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
PLEASE NOTE, WE MAY CLOSE THIS VACANCY EARLY IF WE RECEIVE HIGH NUMBERS OF APPLICATIONS.
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
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.
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 family’s 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 Trust’s 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.
This advert closes on Sunday 9 Feb 2025