Job responsibilities
Undertake
specifically identified administrative and clerical tasks associated with
patient care which facilitate the smooth running of the ward/department.
Supervise,
assess and mentor Healthcare Support Workers, Trainee Nursing Associates and
other unregistered staff and assist in the supervision and learning of other
healthcare students with the exception of their assessment.
Deliver
a high standard of clinical and/or therapeutic care within varied care settings
in accordance with instructions and training received.
Work
within clearly defined accountability frameworks, recognising at all times the
boundaries to the remit of the Nursing Associate role.
Communicate
with patients and their carers using tact, diplomacy, empathy and reassurance
during potentially difficult or stressful situations or where there may be
barriers to understanding, i.e. confusion, physical impairment, cognitive
failure or language barrier.
Act
as an effective resource of information for patients and their carers.
Respect
the diversity of individual service users and colleagues ensuring that the
maintenance of their dignity and your respect for them is an integrated part of
all activities undertaken.
Assist
with and undertake patient assessment in accordance with programme of care,
communicating findings to the registered Nurse or AHP and taking appropriate
actions.
Administer
medication in a safe and timely manner as prescribed, in accordance with Trust
policies and training.
Obtain
requested specimens and ensure transportation to appropriate department
urine, faeces, sputum, exudates e.g. swabs nose, eye, wound site, etc.
Obtain
requested routine bloods/investigations; have a basic understanding of normal
and altered values, reporting adverse results.
Maintain
patients personal and oral hygiene, e.g. help with dressing/undressing, giving
bed baths, mouth and skin care, assisting with pressure area care, maintaining
privacy and dignity.
Assist
in providing conditions to meet the patients need for rest and sleep.
Provide
and promote health education; support and encourage the patient to meet their
own health and wellbeing needs.
Assist
the patient to be as comfortable as possible, i.e. help with moving and
positioning the patient using appropriate equipment.
Involve
the patient in shared decision-making and obtain their consent before
undertaking nursing procedures.
Work
cooperatively as part of the multi-disciplinary team, assisting nursing and
other clinical staff to deliver a high standard of holistic patient-centred
care.
Implement
programmes of care and contribute to care plan modifications, undertaking risk
assessments as directed and within the limits of own knowledge and competence.
Monitor
and care for patients receiving oxygen therapy as directed.
Measure,
monitor and record observations as required e.g. TPR and BP, Oxygen saturation,
peak flow, ECG, urine tests, blood glucose monitoring, fluid intake and output
NEWS.
Report
adverse signs to the nurse in charge (or appropriate registrant).
Use
prescribed pressure-relieving equipment and other appropriate measures to
prevent pressure sores following risk assessment (i.e. Waterlow Score).
Implement
and evaluate wound management care plans as directed.
Assist
and/or deliver prescribed therapy programmes to promote functional
independence.
Assist
with/commence basic cardio-pulmonary resuscitation procedures.
Be
aware of the physical, psychological, social, cultural and spiritual needs of
the dying patient; implement appropriate care management as directed.
Provide
comfort, reassurance and support to patients and/or their carers if anxious or
distressed.
Assist
with essential patient care, e.g. making beds, sorting clean linen,
distributing menu cards etc.
Assist
patients to become as independent as possible by giving the appropriate level
of support as delegated.
Escort
patients to other departments or appointments, including observation where
intravenous infusions or Oxygen are being administered.
Understand
special and/or cultural dietary needs and implications for the patients
condition.
Ensure
adequate hydration and nutritional intake, including feeding patients and the
recording of naso-gastric tube intake and output.
Ensure
that fluid balance charts and other relevant documentation are completed in a
timely fashion.
Assist
patients to access and use appropriate toilet facilities, ensuring privacy and
dignity are maintained.
Alert
trained staff promptly of changes in the patients condition or any possible
risks.
Referral
of patients to internal/external AHPs and/or other agencies.
Assist
with effective and timely discharge planning.
Communicate
clearly, effectively and appropriately with the multidisciplinary team,
patients and their family/visitors/carers.
Respond
appropriately to queries, take phone messages and pass on written and verbal
information to patients.
Provide
relevant information to patients, family/visitors/carers and colleagues.
Complete
documentation accurately and contribute to reports of patients activity and
progress, recognising that the qualified nurse/midwife has personal
accountability for entries to patient records made by others under their
supervision.
Accept
constructive feedback from colleagues.
Give
constructive feedback on patient care and activities to relevant healthcare
professionals.
Participate
in discussions about patient care and ward/departmental development, including
handover, safety briefings and team meetings.
Maintain
patient confidentiality.
Maintain
professional boundaries and working relationships with patients and colleagues.
Liaise
effectively and work collaboratively with team colleagues, healthcare staff
across the Trust and appropriate contacts in other organisations i.e. Adult
Social Services, GPs, Nursing and Residential Homes and Voluntary Agencies, to
ensure effective and coordinated patient care.
Take
responsibility for, prioritise and manage own workload under appropriate
direction.
Obtain
requested specimens and ensure transportation to appropriate department
urine, faeces, sputum, exudates e.g. swabs nose, eye, wound site, etc.
Report
untoward incidents and risks according to Trust/employer policies and
procedures and participate in incident and complaint investigations as
required.
Identify
potential risks for all staff, patients and visitors and adhere to relevant
incident reporting procedures taking appropriate action/advice as needed.
Summon
immediate help for any emergency and take appropriate action to contain it.
Assist
in the coordination and safe admission, transfer and discharge of patients in
accordance with bed management and Trust policies.
Pass
on constructive views and ideas for improving services to ward sister/charge
nurse.
Contribute
to research, audits and clinical trials programmes carried out within the
ward/department.
Maintain
and develop clinical competence through continual professional development,
mandatory and service specific training, peer supervision, reflective practice
and clinical supervision.
Take
responsibility for maintaining optimum care for service users through the
application of evidence based practice and actively participate in clinical
governance.
Maintain
adequate levels of stock, equipment and materials and facilitate the efficient,
effective use of resources; report when availability falls below an acceptable
standard or level.
Understand
own level of responsibility and accountability in relation to registered
practitioners.
Responsible
for developing and sustaining own knowledge, clinical skills and professional
awareness.
Identify
own learning needs and produce a personal development plan in conjunction with
the ward sister/charge nurse, reflecting service needs and the Confidence in
Caring matrices.
Reflect
on and analyse workplace experiences in order to develop own skills/abilities/
competence and performance.
Participate
in annual staff appraisal, staff development and in-service training activities
as appropriate to role.
Attend
Trust/local orientation programmes, mandatory training sessions and annual
updates.
Assist
with the induction, formal assessment and ongoing development Healthcare
Support Workers, acting as a role model.
Assist
with local teaching and education programmes, supervising student nursing
associates and nurses as appropriate.
Actively
participate in team meetings, team development and service improvement as
required.
Maintain
accurate, up-to-date records of care; maintain confidentiality and security of
patient information according to the Data Protection Act.
Maintain
and improve the patients mobility using appropriate equipment and handling
techniques.
Concentration
on patient treatment, care plans, observations etc.
Care
of patients with chronic illnesses/conditions, terminally ill patients and/or
dealing with difficult family circumstances
Deal
safely and effectively, in accordance with Trust policy, with exposure to
hazards and highly unpleasant working conditions including face to face
physical/verbal aggressive behaviour from patients or relatives and contact
with body fluids, using the incident reporting system to report any incidents
or near misses.
Assist
in maintaining a clean environment that is conducive to safe practice.
Understand
and implement the principles and practice of Infection Control.
Work
within own personal/professional limitations and seek help of others to
maintain safe practice.
Clean
patient equipment as required.
Handle
and dispose of all body fluids in accordance with universal precautions.
Report
concerns regarding health and safety issues within the working environment to
the appropriate staff and work to minimise risk at all times whilst delivering
care.
Work
alongside registered nurses in providing care and management of patients.
