Registered Nurse

Job Description – Practice Nurse

Job title: Practice Nurse

Reports to: Practice Manager

Purpose of position

To ensure smooth and efficient functioning of the practice and provide an exceptional standard of care to our patients.

Responsibilities (Keep only those essential to position)

Clinical

• Perform clinical duties within the required level of clinical competency, according to the best available evidence.  Explain procedures to patients, providing them with support and reassurance.  Duties include triage, immunizations and other injections; wound management, chronic disease management, ECG’s and collection of pathology samples.  Assist doctors with clinical procedures.  Maintain clinical documentation.

Patient Services

• Assist with triage, data management, diagnostic services, networking with other providers, planning & management of patient care and patient advocacy.  Telephone patients with test results as directed by medical staff. 

Improvement of Patient Health Outcomes

• Conduct preventative/screening procedures; assist with patient education and community health promotion activities.  Co-ordinate patient recall and outreach programs and GP management plans and team care arrangements. 

Patient Visits

• Escort patients home and provide home/hospital visits as required for monitoring & support, including antenatal and post-natal care & health assessments.

Equipment and Supplies

• Ensure sterilisation and maintenance of clinical equipment.  Maintain stocks of clinical supplies, including correct storage (such as refrigeration), removal of out-of-date stock and ordering supplies.  Provide input in purchasing relevant clinical equipment and supplies.

Compliance

• Maintain awareness of current and new legislation to ensure the business is complying with all statutory and regulatory obligations including infection control, sterilisation, hazardous materials & safe handling/disposal of medical waste, records management, OHS, and accreditation.  Ensure relevant personnel are kept informed and changes are made to systems and procedures as required. 

Professional

• Act within the practice and nursing code of ethics & appropriate level of clinical competence at all times.  Maintain awareness of current evidence and research on clinical practices and inform/educate other practice staff. Change systems and procedures to ensure compliance with best available evidence as applicable. 

OHS

• Consistently be aware of OHS requirements and comply with them.

General

Delegation of tasks to other medical and non-medical staff.  Provide direct and indirect supervision to Division 2 Nurse/s.  Assist with other practice duties as required. 

Expected behaviors and personal attributes (Customise as necessary)

• Demonstrate a knowledge of and compliance with all relevant legislation and common law obligations affecting nursing.

• Discharge of duty of care in the course of practice including meeting practice standards, and accountability for nursing actions.

• Demonstrate knowledge of policies and procedural guidelines that have legal implications, for example, ensure documentation conforms to legal requirements.

• Practice only within the limits of their educational preparation and competence.

• Identify and respond to unsafe practice, for example, implement interventions to prevent unsafe practice and/or contravention of the law.

 Demonstrated patient-focused approach in service provision with genuine empathy and interest in their needs.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills across all ages and social groups.
• Be always well-presented, friendly, courteous and obliging.  Represent the practice in a confident and positive manner at all times.

• Undertake all duties in a diligent manner, with honesty and integrity,

• Maintain absolute confidentiality regarding patient and practice information.

• Have a vigilant attitude to accuracy, being prepared to double check as necessary.

• Ability to work cooperatively and independently. & ability to prioritise and organise, with attention to detail.

• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development

• This position requires physical ability to occasionally lift and/or move patients.
• Possession of current driver’s licence (include only if essential to perform job, such as home visits)

Education, Qualifications and Experience  (Keep only those essential to position)

Essential:

• Appropriate tertiary qualification & registration certificate.

• Professional indemnity cover.

• Minimum of one years nursing experience, preferably in a community-based role.

• Demonstrated understanding of the needs of general practice and interest in community-based nursing including patient education and health promotion.

• Knowledge of current immunisation schedules, Diabetes management, asthma management, enhanced primary care items, infection control, CPR and emergency resuscitation techniques, equipment & drugs.

Desirable:

• Competence in the use of relevant equipment & software – be specific, give brand-names if appropriate.

• Experience in similar role as practice nurse or community-based nursing.

• Experience with specific social groups serviced by practice, such as adolescents, aged care, migrant or refuge groups, aboriginals & Torres Straight islanders, etc.

• Additional qualifications such as Accredited Women’s Health Certificate, Diabetes Education Certificate, Asthma/Spirometry qualification/education.
• Training or experience in Medicare item numbers & health funds
• Member of APNA.

Hours Of Work

List Monday to Friday hours.  the practice is closed during weekends & Public Holidays.  

However, it is expected that our staff will work extra time on occasions if this is required to deliver essential patient care.

Breaks:  30 minutes for lunch and 10 minutes each for morning and afternoon tea to be taken in shifts with other staff to ensure continuity of care. (if applicable)

Other features: (Keep only those essential to position)

Permanent position with a qualifying period of 3 or 6 months.

Professional development provided or expected.

Requirement for use of own vehicle, if essential to the position.

Potential for contact with hazardous material such as blood & body fluids.

May be required to have some immunisations.