Acute Frailty Unit Navigator
Closing date: 24 May 2026
The role of the Acute Frailty Unit Navigator is to work with the Registered Nurse and other members of the multi‑professional team, providing and monitoring high quality care and contributing to the ongoing assessment, as agreed with supervising clinician(s) and in line with the service pathways. They will monitor the condition and health needs of people within their care on a continual basis in partnership with the multi‑professional team.
The Acute Frailty Unit Navigator has a breadth of knowledge across the lifespan, providing holistic and person‑centred care and support for people of all ages and in a variety of settings. The Acute Frailty Unit Navigator will work independently under the leadership of the Registered Nurses, working within the sphere of nursing and within all aspects of the nursing process, the Acute Frailty Unit Navigator will work autonomously in the clinic and ward supporting with the flow and discharges in ambulatory.
Acute Frailty Unit Navigators are equipped with the knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes and behaviours relevant to employment; and will act in accordance with Trust guidelines and policies. The acute frailty unit is currently open Monday‑Friday with a view for 7 day working.
Main duties of the job
Deliver high quality, person‑centred care under the direction of a Registered Nurse or other registered care professional, dependent on setting.
Have proficient attitudes and behaviours compatible with NHS Values.
Work as part of a designated clinical and care team delivering care that focuses directly on the needs of the person.
Carry out specific delegated clinical and care tasks and responsibilities to a high standard and competency, under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse or other registered care professional.
Where appropriate work without direct supervision, delivering care independently in line with the individual's defined plan of care, within designated parameters of practice of the Ambulatory navigator role, accessing clinical and care advice when needed.
Continue to develop and improve practical and theoretical knowledge, competence and skills whilst in clinical practice and maintain all evidence required.
Contribute towards developing a culture of learning and innovation, developing high quality learning environments.
Frailty Unit Navigator will work autonomously in the clinic and ward supporting with the flow and discharges in ambulatory.
Job responsibilities
* Support the acute frailty unit and ambulatory area with flow, including discharge planning
* Maintain understanding of all elements of the nursing process and be able to assist the registered nurse in the on‑going assessment, planning, management and evaluation of care
* Support people with all aspects of individualised care including daily living, providing person‑centred care and promoting health and independence through awareness raising and care navigation to other professionals as appropriate
* Provide care that recognises the individual needs of patients, ensuring reasonable adjustments are in place for patients with protected characteristics
* Perform and record clinical observations including blood pressure, temperature, respirations, pulse, and any additional requirements within the speciality
* Undertake clinical tasks including cannulation, venepuncture, ECGs as appropriate to competence and setting
* Accurately record nutritional and fluid intake
* Ensure the privacy, dignity and safety of people is maintained at all times
* Act in accordance with all organisational policies and procedures and within expected values and behaviours
* Actively participate in and attend ward/unit meetings
* Demonstrate the ability to recognise changing priorities seeking advice and guidance from the Registered Nurse or other registered care professionals as appropriate
* Report back and share information with the registered nurses on the condition, behaviour, activity and responses of people
* Recognise issues relating to safeguarding vulnerable children and adults and report any problems or raise concerns to the appropriate registered care professionals
* Assist in the assessment of and contribute to the management of risk across several areas within the environment where care is being delivered
* Assist in the implementation of appropriate action to meet the specific physical, emotional and psychological, social, cultural and spiritual needs of individuals and carers
* Assist in the delivery of complex care as prescribed by the registered nurse
* Maintain an understanding of caring for individuals with particular conditions, for example dementia, mental illness, learning disabilities
* Maintain skills in relation to coaching/teaching individuals/carers/other staff
* Assist with the implementation and monitoring of clinical standards and outcomes
* Develop a working knowledge of other providers resources and referral systems to ensure individuals needs are met, within parameters of practice
* Engage in reflective practice including management of self and reflection on own reactions, asking questions and reflecting on answers given
* Demonstrate good understanding of principles of consent and ensure valid consent is obtained prior to undertaking nursing and care procedures
* Demonstrate good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act/Deprivation of Liberties and applies principles to everyday practice seeking advice/guidance from the registered nurse or registered care professional as required
* Communicate effectively across a wide range of channels and and with a wide range of individuals, the public, health and social care professionals, maintaining the focus of communication on delivering and improving health and care services
* Demonstrate those inter-personal skills that promote clarity, compassion, empathy, respect and trust
* Contribute to team success and challenge others constructively
* Communicate with individuals, carers and other visitors in a courteous and helpful manner, whilst being mindful there may be barriers to understanding
* Report to appropriate registered care professional information received from the individuals, carers and members of the team
* 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
* Ensure clear, concise, accurate and legible records and all communication is maintained in relation to care delivered adhering to local and national guidance
* Ensure ability to manage electronic records system taking cognisance of need to protect access (ID, passwords, swipe cards)
* Exercise personal responsibility and work independently within defined parameters of practice, taking the initiative in a variety of situations and performing a range of clinical and care skills consistent with the role, responsibilities and professional values of being an Acute Frailty Unit Navigator
* Exercise judgement in assessing patient condition, comfort and wellbeing using analysis of a range of possible factors
* Ensure that only those activities for which competence has been achieved are undertaken without supervision and the recognition is given to the impact and consequences of practising outside capability
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Diploma or equivalent level qualification e.g. foundation degree or NVQ level 3 Health and Social Care qualification
* Courses relating to diploma/ NVQ 3 Health & Social Care
Knowledge and Experience
* Relevant experience to diploma level/NVQ level 3
* Evidence of working effectively as a team player under appropriate supervision, and as part of a multi-disciplinary team
* Knowledge of when to seek advice and elevate to the appropriate professional for expert help and advice
* Knowledge of multi‑agency health & social care pathways
* Experience of providing, receiving, interpreting and using complex, sensitive information
* Knowledge of Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults procedures
* Knowledge of order comms (OCS), ICE discharge and Medway
Skills
* Insight into how to evaluate own strengths and development needs, seeking advice where appropriate
* Ability to maintain high standards of quality in corporate and clinical record keeping; ensuring information is always recorded accurately, appropriately and kept up to date
* Able to demonstrate working on own initiative within set boundaries
* Ability to communicate effectively (written, digital, verbal and non‑verbal communication) with patients, relatives, carers and all members of the multi-disciplinary team
* Ability to support, supervise, assess and act as a role model to learners and health care support workers as required within the clinical setting
* Able to carry out manual handling tasks in relation to direct patient care requirements
* Able to deal with non‑routine and unpredictable nature of the workload
* Able to evaluate, act upon and report appropriately a range of clinical values when recording patient's vital signs
* Venepuncture, Cannulation, and ECG training
Other
* Motivated individual, commitment to personal and professional development
* Capacity to work with colleagues at all levels
* Open minded, treats colleagues and the general public with dignity and respect
* Demonstrate the Trust core values
* Ability to travel independently to and from a patients place of residence
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.
Employer name
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
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