Senior Nursing Assistant

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Patient Care
• Undertake a range of delegated and specific clinical skills for patients that demonstrate an enhanced
level of competency /technical expertise documented in the plan of care (see specific clinical skills).
• Prepare patients, families/carers and the environment for clinical activities supporting and reassuring
patients and their families/carers and preparing specific equipment as necessary.
• Monitor closely patients having undergone a clinical activity ensuring their safety, comfort and well –
being.
• To assist all patients of all genders with their personal care needs, empowering patients, and/or
families/carers and actively encouraging participation. This may involve maintaining hygiene needs
for individuals such as helping patients to wash and dress themselves and assisting with toileting
needs, maintaining privacy and dignity at all times.
• To asses and monitor the patient’s skin integrity and to report and document immediately any
changes or concerns in their condition.
• To demonstrate clinical competence in order to undertake minor dressings and treatment and as
specified in the plan of care and in consultation with the registered practitioner.
• To actively encourage all patients, families/carers to share the responsibility for maintenance of their
health and to promote healthy living where appropriate and identified as part of the care plan.
• Assist patients to mobilise safely taking account of developmental/physical needs, using equipment
and techniques as prescribed and recorded in plan of care and contribute to the falls and moving and
handling risk assessment.
• Assist in the care of a patient requiring end of life care in accordance within their spiritual and cultural
needs.
• Assist as appropriate in the support of families/carers of patients receiving end of life care.
• Recognise when a patient’s condition changes and seek advice and expertise from registered
practitioners in accordance with Trust policy.
• Contribute to, understand and report identified patient risk assessments, e.g. nutritional assessment
scores, slips, trips and falls assessment, e.g. Humpty Dumpty, use of medical devices as appropriate
in line with Trust policy.
• To perform clinical observations (following appropriate assessment of competence) accurately
recording using agreed electronic National Early Warning Systems such as SEND and report and
escalate any concerns appropriately by reporting to the registered practitioner immediately.
• Participate in the initial assessment of patient needs under the direct supervision of a registered
practitioner.
• To assist patients to meet their food and fluid intake giving attention to special diets, supplements,
enteral feeding and cultural requirements and to recognise and understand the importance of
adequate nutrition and hydration. In order to avoid malnutrition ensure an age appropriate nutritional
assessment is undertaken for example, STRONG/MUST. All food, nutritional supplements and fluid
intake should be recorded accurately as required.
• Seek support for self and others following an untoward incident.
• Report and raise concerns in relation to poor practice, attitude and behaviour of any health care
professional through appropriate channels.
• Undertake patient transfer and escort duties between departments as appropriate and as per policy.