childhood and travel immunisations
* Knowledge of public health issues in the local area
* Awareness of wider health arena issues
* Experience with audit and ability to lead audit programmes
* Experience with clinical risk management
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
All staff have the right to be treated fairly, with dignity and respect. We uphold these principles in our recruitment, career progression and day‑to‑day practice, in accordance with the law.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check.
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