Practice Nurse

Practice nurses typically work in GP surgeries and have an essential role to play in delivering care through general practice. They may work alongside other healthcare professionals including doctors, health visitors, pharmacists and dietitians. At larger GP surgeries, there may be a team of practice nurses; in smaller GP surgeries there may be one practice nurse taking on a range of roles. This is an area where job opportunities are expected to increase as more nursing care moves out of hospitals and into the community. Practice nurses may also work in clinics and health centres. Patient consultations within surgeries or health centres Carrying out physical examinations, investigatory procedures and cervical smear and pregnancy tests Diagnosing and treating illnesses and ailments Providing advice about contraception and fitting contraceptive devices treating wounds Applying and removing dressings Providing emergency first aid and treatment Giving advice, education and information about health conditions and ailments, stopping smoking and losing weight Taking patient samples, swabs and specimens, and checking pulses, temperatures and blood pressures Administering immunisations, vaccinations (for example for influenza) and infant injections Running well woman and man clinics and clinics for specific ailments such as diabetes and asthma Liaising with other health care professionals, practice nurses, GPs and/or hospitals Writing records and keeping patients’ notes up to date Registered nurse. Minimum 2 years post registration. Willingness to learn and acquire new skills. Insight and understanding of current issues in nursing and the NHS. Evidence of appropriate knowledge base. Interest and basic knowledge in long-term conditions. Demonstrate an understanding of audit. Computer skills. Post-registration study in topics allied to general practice. Basic/advanced certificate of life support. Undertaken mentorship training. Awareness of the national service framework guidelines. Understanding of health and safety issues. Practice experience #J-18808-Ljbffr