Nursing Associate in Acute adult inpatients - Mental health

Job responsibilities

Work as part of a designated clinical and care team delivering care that focuses on the direct needs of the individual and their family.

Holistically support people to improve and maintain their mental, physical, behavioural health and wellbeing, promoting health and preventing ill health.

Develop understanding of all elements of the nursing process and be able to assist the registered nurse in the ongoing assessment, planning, management and evaluation of care.

To recognise changes in a patients condition which require the intervention of others and understand when to refer to the supervising registered nurse and other senior colleagues for reassessment of patient care.

To work in collaboration with others to ensure the safe and timely discharge of patients with the aim of avoiding readmission.

To perform procedures as detailed within the NMC Standards for proficiency for Nurse Associate (2018) to meet the nursing needs of the patients in their care.

To ensure that high standards of nursing care are delivered and maintained.

To act and raise concerns when standards are not being maintained following local policy and procedures.

To act as an advocate for the patient and the family, including promoting and protecting their interests, privacy and rights, equality and inclusion.

To be involved in Trust Initiatives to improve patient safety and care.

To ensure that high standards of nursing care are given and maintained and to act when standards are not being maintained.

To work within the NMC code of professional practice, and within policies, procedures and guidelines of the Trust.

To be flexible to work within areas or departments to meet the demands of changing service needs.

Recognise and work within the limits of their competence highlighting as appropriate any areas for personal development.

MANAGERIAL

To communicate with the team leader/nurse in charge and collect data in order to participate in the smooth running and organisation of the department.

To support junior and senior colleagues in their roles and be resilient to manage change.

To support the team leader/nurse in charge in risk assessment and minimisation, ensuring incidents and near misses are reported appropriately.

To manage verbal complaints, inform team leader/nurse in charge and refer on when unable to resolve.

To participate in the investigation of incidents/complaints as required.

To establish and maintain effective communication, both verbal and written in every context/setting.

To recognise, prevent where possible, and manage areas of conflict, reporting to team leader /nurse in charge if unable to resolve.

To participate in staff meetings regularly.

To provide support and supervision to health care support workers to promote their learning and development within role.

To receive delegated duties from the supervising Registered Nurse and senior colleagues, accepting those that fall within their individual competency level, adhering to the NMC Delegation and Accountability document (NMC Code 2018).

Qualifications

Essential

• Nursing Associate Foundation Degree from an approved programme
• Registered Nurse Associate and on the NMC register

Desirable

• Additional post registration qualification relevant to field of practice

Experience/ Knowledge

Essential

• Ability to work effectively as a team member under appropriate supervision
• Ability to work independently and to use own initiative as appropriate and as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to deal with non-routine and unpredictable nature of the workload and individual patient contact
• Insight into how to evaluate own strengths and development needs, seeking advice where appropriate
• Ability to take part in reflective practice and clinical supervision activities
• 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
• Understanding of evidence based practice
• Understands and acts in line with NMC professional standards for practice as outlined in the Code
• Ability to communicate effectively with members of the public and health and care providers
• Knowledge of when to seek advice and refer to a registered care professional
• Understanding of the importance of the promotion of health and well being (Making Every Contact Count)

Desirable

• Evidence of recent work-based learning or self-directed learning
• Evidence of improvement in support / development of less experienced staff

Skills

Essential

• Evidence of time management skills and ability to prioritise
• Intermediate IT skills
• Evidence of continuous professional development

Desirable

• Skills in audit and improvement methodology or willing to undertake

VALUES

Essential

• Continuous Improvement
• Accountability
• Respectfulness
• Enthusiasm
• Support
• High professional standards
• Responsive to service users
• Engaging leadership style
• Transparency and honesty
• Discreet
• Change oriented

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).