Nursing Associate

Job responsibilities

The following are the core responsibilities of the Nursing Associate in delivering health services:

a. Deliver high quality, compassionate care while undertaking specific clinical and care tasks under the direction of a registered nurse (or other registered care professional) with a focus on promoting good health and independence

b. Provide high-quality holistic and person-centred care to individuals

c. Provide routine care to patients as required in accordance with clinical based evidence, NICE and the NSF

d. Provide wound care, dressings and other clinical tasks as required

e. Work as part of the MDT to provide and monitor care, under direct or indirect supervision and ensure delivery of nursing associate duties

f. Improve the safety and quality of care at every opportunity

g. Support registered nurses to enable them to be able to focus on the more complex clinical care

h. Maintain accurate and contemporaneous patient health records ensuring that clinical data is appropriately recorded with SNOMED codes

i. Perform and record clinical observations such as blood pressure, temperature, respirations and pulse including appropriate coding

j. After undertaking additional training, provide vaccinations, ECGs and venepuncture and other relevant clinical tasks as required and in line with the competencies of the role

k. Promote health and wellbeing to all patients, for example undertaking the NHS health check

l. Provide wound care (ulcer/Doppler etc.) to patients

m. Provide support during minor operations as required

n. Advise patients on general healthcare and promote self-management where appropriate, including signposting patients to personalised care colleagues and local community and voluntary sector services

o. Communicate proactively and effectively with all MDT colleagues, attending and contributing to meetings as required

p. Be aware of duties and responsibilities regarding current legislation and adhere to practice policies and procedures on Safeguarding Adults and Safeguarding Children

q. Enhance own performance through continuous professional development, imparting own knowledge and behaviours to meet the needs of the service

r. Contribute to and embrace the spectrum of clinical governance

s. Attend a formal appraisal at least every 12 months. Once a performance/training objective has been set, progress will be reviewed on a regular basis so that new objectives can be agreed

t. Contribute towards public health and screening programmes, including immunisations and vaccinations

u. Support and deliver health promotion and wellbeing programmes including any opportunistic delivery

v. Maintain a clean, tidy, effective working area

w. Recognise boundaries of practice and know when and to whom patients should be referred

x. Demonstrate initiative and be creative in finding solutions to problems

y. Support in the delivery of enhanced services, QOF and other service requirements on behalf of the practice.

z. Undertake all mandatory training and induction programme

There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks, this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nursing Associate and on the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register (Essential)
• Meets the specific qualification and training requirements as specified in the NMC Standards of Proficiency, having completed the two-year Foundation Degree from an NMC-approved provider (Essential)

Experience

Essential

• Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
• Occupational Health clearance
• Meet the requirements and provide evidence for revalidation
• Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD) relevant to the role
• Willingness to work flexible hours when required to meet service demands
• Ability to work effectively as a team player under appropriate supervision and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to work within own scope of practice and understanding when to refer to clinical colleagues
• Ability to record accurate clinical notes
• Ability to communicate with members of the public and health and care providers
• Ability to communicate effectively (written, verbal, and non-verbal) with patients, carers, and the multidisciplinary team
• Ability to develop effective and appropriate relationships with people, their families, carers, and colleagues
• Understanding of safeguarding adults and children
• Ability to identify risk and assess/manage risk
• Understanding of the importance of promoting health and wellbeing (Making Every Contact Count)
• Understand the requirement for Patient Specific Directions (PSDs) and associated policy
• Ability to use own initiative, discretion, and sensitivity
• Able to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity
• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
• Commitment to ongoing professional development
• Problem-solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required
• Ability to work to key policies and procedures
• Clear, polite telephone manner
• Effective time management and organisational skills
• Ability to follow legal, ethical, and professional standards, including local policies and procedures
• Ability to listen, empathise, and provide person-centred support in a non-judgemental way

Desirable

• Good clinical IT system knowledge
• Experience of providing and receiving complex, sensitive information
• Understand the importance of following procedures and treatment plans
• Chaperone experience
• Ability to take part in reflective practice and clinical supervision
• Demonstrate personal accountability, emotional resilience, and ability to work under pressure
• Knowledge of IT systems including word processing, emails, and internet use
• Access to own transport and ability to travel across the locality

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).