Nursing Associate or Assistant Practitioner
We have two exciting opportunities to offer motivated individuals interested in working within Specialist Services and the Heart Failure Team at Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust in West Sussex. These roles are open to either Assistant Practitioners with a Foundation Degree, or Qualified Nursing Associates who are looking to use their experience, skills and talents in a supportive clinical team.
We offer a comprehensive induction programme along with excellent ongoing professional development opportunities, including potential for access to an Apprenticeship pathway towards Registered Nurse Training.
The team operates Monday‑Friday, 08:00‑16:00. Team bases are located in Horsham and Chichester, with clinics and home visits delivered across West Sussex.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will work independently with the guidance and direction of the Registered Nurses, to support and deliver a range of clinical activities in line with patients' individual care and treatment plans. The role will include participating in audit, and supporting Healthcare Assistants and student nurses on placements within the team.
A willingness to develop new skills and embrace change is expected. The post holder will need to be able to work autonomously, and demonstrate initiative with sound clinical knowledge and judgement. Applicants must have excellent clinical, communication and team‑working skills, a full UK driving licence and the use of a car for work purposes is essential. Experience of working in the community would be an advantage.
About us
We are the main provider of NHS community services across East and West Sussex, with 6,000 staff serving 1.3 million people. We deliver essential care to adults and children, helping them manage their health, avoid hospital admissions, and reduce hospital stays.
Our Trust vision is to provide excellent care at the heart of the community. We offer opportunities across medical, clinical, support, and corporate services.
Why work for us?
* Positive 2024 NHS Staff Survey results, highlighting compassionate leadership and wellbeing
* Varied environments: community hospitals, patients' homes, and bases across Sussex
* Flexible working options: part‑time, flexi‑time, annualised hours, and flexi‑retirement
* Excellent training, development, and research opportunities
* Cost‑effective workplace nurseries in Crawley, Hove, and Brighton
* Active EMBRACE, Disability & Wellbeing, LGBTQIA+, and Religion & Belief networks
* Level 3 Disability Confident Leader and Veteran Aware Trust
* Beautiful Sussex location near the South Downs and coast
Our values
* Compassionate Care
* Working Together
* Achieving Ambitions
* Delivering Excellence
We embrace diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, particularly from ethnically diverse, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. We aim to create an inclusive environment and support reasonable adjustments during recruitment.
This post may close early if sufficient applications are received.
Job responsibilities
The team provides both home and clinic based care to patients newly diagnosed and longer‑term heart failure patients.
The successful candidate will work independently with supervision with a Heart Failure Nurse Specialist.
Please see the attached job descriptions for the full details of this position.
Please contact Beth Morris Deputy Operational Head of Service on beth.morris@nhs.net for more details.
Person Specification
Qualification
* Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care
* Community Experience
Experience
* Completion of relevant training course for Band 4
* Demonstrates a commitment to working in the community setting
* Experience as a band 4 Assistant Practitioner or Nursing Associate
* Experience in a community setting
Communication
* Ability to demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills
* Evidence of understanding wider impact of communication
Clinical Skills
* Ability to assess, develop, implement and evaluate programmes of care in conjunction with registered clinician.
* Ability to relate theory to practice
* Evidence of innovative practice
Organisation
* Ability to organise workload and to delegate appropriately
Role
* Ability to demonstrate knowledge / understanding of boundaries of role
* Ability to take initiative, make decisions and prioritise
* Ability to work as an effective team member
Development
* Ability to demonstrate an understanding of clinical supervision/reflective practice
* Ability to act as an educator for HCA's and student nurses
Governance
* Ability to demonstrate an understanding of clinical governance
Team Member
* Ability to work as an effective team member as well as work autonomously
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.
£28,392 to £31,157 a year Per annum/pro‑rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full‑time, Part‑time, Job share, Flexible working
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