Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Description

As Lead Practice Nurse, you will provide clinical and professional leadership to the nursing team, including Practice Nurses and HCAs, while continuing to deliver high-quality patient care. You will support the development of the nursing service, promote evidence-based practice and ensure appropriate clinical standards, governance and processes are maintained.

• Provide clinical leadership, supervision and support to the nursing team.

• 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.

In addition to the leadership responsibilities of the role, the Lead Practice Nurse will remain actively involved in the delivery of patient care. This will include clinical assessments, treatment, chronic disease management, preventative care and other general practice nursing duties appropriate to their scope of practice.

The successful candidate will be an experienced Practice Nurse who can work autonomously, demonstrate sound clinical judgement and confidently lead and support colleagues. They will contribute positively to the continued development of the nursing service and maintain a strong focus on safe, effective and patient-centred care.

This job description is not exhaustive. The post holder may be required to undertake other duties appropriate to the role and level of responsibility.

Person Specification

Qualifications

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.

Experience

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.

Clinical Knowledge and Skills

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.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Martlesham Heath Surgery

Address

Martlesham Heath Surgery

23 The Square

Martlesham Heath

Ipswich

IP5 3SL

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.mhdoctors.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job description

Job responsibilities

While providing a professional, respectful and efficient call handling and face-to-face service, our Senior Care Coordinators play a key role in helping patients access the right support at the right time. The role requires an experienced individual who can confidently manage a wide range of patient needs, including more complex queries, while supporting the wider Care Coordination team.

The Senior Care Coordinator will use their knowledge, experience and professional judgement to provide advice and guidance to patients and colleagues, signposting and coordinating patients with the most appropriate clinician or service both within and outside the practice.

The post holder will work closely with clinical and non-clinical teams, taking ownership of delegated responsibilities, supporting colleagues and contributing to the effective day-to-day running and continued development of the Care Coordination function.

Below highlights areas of daily duties:

• Provide a professional and efficient first point of contact for patients, visitors and healthcare professionals.

• Deal confidently with general and complex enquiries, explaining practice protocols and procedures clearly.

• Book, cancel and rearrange appointments, using knowledge of available services and clinical pathways to ensure patients are directed appropriately.

• Provide advice, information and appropriate signposting to patients and carers.

• Support colleagues with more complex queries and assist with appropriate escalation where required.

• Maintain accurate patient records and uphold confidentiality and data protection requirements.

• Support the team in managing periods of high demand and prioritising workload appropriately.

• Coordinate patient care and follow-up, ensuring actions are completed appropriately and within expected timescales.

• Work closely with GPs, nurses, clinicians and the wider multidisciplinary team to support effective patient pathways.

• Manage more complex or sensitive patient queries using appropriate judgement and escalate concerns where necessary.

• Support the Clinical Hub and wider practice teams in ensuring patient requests are directed to the most appropriate service.

• Identify and address issues that may affect patient care, escalating to clinical or management colleagues when appropriate.

• Maintain effective communication between patients, clinicians and external services.

• Undertake a range of administrative and medical secretary duties, including correspondence, referrals, records and follow-up actions.

• Process referrals and support timely communication with other healthcare providers.

• Maintain accurate electronic and physical records and ensure information is appropriately recorded and accessible.

• Assist with routine and ad-hoc reporting and provide information to support service monitoring and improvement.

• Support the smooth running of practice systems and processes.

• Process prescription requests in accordance with practice procedures.

• Deal confidently with prescription queries and resolve issues where appropriate, escalating to the relevant clinician when required.

• Communicate effectively with patients, clinicians, pharmacies and other healthcare professionals.

• Support colleagues with prescription-related queries and promote consistent working practices.

• Provide day-to-day support, advice and guidance to Care Coordinators, sharing knowledge and experience.

• Act as a point of reference for colleagues when dealing with more complex queries or situations.

• Support the effective allocation and prioritisation of workload within the Care Coordination function.

• Identify opportunities to improve processes, patient experience and team efficiency.

• Take ownership of delegated areas of responsibility and ensure actions are followed through.

• Contribute to team meetings, service development and practice improvement initiatives.

• Work collaboratively with clinical and management teams and contribute positively to the wider practice environment.

The successful applicant will be expected to bring relevant experience to the role and demonstrate the ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and use appropriate judgement. Additional training and development opportunities may be available through the local Training Hub, ICB and other providers.

As a Training Practice, we encourage enhanced learning and development across all roles at Embrace Medical Centre.

This job description provides an overview of the main responsibilities of the role. It is not an exhaustive list, and the post holder may be required to undertake other duties appropriate to the level and nature of the role, as directed by the practice.

Person Specification

Skills

Essential

• Excellent organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage competing demands in a busy environment.
• Ability to work independently, use initiative and take ownership of tasks and responsibilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with patients, colleagues and healthcare professionals.
• Strong IT skills and confidence using clinical and administrative systems, Microsoft Office and digital communication tools.
• Ability to handle complex, sensitive or challenging situations with tact, professionalism and discretion.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement and recognise when matters require clinical or management escalation.
• Ability to provide advice, guidance and support to colleagues.
• Strong team-working skills and the ability to work collaboratively across clinical and non-clinical teams.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities, new processes and evolving ways of working.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality, accurate records and high standards of patient care.
• Professional, approachable and compassionate manner when dealing with patients and colleagues.

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience in a Care Coordinator, Patient Coordinator, Medical Receptionist, Medical Administrator or similar healthcare role.
• Experience of working directly with patients in a busy healthcare or customer-facing environment.
• Experience of coordinating patient care, managing queries and supporting appropriate onward referral or signposting.
• Experience of working with clinical and non-clinical colleagues within a healthcare setting.
• Experience of managing competing priorities and working effectively under pressure.
• Experience of dealing with confidential and sensitive information appropriately.
• Experience of using clinical or patient management systems and maintaining accurate patient records.
• Experience of using Microsoft Office, email and other digital systems confidently.
• Demonstrable experience of working independently and using initiative to resolve problems or manage unforeseen situations.
• Experience of supporting or guiding colleagues would be expected at senior level.

Desirable

• Experience of working within NHS Primary Care or a GP practice.
• Previous experience in a senior Care Coordinator or similar senior administrative/coordination role.
• Experience of supporting, mentoring or training colleagues.
• Knowledge of primary care services, referral pathways and multidisciplinary working.
• Experience of working within a clinical hub, care coordination or similar patient navigation environment.
• Experience of contributing to service improvement, reviewing processes or implementing changes to improve patient experience and service efficiency.
• Experience of handling telephone and face-to-face patient queries in a busy primary care environment.

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Embrace Medical Centre

Address

Twelve Acre Approach

Kesgrave

Ipswich

Suffolk

IP5 1JF

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.embracemedicalcentre.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)