Nurse Associate

Job description

Job responsibilities

• Deliver high quality, compassionate care under the direction of a registered Nurse (or other registered professional dependent on the setting) with a focus on promoting health and independence.
• Work as part of a designated clinical team delivering care that focuses on the direct needs of the individual
• Carry out specific delegated clinical tasks and responsibilities to a high standard and competency
• Where appropriate work without direct supervision, at times delivering care independently in line with the individuals plan of care, within designated parameters of practice of the Nursing associate role, accessing clinical and care advice when needed
• Maintain understanding of all elements of the nursing process and be able to assist the registered nurse in on-going assessment, planning, management and evaluation of care
• Use Trust documentation or electronic records to record the outcome of assessment and evaluation of care
• Support individuals with all aspects of care including daily living, providing person-centred care and promoting health and independence i.e. Making Every Contact Count
• 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
• Demonstrate the principles of safe administration of oral medicines under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse.
• Perform and record clinical observations including blood pressure, temperature, respirations, pulse
• Undertake clinical tasks including cannulation, venepuncture, ECGs
• 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

Deliver effective care following plans determined by the registered nurse or other registered care professional and provide feedback on progress against the plan

Manage and monitor the condition and health needs of individuals within their care following administration of medication, and to escalate as necessary

Undertake tasks that are relevant to the speciality including cannulation, venepuncture, ECGs and any additional tasks that are required by speciality / organisation as reflected in Trust policy

Perform and record clinical observation including blood pressures, temperature, respirations, pulse, peak and oximetry measurements and any agreed additional requirements within speciality and competence

Accurately record nutritional and fluid intake to identify signs of dehydration or fluid retention and escalate as necessary

Use contemporary nutritional assessment tools

Assist with feeding and drinking and support the delivery of artificial nutrition and hydration using oral and enteral routes as set out by Dietician and/or SALT Team

Measure and interpret blood glucose levels

Recognise emergency situations, administer basic physical first aid, including BLS

Observe and monitor comfort, pain levels, rest and sleep patterns

Use appropriate positioning and pressure relieving techniques

Monitor wounds and undertake wound care using appropriate evidence-based techniques.

Use aseptic, non-touch techniques

Care for, manage and insert catheters for all genders including all associated documentation

Manage the administration of oxygen using a range of routes and approaches

Use appropriate nasal and oral suctioning techniques

Manage inhalation, humidifier and nebuliser devices.

Recognise and take immediate steps to respond appropriately to uncontrolled symptoms and signs of distress including pain, nausea, thirst, constipation, restlessness, agitation, anxiety and depression

Review preferences and care priorities of the dying person and their family and carers, and ensure changes are communicated as appropriate

Provide care for the deceased person and the bereaved respecting cultural requirements and protocols.

Exercise professional accountability and comply with Trust policy in relation to the safe administration of medicines

Manage and monitor effectiveness of symptom relief medication

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

Assist the Registered Nurse with complex care as deemed appropriate

Person Specification

Qualifications and Education

Essential

• oRegistered nursing associate on the NMC register
• oNursing Associate Foundation degree
• oGCSE Grade A-C in Maths & English, or Level 2 equivalency in Numeracy and Literacy

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• oInsight into how to evaluate own strengths and development needs, seeking advice where appropriate
• Understanding of the scope of the role of the Nursing Associate in context of the team and the organisation, and how the role may contribute to service development
• oUnderstands and acts in line with NMC professional standards for practice contained within The Code.
• oExperience of working in teams under appropriate supervision as part of the multi-disciplinary team.

Desirable

• oExperience of working within a cardiothoracic setting
• oUnderstanding of evidence based practice

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• oAbility to organise and prioritise own delegated workload
• oAbility to support, supervise, assess and act as a role model to nursing associate students, other learners and healthcare support workers as required within the clinical setting.
• oAbility to deal with non-routine and unpredictable nature of the workload and individual patient contact
• oEvidence of time management skills and ability to prioritise
• oIntermediate IT skills

Values and behavious

Essential

• oCourteous, respectful and helpful at all times
• oAbility to work on own initiative
• oAdheres to Trust values

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital

Address

Liverpool Heart and Chest hospital

Thomas Drive

Liverpool

L14 3PE

Employer's website

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