Nursing Associate

Maple View Medical Practice

This job is now closed

Job summary

Are you a qualified Nursing Associate looking for a new challenge? Come and join the friendly and supportive Kingfisher PCN which is a collaboration of 6 GP practices across Redditch town. This exciting developing “hybdrid” role will be working in our expanding Frailty Team in Care Homes, the community and also across our PCN GP practices. This post will give you the opportunity to utilise your skills and knowledge whilst also developing new skills which will be utilised in both aspects of the role. Supported by both Advanced Nurse Practitioners and Practice Nurses, new skills will be taught and competency support given through a structured induction programme.

It is the ambition for Kingfisher PCN to create a Frailty Team providing specialist support and advice into Care Homes and as the team and service expand, to introduce a home visiting service which will replicate the 'offer' to support vulnerable people within their own homes.

Main duties of the job

The core part of the function will be to support the Frailty Team to deliver a service which will realise the ambition to expand the Care Home offer to patients within their own homes. It is envisaged that elements of the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment will be able to be carried out by the Nursing Associates, together with ongoing reviews following comprehensive ACP assessment.

There will also be an element of the Nursing Associates role which will support the core nursing offer within general practice. It is the intention to explore the potential for shared care opportunities (e.g., wound care) with Practice Nurses which will provide further capacity within general practice and will also provide the opportunity for Nursing Associates to further develop and retain their competencies.

The possible split of the role will be 4 days per week assigned to the Frailty Team and 1 day per week assigned to a practice. Overarching leadership and coordination will be via the Advanced Nurse Practitioners within the Frailty Team.

About us

Kingfisher Primary Care Network (PCN) is a collaboration between 5 GP partnerships across 6 sites in Redditch Town with a shared population of 59,358. Kingfisher PCN has a strategic ambition to introduce a Community Health Hub in the medium term in order to innovate general practice locally and build a sustainable model for general practice for the future. Kingfisher PCN practices have a mature relationship and a proven track record of effectively working together over many years.

The opportunity to introduce additional roles to complement the existing primary care workforce has been embraced and the Additional Roles Team continues to evolve with the introduction of new functions including; Clinical Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, First Contact Physiotherapists; Physician Associates; Care Co-ordinators and Social Prescribers.

A key ambition has been to introduce a Kingfisher PCN Frailty Team providing enhanced care and support into Care Homes, the community and also across our PCN GP practices. The team is led by Advanced Clinical Practitioners working alongside our Care Home GPs with Senior Nurse, Clinical Pharmacist, Care Co-ordinator and Pharmacy Technician input. The Team is looking to recruit Nursing Associates to complement and expand the team further.

Date posted

15 November 2021

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

A1883-21-8199

Job locations

Churchill Centre

Tanhouse Lane

Redditch

Worcs

B98 9AA

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Summary

The post holder will:

· Behave consistently with the values and beliefs of the PCN and promote these on day to day basis.

· Act as a role model to colleagues, always seeking to maintain the highest standards of professionalism.

· Use their initiative and take responsibility for themselves and the quality of their work and the service they provide to patients.

· Work with the wider nursing and health care team to: - Participate in the delivery of patient care - Contribute towards the Kingfisher Frailty Team and Kingfisher General Practice - Give support to registered nurses in the provision of a safe and caring environment - Assist in the induction, supervision and training of Healthcare Support Workers and student nurses and nursing associates.

· Demonstrate a level of skill and understanding which enables them to undertake specific tasks delegated by the nurse/Allied Health Professional (AHP) in charge and in accordance with relevant procedures, guidelines and policies. The post holder will undertake both routine and specially identified tasks for which they have been trained and assessed as competent.

· It is expected that Nursing Associates will be able to carry out all of the core competencies outlined in the job description but their duties and competencies will vary according to speciality agreed extended competencies. Similar or related duties may be undertaken in support of the environment, which are not listed.

Key Responsibilities

Administrative

1. Undertake specifically identified administrative and clerical tasks associated with patient care which facilitate the smooth running of the ward/department.

Managerial

1. Supervise, assess and mentor Healthcare Support Workers, Trainee Nursing Associates and other unregistered staff and assist in the supervision and learning of other healthcare students with the exception of their assessment.

Clinical

1. Deliver a high standard of clinical and/or therapeutic care within varied care settings in accordance with instructions and training received. JD7783 [Updated November 2020, AFC]

2. Work within clearly defined accountability frameworks, recognising at all times the boundaries to the remit of the Nursing Associate role.

3. Communicate with patients and their carers using tact, diplomacy, empathy and reassurance during potentially difficult or stressful situations or where there may be barriers to understanding, i.e. confusion, physical impairment, cognitive failure or language barrier.

4. Act as an effective resource of information for patients and their carers.

5. Respect the diversity of individual service users and colleagues ensuring that the maintenance of their dignity and your respect for them is an integrated part of all activities undertaken.

6. Assist with and undertake patient assessment in accordance with programme of care, communicating findings to the registered Nurse or AHP and taking appropriate actions.

7. Administer medication in a safe and timely manner as prescribed, in accordance with Trust policies and training.

8. Obtain requested specimens and ensure transportation to appropriate department – urine, faeces, sputum, exudates e.g. swabs – nose, eye, wound site, etc.

9. Obtain requested routine bloods/investigations; have a basic understanding of normal and altered values, reporting adverse results.

10. Maintain patients’ personal and oral hygiene, e.g. help with dressing/undressing, giving bed baths, mouth and skin care, assisting with pressure area care, maintaining privacy and dignity.

11. Assist in providing conditions to meet the patient’s need for rest and sleep.

12. Provide and promote health education; support and encourage the patient to meet their own health and wellbeing needs.

13. Assist the patient to be as comfortable as possible, i.e. help with moving and positioning the patient using appropriate equipment.

14. Involve the patient in shared decision-making and obtain their consent before undertaking nursing procedures.

15. Work cooperatively as part of the multi-disciplinary team, assisting nursing and other clinical staff to deliver a high standard of holistic patient-centred care.

16. Implement programmes of care and contribute to care plan modifications, undertaking risk assessments as directed and within the limits of own knowledge and competence.

17. Monitor and care for patients receiving oxygen therapy as directed.

18. Measure, monitor and record observations as required e.g. TPR and BP, Oxygen saturation, peak flow, ECG, urine tests, blood glucose monitoring, fluid intake and output NEWS. JD7783 [Updated November 2020, AFC]

19. Report adverse signs to the Team Leader (or appropriate registrant).

20. Use prescribed pressure-relieving equipment and other appropriate measures to prevent pressure sores following risk assessment (i.e. Waterlow Score).

21. Implement and evaluate wound management care plans as directed.

22. Assist and/or deliver prescribed therapy programmes to promote functional independence.

23. Assist with/commence basic cardio-pulmonary resuscitation procedures.

24. Be aware of the physical, psychological, social, cultural and spiritual needs of the dying patient; implement appropriate care management as directed.

25. Provide comfort, reassurance and support to patients and/or their carers if anxious or distressed.

26. Assist with essential patient care, e.g. making beds, sorting clean linen, distributing menu cards etc. 2

7. Assist patients to become as independent as possible by giving the appropriate level of support as delegated.

28. Escort patients to other departments or appointments, including observation where intravenous infusions or Oxygen are being administered.

29. Understand special and/or cultural dietary needs and implications for the patient’s condition. 30. Ensure adequate hydration and nutritional intake, including feeding patients and the recording of naso-gastric tube intake and output.

31. Ensure that fluid balance charts and other relevant documentation are completed in a timely fashion.

32. Assist patients to access and use appropriate toilet facilities, ensuring privacy and dignity are maintained.

33. Alert trained staff promptly of changes in the patient’s condition or any possible risks.

34. Referral of patients to internal/external AHPs and/or other agencies.

35. Assist with effective and timely discharge planning.