Practice Nurse

Job summary

We are looking to recruit a Practice Nurse to compliment and increase the capacity of our existing Nursing team. We are keen to recruit a Nurse with an interest or qualification in Diabetes or would be happy to support this training.

Main duties of the job

• Collection of laboratory specimens including venepuncture.
• Immunisations and vaccinations, children and adults, administration of vaccine.
• Standard nursing procedures including dressings, ear syringing, removal of sutures, etc.
• Carrying out ECGs, nebulising, spirometry, hearing tests, urinalysis, checking blood glucose, blood pressures, PFR etc.
• Taking cervical smears.
• Giving advice on contraception and HRT.
• Health education advising on diet, exercise, drugs, safe sex, alcohol and smoking etc.
• Registration and NHS Health Checks.
• Chronic disease management: eg asthma, diabetes, IHD and COPD.
• Assist with minor surgical procedures and IUCD insertion.
• Maintenance of equipment and instruments in common use.
• Use of the computer for appropriate and accurate data entry.
• Management of anaphylactic shock and cardiac arrest.
• Knowledge of commonly used drugs, drug reaction and interaction.
• First aid management of emergencies, injuries, burns and scalds.
• Ensuring Mandatory training up to date.
• Participation in educational updates and regular nurse meetings as and when arranged.
• Refer on to a doctor as appropriate.
• Appointed first aid point of contact within surgery.
• Contribute a share of cover to facilitate the team taking annual leave and/or in the event of other unplanned absences.

This job description is not exhaustive and is subject to change according to the needs of the practice.

About us

The practice currently has a list of just over 14900 patients with recent and current expansion to accommodate local housing developments. There are currently two surgery sites. The main surgery is at Alconbury, five miles north of Huntingdon. The branch surgery (which serves 50% of the practice population) is at Brampton, one mile west of Huntingdon. A third site is anticipated to open at Alconbury Weald in October 2026. There are four Partners, eight salaried doctors, and up to nine GP Registrars. We have also recently recruited two Paramedics to support the GPs with more urgent patient needs. We also host year 4, 5 and 6 Medical Students from Cambridge University.

The Team

This is led by the Practice Manager, Melanie Gearing and Operations Manager, Jo-Anne Johnson. They are supported by an experienced admin team consisting of Assistant Manager Abbie Sutliff with twelve Receptionists, four Medical Secretaries and six Dispensers. Our six Nurse team between them provide a full time treatment room service for both surgeries and are supported by four Health Care Assistants and a phlebotomist who perform purely technical clinical tasks. Our nurses see many patients for initial advice on minor illnesses, as well as performing more traditional nursing duties including family planning.

Job responsibilities

• Collection of laboratory specimens including venepuncture.
• Immunisations and vaccinations, children and adults, administration of vaccine.
• Standard nursing procedures including dressings, ear syringing, removal of sutures, etc.
• Carrying out ECGs, nebulising, spirometry, hearing tests, urinalysis, checking blood glucose, blood pressures, PFR etc.
• Taking cervical smears.
• Giving advice on contraception and HRT.
• Health education advising on diet, exercise, drugs, safe sex, alcohol and smoking etc.
• Registration and NHS Health Checks.
• Chronic disease management: eg asthma, diabetes, IHD and COPD.
• Assist with minor surgical procedures and IUCD insertion.
• Maintenance of equipment and instruments in common use.
• Use of the computer for appropriate and accurate data entry.
• Management of anaphylactic shock and cardiac arrest.
• Knowledge of commonly used drugs, drug reaction and interaction.
• First aid management of emergencies, injuries, burns and scalds.
• Ensuring Mandatory training up to date.
• Participation in educational updates and regular nurse meetings as and when arranged.
• Refer on to a doctor as appropriate.
• Appointed first aid point of contact within surgery.
• Contribute a share of cover to facilitate the team taking annual leave and/or in the event of other unplanned absences.

This job description is not exhaustive and is subject to change according to the needs of the practice.

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered General Nurse
• Numerate
• Literate
• Computer literate
• Manual dexterity
• Copes well under pressure
• Motivated and enthusiastic
• A demonstrable commitment to professional development
• Ability to use initiative
• Display good time management skills
• Flexible
• Be pleasant and articulate
• Ability to work as part of an integrated multi-skilled team
• Excellent communication skills
• Experience of dealing with the public/patients
• Competent in basic nursing duties required for the post
• An understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality
• Ability to use own judgement, resourcefulness and common sense
• Ability to work without direct supervision and determine own workload priorities

Desirable

• Past experience of use with Emis clinical system
• Previous General Practice nursing experience
• Gynaecological nursing skills / qualifications
• Experience or an interest in completing a qualification in Diabetes
• Experience or an interest in supporting Practice participation in research

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