JOB DESCRIPTION OF DISTRICT PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE
INTRODUCTION
District Nurses are senior nurses in the National Health Service who manage care within the
community, leading teams of community nurses and support workers, as well as visiting
house-bound patients to provide advice and care such as palliative care, wound management,
catheter and continence care and medication support.
QUALIFICATION
Training as a district nurse requires registration as a nurse in the adult branch, with at least
two years post-qualifying experience of professional practice: a (shortened) degree or
postgraduate diploma course is then undertaken, either one year full-time or two years part-
time.
JOB SUMMARY/MAIN PURPOSE:
Provide a skilled nursing in the community, by implementing evidence based practice
within the context of Integrated Care Teams.
To carry continuing responsibility for a defined caseload.
To assess the nursing needs of people referred to District Nursing within the context of
Integrated Care Teams and admit to the nursing caseload, according to referral guidelines
To provide skilled, evidence based nursing care using clinical decision making in care
planning, evaluation and discharge.
To manage a case load efficiently and effectively through appropriate delegation to the
nursing team.
To motivate and lead a nursing team using team targets, systems and processes
To promote health and wellbeing in the partnership with other agencies
Main Duties/Responsibilities
Provide a nursing service to patients and their families/carers within a designated caseload
Assessment of need and formulation of care plans.
Assess, provide and monitor appropriate usage of equipment.
Carry out Risk Assessments and advise patients and families appropriately
Bring forward to the Integrated care team manager/ Lead nurse any identified risks, which
may impact upon a wider patient population.
Provide clinical leadership to the nursing team through advanced clinical knowledge,
analysis of team attributes and skills.
Plan, implement and evaluate nursing care using the nursing process
Provision of on
- ongoing support to patients and their families/carers as they cope with:
- the impact and implications of their conditions(s)
- the demands of treatment
- the uncertainty of the future death/loss/bereavement
Teach patients and families self care using demonstration of simple nursing procedures,
which they can use in the absence of/or while assisting the nurse.
Educate relatives on safe custody of drugs and medicines.
Maintain and provide accurate records in relation to all nursing care
Act as a health educator in promotion of health and prevention of disease, and using
innovative methods reach the total client population.
Effectively carry out treatments prescribed by General Practitioners or other medical staff
and communicate effectively in relation to progress of the patients.
Liaise with other members of the Primary Health Care Team, GP Practice and Hospital
staff to ensure continuity of care.
Effectively communicate with:
- Patients and families
- Nursing team
-Primary Health Care Team and other professional disciplines
- Trust personnel
-Statutory and Voluntary Agencies
Refer to other professional disciplines and agencies.
Communicate effectively verbally, in writing, in email, and attendance at meetings.
Competently use Trust IT systems to:
- Receive referrals
- Manage caseload
- Gather information for audit
- Communicate with and refer to others
- Undertake training as required
Participate in caseload audit to identify the most effective use of time and skills in
addressing needs and prioritising work.
Provide cover for other District Nursing Sisters/Charge Nurse
Inform Integrated care team manager / Lead Nurse of any limitations in delivery of
nursing care.
Identify and develop an area of clinical interest and act as a resource to the wider District
Nursing.
Clinical supervision and performance management of team members
Participate in interview panels
Update self in current nursing trends and attend relevant training.
Participate in Induction Programmes for new staff and learner training programmes.
Be aware of procedures for dealing with cases of Child Abuse and Vulnerable Adults and
to ensure that Guidelines are followed when necessary
Advertise nursing as a profession, to encourage recruitment of trained nursing staff to the
community field
Be aware of and to adhere to NMC Code of Professional Conduct and Trust Polices.
General Responsibilities
Employees of the Trust are required to promote and support the mission and
vision of the service for which they are responsible and:
– At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into
contact in a courteous and respectful manner.
– Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient
completion of all tasks allocated to them.
– Comply with the Trust’s Smoke Free Policy.
– Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with the Health and Safety
Policies and Statutory Regulations.
– Adhere to Equality and Good Relations duties throughout the course of their
employment.
– Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in service provision.
– Maintain high standards of personal accountability.
JOB DESCRIPTION OF DISTRICT
PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE
