Nursing Associate

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Purpose

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 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 as a nursing associate and will work to a nationally recognised code of conduct (NMC).

The following criteria identify the core components of the role, responsibilities and accountabilities of nursing associates. They identify what nursing associates can contribute to the health and wellbeing of patients and service users, and apply across all health and care settings. Integral to all of these is the ability to communicate effectively, with sensitivity and compassion, and to manage relationships with people, making reasonable adjustments where necessary.

The nursing associate will work with the multi-disciplinary team delivering care; they will have knowledge and understanding of the different roles within the team and how these roles influence and contribute to patient care

Main duties and Responsibilities

• Act in the best interests of the people they care for
• Put people first and provide nursing care that is person centered, safe and Compassionate
• Contributes to the provision of care for people, including those with complex needs
• Acts professionally at all times
• Use knowledge and experience to make evidence-based decisions and solve

Problems

• Recognise and work within the limits of their competence
• Be accountable for their actions

Promoting health and preventing ill health

• Support people to improve and maintain their mental, physical, behavioural health and well-being
• Active involvement in the prevention of and protection against disease and ill health

Provide and monitor care

Nursing Associates act in the best interest of people, putting them first and providing nursing care that is person centred, safe and compassionate. The Nursing associate acts professionally at all times and use their knowledge and experience to make evidenced based decisions and solve problems. The Nursing Associate recognises and works within the limits of their competence and is responsible and accountable for their actions.

As a Nursing associate you will:-

• 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 a Nursing Associate
• Exercise judgment in assessing patient condition, comfort and wellbeing using analysis of a range of possible factors
• Demonstrate ability to deliver safe care, contribute to ongoing assessment recognising when it is necessary to refer and escalate to others for reassessment
• Develop 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
• Provide compassionate, safe and effective care and support to people in a range of care settings
• Monitor the condition and health needs of people within their care on a continual basis in partnership with people, families, and carers
• Provide and monitor care
• Support individuals with all aspects of care including daily living, providing person-centred care and promoting health and independence through awareness raising and care navigation to other professionals as appropriate
• Perform and record clinical observations including:-
• Use manual techniques and automated devices to take, record and interpret vital signs including, blood pressure, temperature, respirations, pulse and oximetry in order to identify signs of improvement, deterioration or concern
• Undertake, interpret, record and escalate neurological observations
• Accurately measure weight and height, calculate BMI and recognise healthy ranges and clinically significant low/height readings
• Undertake venepuncture
• Insertion of and removal of peripheral venous catheters
• Support blood transfusions (complete observations, observing for reactions and escalate concerns)
• Perform electrocardiograph (ECG) procedures
• Perform wound drainage care and removal of wound drains
• Removal of clips and sutures
• Insertion and removal of catheters according to local practice and guidelines
• Catheter care including management of blocked catheters
• Measure and interpret blood glucose levels
• Recognise and escalate signs of all forms of abuse
• Recognise and escalate signs of self-harm and or suicidal ideations
• Recognise and react to signs of mental and emotional distress
• Tissue viability risk assessments and wound dressings within scope of knowledge and with appropriate support from RN and or TVN
• Use of naso-gastric tubes; ensuring policy & procedure is followed to confirm the correct location of the tube prior to utilisation
• Management of enteral feeding tube
• Recognise emergency situations and commence basic life support as required
• Assist in the delivery of complex care as prescribed by the registered nurse / clinician
• Demonstrates good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act / Deprivation of Liberties and applies principles to everyday practice
• Record all care delivered appropriately and contemporaneously, documentation must be clear, concise and legible; any documentation must also be signed, stamped and dated.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues, providing clear verbal, digital or written information and instructions when sharing information, delegating or handing over responsibility for care
• Recognise and report any situations, behaviours or errors that could result in poor care outcomes
• Recognise the different ways by which medicines can be prescribed
• Administer medication (oral, topical, inhaled, SC, IM, PR and enteral feeding tube) according to the standards set out by the NMC (after being assessed as competent)
• Demonstrates the ability to recognize the effects of medicines, allergies, drug sensitivity, side effects, contraindications and adverse reactions
• Be second checker and recorder for controlled drugs
• Ensure ability to manage electronic records system taking cognisance of need to protect access (ID, passwords, swipe cards)

This is not an exhaustive list; any additional competency-based skills relevant to clinical area / speciality can be attained

Working in teams

• Play an active role as a member of the multi-disciplinary team
• Work collaboratively with the nursing team
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with nurses, a range of other health and care professionals and lay carers
• Act appropriately to supervision and direction from more senior nurses
• Support and supervise the learning development of other members of the team including:- healthcare assistants, students nurses, trainee nursing associates, trainee assistant practitioners, apprentice nurses, and volunteers
• Provide concise handovers to other members of the multi-disciplinary team

Improving safety and quality of care

• Improve the quality of care by contributing to the continuous monitoring of people’s experience of care
• Identify risks to safety or experience and take appropriate action, putting the best interests, needs and preferences of people first
• Reporting / escalating any safety, safeguarding or risk concerns to the appropriate member of staff and ensuring that action is taken post reporting. Participate in audit and review of patients care
• Exercise judgment in assessing patient condition, comfort and well-being using analysis of a range of possible factors
• Delegate appropriately to other members of the clinical team

Contributing to integrated care

• Contribute to the provision of care for people; including those with complex needs
• Understand the roles of a range of professionals and carers from other organisations and settings who may be participating in the care of a person and their family
• Understand responsibilities in relation to communication and collaboration across the full range of healthcare settings

Professional

• Abide by The Code (NMC) and uphold the reputation of the profession
• Adhere to the professional standards set out by the NMC for nursing associates
• Maintain and strive to improve your knowledge, ensure that all Statutory and mandatory training is completed
• Follow the policies and procedures of the Trust
• Maintains own work profile to ensure revalidation standards are met
• Contribute and participate in the development of colleague’s professional practice across the Trust through leading ward and/or department projects, and supporting training
• Act as a role model by upholding and implementing good practice in the workplace, challenging any poor practice observed
• Engage in reflective practice including management of self-reflection on own reactions, and difficult situation

Relationships

Internal: Ward Managers, Ward Sisters, Registered Nurses, Healthcare Assistants,  

Director and Deputy Director of Nursing, Consultants, Doctors, All 

Members of the Multi-Disciplinary Team, Practice Facilitators,  Porters,

Security, Specialist Nurses, Ward Clerks, Patients 

External: Carers, Relatives, Visitors, Other NHS Trusts, Social Services

For a full comprehensive list of main responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to job description and personal specification attached.