▷ Apply in 3 Minutes: Practice Nurse

Arch is an outstanding healthcare provider delivering primary care to homeless and vulnerably housed patients in Brighton& Hove. In addition to a specialist GP surgery, we also provide in-reach services into the Royal Sussex County Hospital and a variety of community contexts which serve people who are without secure accommodation. We are a committed and experienced team with a passion for improving the health and well-being of people who are experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. We are looking for an outstanding candidate to fulfil the role of Practice Nurse (fixed term, maternity cover). We have a very experienced team who are committed to making a real difference by delivering outstanding health care and improving the health of the most vulnerable the fastest. The role of Practice Nurse is central to the success of the surgery and other services. The position is a varied role and will include working at the surgery and with patients in our Stepdown Beds at New Steine Mews Hostel.

Main duties of the job

Our ideal candidate will have relevant qualifications and experience in either practice or community nursing, they will be flexible, accommodating and a great team player, they will also have a positive and friendly disposition and a compassionate, empathetic approach to our patients. It is our absolute priority to ensure that all our services are accessible, open and available to everyone who needs them. We believe we can achieve this best through a diverse team and are committed to developing a workforce which is representative of our whole community. This position requires someone who provides outstanding nursing care to meet the needs of the practice population. This will include treatment, screening, preventative care, patient education, outreach to engage hard to reach patients in their health, clinical quality systems maintenance, and the supervision of any less qualified or experienced clinical colleagues, while working in partnership with other clinical, management and administrative colleagues to meet our organisational goals. Most importantly, we’re looking for someone who is dedicated to the delivery of the highest possible standard of care for people who are living without homes in Brighton & Hove. If you are passionate about our vision and our values, and are excellent at what you do, come as you are and we'll do all we can to help you succeed.

About us

ARCH stands for Accessible Restorative Community Health. The name reflects the belief of the team that primary care should move way beyond the treatment of symptoms into community-orientated care which focuses on the whole person and promotes restoration, wellness and resilience.

We believe that your success is our success: when you work at Arch, we want to give you everything you need to thrive and grow, this includes investment in your working environment, training, equipment, counselling and development opportunities. You’ll receive a competitive salary, good terms and conditions, access to the NHS pension scheme, a positive working culture, excellent support from Arch management and the opportunity to influence and improve health services for some of the most vulnerable people in our city. Many of us have families, of various shapes, sizes and types and we understand that they can make life unpredictable. We offer flexible working arrangements where possible and generous maternity and paternity benefits. If you would like to discuss any accessibility requirements for the recruitment process or the role, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss.

Job responsibilities

General duties and responsibilities

To provide nursing care as needed for patients.

To conduct assessment measurements; blood pressure, spirometry, urinalysis, phlebotomy, microbiology samples, ECG, peak flow and other practice based tests as needed in the course of the care of patients.

To work with the wider team of doctors and nurses to support and care for patients through assessment, diagnosis and management of their health needs.

Chronic Disease Management

To provide management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, COPD, asthma and hypertension, including maintaining registers and constructing care pathways as appropriate.

To refer to and liaise with specialist services such as community respiratory team and/or specialist diabetes team as needed to support positive patient outcomes.

Screening

To provide cervical cytology sampling as outlined by national screening programmes and local guidelines.

To promote with patients the national screening programmes for breast, bowel and aortic aneurysms.

Immunisations

Providing childhood immunisations and travel vaccinations.

To support the annual flu campaign and other mass population vaccination programmes as needed in line with national guidance.

Health Promotion

To carry out health checks in conjunction with national, local and practice initiatives and provide health promotion education.

To conduct new patient initial health checks, identifying patients at risk of adverse health behaviours and referring appropriately if needed.

To provide a smoking cessation service in the practice in line with locally commissioned services.

To provide sexual health and blood borne virus screening where appropriate.

To provide care for minor injuries and wound care, including the management of leg ulcers requiring compression bandaging and to work to create safe management plans for patients as needed.

To liaise directly - where appropriate - with community and secondary care colleagues, tissue viability teams to support the care needs of the patient.

Multidisciplinary Team Working, Outreach and Stepdown Beds

To provide outreach into day centres, hostels and rough sleepers as needed and agreed.

To liaise with community nursing colleagues to continue the provision of nursing care in the home, visiting outside the practice if needed.

To liaise with health engagement workers and support workers to help enable patients to engage with the service.

To provide care to patients in the stepdown beds services at New Steine Mews hostel.

Quality Improvement and Clinical Audits

To establish and participate in a robust systems of clinical audit in partnership with other clinical and administrative colleagues leading to measurable quality improvement activities.

To support in all practice services including Key Performance Indicators, Locally Commissioned Services, Quality Outcome Framework and other incentive schemes.

Administrative

To maintain accurate patient records (S1), completing all documentation (computerised and paper-based) as is required for good patient care.

To maintain robust systems of data collection, audit and review of all clinical activities, protocols, care pathways and clinical systems, as needed to ensure good patient care and service is maintained.

To maintain a system of clinical stock and equipment maintenance, calibration and supply (in co-operation with other colleagues).

To participate in infection control procedures and protocols and their implementation within the practice.

Communication & Working Relationships

Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles, to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment.

Communicate with and support patients who are receiving bad news.

Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising the need for alternative methods of communication to overcome different levels of understanding, cultural background and preferences.

Maintain effective communication with individuals and groups within the practice environment external stakeholders.

Act as an advocate when representing the viewpoints of patients and colleagues to others.

Personal Responsibilities

To maintain your own continuous CPD and ensure a Personal Development Plan is kept up to date in line with the practice and nursing team development plans.

Recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct as regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

To maintain your own annual registration with the NMC and adhere to its Code of Professional Conduct.

Promote Arch healthcare in a positive way, adopting a flexible approach to problem solving and service delivery.

The list of duties in the job description should not be regarded as exclusive or exhaustive.

Person Specification

Knowledge/Skills

- Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
- Knowledge and understanding of current national developments and trends in health care and practice development.
- Experience of Microsoft Office software.
- Understanding of clinical coding in general and Read coding in particular.
- Assessing and developing risk management protocols.
- Implementing strategies for quality assurance and quality audit.
- Experience of innovative practice or working with new technologies in health care practice.
- Understanding of the health needs assessment process in relation to homelessness.
- Experience of TPP SystmOne clinical system.

Experience

- Experience of working in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct.
- Experience of Primary Care.
- Experience of multi-skilled approach to Chronic Disease Management.
- Experience of working with people who are homeless with multiple compound needs.
- Experience of diagnosis and treatment of minor illnesses.

Qualities/Attributes

- An understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality.
- Ability to use own judgement, resourcefulness and common sense.
- Ability to work without direct supervision and determine own workload priorities.
- Ability to work as part of an integrated multi-skilled team.
- Pleasant, articulate and kind.
- Able to work under pressure and in a changing environment.

Qualifications

- Registered General Nurse.
- Qualified Practice Nurse.
- A demonstrable commitment to professional development.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

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