Job description

Bodowen Surgery is a semi-rural dispensing practice on the North Wales coast within easy reach of Chester, Manchester, Liverpool and Snowdonia.

We are based in purpose-built premises with access to a local community hospital and have a friendly team approach.

We have over 8,000 patients and are committed to providing quality care, supported by a highly skilled and organised team.

Job Responsibilities:

Diagnosing and treating patients presenting with minor illness including acute on chronic conditions.

• Triage and treat patients wishing to see a health care professional making any necessary referrals to other members of the primary health care team or secondary health team.
• Ensure clinical practice is safe and effective and remains within boundaries of competence and to acknowledge limitations.
• Advise patients on general health care and minor ailments with referral to other members of the primary and secondary health care team as necessary

Providing assessment, screening treatment services and health education advice:

• Dietary advice
• Health screening
• Smear taking
• Dressings
• ECG
• Phlebotomy
• Routine injections
• Contraception Management including Emergency Contraception
• Minor Illness
• Asthma Management in line with National Guidelines
• COPD Management in line with National Guidelines including Spirometry Screening.
• Hypertension Management in line with National Guidelines
• Routine immunisations and vaccinations
• Removal of sutures / clips
• New patient registration checks / health surveillance / general health advice
• Organise and coordinate the provision of nursing services for the Practice to include the delegation of duties to other members of the Practice nurse team as appropriate
• Provide general and specific health screenings to the Practice patients (within agreed protocols) with referral to other members of the primary and secondary health care team as necessary

Pathological specimens and investigatory procedures

• Undertake the collection of pathological specimens including intravenous blood samples, swabs etc. Perform investigatory procedures requested by the GPs

Administration and professional responsibilities

• Participate in the administrative and professional responsibilities of the Practice team
• Ensure accurate and legible notes of all consultations and treatments are recorded in the patients notes
• Ensure the clinical computer system is kept up to date with accurate details recorded and amended
• Ensure appropriate items of service claims are made accurately, reporting any problems to the Practice Manager
• Ensure accurate completion of all necessary documentation associated with patient health care and registration with the Practice
• Ensure collection and maintenance of statistical information required for regular and ad hoc reports and audit and Quality and Outcomes Framework.
• Attend and participate in Practice meetings as required
• Restocking and maintenance of clinical areas and consulting rooms
• Report any problems to the Practice Manager

Supplies and equipment

• Maintenance of equipment and stock relating to patient care

Training and personal development

• Training requirements will be monitored by yearly appraisal and will be in accordance with Practice requirements. Personal development will be encouraged and supported by the Practice. It is the individuals’ responsibility to remain up to date with recent developments.
• Participate in the education and training of students of all disciplines and the introduction of all members of the Practice staff where appropriate
• Maintain continued education by attendance at courses and study days as deemed useful or necessary for professional development ensuring PREP requirements are met.
• If it is necessary to expand the role to include additional responsibilities, full training will be given.
• Develop and maintain a Personal Learning Plan

Liaison

• As well as the clinical/nursing team, there is a need to work closely with reception, office and local dispensary staff to ensure the smooth running of the Practice, reporting any problems encountered to the relevant person and ensuring every one is aware of the different roles within the nursing team.
• There is also the need to establish and maintain good liaison with other surgeries and agencies including secondary care

Meetings

• It will be necessary to attend and contribute to various Practice meetings as requested. The only reason for not attending will be annual, study or sick leave.

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

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
• 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 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

Contribution to the Implementation of Services:

The post-holder will:

• Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work
• Participate in audit where appropriate

Full job description available upon request. Please contact [email protected].

Some experience in the following would be advantageous, however, training can be provided if necessary.

To apply please email: [email protected]

Sian Thomas, Deputy Practice Manager