Lead Practice Nurse

Lead practice nurse for village practice

Orchard Surgery Melbourn is seeking a dynamic and experienced Lead Practice Nurse to take a clinical leadership role in this community-based village surgery. Orchard surgery has a population of 8500 patients, 4 GP partners, 4 salaried GP’s,2 practice nurses, and 3 health care assistants. We are a friendly and supportive team who go above and beyond for our patients. The clinical team meet for daily coffee and monthly clinical meetings and are supported by a friendly and experienced administrative team.

You will be responsible for the delivery of safe, effective and evidence-based nursing care. You will be expected to work collaboratively with GP partners and the Practice Manager with responsibility for providing clear leadership to the nursing team, ensuring a high-quality patient centred service.  You will contribute to service development, clinical governance and quality improvement.

Main duties:

Clinical:

• Lead the nurse led clinics on diabetes, (and asthma, COPD if keen)
• Provide immunisations, vaccinations, cervical cytology, wound care,
• Responsible for the infection control protocols
• Prioritise health problems, intervening appropriately, to assist in patient in complex, urgent or emergency situations, including initiation of effective emergency care
• Meet the patients needs presenting for wound care
• Health promotion and wellbeing plus individual plans for patients with/at risk of a long-term condition
• Conduct Learning disability reviews

Leadership/Managerial:

• Be the clinical lead in the delivery of Practice nursing services to patients, ensuring that the needs of the patient are the priority
• Lead the nursing team in the planning, implementing the local guidance, protocols and standards.
• Participate in team meetings, delivering the nursing agenda and run nurse department meetings
• Lead on QOF and the delivery for LTC management, maximising income
• Manage the flu campaign, childhood and adult immunisations, cervical screening etc
• Attend and participate in Practical Clinical and Educational meetings as required

Delivery of a quality service

• Plan and manage the nurse appointments and rotas
• Interpret national strategies and policies in local implementation strategies that are aligned to the values and culture of general practice
• Monitor the performance of the nursing team
• Prioritise, organise, and manage own and other’s workload in a way that maintains and promotes quality
• Lead on infection control within the practice

Professional:

• Maintain NMC registration and CPD
• Adhere to all mandatory training requirements

 Salary:

Dependent on experience

Contract:

Permanent

Working pattern:

Minimum 27 hours per week – must include a Tuesday and a Friday

Interview dates:

12^th or 13^th March 2026

Person Specification:

Essential:

• Minimum 5 years post registration experience
• Minimum 2 years recent experience in primary care
• Experience in managing chronic conditions, in particular Diabetes. If not previously have a willingness to learn.
• Strong understanding of the role of a Practice Nurse in general practice
• Experience in implementing clinical protocols and guidelines
• Experience with immunisations, wound care, and cytology
• Confident in communicating sensitive or complex information to patients and families
• Strong IT skills including SystmOne

Desirable:

• Asthma and COPD interest, in addition to diabetes
• Previous leadership or management role
• Knowledge of clinical systems
• Experience in protocol/SOP writing

Qualifications:

Essential:

• Adult nursing qualification ( degree level)
• NMC registration
• Enhanced DBS clearance

Desirable:

• Specialist qualifications in family planning, diabetes, asthma, CHD, cytology
• Travel medicine qualification
• Independent nurse prescriber