Lead Nurse
Posted 4 days 4 hours ago by NHS
To be responsible for the management of the Primary Care Network (PCN) nursing team, consisting of nurses and HCAs. Working as part of the PCN multidisciplinary team, the post holder will ensure nursing services are delivered effectively to the entitled patient population. The lead PCN nurse will be responsible for a number of clinical areas such as infection prevention and control, safeguarding, supporting and leading the nursing team on PCN services and initiatives; as well as supporting the PCN management team in the implementation of quality improvement initiatives and new services to enhance patient care and service delivery.
Main duties of the jobThe post holder will be responsible for the delivery of PCN nursing services, working as part of the PCN's multidisciplinary team who provide care within their scope of practice to the registered patient population, supporting all members of the nursing team and providing guidance when necessary.
About usThe aim of the NLPCN is to offer high quality patient-centred healthcare which is committed to bringing together GP practices so that they can more effectively work with others.
Our ambition is to reduce inequalities in healthcare and improve the quality of health and wellbeing throughout North Lewisham through increased access to high quality, integrated health and social care.
As a PCN, NLPCN operates as part of the local accountable integrated care system, working and collaborating with GP practices, a wide range healthcare professionals, social services professionals as well as local community groups. This enables us to not only focus on direct health services but also on the social and other issues that impact on health thereby enhancing the health and wellbeing of patients and community.
Job responsibilitiesThe following are the core responsibilities of the lead PCN nurse. There may be on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels:
- a. Develop, implement and embed health promotion and well-being programmes
- b. Implement and evaluate individual treatment plans for chronic disease patients, which promote health and well-being
- c. Identify, manage and support patients at risk of developing long-term conditions, preventing adverse effects on the patients health
- d. Provide routine nursing care to patients as required in accordance with clinical based evidence, NICE and the NSF
- e. Diagnose and manage acute and chronic conditions
- f. Prescribe medication for patients in accordance with PGDs and own scope of practice
- g. Review patient medications to enhance compliance
- h. Provide guidance to patients in the use of prescribed and over-the-counter medications on side effects and dosages
- i. Oversee the provision of wound care services to patients
- j. Request pathology services as necessary
- k. Process pathology results as required
- l. Oversee the provision of chronic disease clinics, delivering patient care as necessary, referring patients to secondary / specialist care as required
- m. Maintain accurate clinical records in conjunction with extant legislation
- n. Ensure SNOMED codes are used effectively by all members of the nursing team
- o. Chaperone patients where necessary
- p. Prioritise health issues and intervene appropriately
- q. Support the team in dealing with clinical emergencies
- r. Recognise, assess and refer patients presenting with mental health needs
- s. Implement vaccination programmes for adults and children
- t. Support patients in the use of their prescribed medicines or over the counter medicines (within own scope of practice)
- u. Liaise with external services / agencies to ensure the patient is supported appropriately (vulnerable patients etc.)
- v. Delegate clinical responsibilities appropriately (ensuring safe practice and the task is within the scope of practice of the individual)
- w. Support the clinical team with all safeguarding matters, in accordance with local and national policies
- x. Understand practice and local policies for substance abuse and addictive behaviour, referring patients appropriately
- y. Deliver opportunistic health promotion where appropriate
- z. Develop, review and implement PCN policies and protocols, ensuring conformance to extant legislation
- aa. Develop, review and implement nursing protocols in conjunction with the Clinical Director
Secondary Responsibilities
In addition to the primary responsibilities, the lead PCN nurse will be requested to:
- a. Develop and review audit protocols and process for the PCN, effectively utilising the audit cycle
- b. Support all members of the nursing team, providing guidance when necessary, conducting appraisals and training needs analyses as required
- c. Support and participate in shared learning within the PCN
- d. Continually review clinical practices, responding to national policies and initiatives where appropriate
- e. Participate in the review of significant and near-miss events applying a structured approach i.e. root cause analysis (RCA)
- f. Coordinate the nursing team rota, ensuring sufficient staff are available to meet patient needs
- h. Lead the planning and implementation of changes within the nursing team, enhancing the provision of services to patients
- Experience of working in a primary care environment
- Experience of chronic disease management
- Experience of working autonomously
- Experience of leading a nursing team in a primary care environment
- Experience of working as a practice/PCN nurse or community nurse
- Experience of developing and implementing practice / PCN policies
- Registered Nurse
- Post graduate diploma or degree (Chronic Disease Management)
- Nurse Prescriber
- Flexibility to work outside of core office hours
- Occupational Health Clearance
- Meet the requirements and produce evidence for nurse revalidation.
- Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) commensurate with the role of a lead practice/PCN nurse
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.