Nursing Associate

The successful candidate will provide and maintain a high standard of

nursing care for patients as well as providing nursing assistance to the

doctors and other members of the primary health care team. Supported by nurses

within the practice, they will deliver care within the boundaries of their

role, focusing upon nursing treatments, immunisations including child health immunisations, supporting patients to be healthy, monitoring

of long-term conditions, health prevention and screening activities. She/he will

work collaboratively with the general practice team to meet the needs of

patients, practice key performance indicators and targets, e.g. QOF, support

the delivery of policy and procedures and provide leadership as

required. She/he will support the delivery of high-quality primary care research studies and innovation projects, working collaboratively with GPs, research nurses, external research organisations and study sponsors to promote patient participation while ensuring compliance with study protocols and governance requirements.

FIRSWAY HEALTH CENTRE

Job Title: Nursing Associate

Based: Firsway Health Centre

Reports To: Practice Manager/Lead GP

Hours: Hours per week 22.5

Salary: Dependent upon experience

The post holder will provide and maintain a high standard of nursing care for patients as well as providing nursing assistance to the doctors and other members of the primary health care team. Supported by nurses within the practice, they will deliver care within the boundaries of their role, focusing upon nursing treatments, providing immunisations including child health immunisations, supporting patients to be healthy, monitoring of long-term conditions, health prevention and screening activities. She/he will work collaboratively with the general practice team to meet the needs of patients, practice key performance indicators and targets, e.g. QOF, support the delivery of policy and procedures and provide nurses leadership as required.

Clinical Responsibilities

To provide high quality patient care and treatment.

Participate in setting standards for care and auditing clinical outcomes.

Promote and participate in maintaining a safe comfortable and therapeutic environment.

Participate in developing strategies and promoting health promotion programmes for patients and carers and facilitate screening clinics.

Take responsibility for the safe storage and administration of drugs and equipment.

Provide nursing care in a variety of settings by holistic assessment, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care as appropriate.

Participate in setting and monitoring standards to ensure effective care ensuring delivery of evidence based practice.

Provide information, advice and support to patients face to face and via the telephone Involvement in team discussions to ensure best practice.

Support the delivery of primary care research studies and innovation projects in accordance with study protocols and governance requirements.

Work collaboratively with research nurses, GP's, external research organisations and study sponsors to promote patient participation in research and innovation.

Participate in clinical and non clinical audits where appropriate.

The successful candidate will work within their NMC scope of practice and level of competence, delivering care in accordance with the NMC Code, local policies, procedures and Patient Specific Directions (PSDs), where applicable. The role will include undertaking clinical duties appropriate to the Nursing Associate role and level of competence, including cervical screening where appropriately trained and competent. Nursing Associates undertaking their duties under indirect supervision, with an appropriately registered nurse or GP present on site. The postholder will be expected to maintain their professional competence, undertake appropriate training and work collaboratively with the wider clinical team to ensure safe, effective and patient centred care.

Organisational Skills

To maintain accurate records and data using the EMIS computer clinical system

To work as an effective team member and promote a multi-agency collaborative approach to health care

Maintain the established reporting documentation and communication system.

To maintain a call and recall system

To supervise healthcare support workers.

To report and record all clinical incidents.

Communication

Demonstrate sensitive communication styles to ensure patients are fully informed and consent to treatment.

Communicate with and support patients receiving bad news.

Communicate effectively with patients and carers, recognising the need for alternative methods of communication to overcome different levels of understanding, cultural background and preferred ways of communicating.

Utilise communication skills to support patients to adhere to prescribed treatment regimes.

Anticipate barriers to communication and take action to improve communication.

Maintain effective communication with individuals and groups within the practice environment and with external stakeholders.

Team Working

Understand own role and scope in the organisation and identify how this may develop over time.

Work as an effective and responsible team member, supporting others and exploring the mechanisms to develop new ways of working.

Where involved in delegation of tasks, delegate clearly and appropriately, adopting the principles of safe practice and assessment of competence of those taking on delegated duties.

Ensure clear understanding and utilisation of referral mechanisms within the practice.

Accept delegation from other nurses, prioritise own workload and ensure effective time-management strategies are embedded in own practice.

Work effectively with others to clearly define values, direction and policies impacting upon care delivery.

Participate in team activities that create opportunities to improve patient care.

Participate in and support local projects as agreed with the practice management team.

Maintain close and effective liaison with colleagues.

Maintain good liaison with other NHS professionals, as necessary.

Provide training opportunities for associated health care staff, as appropriate.

Understand and adhere to any statutory regulations that are required of the practice.

Attend and participate in practice meetings, whenever possible.

Personal Development and Training

Understand own role and scope and identify how this may develop over time.

Be actively involved in professional development and maintain a professional profile in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requirements.

Act at all times within the boundaries of the NMC Professional Code of Conduct.

Maintain up-to-date records are per policies and NMC guidance.

Maintain a current NMC registration

Take responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrate skills to other members of staff when required.

Attend any external training course thought to be appropriate to the role.

Management of Risk

We have a large team of staff at Firsway with a nursing team of 6 including 2 Practice Nurses, an Assistant Practitioner and 3 Health Care Assistants. The team is led by a GP and the Practice Manager. We have monthly nurse team meetings and the friendly team works well with each other and the rest of the practice team.

We meet for coffee/clinical debrief every day to unwind and

share information and find that this offers support and good working

relationships across our team. We are

able to offer flexible working conditions with regards to clinic starting

times. We normally hold regular social events for the whole practice too.

The terms and conditions include salary rates comparable

across the sector, NHS pension scheme and 5 weeks annual leave (pro rata) with increase up to 6 weeks for 2 and 5 year service.

Qualifications