Duties and Responsibilities of Role

1. Providing assessment, screening treatment services and health education advice

• Assist with the organisation, co-ordination and delivery of the provision of clinical care for the enrolled practice population It is expected that there will be individual PD to reflect the individual skill set of the Nurse prescribers.
• Provide clinical assessment and treatment to patients in participation with general practitioners or independently agreed protocols.
• Provide general and specific health screening to the practice patients (within the agreed protocols) with referral to general practitioners as necessary.
• Be competent in the assessment and management of immunisation requirement for the practice population.
• Be competent and confident in the management of patients with long term conditions.
• In collaboration with the clinical team, assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate treatment/interventions and care for patients presenting with an undifferentiated diagnosis.
• In collaboration with the clinical team, assess, diagnose, plan, implement and evaluate interventions/treatments for patients with complex needs.
• Proactively identify, diagnose and manage treatment plans for patients at risk of developing a long-term chronic condition (as appropriate) as per scope of practice.
• Manage both acute and chronic conditions, integrating both drug- and nondrug-based treatment methods into a management plan in collaboration with the clinical team as per prescribing scope.
• Prescribe and review medication for therapeutic effectiveness, appropriate to patient needs and in accordance with evidence-based practice and national and practice protocols, and within scope of practice.
• Work with patients to support compliance with and adherence to prescribed treatments.
• Provide information and advice on prescribed or over-the-counter medication on medication regimens, side-effects and interactions.
• Prioritise health problems and intervene appropriately to assist the patient in complex, urgent or emergency situations, including initiation of effective emergency care
• Support patients to adopt health promotion strategies that promote healthy lifestyles and apply principles of self-care.
• Utilise and demonstrate sensitive communication styles, to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment.

2. Delivering a quality service

• Recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct as regulated by the NZNC.
• Produce accurate, current and complete records of patient consultation, consistent with legislation, policies and procedures.
• Prioritise, organise and manage own workload in a manner that maintains and promotes quality and customer satisfaction.
• Deliver care according to best practice guidelines, evidence-based care and patient input.
• In partnership with other clinical teams, collaborate on improving the quality of health care responding to local and national policies and initiatives developed by the PHO, DHB and MOH as appropriate.
• Evaluate patients’ response to health care provision and the effectiveness of care.
• Support and participate in shared learning across the practice and wider organisation.

3.  Diagnostic specimens and investigatory procedures

• Undertake the collection of diagnostic specimens including intravenous blood samples, swabs, smears, etc. Perform investigatory procedures requested by the GP’s (within the scope of personal experience and training only).
• Ensure samples are correctly labelled and include sufficient clinical details to avoid lab rejection.

4.  Administrative and professional responsibilities

• Participate in the administrative and professional responsibilities of the practice team.
• Take responsibility for own learning and performance including participating in clinical supervision and acting as a positive role mode.
• Support staff development in order to maximise potential and working towards all working at top of their scope.
• Actively promote the workplace as a learning environment, encouraging everyone to learn from each other and from external good practice.
• Take a lead role in planning and implementing changes within the area of care and responsibility.
• Contribute to the development of local guidelines, protocols and standards.
• Create clear referral pathways to meet patient need.
• Prioritise own workload and ensure effective time-management strategies are embedded within the culture of the team and offer flexibility when demands.
• Work effectively with others to clearly define values, direction and policies impacting upon care delivery.
• Discuss, highlight and work with the team to create opportunities to improve patient care.
• Ensure accurate notes of all consultations, patient contacts and treatments are recorded adequately on the computer.
• Ensure completion of all necessary documentation associated with the patient healthcare and registration of the practice in a timely manner.
• Ensure collection and maintenance of statistical information required for regular and ad hoc reports.
• Assist in the formulation of practice philosophy, strategy and policy.

5.  Education and training of students and practice staff

• Participate in the education and training of students of all disciplines.

6.  Liaison

• Maintain effective liaison with other agencies and staff concerned with patient care and all other disciplines within the practice, with appropriate regard to confidentiality.
• Attend organised MDT meetings PRN with appropriate inhouse and offsite personnel.

7.  Professional Development

• Maintain continued education by attendance at courses and study days as deemed useful or necessary for professional development.
• Participation and maintenance of PDRP essential.
• Disseminate learning and information gained to other team members to share good practice and inform others about current and future developments (e.g., courses and conferences).
• Attend peer group meetings.
• Assess own learning needs and undertake learning as appropriate.
• Provide an educational role to patients, carers, families and colleagues in an environment that facilitates learning.

8.  General

• Individual must behave in a professional and discreet manner at all times.
• Patient and professional confidentiality is of prime importance. Any breach of confidentiality can result in immediate suspension/dismissal.
• Appropriate attire must be worn at all times in line with practice policy.