Nursing Support Worker

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click "Apply now" to view in Trac.

Planning and Design

Plan and prioritise own delegated workload, ensuring tasks are completed efficiently, safely and effectively, using your initiative to prioritise the work based on the needs of patients, adjusting to ensure emergencies and priority tasks are completed to deadlines.

Work within established procedures when delivering care; and under the supervision of a registered healthcare professional.

 Clinical

Undertake care as directed by the registered health-care professional, following agreed care plans, providing information to the registered healthcare professional that will enable the monitoring and amendment of care plans.

Obtain informed consent prior to providing care, understanding the actions required if care is declined.

Undertake high standards of infection prevention control in the healthcare setting, through effective hand hygiene practices, maintaining a clean environment and cleaning of equipment

Record accurate and timely information in the appropriate documentation including documenting for example weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and recording of nutrition and hydration.

Undertake and record physiological measurements such as temperature, manual blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation, including recording information on Early Warning Score charts where applicable, and reporting all findings to the registered healthcare professional.

Undertake Point of Care testing, for example carrying out urinalysis and escalating any abnormalities, recording blood glucose, including conducting compliance with both internal and external quality assessment of equipment.

Obtain diagnostic samples, for example collecting urine samples / faecal samples/ sputum samples, wound swabs, obtaining venous blood samples ensuring the correct handling and sending of specimens whilst adhering to infection control and local guidance polices. NB this may vary depending on area of work.

Undertake delegated care duties as directed by a registered healthcare professional, examples of which may include but not limited to, recording Electrocardiogram (ECG), care of and removal of urinary catheters, care of stomas, undertaking simple wound dressings and wound observation, removal of peripheral cannula. NB this list is not exhaustive and maybe specific to role/area of work.

Escort patients to other departments within the healthcare setting under the delegation of a registered healthcare professional.

 Act as a chaperone when appropriate supporting and preparing patients for / during medical interventions or procedures.

Ensure the safety of patients/clients requiring increased level of supervision, for example patients at risk of falls, patients with memory impairment, behavioral needs, mental health/ learning disabilities care needs, reporting any changes to the registered healthcare professional without delay.

Adhere to, and follow the principles of safeguarding children and adults, promptly reporting any concerns to the registered healthcare professional.

Participate in clinical emergencies, summoning assistance and following local or national guidance, working as a member of the multi-disciplinary team within scope of practice.

 Act on own initiative within their scope of practice recognising and reporting observed changes in the patient’s physical and psychological needs to a registered healthcare professional.

Stock and Equipment

Maintain adequate levels of stock, equipment and materials and facilitate the efficient, effective use of resources; reporting when availability falls below an acceptable standard or level.

Maintain the cleanliness of equipment in all clinical and non-clinical areas, this includes cleaning all types of equipment, and rooms/areas within the care setting.

 Undertake safe custody, return or disposal of individual’s property.

Undertake the correct disposal of linen and used clinical waste, and cleaning of the clinical environment of care.

Check the functionality of equipment that is used by patients and clients and report any issues to an appropriate team member.

 Communications

Provide appropriate routine information effectively to patients, carers and other staff, using appropriate communication techniques to overcome any barriers to understanding and providing support using empathy and tact during distressing or emotional events. This may include interacting with patients/families who have additional needs, for example learning disabilities or language/communication barriers.

Communicate clearly and effectively with the multi-disciplinary team, accepting instructions and giving feedback on patient care and activities to relevant registered health care professionals where required.

 Respond appropriately to routine queries, take phone messages and pass on written and verbal information to patients and staff in a timely manner.

Promote health education specific to the clinical area and in line with national and local policies. 

Improvement and Monitoring

Required to follow all legislation and organisational policies and procedures, will be asked to comment on procedures for own area of activity, and suggest improvements which will contribute to the efficient running of the service supporting better patient experience.

Adhere to standard operating procedures, guidelines and policies whilst delivering care, for example if working in community settings adhere to the lone worker policy/procedure in order to maintain own and others personal safety.

Contribute to research, audits, quality improvement initiatives and clinical trials programmes as required carried out within the area of work.

Management, Leadership and/or Training

Supervise the work of Band 2 Nursing Healthcare Support workers and apprentices.

Work alongside student nurses, those on work experience placement and nurse cadets providing support.

Delegate work to appropriate staff to ensure services are met.

Digital and Information    

Maintain accurate records in both written and electronic formats, adhering to data governance, confidentiality, and cybersecurity policies

Where appropriate demonstrates proficiency in selecting and using digital tools for daily tasks, training, communication, and supporting individuals in safely using digital healthcare methods.