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Practice Nurse Job Description and Person Specification

Location: Pontardawe Primary Care Centre

Salary: Band 6

Hours p/ week: 30 Hours

Job summary We are seeking an experienced Practice Nurse to deliver high-quality nursing care within our friendly and supportive multidisciplinary team. The role will develop in stages, with the initial priority being chronic disease reviews, particularly diabetes, alongside wound care and routine vaccination services. The post holder must have previous general practice nursing experience, experience independently running chronic disease clinics, and experience undertaking clinical audits. The successful candidate will manage their clinical workload within their competence, recognise when further advice or escalation is required, and contribute to consistent, effective nursing services. Experience in baby clinics and cervical screening is desirable but not essential.

Key responsibilities

• 1. Chronic disease management and diabetes reviews Independently run structured chronic disease clinics, with an initial emphasis on diabetes. Undertake patient assessments, review relevant results and monitoring requirements, and develop care plans in collaboration with patients and the wider clinical team. Provide education and support relating to self-management, lifestyle, treatment adherence and prevention of complications. Identify patients requiring further assessment, treatment review or referral and upscale appropriately. Work with administrative and recall colleagues to support timely invitations, monitoring and completion of reviews. Maintain accurate records and contribute to the development and consistent use of clinical templates and agreed protocols.
• 2. Clinical audit and service improvement Undertake clinical audits relevant to nursing services and chronic disease management. Review findings with appropriate colleagues, identify improvements and contribute to agreed action plans. Evaluate the impact of changes through follow-up audit and monitoring. Contribute to the review of nursing protocols and practical workflows, sharing learning with the team.
• 3. Wound care Assess and manage acute, chronic and postoperative wounds. Develop and review wound-care plans, select appropriate dressings and monitor healing. Deliver compression therapy where appropriately trained and competent, following the necessary assessment and agreed clinical pathways. Recognise deterioration, infection or other concerns and seek further clinical advice or referral promptly.
• 4. Hypertension and blood pressure monitoring Undertake hypertension reviews, including blood pressure measurement, monitoring and patient education. Fit ambulatory blood pressure monitors and review results within the post holders competence and agreed practice protocols. Liaise with GPs and other appropriate clinicians regarding treatment decisions and medication reviews.
• 5. Vaccinations and routine nursing care Administer routine and seasonal vaccinations, including influenza, COVID-19, shingles and pneumococcal vaccinations, within appropriate training and authorisation arrangements. Assess suitability, obtain and document informed consent, and maintain accurate vaccination records. Maintain competence in recognising and responding to adverse reactions, including anaphylaxis. Provide other routine nursing interventions, including prescribed B12 injections. Deliver health promotion and preventive care appropriate to the patients needs.
• 6. Additional clinics where appropriately qualified Contribute to baby clinics and childhood immunisation services where trained and competent. Undertake cervical screening where appropriately trained and authorised. These skills are desirable at appointment and are not essential entry requirements. Any extension of duties will reflect service priorities, competence and agreed development needs.
• 7. Professional responsibilities and teamwork Maintain current NMC registration and practise within professional standards and the limits of competence. Maintain confidentiality, accurate clinical documentation and appropriate information governance. Follow safeguarding, infection prevention and other relevant practice procedures. Work collaboratively with clinical, pharmacy, healthcare support and administrative colleagues. Contribute to a welcoming, respectful and supportive working environment. Maintain professional development and participate in appraisal, relevant training and team learning.

Essential criteria

• Registered Nurse qualification with current NMC registration.
• Previous experience working as a Practice Nurse in general practice.
• Evidence of relevant post-registration training and continuing professional development.
• Experience independently running chronic disease clinics, including diabetes reviews.
• Relevant training and demonstrable competence in diabetes management.
• Experience undertaking clinical audits and contributing to improvements arising from their findings.
• Strong wound assessment and management skills.
• Competence in routine vaccination administration and relevant emergency response procedures.
• Experience in hypertension reviews and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.
• Ability to organise and manage an independent clinical workload, recognise limitations and escalates concerns appropriately.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to educate and support patients.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Competence in clinical record keeping and using electronic clinical systems.

Desirable criteria

• Additional qualifications in diabetes or other long-term condition management.
• Experience in asthma or COPD reviews.
• Current cervical screening training and competence.
• Experience in baby clinics and childhood immunisations.
• Experience using EMIS Web.
• Experience developing clinical protocols or supporting colleagues learning.
• A relevant prescribing qualification, such as V150 or V300.

Working environment and benefits

Pontardawe Primary Care Centre places a strong emphasis on being a friendly, welcoming and supportive place to work. Teamwork, shared learning and mutual support underpin our commitment to high standards of patient care. Our multidisciplinary team includes three GP partners, six salaried GPs, an Advanced Nurse Practitioner, a Physician Associate, a pharmacy technician and pharmacy team, four practice nurses, three healthcare support workers, and a dedicated administrative team.

Benefits include:

• Salary aligned with Band 6.
• NHS Pension Scheme.
• Continuing professional development, training and support.
• A friendly team environment where professional expertise and staff wellbeing are valued.

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