Nursing Associate

Job responsibilities

Key duties and responsibilities:

• Carry out long term condition annual reviews delegated by a supervising Nurse or senior colleague
• Assist in and perform routine tasks related to patient care
• Be able to take vital signs and observations and identify signs of improvement, report any deteriorations or concerns, e.g., pulse, blood pressure, respirations, oxygen saturations, peak flow, blood glucose levels, assessing nutrition and hydration and undertake pathology tests, for example urine culture, swabs
• Undertake wound care and management, as required
• Administer medications as prescribed and in accordance with NMC standards, e.g., via nebuliser or injections using sub-cutaneous or intramuscular route under Patient Specific Directions
• Following agreed clinical protocols with referral to senior nurses or GPs as appropriate assist in the assessment, planning and development, implementation, and evaluation of programmes to promote health and well-being and prevent adverse effects on health and well-being
• Deliver opportunistic health promotion using opportunities such as new-patient medicals and NHS Health Checks
• Document Consultations accurately and appropriately, according to NMC guidelines
• Ensure awareness of statutory and local clinical adult and children safeguarding protection procedures, including systems of referral. Ability to recognise signs and symptoms of abuse/neglect
• Ensure all mandatory training is completed on an annual basis including safeguarding, confidentiality, equality and diversity, etc.
• Recognise and manage anaphylaxis according to current UK guidelines
• Be able to perform cardio-pulmonary resuscitation according to current UK guidelines
• Obtain and document informed consent (either written or verbal), as required
• Ensure infection prevention and control guidelines are maintained
• Chaperone and assist patients, where appropriate, who are being examined by another clinician
• Ensure confidentiality of information gained at work is preserved at all times
• Assist in practice audits, CQC compliance evidence and QOF recalls
• Participate and contribute towards any local incentive project relevant to the role

Additional tasks following training and support will include:

• Cervical cytology
• Adult and childhood immunisations & vaccinations
• Learning Disabilities annual review

Administrative and professional responsibilities

• Recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct as regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
• Ensure accurate notes of all consultations and treatments are recorded in the patients notes on the clinical computer system as appropriate.
• Attend and participate in meetings as required.
• Ensure effective relationships and communications with colleagues and other agencies.
• Identify potential changes to clinical practice that are required to implement evidence-based guidelines.
• Contribute towards the education and training of phlebotomist, health care assistants and those new to Primary care roles.
• Advise patients on general health care with referral to GPs as necessary
• Ability to monitor and manage maintenance of stock and equipment to include refrigeration and emergency equipment
• Participate in audit where appropriate.

Please see attached job description for full details

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nursing Associate on the NMC Register
• Nursing Associate foundation degree qualification

Additional requirements

Essential

• Commitment to continuing professional development of self and others.
• A flexible and adaptable approach to maintain the consistent delivery of high-quality services
• Satisfactory completion of an enhanced check through the Vetting and Barring Service (this will be taken up if offered the post).
• Legal right to work in the UK
• Hep B/MMR - vaccinated or willing to be vaccinated.
• A commitment to anti-discriminatory practices in employment, training and service delivery.
• An understanding of Health and Safety responsibilities.
• Flexibility in working hours.

Knowledge

Essential

• Understanding of the scope of the role of the Nursing Associate in context of the nursing and interdisciplinary team and the Practice and how the role may contribute to service development
• Understands and acts in line with NMC professional standards for practice contained within The Code
• Knowledge of when to seek advice and escalate to the appropriate professional for expert help and guidance
• Understand requirements for NMC professional revalidation
• Understanding of the importance of following procedures and treatment plans

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams under appropriate supervision and autonomously
• Experience of providing and receiving complex, sensitive information
• Proven ability to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of others and own clinical practice
• Interpreting and implementing local and national policies, agendas for Health

Desirable

• Post registration experience in Primary Care
• Maintenance of up-to-date skills, knowledge and understanding, and on-going competence in all aspects of Primary Care

Skills

Essential

• Ability to assess and manage patient risk effectively and safely in accordance with policies/procedures/protocols/legislation and the needs of the patient and to refer when clinically appropriate using agreed pathways
• Excellent ICT skills, familiar with GP clinical systems and with experience of using a range of programs and software including SystmOne, Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and the internet
• Excellent Interpersonal skills and strong communication skills
• Able to engage and communicate with individuals and groups, both on a face to face basis and in writing
• A conscientious and reflective clinical practitioner
• Excellent time management skills and proven ability to prioritise workload
• Confident in the accurate analysis of date and information and identifying implications for the individual patient and impact on care plan

Desirable

• Proven record of effective use of networking and influencing skills
• A strategic thinker

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).