JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE:RAPID ACCESS NURSE

REPORTS TO:NURSE SUPERVISOR (Clinically)

HOURS:Part-time – 16 hours per week

Job Summary:

  • In collaboration with Nurse Supervisor commence Rapid Access Service for the Surgery.
  • Provide thorough history taking and physical examination, diagnoses, decision making and management of condition to patients following appropriate triage by GP's.
  • As part of management, include patient education, red flag advice and book follow up appointments as required
  • Manage list of patients as populated by GPs on a daily basis
  • Demonstrate adherence and competence in time keeping.
  • Exercise a high degree of professional autonomy but work closely as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
  • In collaboration with Nurse Supervisor provide training to relevant parties within the wider surgery team e.g. reception, GPs
  • Provide continual assessment and audit the service adjusting system needs accordingly.
  • Adhere to existing clinical protocols for Rapid Access and provide input to the wider Rapid Access team for updating and revision
  • Function in a dynamic way ready to adjust to the changing needs of the client group.
  • In collaboration with Nurse Supervisor to provide training to relevant parties surrounding Rapid Access
  • To be focal point/lead for emergency drugs and equipment within the practice ensuring most up to date algorithms, protocols, training needs and drugs being used
  • To maintainbasic nursing skills
  • In time, depending on success of service, begin to take on telephone triage with support of Nurse Supervisor and Partners

Job Responsibilities:

Professional:

  • To put the patient at ease and ask appropriate questions in a manner that he/she can understand in order to inform a clinical assessment.
  • To use Surgery, Local and National guidelines and professional knowledge and expertise to inform an assessment of the client’s health and presenting problem.
  • On the basis of assessmentto treat or refer the client to the appropriate practitioner or service. Responding quickly to emergency or urgent situations.
  • To prescribesuitable medication as appropriate to your prescribing qualification where applicable
  • To provide advice and information in appropriate non-clinical language to empower clients to undertake self-care of their presenting clinical condition.
  • To maintain accurate and timely record of all clinical consultations and ensure that the NMC Professional code of conduct is adhered to.
  • To maintainand develop professional practice, knowledge, skills and expertise to meet the needs of the practice.
  • To establish effective networks with other health professionals and outside agencies.
  • To work closely with other members of the team promoting effective team working.
  • To participate in on-going audit and evaluation of the minor illness and triage service promoting continuous improvement.
  • To maintain accountability for own professional practice in line with the requirements of clinical governance and the NMC Code of Professional Conduct
  • To undertake appropriate administration in accordance with agreed procedures and to undertake audit in accordance with agreed guidelines.
  • To work as a member of the Primary Care Team in order to provide an efficient andhigh standard of service to patients.
  • To educate and work closely with GP’s in order to improve their confidence regarding what can be referred to/managed by Rapid Access nurse
  • The post holder will be expected to work with a high degree of independence and manage his/her own workload according to priorities.
  • The post holder will participate in annual Performance and Development review (PDR).
  • Following agreed clinical protocols with referral to senior nurses or GPs as appropriate.
  • A duty to advise senior nurses or nominated clinicianof potential problems or errors within the range of assigned tasks.
  • Assist in and perform routine tasks related to patient care as directed by senior nursing staff and GPs.
  • Able to document Consultations according to NMC guidelines.
  • Ability to obtain anddocument informed consent (either verbal or written).
  • Ensure awareness of statutory and local clinical protection procedures, including systems of referral.
  • Ability to recognise safeguarding issues of both child and vulnerable adults.
  • Able to recognize and manage anaphylaxis according to current UK guidelines.
  • Able to perform cardio-pulmonary resuscitation according to current UK guidelines.
  • Ensure infection control guidelines are maintained.
  • Chaperoning and assisting patients where appropriate who are being examined by another clinician.
  • Perform venepuncture according to local guidelines.
  • Participate in additional clinical areas such as treatment room sessions, childhood immunisation, wound clinic, travel consultations and Long Term Disease Management if required.

Other tasks will include:

Participation in administrative systems in the practice.

At all times there will be a need to maintain accurate records.

Maintaining and cleaning equipment used by the nursing team.

Maintaining Nurses rooms, stocking and rotating items as required.

Maintain general tidiness and cleanliness of nurses and treatment rooms.

Attend and participate in any nurse team or practice meetings when required.

 On occasion there may be a requirement to undertake home visits.

Any other delegated duties appropriate to the post.

Accountability

  • In all clinical matters the Rapid Access Nurse is ultimately accountable to the Partners.

General

  • Ensure the provision of high quality patient care at all times.
  • Ensuring workstation is clean and tidy ready for incoming colleague, together with information regarding unresolved and/or urgent problems.
  • Attendance and participation at relevant meetings as notified.
  • Attendance at training sessions as and when required.
  • Follow agreed Practice protocols at all times.
  • Any other delegated duties considered appropriate to the post.

Confidentiality

  • In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately.
  • In the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, Practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the Practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential.
  • Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the Practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the Practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data.

Health & Safety

The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others’ health, safety and security as defined in the Practice Health & Safety Policy, to include:

  • Using personal security systems within the workplace according to Practice guidelines.
  • Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks.
  • Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills.
  • Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards.
  • Reporting potential risks identified.

Equality and Diversity

The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include:

  • Acting in a way that recognizes the importance of people’s rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with Practice procedures and policies, and current legislation.
  • Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues.
  • Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights.

Personal/Professional Development

The post-holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the Practice as part of this employment, such training to include:

  • Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development.
  • Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work.
  • Take personal responsibility with support of Nurse Supervisor in maintaining NMC registration through revalidation process.

Quality

The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the Practice, and will:

  • Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk.
  • Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision.
  • Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the team’s performance.

Participate in monthly Rapid Access audits, review meetings, trainings in order to

ensure governance is upheld.

  • Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients’ needs.
  • Effectively manage own time, workload and resources.

Communication

The post-holder should recognize the importance of effective communication within the team and will always strive to:

  • Communicate effectively with other team members.
  • Communicate effectively with patients and carers.
  • Recognize people’s needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly.
  • Write up clinical notes contemporaneously in accordance with NMC Code

Skills Essential

  • Proven Nursing experience minimum of 5 years
  • Familiarity with professional and technical emerging knowledge
  • Confident in using Excel, Word and Outlook Express
  • Up to date NMC registration and PIN
  • Problem solving skills and ability to multi-task
  • Excellent team work skills
  • BS or Diploma in Nursing
  • Ability and confidence to work autonomously

Skills Desirable

  • Nurse Practitioner
  • Nurse Prescriber
  • Previous nurse triage experience in either primary or secondary care
  • Accident and Emergency experience
  • Practice Nurse experience