Integrated Nursing Associate (37.5 hours)

Job responsibilities

Main purpose of the job

As a Bluebell Wood nursing associate, you will:

provide and ensure a high standard of holistic care to babies, children and young people (children) with life limiting/life threatening conditions.

create and provide opportunities for children and young people to experience play, social interaction and learning.

deliver child-focused, family centred palliative and end of life care, alongside other members of the interdisciplinary team.

To work flexibly between the hospice and community to independently care for children in the most appropriate setting to their needs.

Clinical:

Act as an advocate for babies, children and young people, and their families, maintaining professional boundaries.

Implement, in conjunction with parents and carers, a plan of care to meet the identified needs of children in your care.

Provide emotional and psychological support to children and their family, adjusting to illness, disability, end of life issues and bereavement.

Assist in maintaining and developing high standard of care, by awareness of individual needs, following defined nursing care plans and working within related policies and procedures.

Meet the nursing needs of children, whilst promoting comfort and well-being, ensuring their personal and social needs are met.

Safely undertake procedures to meet the child's nursing needs for which you have attained competence, for example recording and interpreting vital signs, continence care, bladder and bowel care, pressure area care, wound care, nutrition, hydration, skin integrity.

Deliver complex technical interventions to support children with complex health needs, such as tracheostomy and ventilators, gastrostomy, jejunostomy and suctioning, under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse or allied healthcare professional.

Prioritise and manage own workload, recognising where elements of care can safely be delegated to other colleagues.

Support the delivery of palliative and end of life care both in the hospice and at home.

Support opportunities for children and young people building memories and experiences.

Keep clear, accurate care records, reporting any deterioration, concerns or incidents to the nurse in charge.

Provide nursing care and support to children both at home and in the hospice.

To safely administer medicines to children in line with the Bluebell Wood medicines management policy.

Maintain confidentiality in all matters relating to children and their families.

Work as an assistant in therapeutic activities, group work and life skills with the support and guidance of registered professionals.

Education:

Maintain and improve your own professional competence by keeping up to date with clinical developments, and by attending in-house and external training sessions.

Assist in the education and practical training of colleagues, students and trainees.

Supervise and orientate learners and new staff.

Participate in surveys, audit, research and facilitating clinical trials as required.

Professional requirements:

Comply with the requirements for NMC Revalidation, identifying own learning needs and ensuring own professional development is maintained by keeping up to date with practice developments.

Participate in clinical supervision and appraisals.

Successfully complete required competences as defined by Bluebell Wood.

Governance:

To welcome and respect diversity and contribute positively to anti-discriminatory practice, actively promoting equality and diversity.

Ensure a consistent approach to all aspects of care delivery by following protocols and prescribed care, recommending changes to advance practice.

Report all incidents/accidents and near misses in line with reporting procedures to facilitate opportunities to advance practice.

Actively contribute to employee consultation around policy and procedure development and highlight any areas of concern or suggestions for improvement.

This job description is intended as an outline of the areas of activity and can be amended in the light of the changing needs of the service and will be reviewed as necessary in conjunction with the post-holder.

All staff:

Safeguarding:

All hospice staff have a responsibility for safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk, which includes:

an understanding of relevant hospice policies

ensuring that any safeguarding and child protection or vulnerable adults concerns are both recognised and acted on appropriately

attendance at mandatory safeguarding children and adults training and updates at the competency level appropriate to their role and in accordance with the Bluebell Wood safeguarding training guidance.

Confidentiality:

On appointment you may be given access to confidential information which must only be disclosed to parties entitled to receive it. Information obtained during the course of employment should not be used for any purpose other than that intended. Unauthorised disclosure of information is a disciplinary offence.

Equality, diversity and inclusion:

At Bluebell Wood, we value and respect difference, where families, visitors, our staff and volunteers can feel welcomed and confident to be themselves. We ensure this by delivering our values:

We value diversity and recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge and insights that will benefit all.

We respect the rights of individuals, including the right to hold different views and beliefs. We will not allow these differences to be displayed in a way that is hostile or degrading to others.

General requirements:

All Bluebell Wood employees are required to:

Abide by the Health and Safety at Work Act

Work within hospice policies and procedures

Demonstrate understanding and application of the provisions of GDPR and information security

Comply with the hospice no smoking policy

Participate in and contribute to team meetings

Cooperate and liaise with colleagues

Behave in a professional manner at all times

Act as an ambassador for Bluebell Wood Childrens Hospice, reflecting the objectives and values, and to always work in the best interests of the charity.

Make a positive contribution to fundraising and raising the profile of the Hospice

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in teams under appropriate supervision as part of an interdisciplinary team
• Insight into how to evaluate own strengths and development needs, seeking advice where appropriate
• Experience of providing and receiving complex, sensitive information

Desirable

• Experience of working with babies, children or young people
• Experience of caring for people with complex and palliative care needs
• Community experience

Personal qualities and values

Essential

• Committed to family centred care
• Committed to the values of Bluebell Wood
• Commitment to the ongoing development of both self and the service.
• Full driving licence with access to a reliable vehicle and business insurance cover
• Able to travel extensively to meet the needs of all our children, young people and their families.

Personal qualities and values

Essential

• Committed to family centred care
• Committed to the values of Bluebell Wood
• Commitment to the ongoing development of both self and the service.
• Full driving licence with access to a reliable vehicle and business insurance cover
• Able to travel extensively to meet the needs of all our children, young people and their families.

Skills / Knowledge

Essential

• understanding of the scope of the role of the nursing associate in the context of the nursing and interdisciplinary team, and the organisation, and how the role may contribute to service development
• Understands and acts in line with the NMC professional standards for practice contained within The Code
• Understand requirements for NMC professional revalidation
• Ability to prioritise own workload and use initiative
• Communicate factual information in a timely manner
• Basic information and communications technology (ICT) skills.
• Has the ability to communicate at all levels.
• Effective organisational skills.
• Knowledge of complex conditions and how this can impact the whole family
• Understanding of health and well-being in relation to health promotion and prevention.
• Understanding of evidence based practice.

Desirable

• Able to demonstrate practical skills to others.
• Evidence of involvement in supporting/developing less experienced staff.

Other

Essential

• Legally entitled to work in this country

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nursing Associate on the NMC register
• Foundation degree
• GCSEs Grade C or above in Maths and English Language / New GCSE Grade 4-9 in Maths and English Language OR Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths and English or Equivalent (not entry level 2)

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).