Choose Well - Choose WWL
Job overview
The role of the Nursing Associate is to work with the multi professional team and the Registered Nurse contributing to the ongoing assessment, providing and monitoring care in line with the service pathways and as agreed with supervising clinician(s). 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 Nursing Associate 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 Nursing Associate will help to bridge the gap between Health Care Assistants and Registered Nurses by working independently under the leadership of Registered Nurses, working within the sphere of nursing and care and within all aspects of the nursing process.
Nursing Associates are equipped with the knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes and behaviours relevant to employment; and will act in accordance with the NMC Code: Professional standards of practice and behavior for nurses, midwives and nursing associates.
Main duties of the job
Under the supervision and working in partnership with a registered nurse provide and deliver a high standard of nursing care contributing to the ongoing assessment, providing and monitoring care based on evidence and working in partnership with the multi-disciplinary team.
safely undertake the following procedures to meet the patient’s nursing needs to include; undertaking routine procedures including venepuncture, ECG recording, measuring and interpreting blood glucose levels, recording and interpreting vital signs, continence care, bladder and bowel care, pressure area care, wound care, nutrition, hydration, foot care, skin integrity, mood identification Identify and report changes in a patient’s condition to a registered nurse.
Work with the registered nurse and engage with other agencies and community teams to ensure a safe, individualised approach to the admission and discharge of patients.
Maintain accurate, contemporaneous patient records in line with Trust policy and the NMC Code.
Provide effective evidence based care for service users under the supervision of registered nurses in order to perform non-complex activities, in line with clinical governance and professional standards.
Working for our organisation
Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that ‘happy staff, makes for happy patients’. We have a recognised track record in staff engagement, and living our values ‘the WWL Way’.
WWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. With this in mind we are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs.
At WWL we value the benefits a rich and diverse workforce brings to our community and therefore welcome applications from all sections of society.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Communicate effectively with dignity and respect to all patients, relatives and others giving consideration to potential barriers to understanding.
Communicate effectively with colleagues, providing clear verbal, digital or written information and instructions when sharing information, delegating or handing over responsibility for care.
Report accidents, incidents, near misses or complaints following Trust policies/procedures.
Contribute to a culture where all staff feel safe to raise their concerns [and that] speaking up about what these are is a normal part of their routine.
Recognise the effects of medicines, allergies, drug sensitivity, side effects, contraindications and adverse reactions.
Undertake safe and effective administration and optimisation of medicines in accordance with Trust policy and the NMC standards of proficiency for nursing associates.
Administer medicines via the following routes, oral, topical, rectal, subcutaneous and intramuscular in line with NMC Standards and Trust policies.
Maintain own continuing professional development in accordance with NMC CPD requirements and contribute to formulation of own objectives and personal development plan.
Support, supervise, teach (where appropriate) and act as a role model to trainee nursing associates, student nurses, healthcare support workers and new staff members, promoting reflection and providing constructive feedback.
Act as a professional role model and in accordance with the NMC Code and the NMC Standards for Nursing Associates.
Act in accordance with all organisational policies and procedures and within expected values and behaviours.
Actively participate in and attend ward/unit meetings.
Frequently use concentration and experience work patterns which are unpredictable with regular interruptions, some requiring immediate response
Maintain a professional approach while working in challenging, distressing situations or dealing with challenging behaviour
To be aware of resources and give high quality cost effective care.
In conjunction with the ward manager, and Registered Nurses, introduce new staff to the ward and their duties.
Compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 – the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards, and a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.
Take personal responsibility for developing and maintaining own knowledge, clinical skills and professional awareness in conjunction with NMC guidance.
Attend mandatory training as directed by Trust.
In conjunction with ward manager and Registered Nurses, help create and maintain a suitable learning environment for staff and students and act as a Practice supervisor in the supervision and teaching of less experienced staff.
It is a requirement for all staff to comply with all infection control policies and procedures as set out in the Trust Infection Control manual and ensure that all staff have appropriate training and assessment to reduce hospital infections. Ensure root cause analysis is undertaken and action plans agreed and updated for HAIs.
The post holder has a responsibility to ensure the preservation of NHS property and resources.
The post holder is required to maintain confidentiality at all times in all aspects of their work.
The Trust operates a system of Team Briefing, which is based on the principles that people will be more committed to their work if they fully understand the reason behind what is happening in their organisation and how it is performing.
The Trust operates a No Smoking Policy.
All Wrightington Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust staff employed within Clinical Environments and have contact with children, vulnerable adults; service users and their families must familiarise themselves, be aware of their responsibilities and adhere to Local Safeguarding Children’s Board, Local Safeguarding Adult Board and WWL Procedures for Safeguarding and Protecting Children which are available on the Trust Policy Library.
In accordance with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, employees who are required to interact regularly with the public, both face to face, and by telephone, are required to be able to speak English to an appropriate standard relevant to their role, i.e. with confidence and accuracy, using correct sentence structures and vocabulary, and without hesitation.
Compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and Information Governance – the postholder is not entitled to use for their own benefit or gain, or to divulge to any persons, firm or other organisation whatsoever, any confidential information belonging to the Trust or relating to the Trust’s affairs or dealings which may come to their knowledge during employment.
Compliance with the Health & Social Care Act 2008 – Code of Practice on the Prevention and Control of Infections and related guidance – the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the reduction and management of healthcare related infection in all of their actions. This entails compliance with Trust Infection Prevention and Control policy and related Standard Operating Procedure (SOP’s); along with risk assessment of all situations; as staff have a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions. Staff must be fully compliant with Trust Infection prevention and Control eLearning policy.
All applicants to any post within the Trust are required to declare any involvement either directly or indirectly with any firm, company, relevant person or organisation which has any interest with the Trust, the services provided by the Trust or any element of patient care. Failure to do so may result in an employment application being rejected, or if it is discovered after appointment the omission of such information could lead to dismissal. This includes any form of private practice relating to medical care.
Compliance with Trust Policies and Procedures including the Code of Conduct.
Compliance with Standing Financial Instructions (SFIs) – The SFI’s identify the financial responsibilities which apply to everyone working for the Foundation Trust and its constituent organisations including trading units. Failure to comply with Standing Financial Instructions can in certain circumstances be regarded as a disciplinary matter that could result in dismissal. Compliance with the SFIs is monitored by the Finance Department and post holders are therefore required to understand their responsibilities outlined within this document and ensure compliance with its instructions.
Responsibility for all records (including patient health, financial, personal and administrative) that they gather or use as part of their work within the trust. The records may be paper, electronic, microfiche, audio or videotapes, x-ray images.
Any other duties appropriate to the grade. The range of duties and responsibilities outlined above are indicative only and are intended to give a broad flavour of the range and type of duties that will be allocated. They are subject to modification in the light of changing service demands and the development requirements of the postholder.
Person specification
Skills
Essential criteria
1. Ability to take part in reflective practice and clinical supervision activities
2. Ability to organise and prioritise own delegated workload
3. Ability to deal with non- routine and unpredictable nature of workload and individual patient contact
4. Ability to communicate effectively (written, verbal and non - verbal communication) with patients/relatives and carers and all members of the multi-disciplinary team
5. Ability to develop effective and appropriate relationships with people, their families, carers and colleagues
6. Ability to support, supervise, assess and act as a role model to nursing associate students, other learners and health care support workers as required within the clinical setting
7. Have effective time management skills and the ability to prioritise
8. Maintain high standards of quality in corporate and clinical record keeping ensuring information is always recorded accurately, appropriately and kept up to date
Qualifications
Essential criteria
9. Registered Nursing Associate on the NMC Register with a Foundation Degree
10. GCSEs Grade C or above in Maths and English Language / New GCSE Grade 4-9 in Maths and English Language OR Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths and English or Equivalent (not entry level 2)
Desirable criteria
11. QCF in Care / Health and Social Care Level 2/3 or equivalent experience
Additional
Essential criteria
12. Positive approach to work
13. Speak English to an appropriate standard relevant to their role, i.e. with confidence and accuracy, using correct sentence structures and vocabulary, and without hesitation.
14. Open minded, treats colleagues and the general public with dignity and respect
15. Compassionate and caring
Knowledge
Essential criteria
16. Understanding of the scope of the role of the Nursing Associate in context of the nursing and interdisciplinary team and the organisation, and how the role may contribute to service
17. Understands and acts in line with NMC professional standards for practice contained within The Code
18. Knowledge of when to seek advice and escalate to the appropriate professional for expert help and advice
19. Understand requirements for NMC professional Revalidation
20. Understanding of the importance of following procedures and treatment plans
Use of Artificial Intelligence in Job Applications
If you choose to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) or other automated tools to help draft your application, please ensure all content is personalised and an accurate reflection of your own skills, experience and professional judgement. AI may be useful for idea generation, grammar, or formatting, but it must not replace your own supporting statement or be relied on as the sole source of content.
Wrightington Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust does not advocate reliance on AI during applications and expects applications to be genuine and tailored to the role; over-reliance on AI-generated text may negatively affect your application.
For further information and best practice on using AI when applying for NHS roles, please refer to the attached “Applying for a role in the NHS guidance”.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
21. Job Description (PDF, 296.4KB)
22. Person Specification (PDF, 80.4KB)
23. What WWL can offer you (PDF, 42.7KB)
24. Applying for NHS vacancies guidance (PDF, 241.2KB)
Apply online now
Further details / informal visits contact
NameGeoff ConwayJob titleSODPEmail addressgeoff.d.conway@wwl.nhs.ukTelephone number01942264254