Nursing Associate

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.

Qualifications

Essential

• Foundation Degree Nursing Associate qualification NMC Nursing Associate registration GCSE English (grade A-C) or equivalent GCSE Maths (grade A-C) or equivalent

Desirable

• IT Qualifications CAVA or Assessors qualifications

Knowledge

Essential

• Understanding of the scope of the role of the Nursing Associate in context of the nursing and interdisciplinary team and the organisation, and how the role may contribute to service development
• Understands and acts in line with NMC professional standards for practice contained within The Code Knowledge of when to seek advice and escalate to the appropriate professional for expert help and advice
• Understands requirements for NMC professional Revalidation Understanding of the importance of following procedures and treatment plans

Skills and abilities

Essential

• Ability to challenge poor behaviour Role modelling good behaviour
• A positive attitude and able to act on feedback Ability to praise and be supportive to others
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English in both verbal and written formats
• Computer literate with applications such as Word/ Microsoft Office including email
• Able to support and reassure patients/carers in distress
• Ability to take part in reflective practice and clinical supervision activities
• Ability to organise and prioritise own delegated workload
• Ability to deal with non-routine and unpredictable nature of the workload and individual patient contact
• Ability to communicate effectively (written, verbal and non-verbal communication) with patients/ relatives and carers and all members of the multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to develop effective and appropriate relationships with people, their families, carers and colleagues
• Ability to support, supervise, assess and act as a role model to nursing associate students, other learners and health care support workers as required within the clinical setting

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of patients and PCN.
• Self-motivation.
• Adaptable.
• Confident decision maker.
• Understand limitations.
• Energy and enthusiasm and the ability to work under pressure.
• Caring attitude to patients.
• Ability to communicate effectively in a multi-disciplinary team environment to provide an integrated service.
• Excellent interpersonal influencing and negotiating skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Commitment to Continuing Professional Development following clinical governance guidelines.

Desirable

• Understands self (strengths and weaknesses) and impact of behavior on others.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in teams under appropriate supervision as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Experience in prioritising own workload
• Experience in working without direct supervision

Desirable

• Previous experience as a Healthcare Support Worker involved in direct patient care in a care environment
• Experience of dealing with the public in person and on the phone
• Experience in carrying out assigned duties/assisting qualified staff after training
• Experience in supervising others
• Insight into how to evaluate own strengths and development needs, seeking advice where appropriate
• Experience of providing and receiving complex, sensitive information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).