Student Nursing Associate

Hospiscare

The closing date is 05 May 2025

Job summary

You must be committed and self-motivated to complete the two-year program and have the academic ability to study at the required level. In return, you will work for a leading clinical employer in the region and receive numerous employee benefits, including transferring your NHS pension, wellbeing and mental health support, and free parking.

Main duties of the job

If you're a healthcare professional in a support role seeking the next step in your career, this opportunity might be perfect for you.

You will participate in a structured program that combines academic study with work-based learning, covering physical, psychological, and public health aspects of care from pre-conception to end of life. Over two years, you will be based in Hospiscare's 8-bed Inpatient Unit in Exeter and complete placements in Hospiscare's community services and various other organizations, gaining diverse healthcare experience.

Upon successful completion of the program, you will be eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and work as a Nursing Associate alongside existing nursing support staff and fully qualified Registered Nurses at Hospiscare.

About us

Hospiscare has been supporting people in Exeter, Mid and East Devon with terminal illnesses for over 40 years. Our services include support at home, a specialist palliative care ward, out-patients clinics, and supportive therapies.

We support close to 2,200 local people each year, in some of the hardest times possible. As a local charity, we raise around £10 million each year to continue to provide our care. Our staff, volunteers and supporters help us to care for people when they're most in need, no matter what their individual circumstances may be.

We're proud to be rated as 'five star' by patients and families and as 'outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission, to have been awarded a Mind Bronze Award for wellbeing at work and to be a Disability Confident employer.

Date posted

14 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,071 to £25,674 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

2 years

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

DV1287141SeaSNA

Job locations

Searle House

Dryden road

Exeter

Devon

EX2 5JJ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Description

1. JOB DETAILS

Job Title: Student Nursing Associate

Band: 3

Location: Inpatient Unit, Searle House, Exeter EX2 5JJ

Hours: Full time, 37.5/week, 5 days out of 7 including rotation to nights

Team/Directorate: Clinical Services

Responsible To: Ward Manager

Responsible For: N/A

Accountable to: Head of Inpatient Services and Clinical Quality

2. JOB PURPOSE

To work towards successful completion of a Foundation Degree (Level 5) in Healthcare Practice over two years.

To undertake placements within Hospiscare and other organisations in order to gain the required variety of healthcare experience to complete the programme.

To assist existing Registered Nurses and nursing support staff as part of the multi disciplinary teams delivering patient care across a wide range of healthcare settings.

3. KEY RESULT AREAS/PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1 Main Responsibilities

  • Work towards successful completion of a Foundation Degree (Level 5) in Healthcare Practice over two years in order to be equipped with the knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes and behaviours relevant for employment as a Nursing Associate with Hospiscare, registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

  • Deliver high quality, compassionate care under the direction of registered care professionals in order to meet the direct needs of individuals and to promote health and independence.

  • Attend the Nursing Associate Training Programme in order to take responsibility for developing own clinical competence, leadership and reflective practice skills within the workplace.

  • Develop the ability to work without direct supervision, to deliver care independently in line with an individuals defined care plan, within the parameters of practice of the Nursing Associate role, accessing clinical and care advice when needed.

  • Work in an effective and organised manner demonstrating excellent time management and organisational skills to effectively deliver person-centred care for an allocated group of individuals.

  • Develop skills in order to deliver coaching/teaching to individuals, carers and other staff.

Recognise issues relating to safeguarding vulnerable children and adults in order to report any problems or raise concerns to the appropriate registered care professionals.

Assist in the assessment of and contribute to the management of risk across several areas within the environment to ensure the appropriate care is being administered.

  • Develop a working knowledge of other providers resources and referral systems to ensure individuals needs are met, within parameters of practice.

Infection Prevention and Control

Maintaining a safe environment for patients, visitors and employees is everyones responsibility. All staff are required to adhere to Hospiscares Infection Prevention and Control Policy and make every effort to maintain high standards of infection prevention and control at all times. This includes ensuring personal and team compliance with all relevant policies and procedures, and acting upon or reporting any identified risks.

Disclosure and Barring Service

This role requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced level check with Adults and Children Barred Lists.

3.2 Key Contacts Internal:

Inpatient Unit team

Community Teams

Supportive Care Services

Head of Inpatient Services and Clinical Quality

Director of Clinical Services

Medical team

Clinical Administration

Learning and Development team

Volunteers

External:

Patients and those close to them

University of Plymouth (Apprenticeship provider)

Colleagues in placement organisations

3.3 Health & Safety

Ensure that Health and Safety guidelines and fire regulations are strictly adhered to

Comply with safe working practices as defined by Hospiscare

Complete online training as and when required

Take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by acts or omissions at work

Report any accidents, incidents or near misses as soon as reasonably practicable

Manage own work life balance and general wellbeing, including any relevant pressures in respect of lone working, travel, difficult environments and challenging situations

3.4 General

Be aware of and adhere to Hospiscare policies and procedures at all times

Take part in progress/performance reviews throughout the year

Cooperate with other Hospiscare departments

Attend training courses and complete online training modules as required to meet the requirements of the post

Take responsibility for own personal development, seeking out opportunities to learn new skills

Undertake any other duties as requested by management which are reasonably deemed to be within the scope of the role

3.5 Other

Apply the Hospiscare values and behaviours to every aspect of the role at all times

Promote and maintain the brand standards of Hospiscare

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Description

1. JOB DETAILS

Job Title: Student Nursing Associate

Band: 3

Location: Inpatient Unit, Searle House, Exeter EX2 5JJ

Hours: Full time, 37.5/week, 5 days out of 7 including rotation to nights

Team/Directorate: Clinical Services

Responsible To: Ward Manager

Responsible For: N/A

Accountable to: Head of Inpatient Services and Clinical Quality

2. JOB PURPOSE

To work towards successful completion of a Foundation Degree (Level 5) in Healthcare Practice over two years.

To undertake placements within Hospiscare and other organisations in order to gain the required variety of healthcare experience to complete the programme.

To assist existing Registered Nurses and nursing support staff as part of the multi disciplinary teams delivering patient care across a wide range of healthcare settings.

3. KEY RESULT AREAS/PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1 Main Responsibilities

  • Work towards successful completion of a Foundation Degree (Level 5) in Healthcare Practice over two years in order to be equipped with the knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes and behaviours relevant for employment as a Nursing Associate with Hospiscare, registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

  • Deliver high quality, compassionate care under the direction of registered care professionals in order to meet the direct needs of individuals and to promote health and independence.

  • Attend the Nursing Associate Training Programme in order to take responsibility for developing own clinical competence, leadership and reflective practice skills within the workplace.

  • Develop the ability to work without direct supervision, to deliver care independently in line with an individuals defined care plan, within the parameters of practice of the Nursing Associate role, accessing clinical and care advice when needed.

  • Work in an effective and organised manner demonstrating excellent time management and organisational skills to effectively deliver person-centred care for an allocated group of individuals.

  • Develop skills in order to deliver coaching/teaching to individuals, carers and other staff.

Recognise issues relating to safeguarding vulnerable children and adults in order to report any problems or raise concerns to the appropriate registered care professionals.

Assist in the assessment of and contribute to the management of risk across several areas within the environment to ensure the appropriate care is being administered.

  • Develop a working knowledge of other providers resources and referral systems to ensure individuals needs are met, within parameters of practice.

Infection Prevention and Control

Maintaining a safe environment for patients, visitors and employees is everyones responsibility. All staff are required to adhere to Hospiscares Infection Prevention and Control Policy and make every effort to maintain high standards of infection prevention and control at all times. This includes ensuring personal and team compliance with all relevant policies and procedures, and acting upon or reporting any identified risks.

Disclosure and Barring Service

This role requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Enhanced level check with Adults and Children Barred Lists.

3.2 Key Contacts Internal:

Inpatient Unit team

Community Teams

Supportive Care Services

Head of Inpatient Services and Clinical Quality

Director of Clinical Services

Medical team

Clinical Administration

Learning and Development team

Volunteers

External:

Patients and those close to them

University of Plymouth (Apprenticeship provider)

Colleagues in placement organisations

3.3 Health & Safety

Ensure that Health and Safety guidelines and fire regulations are strictly adhered to

Comply with safe working practices as defined by Hospiscare

Complete online training as and when required

Take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by acts or omissions at work

Report any accidents, incidents or near misses as soon as reasonably practicable

Manage own work life balance and general wellbeing, including any relevant pressures in respect of lone working, travel, difficult environments and challenging situations

3.4 General

Be aware of and adhere to Hospiscare policies and procedures at all times

Take part in progress/performance reviews throughout the year

Cooperate with other Hospiscare departments

Attend training courses and complete online training modules as required to meet the requirements of the post

Take responsibility for own personal development, seeking out opportunities to learn new skills

Undertake any other duties as requested by management which are reasonably deemed to be within the scope of the role

3.5 Other

Apply the Hospiscare values and behaviours to every aspect of the role at all times

Promote and maintain the brand standards of Hospiscare

Person Specification

Knowledge

Essential

  • Awareness of the complexities of working with individuals at times of distress and conflict
  • Awareness of the scope of the Nursing Associate role within the multi-disciplinary team
  • Understanding of when to seek advice and refer to a registered care professional

Desirable

  • Awareness of key issues relating to End of Life care

Skills

Essential

  • Developed time management skills, including the ability to prioritise own delegated workload, and to work as part of a team
  • Developed communication and interpersonal skills
  • Developed IT skills

Desirable

  • Ability to evaluate own strengths and development needs

Personal attributes

Essential

  • Self-motivated with a commitment to continuing professional development and personal growth
  • Ability to work autonomously and act on own initiative, seeking advice/escalating issues when appropriate
  • Flexible and adaptable with the ability to respond positively in a rapidly changing environment.
  • Ability and willingness to take part in reflective practice and clinical supervision activities
  • Awareness of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in all aspects of work

Additional requirements

Essential

  • Able to contribute to the 7 day rota including rotation to night duty on IPU and to 7 day/week and out of hours service provided by Community Nursing teams when required
  • Capable of fulfilling the physical and manual handling demands of the role, including administering of basic life support
  • Able to travel and work across all Hospiscare sites and to placement locations as required

Desirable

  • Car owner and driver

Qualifications

Essential

  • General education to GCSE level or equivalent including maths and English at Grade C/4 or equivalent
  • Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care or similar/related
  • Evidence of ongoing professional development
  • Willing and able to undertake academic study at Level 5 and to complete the Foundation Degree Programme

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrable experience of working as a healthcare professional in a support role
  • Demonstrable experience of working as a team member under appropriate supervision, or as part of a multi-disciplinary team

Desirable

  • Experience of working within specialist palliative/end of life care
  • Experience of working with
  • Volunteers
Person Specification

Knowledge

Essential

  • Awareness of the complexities of working with individuals at times of distress and conflict
  • Awareness of the scope of the Nursing Associate role within the multi-disciplinary team
  • Understanding of when to seek advice and refer to a registered care professional

Desirable

  • Awareness of key issues relating to End of Life care

Skills

Essential

  • Developed time management skills, including the ability to prioritise own delegated workload, and to work as part of a team
  • Developed communication and interpersonal skills
  • Developed IT skills

Desirable

  • Ability to evaluate own strengths and development needs

Personal attributes

Essential

  • Self-motivated with a commitment to continuing professional development and personal growth
  • Ability to work autonomously and act on own initiative, seeking advice/escalating issues when appropriate
  • Flexible and adaptable with the ability to respond positively in a rapidly changing environment.
  • Ability and willingness to take part in reflective practice and clinical supervision activities
  • Awareness of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in all aspects of work

Additional requirements

Essential

  • Able to contribute to the 7 day rota including rotation to night duty on IPU and to 7 day/week and out of hours service provided by Community Nursing teams when required
  • Capable of fulfilling the physical and manual handling demands of the role, including administering of basic life support
  • Able to travel and work across all Hospiscare sites and to placement locations as required

Desirable

  • Car owner and driver

Qualifications

Essential

  • General education to GCSE level or equivalent including maths and English at Grade C/4 or equivalent
  • Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care or similar/related
  • Evidence of ongoing professional development
  • Willing and able to undertake academic study at Level 5 and to complete the Foundation Degree Programme

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrable experience of working as a healthcare professional in a support role
  • Demonstrable experience of working as a team member under appropriate supervision, or as part of a multi-disciplinary team

Desirable

  • Experience of working within specialist palliative/end of life care
  • Experience of working with
  • Volunteers

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Hospiscare

Address

Searle House

Dryden road

Exeter

Devon

EX2 5JJ


Employer's website

https://www.hospiscare.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Hospiscare

Address

Searle House

Dryden road

Exeter

Devon

EX2 5JJ


Employer's website

https://www.hospiscare.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)


For questions about the job, contact:

Chief Nurse

Ruth Wills

r.wills@hospiscare.co.uk

01392688000

Date posted

14 April 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,071 to £25,674 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

2 years

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

DV1287141SeaSNA

Job locations

Searle House

Dryden road

Exeter

Devon

EX2 5JJ


Supporting documents

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