Lead Practice Nurse

• Providing day-to-day leadership, supervision and support to the nursing team.
• Supporting staff development, competency assessment and training.
• Coordinating nursing rotas and clinical cover to support safe service delivery.
• Delivering clinical care including long-term condition management, health promotion, preventative care, immunisations, screening and treatment room services.
• Supporting care for patients with complex and long-term conditions, including older, frail and housebound patients.
• Leading and supporting Infection Prevention and Control (IPC).
• Supporting clinical governance, audit, quality improvement and evidence-based practice.
• Maintaining appropriate clinical standards, policies, protocols and procedures.
• Working with the Practice Management Team to support CQC, NHS and professional requirements.
• Working collaboratively with GPs and the wider multidisciplinary team to provide coordinated patient care.
• Supporting the development and improvement of nursing services in response to patient needs and national guidance.
• Acting as a clinical role model and promoting a positive learning environment.

• Support staff development, competency assessment, appraisals, training and professional development.
• Coordinate the nursing team rota and clinical cover to support safe and effective service delivery.
• Deliver clinical care including long-term condition management, health promotion, preventative care, immunisations, screening and treatment room services.
• Support the management of patients with complex and long-term conditions, including older, frail and housebound patients.
• Act as a point of support for complex clinical queries, using professional judgement and escalating appropriately.
• Lead and support Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), including relevant audits, risk assessments and staff training.
• Develop, review and implement nursing protocols, policies and procedures in conjunction with the GP Partners and Practice Management Team.
• Support clinical audit, quality improvement and the review of significant and near-miss events, contributing to appropriate learning and service improvement.
• Monitor clinical practice and respond appropriately to national guidance, legislation and local priorities.
• Support the practice in maintaining appropriate CQC, NHS and professional standards.
• Work collaboratively with GPs, HCAs and the wider multidisciplinary team to provide coordinated patient care.
• Lead and support the implementation of changes within the nursing team to improve patient care and service delivery.
• Promote shared learning and act as a positive clinical role model within the practice.

Essential

• Registered Nurse with current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
• Relevant experience and training in general practice nursing.
• Evidence of continuing professional development relevant to the role.
• Current training/competence in Infection Prevention and Control.

Desirable

• Independent Nurse Prescriber qualification.
• Family Planning/contraception qualification.
• Mentor, teaching or practice assessor qualification.
• Postgraduate qualification in a relevant area, such as Chronic Disease Management, Primary Care or Advanced Practice.
• Relevant leadership or management qualification.

Essential

• Significant experience working as a Practice Nurse within primary care.
• Experience of providing clinical leadership and supporting or leading a nursing team.
• Experience of working autonomously and managing a varied clinical workload.
• Experience of chronic disease management and preventative healthcare.
• Experience of Infection Prevention and Control within a healthcare setting.
• Experience of managing and coordinating care for older, frail and housebound patients.
• Experience of supporting staff development, training or competency assessment.
• Experience of clinical audit, quality improvement or service development.
• Experience of working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable

• Experience of leading or implementing quality improvement initiatives.
• Experience of developing or reviewing clinical policies, protocols or procedures.
• Experience of clinical risk management and significant/near-miss event review.
• Experience of supporting CQC or other regulatory requirements.
• Experience of managing nursing rotas or clinical resources.

Essential

• Broad knowledge and experience of general practice nursing, including wound care, minor procedures, ECGs and routine clinical assessment.
• Competence in cervical screening, contraception/family planning and women's health appropriate to training and scope of practice.
• Competence in routine, childhood and travel immunisations.
• Experience in chronic disease management and health promotion.
• Understanding and experience of Infection Prevention and Control.
• Understanding of evidence-based practice and current primary care guidance.
• Understanding of Patient Group Directions (PGDs) and relevant clinical policies.
• Ability to maintain accurate, contemporaneous and confidential clinical records.
• Ability to work safely within own scope of practice and recognise when referral or escalation to a GP or other clinician is required.
• Ability to assess, manage and appropriately escalate clinical risk.
• Ability to prioritise and manage a busy clinical workload effectively.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively both autonomously and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong interpersonal, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to support and guide colleagues and act as a clinical role model.
• Ability to follow, implement and contribute to the development of clinical policies and procedures.

Desirable

• Knowledge of local public health priorities and health inequalities.
• Knowledge of health promotion and preventative healthcare strategies.
• Experience of leading clinical audits and using findings to improve practice.
• Experience of clinical risk assessment and management.
• Understanding of QOF, enhanced services and other primary care contractual requirements.
• Experience of spirometry and respiratory assessment.
• Experience of developing or delivering staff training and shared learning.