Nursing Associate

Job responsibilities

Job Summary

• Manage a defined group of patients under the indirect supervision of a Registered Nurse, using evidence based/client centred principles to undertake a range of delegated tasks independently: assess, plan, implement, evaluate interventions and contribute to the service provision.
• Take responsibility for planned/defined tasks as required.
• Plan and undertake clinical tasks guided by standard operating procedures and protocols.
• Delegate work to support worker staff as required.
• Supervise and line manage band 2/3 staff and undertake the ongoing supervision of the routine work of others.
• Take responsibility for the training of others and may be required to deliver training

Tasks:

• Responsible for the comprehensive assessment, planning, treatment and evaluation of a group of patients under the appropriate delegation from a registered practitioner and in close liaison with patient/carer.
• Give compassionate, holistic evidence based practice to patients in the Core Community Mental Health Services in line with national and organisational approved policies / procedures and individual care plans.
• Undertake delegated clinical skills within their role having once undertaken relevant training, deemed competent and adhere to standard operating procedures.
• Monitor the condition and health needs of people within their care on a continual basis in partnership with people, families, and the Multidisciplinary Team
• Demonstrate a working knowledge and understanding of conditions relevant to the clinical area.
• Observe any changes in the patient’s condition, manages these changes in line with scope and competence, reporting findings to the most appropriate clinician in a timely manner. In the event of a change in patient status, is able to safely decide whether to proceed with treatment (including medicines administration) and/or seeks support from a registered nurse to decide.
• Safely use a range of non invasive and invasive interventions whether therapeutic, technological or pharmacological, within the defined scope of the role
• Implement the goal planning process and outcome measures used in the clinical area to review progress of the patient.
• Administer medication within scope of practice, competency and as delegated by the registered nurse.
• Support people to improve and maintain their mental, physical, behavioural health and wellbeing
• Educate patients and carers regarding the impact of cognitive, perceptual and physical deficits on patient’s safety and independence
• Active involvement in the prevention of and protection against disease and ill health
• Plan, organise and lead when delegated both formal and informal treatments and health education activities for both patients and carers.
• Contribute to ongoing assessment recognising when it is necessary to refer to others for reassessment
• Communicate effectively with colleagues, providing clear verbal, digital or written information and instructions
• Recognise and report any situations, behaviours or errors that could result in poor care outcomes
• Prioritise the day to day management of own caseload/ workload delegating activities to junior staff as appropriate
• Engage in public health, community development, and in the reduction of health inequalities and increased self management
• Act as the patient's advocate and, by providing information and support, facilitate the patient's own choices in conjunction with carers and other agencies where relevant.
• Undertake specifically identified administrative and clerical tasks associated with patient care which facilitate the efficient running of the ward/department.

Service specific tasks and responsibilities

• Support the running of the depot and physical health clinics, undertaking relevant tasks and assessments
• Manage a defined caseload of patients, liaising as required with members of the multi-disciplinary team
• Co-facilitate groups as required

Experience

Essential

• Experience of and the ability to work effectively as a team player under appropriate supervision, and as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to work independently with a delegated caseload, use initiative whilst understanding limits of scope
• Experience of providing and receiving complex, sensitive information
• Insight into how to evaluate own strengths and development needs, seeking advice where appropriate
• Conducts clinical tasks within Nursing Associate scope of practice to a high level of competency
• Ability to support the development of less experienced staff

Desirable

• Line manages and supervises day to day activity of support workers
• Provides clinical supervision for less experienced staff
• Experience of working in a mental health setting

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Understands and acts in line with NMC professional standards for practice contained within The Code, including requirements for professional Revalidation.
• Understanding of evidence based practice
• Understanding of the importance of following procedures and treatment plans
• Knowledge of when to seek advice and escalate to the appropriate professional for expert help and advice
• Understanding of the scope of the role of the Nursing Associate in context of the team and the organisation, and how the role may contribute to service development
• Intermediate IT skills
• Understanding of the importance of the promotion of health and wellbeing
• Evidence of recent work-based learning or self-directed learning

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nursing Associate on the NMC register
• Foundation Degree (FdSc in Healthcare Practice (Nursing Associate)
• Care Certificate or equivalent
• GCSEs Grade A-C (Grades 4-7) in Maths and English or Functional Skills level 2 in Maths and English

Other

Essential

• Ability to work on own initiative
• Ability to organise and prioritise own delegated workload
• 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 take part in reflective practice and clinical supervision activities
• 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.
• Courteous, respectful and helpful at all times
• Evidence of time management skills and ability to prioritise
• Commits to maintaining personal development and meeting requirements of revalidation
• Meets requirements of all Nursing & Midwifery standards
• Ability to communicate with members of the public and health care providers
• Ability to deal with non-routine and unpredictable nature of the workload and individual patient contact

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

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