Creating a Practice Team & Position Descriptions

Creating a well-structured practice team supports the delivery of high‑quality, patient‑centred care within a general practice setting. Integrating the skills of clinical and administrative staff strengthens decision‑making, enhances continuity of care, and improves overall efficiency, ultimately contributing to better patient outcomes and a more effective practice environment.

Key roles in your practice team include:

• doctors
• specialist GPs
• registrars
• IMGs
• practice nurses
• practice manager
• administration staff

In addition, you could consider:

• employing allied health professionals such as dietitians, psychologists or physiotherapists
• engaging external advisors who are specialists in HR, finance, IT and law.

The RACGP provides further guidance to assembling a practice team via their website.

Practice Nurses

A nurse’s scope of practice covers that in which they are educated, authorised, competent and confident to perform, which is influenced by their: 

• registration as either a Registered Nurse (RN) or an Enrolled Nurse (EN)
• endorsement, such as Nurse Practitioner (NP)
• educational background
• previous nursing experience
• clinical specialisation. 

The duties and key responsibilities of a nurse employed in a general practice can vary. 

Nurses must be registered as either a Registered Nurse (RN) or an Enrolled Nurse (EN) with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), which manages the process on behalf of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). 

A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a Registered Nurse who is further educated and authorised to function autonomously and collaboratively in an advanced and extended clinical role.

 General practices should establish workplace processes to ensure their nurses’ registrations are current. To view the professional codes and guidelines for nurses, please visit the Ahpra Nurses and Midwifery Board website.

Supervising Enrolled Nurses 

Enrolled Nurses are qualified to perform a wide range of nursing activities. However, an Enrolled Nurse cannot practise independently and must be supervised by a Registered Nurse. A General Practitioner cannot supervise an Enrolled Nurse. When an Enrolled Nurse is employed in a general practice, it is important to have a policy in place that outlines clear pathways for professional supervision by a Registered Nurse. 

Enrolled Nurses administering medicines 

To administer medicines, Enrolled Nurses must have successfully completed the relevant medication administration education as required by the NMBA. Enrolled Nurses who cannot administer medicines will have the following notation on their registration: Does not hold Board-approved qualification in administration of medicines.