JOB DESCRIPTION

For Personnel use only

Job reference number:

Nursing 823

Job Title: Practice Nurse

Reports to (post title): Clinical Matron Physical Healthcare
Role Purpose: To provide high quality nursing care to patients with both primary care and acute care
needs in a prison setting by playing an active part in the assessment, planning, implementation and
evaluation of the patients care.

To provide basic leadership to junior staff by maintaining professional standards ensuring adherence
to all relevant policies and procedures to ensure the delivery of high quality care.

To provide support and supervision for junior qualified and unqualified staff by helping the line
manager with staff development and by providing a first point of contact for patients when on duty.

Role Context: This role requires a Registered General Nurse to work as part of a team delivering
care to patients both within the Healthcare Centres and on the Wings / Houseblocks within the prison
environment.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES PERFORMANCE

MEASURES
1.0 Clinical

1.1 Undertake assessment, provision and evaluation of patient's All patients

physical and mental health and provide information and health have accurate
promotion and self-care. care plans

1.2 Provide input in to the ongoing assessment, planning, Audit scores and action
implementation and evaluation of healthcare programmes for plans.
service users by utilising relevant clinical tools.

1.3 Administer medication including intramuscular injections in

accordance with and action agreed formulary's, National instructions
and under agreed patient group plans directives and locally agreed
Protocols. Clear and effective
communication
1.4 Provide a triage service and clinical interventions, recognising demonstrated in healthcare
environmental limitations and the need for appropriate referral, records.
assessment and transfer of patients who require care within wider
NHS provision.

1.5 Respond to healthcare emergencies within the prison in accordance

with own competence and the Trust's policies and procedures.

Offender Health. Practice Nurse JD B5. JE Sep 2011

1.6 Maintain accurate healthcare records within guidelines of the NMC.

1.7 Deliver evidence based care according to care plans and treatment
regimes.

1.8 When required supervise and undertake the assessment of

suitability of service users to be transferred or released using
recognised tools and protocols within the context of the care plan.

1.9 Seek specialist advice from other Healthcare professionals both

internal and external to contribute to help delivery of comprehensive
based care packages. Supervision and case
review.
1.10 Liaise with service users and constantly evaluate their level of
consent throughout their care pathways.
Training records and
1.11 Help liaise with external healthcare providers regarding the safe supervision.
discharge I and case note transfer of patients to and from healthcare
settings review and the wider communities.

1.12 Contribute on an individual level to the development of the

healthcare service through team development sessions and
individual development work

1.13 As a Registered Nurse provides case management of patient care

utilising the prison service's ACCT process ensuring all aspects of
the document are understood and adhered to.

1.14 Provide sessions and clinics in the healthcare centre, on the prison
wings or other suitable settings.

1.15 Handles sensitive and confidential information appropriately.

2.0 Managing People

Attend and contribute to
2.1 Assist in the provision of clinical leadership to junior staff, helping to team meetings.
ensure the highest standards of evidence based healthcare is
provided to service users within existing resources.

2.2 Organise and be responsible for workload to deliver effective and

efficient high quality care. To supervise the healthcare/nursing
practice of junior staffing and other staff where appropriate within
role of staff nurse.

2.3 Deputise and to take charge of the shift in the absence of line
manager.
Supervision evidence.

3.0 Developing and Maintaining Relationships

3.1 Assist internal and external healthcare providers during clinics and
visits to service users.

3.2 Provide service user's with support to encourage empowerment,

decision making and personal responsibilities and the promotion of
social inclusion within the prison community.

Offender Health. Practice Nurse JD B5. JE Sep 2011

3.3 Support service users and their relatives when distressed.

3.4 Support service users who could be at risk of self harm to Appraisal completed in a
themselves or to others or who are at risk of suicide timely manner.

3.5 Respect service users' individuality and maintain their privacy

and dignity within the constraints of the custodial environment.

3.6 Exercise positive relationships within professional boundaries as

part of a purposeful caring regime.
\

3.7 Communicate effectively using all available and appropriate

methods including information and technology systems with all
members of the healthcare team regarding patient's healthcare
needs.

3.8 Provide input to and maintain an interest in the development of

the healthcare services within the prison cluster.
-I

3.9 Support individuals who have substance misuse problems as per

Trust's policies and procedures. Appropriate referrals made
to other services.
3.10 Support service users to address issues which affect their health,
behaviour and social welfare.

4.0 Managing Resources

4.1 Ensures the effective and efficient use of resources within their
own sphere of responsibility. Understanding of
boundaries and actions to
5.0 Managing Self take.

5.1 Prioritises own workload based on flexible principles, prioritise

care within agreed objectives and refers to others as appropriate.

5.2 Maintain responsibility for identifying own learning needs and

participate in training to develop and maintain own knowledge, Timely and appropriate use
personal qualities and skills. of IT communication
systems.
5.3 Maintain a portfolio to demonstrate CPD.

5.4 Uses basic information technology applications to provide written

reports to clinical and departmental team leaders e.g. SystmOne.

5.5 Actively participate in clinical supervision programmes.

5.6 Participate in all aspects of clinical governance and maintain own

level of communication individual responsibility to provision of
quality health care.

5.6 Adhere to systems within the healthcare service.

5.7 Demonstrate ability to provide actions to prevent further harm as an

initial simple response to any incidents ensuring adherence to the
Trust's policies.

Offender Health. Practice Nurse JD B5. JE Sep 2011

5.8 Demonstrate the ability to undertake administrative duties
commensurate to the role.

5.9 Understand, maintain and Adhere to, the Trust's medicine

management policies and show evidence of ability to explain
statutory and organisational requirements and NMC guidelines.

5.10 Participates in the Trust's appraisal system, matching organisational

aims with individual objectives and undertaking appropriate training
as required. Medication audits.

5.11 Take responsibility for you own and others' health and safety in the
working environment.

5.12 Comply with the policies and procedures of the Trust, own
professions registered body and any codes of practice including
local standard operating procedure, any agreed Prison Service
policies and procedures.

5.13 Ensures that a professional service and image is maintained at all

times.

5.14 Ensures their own actions support and promote the equality,
diversity, rights and responsibilities of individuals.

DIMENSIONS
Working within a prison environment you will be required to work within multi skilled healthcare teams
supporting a small number of junior staff on a day to day basis. The healthcare teams provide a variety of
services including physical healthcare, substance misuse and mental health to over 2000 offenders across
the cluster.
COMMUNICATION
You are required to communicate sensitive information concerning patients medical condition within a
custodial environment, requiring you to have persuasive and reassurance skills. Some patients have
special needs therefore there are barriers to understanding.

You are required to motive and provide support to junior nursing staff.

You are required to develop and maintain appropriate relationships with patients, their carers and families,
Prison Healthcare Teams, NHS Agencies, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Prison Service
and Criminal Justice Services.
KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
• Professional qualification
• Ability to supervise and act as a mentor to un-registered members of the team.
• A developing knowledge of healthcare within custodial environments
• The ability to motivate self and work as a part of a Multi-disciplinary team.
• Excellent and effective verbal/written communication skills.
• Demonstrates the ability to provide general nursing care to clients.
• Good organisational skills.
• Skilled communicator and negotiator.

Offender Health. Practice Nurse JD B5. JE Sep 2011

• Analytical and judgemental skills.
• Basic keyboard and computer skills.
• Self-confident / flexible and reliable.
• Ability to deliver training programmes
 Displays excellent interpersonal skills.
ANALYTICAL AND JUDGEMENTAL SKILLS
You are required to assess patient conditions, triaging services and providing appropriate clinical
interventions. You must also take account of environmental limitations and the need for appropriate
referral, assessment and transfer of patients who require care within wider NHS provision.
PLANNING AND ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS
You are required to organise your own time and that of more junior nursing staff, additionally, in the
absence of the line manager you are required to deputise and take charge of a shift dealing with
unplanned events as they occur.
PHYSICAL EFFORT
Dexterity and accuracy required for iv and im injections, removal of sutures etc.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR PATIENT / PATIENT CARE
To take an active part in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of the patients care
plans.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR POLICY/SERVICE DEVELOPMENT
Professionally responsible for adherence to Trust policies and procedures.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL AND PHYSICAL RESOURCES
Personal duty of care in relation to equipment used. Orders supplies when necessary.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR HR
You are required to provide clinical supervision to more junior staff, supporting the line manager by
conducting PADs for unregistered staff as allocated. Required to organise and check work of more Junior
staff on a daily basis.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR INFORMATION RESOURCES
You are responsible for recording personally generated information on patient records within guidelines of
the NMC.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
You will undertake surveys and audits as necessary to own role.
FREEDOM TO ACT
You are required to work on own initiative, providing first point of contact to patients when on shift.
You will be required to work within codes of practice and professional guidelines.
PHYSICAL EFFORT
Moves around prison and across the site.
Pushes and pulls trolleys / medication boxes or wheelchairs.
Kneels and crouches to dress wounds / manoeuvres patients.
EMOTIONAL EFFORT
Occasional exposure to distressing circumstances, dealing with distressed or aggressive patients.
MENTAL EFFORT
Frequent concentration required for checking documents / writing notes, work pattern unpredictable
due to nature of work environment receiving / discharging prisoners throughout the day.
WORKING CONDITIONS

Offender Health. Practice Nurse JD B5. JE Sep 2011

Frequent exposure to unpleasant working conditions.
ORGANISATION

Head of Healthcare

Senior Practice Nurse

Practice Nurse
THIS POST

Healthcare
Assistants

SIGNATURES
After reviewing the questionnaire please sign to confirm agreement
Post holder: Date:

Line Manager: Date:

Next level Manager : Date:

Offender Health. Practice Nurse JD B5. JE Sep 2011