Nursing Assistant

Job responsibilities

SCOPE AND RANGE

To work under the direction of a registered member of nursing staff, but at times will not have direct supervision.

To carry out efficiently and effectively task and instructions assigned by the trained Registered nurse.

To undertake only those tasks for which she / he has had instruction and is competent to fulfil.

To provide a high standard of care under the direction and supervision of more senior staff

To assist the multi-disciplinary team in the delivery and evaluation of patient care

To always ensure the adherence to Health and Safety and Infection Prevention and Control Care guidelines.

MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide and maintain a high standard of care.

Support patients with activities of daily living, i.e personal care, feeding, toileting.

Responsible for ensuring that patients valuables are documented and locked in a safe area.

Responsible for the updating of basic patient information i.e fluid balance and nutrition.

Carry out assigned tasks under the direction of a qualified nurse or the supervision of a more senior grade nursing assistant. This includes assisting the patients in all aspects of personal care and life skills within all Mental Health areas.

Be conversant with and carry out the Livewell Southwests policies and procedures in the delivery of care and service.

Be familiar with the ward or community-based routines and programmes and carry them out effectively.

To always ensure the confidentially of patients and clinical documents at all times.

Use all available resources safely and economically, seeking guidance where necessary.

Participate in training sessions designed to develop knowledge and skills, and attend in-service training as agreed by your manager.

To respect the dignity, privacy and independence of patients at all times.

To report to registered nurse any changes to a patients condition.

Be involved in multi-disciplinary discussions regarding patient centred care.

Be aware of patients on mental health restrictions.

Promote the work of the ward or community area settings for Livewell Southwest at all times.

To be aware of the processes around emergency calls and at all times be under the guidance of registered staff. This will include personal alarms, fire and cardiac arrest.

Be conversant with and to carry out Livewell Southwests policies and procedures in the delivery of care and services.

COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS

To act as an ambassador for Livewell with external agencies and partner organisations.

Always address staff, patients and members of the public in a polite and respectful manner either in person or on the telephone.

Be conversant with and comply with all relevant organisational protocols and policies and have valid organisational IT access.

Compassionate, caring and kind in their practice.

To support the team in promoting a recovery orientated environment by identifying recovery focused activities and imparting information and education as required.

Report any complaints, untoward events, or incidents to qualified nursing staff, and where appropriate under their supervision, complete the appropriate records.

This post will involve contact with relatives, carers and other agencies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB

The post holder will be competent in computer skills.

Shift work including night shifts.

Assist by providing appropriate conditions for patient comfort

There would be an occasional exposure to emotional circumstances due to the nature of the patients conditions.

There may be an occasional requirement for concentration throughout the shift pattern.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ALL POSTS

The post holder is required to comply with all relevant policies and procedures pertinent to their post. In addition, the post holder will complete the Care Certificate in order to underpin their role. Current versions can be found on the intranet or via your manager. The areas listed below are those Livewell Southwest currently places particular emphasis on. Failure to follow correct policies and procedures may result in disciplinary action.

Risk Management

In accordance with the Risk Management Strategy, employees will participate, whenever required, with the risk management process. They will support line managers by attending mandatory and statutory training, completing incident/accident forms for every adverse event or near miss that occurs, report all defects and complaints, and communicate any dangerous situation to individuals potentially at risk.

Health and Safety at Work

You must co-operate with those in authority and others in meeting the statutory requirements and in following policies and procedures. A copy of the Health and Safety Policy is available from the intranet or from the Risk Management Department.

You are reminded that in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 you have a duty to take reasonable care to avoid injury to yourself and to others affected by your work activities.

You will be notified where your post carries a requirement for immunisation.

You may be required to be able to undertake Basic Life Support (BLS).

Infection Control

Livewell Southwest is determined to eradicate healthcare-acquired infection and puts a great deal of emphasis on the responsibility of all staff to ensure their own personal and others compliance with Infection Control (including Hand Washing) Policies. All staff must comply with infection control policies and guidance, attend relevant updates and report issues of concern to their immediate line manager (if no action or explanation received, then it is the individuals responsibility to escalate their concerns to the Director of Operations or Chief Executives Office).

Safeguarding Children and Adults

All employees have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults and are required to act in such a way that at all times safeguards their health and wellbeing. Familiarisation with and adherence to national and local safeguarding adults and childrens policies is an essential requirement upon all employees. Livewell Southwest has specific safeguarding policies and in addition, employees also have a responsibility to practice and work within the multi-agency policy developed by the Safeguarding Adults Board and the Safeguarding Children Board. Staff are also required to participate in related mandatory/statutory training.

Research

For clinical posts at bands 5 and 6, there is an expectation that engagement in research will be part of this role. Therefore, an awareness of the value and relevance of research is expected and the post holder should either support existing research within their specialty area as appropriate or identify opportunities to raise awareness of research possibilities. For clinical posts at band seven and above, the post holder will be required to actively participate in complex audits using research methodology or participate as required in clinical trials or equipment testing and will demonstrate high level involvement in local ongoing research projects.

Sustainability and climate change

All staff are expected to take responsibility for the reduction of carbon emissions within their area of the organisation. This may relate to reducing energy consumption, making low carbon travel choices, consideration of goods and services being purchased, and waste reduction.

Other

This Job Description is not exhaustive and may change as the post develops, but such change will not take place without consultation between the post holder and their manager. Job descriptions should be reviewed at least annually at the appraisal meeting.

The Working Time Regulations apply to all employees of Livewell Southwest. In particular, Livewell Southwest will not permit staff in all employments to work in excess of 48 hours in any one week except where there are exceptional service needs where an absolute limit of averaging over a reference period of 17 weeks would apply.

Livewell Southwest has adopted NO SMOKING and NO ALCOHOL policies for staff, which applies to all posts. Details of the policy are available on request and will be included in the statement of main terms and conditions of service of staff appointed.

Qualifications

Essential

• Vocational Qualification Level II or able to demonstrate the skills,
• knowledge and ability to work to that at that level.
• Demonstrate the Livewell Southwest Values
• Kind
• Respectful
• Inclusive
• Responsible
• Ambitious

Desirable

• Ability to undertake mandatory, essential training.
• Ability to engage patients in activities.
• Record keeping skills.
• Care Certificate

Experience

Essential

• No experience is required however an ability to demonstrate compassion is key

Desirable

• Mental health care settings knowledge/awareness

knowledge and skills

Essential

• Awareness of personal safety
• To undertake baseline physical observations
• Confidentiality
• De-escalation skills
• Understanding of the role of the Healthcare Assistant
• Requirement to restrain and participate in Physical Intervention training and teamwork
• Motivated
• Empathetic
• Reliable
• Confidence in dealing with patients
• Ability to work in stressful conditions
• Ability to work as part of a team

Desirable

• Knowledge of Record Keeping and CPA Policy
• MHA knowledge / awareness
• Continual assessment of patient

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).