Nursing Assistant

Job summary Aspen Ward is a 22 bedded, female, Adult Acute Admissions Ward at Royal Oldham Hospital providing short term care for individuals suffering from a wide range of Mental Health issues.
We are a team consisting of Doctors, Nurses, Nursing Assistants, Occupational Therapist, Recovery & Inclusion Worker and support staff which strive to provide high quality care to people from the Oldham area.Nursing Assistants play a vital role in delivering care to the individuals admitted on to Aspen Ward.
They have the most direct patient contact out of staff on the ward and engage with the patients on a 1-1 basis or in groups.
The role of the Nursing Assistant is broad and varied one.
Working amongst a wider team of professionals enables individuals to learn from one another and contribute to providing high levels of care.
This role includes working both day and night shifts.To enable you to apply for this post you will already need to have completed the Care Certificate and if invited for an interview you will need to bring along the Care Certificate with you.
Main duties of the job Key Responsibilities of the Post: Provide Safe and Effective Care Treat patients as individuals Engage patients in their own care Strive to provide an outstanding service Be clear about the ward vision and the role that the Nursing Assistant plays within the team Engage in learning and development Contribute to growth through regular supervision and annual appraisal Be a member of a team, establishing your own role within that team Nursing Assistant will be an informal leader, setting an example for others members within the team.
About us We are proud to provide high quality mental health and learning disability services, both inpatient and in the community across five boroughs of Greater Manchester - Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport and Tameside and Glossop.Our vision is for a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in our communities and our staff work hard to deliver the very best care for the people who use our services.
We're really proud of our#PennineCarePeopleand do everything we can to make sure we're a great place to work.All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership are encouraged to apply for this post.
We would also encourage applications from individuals with a lived experience of mental illness, either individually or as a carer.
Job description Job responsibilities Main Duties and Responsibilities To assist the qualified staff, as required in the delivery of care.
To work as a member of the team with the support and supervision of aregistered nurse and in line with the policies and procedures agreed by Pennine Care NHS Trust.
To ensure the promotion of safety, wellbeing and interests of clients, staff and visitors to the unit if ward based.
To provide personal care to patients in accordance with their individualised care plan in a respectful manner, showing proper regard to their right to privacy and dignity.
Provide input to care plan discussions with a qualified practitioner whererequested, using knowledge of patient and environment.
To assist patients in the maintenance of adequate nutrition and hydration, where necessary using a therapeutic approach and following a detailed care plan.
If ward based to help patients choose and order appropriately from the menu taking into account any special dietary requirements.
Under direction and agreement of a qualified practitioner the postholder will independently undertake escort duty with patients, including where the patients have been risk assessed or might present with more complex needs.
To carry out duties as allocated by a qualified practitioner.
Engage with patients to undertake activities and carry out duties that have been agreed with a qualified practitioner and follow a care plan.
Required to use own initiative and decision making in the planning and delivery of some basic activities To complete patient monitoring charts in relation to weight, input/output of diet and fluids, observation, responding etc.
To undertake and record clinical observations( temperature, pulse, blood pressure) as required and instructed with access to supervision from a qualified member of staff.
Recording the observations accordingly and escalating any concerns to a qualified practitioner as appropriate.
To undertake and record therapeutic observations in accordance with the Trusts Observation & Engagement Policy (for example general, 1:1 and 2:1 observations) as required and instructed with access to supervision from a qualified member of staff.
Remain vigilant throughout the observation period and make relevant notes on the observation sheets of the patients presentation.
To escalate concerns to a qualified practitioner as appropriate.
To have a working knowledge of the Mental Health Act and to be aware of relevant MHA information when carrying out observations, to support leave appropriately for detained patients under the approval of a qualified practitioner , and to assist with interventions with detained patients.
Demonstrate good interpersonal skills and a positive attitude within the team and when dealing with the patients, their families and members of the public.
To contribute to maintaining the wards agreed philosophy, aims and objectives.
To participate in the maintenance of the ward environment to ensure cleanliness, tidiness, in accordance with information policy.
To accurately document nursing care in the nursing notes when required which will then be countersigned by a qualified practitioner Understand and monitor the ward environment engaging with patients to de stimulate and reduce potential for escalation as needed Will be frequently exposed to physically and verbally aggressive challenging behaviours and expected to initiate de-escalation techniques in potentially harmful or challenging situations, escalating any concerns to a senior member of staff immediately To be competent in all aspects of reducing restrictive practices, which includes the early prevention of violence and aggression using least restrictive approaches, positive behaviour support through to physical manual restraint as a last option.
This can be part of planned interventions set by a qualified member of staff or as an intervention to manage challenging behaviours as they occur, immediately alerting a qualified practitioner for support and supervision.
To ensure that security protocols and procedures are carried out over a 24-hour period and any possible breaches should be reported to the senior nurse immediately.
To communicate effectively with patients, staff, families and other external agencies and use a polite telephone manner.
To use verbal and non-verbal skills to overcome communication barriers presented by service users due to their mental health or learning disability needs.
To ensure effective communication, either verbal or written is carried out amongst the team and by reporting any change or unusual occurrence in an individuals behaviour or condition to the registered nurse.
To assist in the safekeeping of patients property and clothing as required.
To participate in staff support groups and clinical supervision.
To work as part of the ward team, promoting high standards of care.
To understand the importance of the need for confidentiality in all patient matters, and in accordance with the GDPR and Trust policy.
To comply with Trust policy and management instruction with regard to health and safety and to fire prevention and, in particular, not to do anything that endangers yourself or others.
To have a responsibility to be aware of and report safeguarding concerns to a senior nurse and record in notes where required Facilitate patient activities under the direction of qualified staff.
To assistOccupational Therapy staff in their therapeutic activity with patients; and to assist any other Allied Health Professionals To be flexible to meet the needs of the unit.
To be willing to undertake a full range of shifts as per the requirements of the service.
Subject to any requests made and agreed in accordance with the Trusts Flexible Working Policy To familiarise yourself with the start and finish time of your shift and work accordingly maintaining effective time job description is not exhaustive, but is intended to give an overall picture of the role.
Other duties within the general scope of the post may be required from time to time.
The duties of the post and job description can be reviewed through the agreed process Person Specification Education/Qualifications Essential GCSE (or equivalent level of education) with grade D/E (2/3) or above in English and Maths or functional skills level 1.
Vocational (or equivalent) Qualification at level 3 in Care or demonstrable equivalent relevant experience to this level Completion of Care Certificate or commitment to complete PMVA training or willingness and ability to complete upon appointment Short courses to undertake patient and clinical care duties Desirable Assessor in CC Experience Essential Experience of working with diverse groups of people developing a range of basic care skills.
Previous experience of working in a care setting as a nursing assistant/healthcare support worker developing competencies in basic clinical care Experience of being able to plan and prioritise own work under the direction of a qualified member of staff Experience of how to build up trust and rapport with people Desirable Previous experience with people with Mental Health or Learning Disabilities or experience in a clinical setting related to mental heath Experience of using electronic patient notes and records, or willingness to undertake training Knowledge Essential Awareness of Mental Health and Mental Illness, its effects on the individual, family and friends.
Working knowledge of the Mental Health Act with willingness to learn Awareness of the effects of illicit drug use Some awareness of early prevention of violence and aggression using least restrictive interventions and practices with willingness to undertake & complete PMVA training and engage in techniques as required Able to recognise changes in a patient's mental and physical condition and act appropriately by alerting the qualified practitioner or nurse in charge Desirable Understanding of emotional intelligence and reflective practice Awareness of safeguarding considerations around children and vulnerable adults Skills and abilities Essential Can demonstrate good interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills.
Able to utilise this to engage with people who are experiencing mental ill health and communication barriers.
Ability to utilise communication skills to deescalate people who are angry or distressed Ability to remain calm in challenging situations Ability to keep confidential information, and awareness of Data Protection and GDPR.
Commitment to self-development, ability to treat people with respect and dignity.
Must have a good command of the English language both written and spoken word Desirable Good organisational skills