Registered Nursing Associate

Job overview

We are looking for a dynamic, enthusiastic, caring Registered Nursing Associate to work in our fast paced neighbourhood nursing service.

You will work alongside the teams providing skilled nursing care to patients in their own homes, consisting of administering medications, end of life care, wound dressings, bladder and bowel care and meeting a range of other nursing care needs alongside the Registered nurse. This is an autonomous role and suited to candidates who are able to work independently but also as an integral part of the nursing and wider multi disciplinary team.

The nursing teams are led by the neighbourhood nursing sister / charge nurse and work in partnership with primary and social care, allied health professionals and specialist nurses to provide a range of community based services.

The Neighbourhood Nursing service is provided by small teams of nurses and health care assistants who are aligned with GP practices within the Boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark. The service undertakes between 26,000 and 30,000 contacts per month in patients own homes and is integral to enabling people to remain at home and avoid hospital admission.

Closing date: 7th July 2024

Proposed interview date: 19th July 2024

Main duties of the job

As a member of the Neighbourhood Nursing Team, you will participate in the clinical case management of patients who have a wide variety of complex, high-risk and supported/self-care conditions.

Working directly with the Clinical lead, the post-holder will help ensure high standards of nursing care and health promotion services. The care will be provided in a range of settings including patients’ homes, residential homes, nurse led clinics and GP practices.

Duties include:

Holistic assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of a plan of care for patients with long term conditions, tissue viability, continence, palliative care, and promoting/facilitating patient independence. Assisting in the delivery of National Service Frameworks. Providing public health and health promotion programmes to improve health and reduce inequalities. Maintaining contemporaneous written and computerised records.

Working for our organisation

Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust comprises five of the UK’s best known hospitals – Guy’s, St Thomas’, Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Royal Brompton and Harefield – as well as community services in Lambeth and Southwark, all with a long history of high quality care, clinical excellence, research and innovation.

You will have the opportunity to further develop and enhance your skills with the support and training available by working alongside experienced nurses and specialists. We have a supportive culture to encourage each other to strive to be the best within our daily practice. Our feedback as a team reflects this.

Working with us you will have access to numerous benefits:

Mobile devices for personal protection whilst in practice, allowing you to work more flexibly. Opportunity to apply for training and mentorship programs on all grades of nursing staff. Access to our partners Kings College London for Masters level education opportunities. Financial, health and wellbeing support.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical Duties

Manages a delegated caseload, working as a member of a team, responsible for interacting constructively with team members and organising, prioritising and planning their work. Uses a range of assessment tools to assist in the implementation of appropriate action to meet the specific physical, emotional and psychological, social, cultural and spiritual needs of individuals and carers. Provides advice and support to patients to enable them to make informed choices in all areas of health promotion. Understands when to seek appropriate advice to manage a risk and avoid compromising quality of care and health outcomes acting in line with local and national organisational frameworks, legislation and regulations to report risks, and implement actions as instructed. Demonstrates the ability to effectively and responsibly access, input, and apply information and data using a range of methods including digital technologies, and share appropriately within interdisciplinary teams. Demonstrates an ability to prioritise and manage their own workload, and recognise where elements of care can safely be delegated to other colleagues, carers and family members. Contributes to the provision of evidenced based care for people, including those with complex needs. To work as a member of the multi-professional team providing clinical care to patients in settings as supported by the Registered Nurse or Allied Healthcare Professional. Provide sensitive, compassionate, safe and effective care to support people in a range of care settings, applying the principles and processes for making reasonable adjustments. Develop understanding of all elements of the nursing process and be able to assist the Registered Nurse in the on-going assessment (excluding initial assessment), planning, management and evaluation of care. Perform and record clinical observations, undertake clinical tasks and assist in bedside procedures. Additional competency based skills relevant to clinical area can be attained following completion of appropriate training. 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 Allied Healthcare Professionals as appropriate. To ensure that high standards of nursing care are given and maintained. To act and raise concerns when standards are not being maintained following local policy and procedures. Demonstrate good understanding of principles of consent and ensure valid consent is obtained prior to undertaking nursing and care procedures. Have demonstrated the proficiency to administer medications within Trust policy and procedure and in line with the NMC Standards of Proficiency. If required by the clinical area can administer selected intravenous and controlled medicines after the successful completion of relevant training and meeting the required competencies in line with Trust policy. To recognise changes in a patients’ condition, including any safety, safeguarding risks which require the intervention of others and understand when to refer to the supervising Registered Nurse and other senior colleagues for reassessment of patient care. To work in collaboration with others to ensure the safe and timely admission, transfer and discharge of patients. Improve the quality of care by contributing to the continuous monitoring of patients and carers/relatives experience of care. Responsible for the prevention and control of infections within the Trust. Ensuring both personal and team compliance with all relevant policies, especially hand washing and the Trust uniform policy. To act as an advocate for the patient and the family, including promoting and protecting their interests, privacy, rights and inclusion. Be aware of the Trusts’ safeguarding policy and escalate concerns to the appropriate individual or team. Understand the roles of a range of professionals and carers from other organisations and settings who may be participating in the care of a person and their family. Understand responsibilities in relation to communication and collaboration across all healthcare settings.

Professional Responsibilities

Is wholly accountable for his / her practice in line with the NMC code of professional conduct and takes every reasonable opportunity to sustain and improve his / her knowledge and professional competence. Understands and acts in line with NMC professional standards for practice contained within The Standards of Proficiency for Nursing Associates. Will engage in reflective practice and compile a personal & professional portfolio in line with NMC Revalidation. To actively participate in the annual individual performance review ensuring individual training needs are identified and completed. Will be expected to undertake a full variety of shifts including late and weekend work. To be flexible to work within areas or departments to meet the demands of changing service needs. Contribute to team success and challenge others constructively. To communicate effectively with members of the multidisciplinary team at all levels in order to promote an effective service and optimum patient care. To communicate effectively where the information may be complex or sensitive in nature and the post holder may be required to overcome barriers to understanding such as language. Communicate effectively with colleagues, providing clear verbal, digital or written information and instructions when sharing information, delegating or handing over responsibility for care. Record all care delivered appropriately and in accordance to NMC standards. Ensure clear, concise, accurate and legible records and all communication is maintained in relation to care delivered adhering to local and national guidance. Ensure all patient related information is treated sensitively and adhere to the principles of confidentiality at all times. Report any accidents or incidents and raise any concerns as per organisational policy. Act in the best interests of the people they care for. Act professionally at all times and be responsible and accountable for their actions in accordance with Trust Values & Behaviours. To act as a role model by upholding and demonstrating good practice in the workplace always maintaining high standards of care. Use knowledge and experience to make evidence based decisions and solve problems. Recognise and work within the limits of their competence. Leadership and Management To delegate care appropriately to other members of the team. To provide induction and supervision to new staff, Nursing Assistants and students, and Trainee Nursing Associates encouraging an effective learning environment. To provide support and supervision to Healthcare/Nursing Assistants to promote their learning and development within their role. Provide clinical leadership to a team of Healthcare/ Nursing Assistants providing direction, support and challenge where necessary. To participate in clinical teaching. Service Development and Governance Participate in audits and review of patients care. To be involved in Trust quality improvement initiatives to improve patient safety and care. To develop an understanding of local governance arrangements. To participate in clinical investigations and patient complaints as appropriate. Ensure they keep up to date with Trust and Departmental policies, protocols and procedures to enable safe and effective practice.

The post holder is required to follow Trust policies and procedures which are regularly updated. Please see attached job description for full details.

Person specification

Personal attributes

Essential criteria

Caring and compassionate nature The ability to undertake reflective thinking on own practice Aware of limitations Ability to form relationships with others Motivated and enthusiastic Flexible and positive approach to work Able and willing to work flexible shift patterns, internal rotation to day and night duty and unsocial hours, according to service needs Ability to cope under pressure Ability to adapt to change Confident to speak up

Management and leadership

Essential criteria

Ability to work effectively within a team Ability to delegate to others

Skills/Knowledge/ Ability

Essential criteria

Able to assess, contribute in planning, , implement and evaluate clinical care Competent in obtaining and recording baseline patient observations. Able to work as an effective team member Able to supervise and teach junior staff Able to prioritise & meet deadlines Able to manage difficult situations Uses own initiative and is able to take decisions Self-motivated Able to maintain clear and legible documentation An understanding of Audit and Research/Evidence Based Nursing Practice Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills Basic Computer Skills including ability to use Microsoft Word and Electronic Patient Records (EPR) Understands and acts in line with NMC professional standards for practice contained within The Code Understands the requirement for NMC professional revalidation. Knowledge of the individual’s responsibility towards health & safety

Previous experience

Essential criteria

Recent experience relevant to speciality Previous experience working as a Registered Nursing Associate Supervision of Junior Staff

Qualifications/ Education

Essential criteria

RNA Registered Nurse Associate on the NMC register Evidence of literacy and numeracy to GCSE level Committed to own personal development

Desirable criteria

Teaching or Assessing Qualification (including SSSA+P)

Employer certification / accreditation badges

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