Nursing Associate - Band 4

Job responsibilities

The NA will:

The responsibility of the post holder is to participate in the planning and delivery of individual care provided by the multidisciplinary team. The NA will work independently under the supervision of the Registered Nurse, providing holistic evidenced based high quality care to patients and will be professionally accountable for their actions. They will supervise and delegate appropriately to support staff within the team and they will support and supervise students and learners who are on placement

Be responsible for delivering high quality, patient centered, compassionate care under the direction of a Registered Nurse with a focus on promoting health and independence

Be an accountable professional

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

Carry out specific clinical and care tasks and responsibilities to a high standard and competency, under the direction of a registered nurse

Have the ability to work without direct supervision, at times delivering care independently in line with the individuals defined plan of care, within the parameters of practice of the NA role, accessing clinical and care advice when needed.

KEY RESULT AREAS:

1.1 Care provision:

Develop own understanding of all elements of the nursing process and be able to assist the registered nurse in the on-going assessment, planning, management and evaluation of care

Provide and monitor care

Support individuals with all aspects of care including daily living, providing person-centred care and promoting health and independence through awareness raising and care navigation to other professionals as appropriate

Perform and record clinical observations including blood pressure, temperature, respirations, pulse and NEWS

Accurately record nutritional and fluid intake

Ensure the privacy, dignity and safety of individuals is maintained at all times

Demonstrate the ability to recognise changing priorities seeking advice and guidance from the Registered Nurse or other registered care professionals as appropriate

Report back and share information with the registered nurses on the condition, behaviour, activity and responses of individuals

Recognise issues relating to safeguarding vulnerable children and adults and report any problems or raise concerns to the appropriate registered care professionals

Assist in the assessment of and contribute to the management of risk across several areas within the environment where care is being administered

Assist in the implementation of appropriate action to meet the specific physical, emotional and psychological, social, cultural and spiritual needs of individuals and carers

Assist in the delivery of complex care as prescribed by the registered nurse

Develop understanding of caring for individuals with particular conditions for example dementia, mental illness, learning disabilities

Develop skills in relation to coaching/teaching individuals/carers/other staff

Assist with the implementation and monitoring of clinical standards and outcomes

Develop a working knowledge of other providers resources and referral systems to ensure individuals needs are met, within parameters of practice

Engage in reflective practice including management of self and reflection on own reactions, asking questions and reflecting on answers give

Demonstrate good understanding of principles of consent and ensure valid consent is obtained prior to undertaking nursing and care procedures

Plan and manage competing demands of job role, study and placement activities

Work in an effective and organised manner demonstrating excellent time management and organisational skills to effectively deliver person-centred care for an allocated group of individuals

Deliver effective care following treatment plans determined by the Registered Nurse or registered care professional and provide feedback on progress against the plans

Administer medicines safely and in a timely manner via the NMC agreed routes of administration, adhering to Trust policy

Promote comfort and well-being by ensuring service user needs are timely met eg, emotional, personal, environmental physical etc. Including, where appropriate, vital signs, continence care, pressure area care, wound care, nutrition, hydration, foot care, mood identification and suicide risk etc. Support individuals to manage their own health and social wellbeing and promote individual positive self-esteem and sense of identity.

Work with sensitivity and an understanding of the issues experienced by service users.

Work in a flexible and collaborative manner with others, adapting to the needs of the service, despite many demands on attention

Act as a link or assistant link for a specific area of practice.

Assist in the promotion of an open, welcoming, person-centred culture for service users, carers and colleagues, Seek and support feedback from service users and undertake patient satisfaction surveys to aid service improvement as required.

Maintain accurate and contemporaneous care documents. Report observations and other service user information in written and electronic format. Use appropriate documentation/systems in accordance with local and Trust standards demonstrating competent IT skills, accurate data inputting and use of the internet.

Use effective verbal/written communication at all times, incorporating tact, empathy, consideration, courtesy and confidentiality. Adapt style of communication to respond to service user communication difficulties and psychological, social, physical and spiritual needs.

Build and sustain effective communications with others as required to ensure good team working and collaborative working practices. Disseminate knowledge, and information to those who need to know.

Effectively manage and support individuals who exhibit challenging behaviour or present a significant imminent risk to themselves or others. Recognise and respond to changes in their presentation, including reporting the issue to a registered health care professional as required. Respond appropriately to any emergency situation e.g. including initiating use of reducing restrictive interventions in the management of violence and aggression.

Undertake supportive observation/interventions minimising the negative effects of disruptive/abusive behaviour, or in the prevention and management of violence and aggression. Utilise de-escalation and physical control techniques as necessary. Taking reasonable steps to protect themselves from the risk of violence.

If appropriate to the role, when directed by a health care professional, accompany/escort service users within/outside Trust grounds, including the supervision of Health Care Support Workers undertaking escort duties.

Ensure action to reduce risks to health and safety and that all possible steps are taken in identifying, managing and reporting risks, to help safeguard the welfare, safety and security of people, e.g., children, service users visitors and staff. Contribute to the reduction of hazards in the environment, considering safety, security, theft or damage.

Responsible for ensuring safe infection prevention and control by using protective equipment, safe disposal of healthcare waste, performing hand hygiene, cleaning, disinfecting etc.

Understand the roles and contributions of other care providers in and outside of the team, enabling those who are significant to the service user to play an active role in their care.

Proactively identify additional activities in accordance with the role, which would increase post holder efficiency and the efficiency of the team; offer suggestions for improvement and implement these activities in agreement with the team

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience:
• In providing personal care and related procedures
• In working in a caring environment at a band 3 or equivalent level of competence
• Experience of working in teams under appropriate supervision as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Insight into how to evaluate own strengths and development needs, seeking advice where appropriate
• Of providing and receiving complex, sensitive information
• In dealing with the public.
• In working as an effective team member.
• In working effectively, professionally and independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team
• In demonstrating initiative, decision-making and prioritisation skills in user/carer involvement.

Desirable

• Experience of working independently
• Experience of the speciality area
• Group Facilitation skills
• Willingness to undertake further study/development

Training

Essential

• Must be willing/able to undertake all appropriate Trust mandatory training requirements, and subsequent refresher training relevant to the area
• Must be willing / able to undergo job development and training and maintain skills.
• Demonstrate excellent knowledge of service user safety

Physical Attributes

Essential

• A satisfactory sickness record over previous 2 years (subject to the need to act with fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy)
• Able to fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments if necessary)

Special Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Understand and acts in line with NMC professional standards for practice contained within The Code
• Understand requirements for NMC professional Revalidation
• Work independently under the supervision of the Registered Nurse, providing holistic evidenced based high quality care to patients with professional accountability for own actions.
• Understanding of the importance of following procedures and treatment plans Supervise and delegate appropriately to support staff within the team and support and supervise students and learners who are on placement
• Be responsible for delivering high quality, patient centered, compassionate care under the direction of a Registered Nurse with a focus on promoting health and independence
• Be an accountable professional
• Work as part of a designated clinical and care team delivering care that focuses on the direct needs of the individual
• Carry out specific clinical and care tasks and responsibilities to a high standard and competency, under the direction of a registered nurse
• Have the ability to work without direct supervision, at times delivering care independently in line with the individuals defined plan of care, within the parameters of practice of the NA role, accessing clinical and care advice when needed.
• Provide and receive practice supervision
• Enthusiastic, able to work flexibly on a 24hr shift pattern to meet the needs of service users
• Resilience to pressure and exposure to emotional, distressing or hazardous situations
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Good administration and organisational skills
• Able to fulfil the requirements of the value based induction

Desirable

• Language skills other than English
• Experience of supervising/inducting others

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Non-judgemental, empathetic manner
• Demonstrate Trust Values
• Responsive attitude and approach
• Dress appropriately for the environment
• A Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day is essential (reasonable adjustments will be considered for any applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability)

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nursing Associate on the NMC register
• Nursing Associate foundation degree qualification
• GCSE Grade A-C in Maths & English or skills level 2 Maths & English or equivalent

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).