West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Nursing Assistant

The closing date is 12 December 2025

Job summary

Job Summary

To assist in direct, and indirect patient care under the supervision of a registered practitioner. To support the clinical team in ward/department related duties as directed by the registered practitioner.

To take all possible steps to safeguard the welfare of patients, visitors and staff according to Trust/Departmental risk management policies/procedures.

Assist in the delivery of a high standard of patient care, as directed in the individuals care plan, observing and reporting specific changes to qualified staff, and documenting care given:

Assisting in the care of surgical patients, during the pre and post-operative period by supporting the multidisciplinary team.

To ensure communication between all clients and staff is of the required level of accuracy, both verbal and written.

(Those who require care certificate and competencies will be paid at band 2 until this is achieved)

Main duties of the job

KEY TASKS

Clinical Activities

Assisting with planning, implementing, and evaluating the care of adult, and paediatric patients undergoing general and local anaesthetic procedures.

Liaises with members of the multidisciplinary team for delivery of care pre and post discharge from the unit, and organises the time and equipment to enable the safe delivery of care.

Discharges patients on agreed local anaesthetic lists following competency guidelines.

Instruct and demonstrate procedures to patients and/or relatives, evaluate instruction and seek advice if required.

Assist team to evaluate quality of care given.

Measure and observe the physical characteristics/condition of patients as follows:

Temperature

Pulse

Respiration

Blood Pressure

Peak Flows

Weight and Girth

Mews

Oxygen saturation

Phlebotomy (on completion of competency)

Blood glucose measurement

Recording of ECGs

Use assessment tools to document pain

Provide assistance with medications

Patient Transfers

Obtain specimens as requested and carry out relevant investigations, e.g. urinalysis and document the results, reporting them to qualified staff as necessary.

Adhere to the basic principles of infection control demonstrating effective hand hygiene and awareness of potential cross infection.

About us

#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community

We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.

The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.

Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.

We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.

Details

Date posted

28 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 to £26,598 a year Per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

179-7604108-S

Job locations

West Suffolk Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Hardwick Lane

Bury St Edmunds

IP33 2QZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see job description attached to view main duties and responsibilities of role.

With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.

We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.

Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see job description attached to view main duties and responsibilities of role.

With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.

We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyones voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.

Join us. What will you #BeKnown for?

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

  • Good general education
  • Holds National Care Certificate or be willing to undertake and complete within 12 weeks or starting

Desirable

  • GCSE's (or equivalent) in English and Maths
  • NVQ Level 3/ Care Certificate or documented equivalent level of competence

Experience and knowledge

Essential

  • Ability to communicate with a range of different people, including service users, carers and members of the multi-disciplinary team.
  • Experience working in a healthcare, social care organisation/setting or service industry requiring people contact.
  • Ability to work with staff from a diverse range of background
  • Understanding of team working

Desirable

  • Experience in an acute healthcare setting.

Skills and abilities

Essential

  • Good interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Good telephone manner
  • Key literacy skills.
  • Understands the importance of patient confidentiality
  • Supports patient equality and diversity
  • Demonstrates an awareness of keeping the clinical environment safe and clean.

Desirable

  • Computer literate with good keyboard skills
  • Knowledge of the Data Protection Act.
  • Understanding of risk management and Health & Safety issues, including manual handling.

Personal qualities

Essential

  • Kind and caring nature
  • Flexible approach to working hours/duties
  • Able to work with a degree of autonomy
  • Able to support and develop others
  • Demonstrate a positive attitude in the workplace and practice in a style that supports a progressive, innovative environment
Person Specification

Education and qualifications

Essential

  • Good general education
  • Holds National Care Certificate or be willing to undertake and complete within 12 weeks or starting

Desirable

  • GCSE's (or equivalent) in English and Maths
  • NVQ Level 3/ Care Certificate or documented equivalent level of competence

Experience and knowledge

Essential

  • Ability to communicate with a range of different people, including service users, carers and members of the multi-disciplinary team.
  • Experience working in a healthcare, social care organisation/setting or service industry requiring people contact.
  • Ability to work with staff from a diverse range of background
  • Understanding of team working

Desirable

  • Experience in an acute healthcare setting.

Skills and abilities

Essential

  • Good interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Good telephone manner
  • Key literacy skills.
  • Understands the importance of patient confidentiality
  • Supports patient equality and diversity
  • Demonstrates an awareness of keeping the clinical environment safe and clean.

Desirable

  • Computer literate with good keyboard skills
  • Knowledge of the Data Protection Act.
  • Understanding of risk management and Health & Safety issues, including manual handling.

Personal qualities

Essential

  • Kind and caring nature
  • Flexible approach to working hours/duties
  • Able to work with a degree of autonomy
  • Able to support and develop others
  • Demonstrate a positive attitude in the workplace and practice in a style that supports a progressive, innovative environment

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.

Employer details

Employer name

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Address

West Suffolk Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Hardwick Lane

Bury St Edmunds

IP33 2QZ


Employer's website

https://www.wsh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust

Address

West Suffolk Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Hardwick Lane

Bury St Edmunds

IP33 2QZ


Employer's website

https://www.wsh.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Team Manager

Jemma Morris

jemma.morris@wsh.nhs.uk

01284713288

Details

Date posted

28 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 2

Salary

£24,465 to £26,598 a year Per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

179-7604108-S

Job locations

West Suffolk Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Hardwick Lane

Bury St Edmunds

IP33 2QZ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)