Registered Nurse Associate

Job summary

The role of the Nursing Associate is to work with the multi professional team and the Registered Nurse to assess, plan, organise and deliver clinical care in line with service and patient needs, as agreed with supervising clinicians.

The nursing associate has a breadth of knowledge across the lifespan and across the fields of nursing, providing holistic and person centred care and support for people of all ages and in a variety of settings. The nursing associate works independently under the leadership of registered nurses, working within the sphere of nursing care and within all aspects of the nursing process (Health Education England 2018)

Nursing associates are equipped with the knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes and behaviours relevant to employment as a nursing associate and will work to a nationally recognised Nursing and Midwifery Councils code of conduct (NMC) and must meet the NMC standards of proficiency

Main duties of the job

To be responsible for providing the appropriate nursing evidence based care of an allocated group of patients.

Be an accountable professional who is responsible for their actions, working in line with NMC standards of proficiency

Recognise and work within the limits of their competency

To work as part of a multidisciplinary team using resources efficiently

To deliver quality care to patients and to work effectively within the nursing team

To be competent in carrying out a variety of clinical procedures

About us

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is an integrated Trust and the only provider of NHS acute care in Walsall, serving a population of 286,700, providing inpatient and outpatient services at the Manor Hospital as well as a wide range of services in the community. Walsall Manor Hospital houses the full range of district general hospital services under one roof. The £170 million development of our Pleck Road site was completed in 2010 and the continued upgrading of existing areas ensures the Trust now has a state-of-the-art Critical Care Unit, Neonatal Unit, Obstetric Theatre, and Integrated Assessment Unit facilities. Work is also well underway on its multi-million pound new Urgent and Emergency Care Centre which will house a new Emergency Department (including Children's Emergency Department), co-located Paediatric Assessment Unit, Acute Medical Unit and Urgent Care Centre. This is scheduled for completion this year.

We provide high quality, friendly and effective community health services from some 60 sites including Health Centres and GP surgeries. Covering Walsall and beyond, our multidisciplinary services include rapid response in the community and home-based care, so that those with long-term conditions and the frail and elderly, can remain in their own homes to be cared for wherever appropriate.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Clinical Duties

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

Support people to improve and maintain their mental, physical, behavioural health and wellbeing, promoting health and preventing ill health

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

To recognise changes in a patients condition 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 discharge of patients with the aim of avoiding readmission

To perform procedures as detailed within the NMC Standards for proficiency for Nurse Associate (2018) (Annexe B) to meet the nursing needs of the patients in their care

To work within the NMC code of professional practice, and within policies, procedures and guidelines of Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust

To have a willingness to undertake additional skills and training dependant on department requirements

To ensure that high standards of nursing care are provided and maintained. To act and raise concerns when standards are not being maintained following local policy and procedures.

To act as an advocate for the patient and the family, including promoting and protecting their interests, privacy and rights, equality and inclusion.

To be involved in Trust Initiatives to improve patient safety and care

Professional Duties

Have demonstrated the proficiency to administer medications

Attends all mandatory training relevant to role

To be aware of and adhere to Trust Policies relating to the control and administration of drugs

To ensure that high standards of nursing care are given and maintained and to act when standards are not being maintained

To work within the NMC code of professional practice, and within policies, procedures and guidelines of Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust

To participate in regular staff meetings

To be flexible to work within areas or departments to meet the demands of changing service needs.

To provide coaching and support to newly qualified staff and students, new starters and Trainee Nursing Associates encouraging an effective learning environment.

To provide support and supervision to Health care support workers to promote their learning and development within role.

To receive delegated duties from the supervising RN and senior colleagues, accepting those that fall within their individual competency level, adhering to the NMC Delegation and Accountability tool (NMC Code 2018)

To delegate appropriately to other team members, including Health Care assistants, family members and other lay carers adhering to the NMC Delegation and Accountability tool (NMC Code 2018)

Recognise and work within the limits of their competence

To take responsibility for own continuing professional development and performance, including identifying own development needs and maintain own portfolio in accordance with re-registration requirements.

Managerial Duties

To communicate with the nurse in charge and collect data in order to participate in the smooth running and organisation of the department

To support junior and senior colleagues in their roles and be resilient to manage change

To support the ward sister/nurse in charge in risk assessment and minimisation

Ensuring incidents and near misses are reported.

To manage verbal complaints, inform ward sister/nurse in charge and refer on when unable to resolve

To participate in the investigation of incidents/complaints as required

To establish and maintain effective communication, both verbal and written and relationships with multi-disciplinary team

To recognise, prevent where possible, and manage areas of conflict, reporting to ward sister/nurse in charge if unable to resolve

Improve safety and quality of care

Participate in research programmes utilising agreed research findings to enhance the patient and their familys experience

Actively participate in benchmarking clinical practice along with other areas

Contribute to and participate in programmes of Audit, including utilisation of results in practice

Support the ward sister/nurse in charge in aspects of Patient Experience work.

Respond to Safeguarding concerns by reporting to senior staff and colleagues whilst adhering to Trust policy and procedures

Financial Duties

To assist in the promotion and encouragement of innovative thinking in the current climate to ensure the best uses of resources

To use and safeguard equipment in a competent manner and ensure it is in good working order

To be flexible in working pattern to help meet the needs of the service

To support the Ward Manager in the management of the budget and resources

Managing Self

Participate in regular supervision.

Attend all mandatory training.

Participate annually identifying, developing and agreeing your own development plan with your Line Manager using the Trust Appraisal.

Comply with all Trust policies, procedures and protocols.

Carry out duties with due regard to the Trusts Equal Opportunity Policy.

Seek advice and support from Line Manager whenever necessary.

Maintain professional conduct including appearance at all times.

Ensure maintenance of Professional Registration.

Person Specification

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential

Demonstrable community nursing experience

Desirable

ability to work on your own initiative

Qualifications

Essential

Registered Nursing Associate on the NMC register

Desirable

level 5 Foundation degree

EXPERIENCE

Essential

Relevant experience of working independently and as part of a team

Desirable

Extended roles and skills relevant to the work area

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