Bath Independents PCN

Nursing Associate Job Description

Job Title: Nursing Associate

Hours: 37.5 hrs p/week Job Share would be considered
Salary: Band 4 Equivalent
Term: Permanent
Responsible To: Clinical Director, PCN Manager, Lead Nurse, and Practice
Manager
Responsible For: Working as part of a multi-disciplinary practice team to monitor
care under direct or indirect supervision.
Bath Independents Batheaston Medical Centre, Fairfield Park Health Centre and
PCN Widcombe Surgery
How to apply: Please send your current C.V and covering letter to
marie.strachan@nhs.net (PCN Manager), if you would like an
informal chat, please email Marie, who can arrange a convenient
time to discuss.

Job Summary:

ABOUT BATH INDEPENDENTS PCN

Bath Independents Primary Care Network (PCN) is a group of 3 GP practices in Bath,

(Batheaston, Fairfield Park and Widcombe Surgeries) We deliver strong patient care to our
30,000-patient population working collaboratively as a team.

Our PCN is excited to be expanding its nursing team and are looking for a qualified Nursing
Associate to join us. This post will initially be working at Fairfield Park Health Centre to
cover maternity leave with a view to join our home visiting team offering proactive care to our
house bound patients. With two Nursing Associates already working within practices, there
are opportunities for shared learning and mutual support. As a PCN we are keen to support
professional development and further training. The Nursing Associate Team is supported by
the Practice Lead Nurses, Practice Manager, Clinical Director and PCN Manager.

GENERAL

This job description is not a definitive or exhaustive list of responsibilities but identifies the
key responsibilities and tasks that a Nursing Associate MAY perform.
The actual duties of the post holder will be negotiated depending on the PCN’s needs,
contractual obligations and the Nursing Associate’s knowledge, expertise and experience.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
The following are the core responsibilities of the Nursing Associate. There may be, on
occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks; this will be dependent upon factors such as
workload and staffing levels. The Nursing Associate will work within their scope of clinical

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 Bath Independents PCN
Nursing Associate Job Description

practice and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) code, supported by supervision from
a Lead Nurse, and:
 Carry out Chronic Disease Management annual reviews delegated by a supervising
Nurse or senior colleague
 Monitor and support the lead nurse with the management of patients with long-term
conditions / chronic diseases, using a holistic patient centred approach.
 Assist in and perform routine tasks related to patient care as directed by senior
nursing staff and GPs
 Be able to take vital signs and observations and identify signs of improvement, report
any deteriorations or concerns, e.g. pulse, blood pressure, respirations, oxygen
saturations, peak flow, blood glucose levels, ECG, assessing nutrition and hydration
 Undertake wound care and management, as required
 Administer medications as prescribed and in accordance with NMC Standards, e.g.
via nebuliser or injections using sub-cutaneous or intramuscular route under Patient
Specific Directions
 Following agreed clinical protocols with referral to senior nurses or GPs as
appropriate assist in the assessment, planning, development, implementation and
evaluation of programmes to promote health and well-being and prevent adverse
effects on health and well-being.
 Deliver opportunistic health promotion using opportunities such as new-patient
medicals and NHS Health Checks.
 Document Consultations accurately and appropriately, according to NMC guidelines
 Ensure awareness of statutory and local clinical adult and children safeguarding
protection procedures, including systems of referral. Ability to recognise signs and
symptoms of abuse/neglect
 Ensure all mandatory training is completed on an annual basis including
safeguarding, confidentiality, Equality + Diversity etc.
 Recognise and manage anaphylaxis according to current UK guidelines.
 Be able to perform Cardio-pulmonary resuscitation according to current UK
guidelines.
 Obtain and document informed consent (either verbal or written), as required.
 Ensure infection prevention and control guidelines are maintained.
 Chaperone and assist patients, where appropriate, who are being examined by
another clinician
 Assist GPs, e.g. with minor surgery and family planning clinics
 Undertake pathology tests, for example urine culture, swabs
 Ensure confidentially of information gained at work is preserved at all times.
 Assist in practice audits, CQC compliance evidence and QOF recalls.
 Participate and contribute towards any local incentive project relevant to the role.
 Cytology
 Childhood Immunisations & Vaccinations
 Vaccinations (e.g. travel, influenza etc.)

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Nursing Associate Job Description

Providing assessment, screening and treatment services and health education advice
 Provide nursing treatments to patients in participation with general practitioners or
Senior Nurse to agreed protocols.
 Provide general and specific health screenings to the practices’ patients (within
agreed protocols) with referral to general practitioners as necessary.
 Advise patients on general health care with referral to GPs as necessary.
Supplies and equipment – Treatment room and other areas
 Ability to monitor and manage maintenance of stock and equipment to include
refrigeration and emergency equipment.
Pathological specimens and investigatory procedures
 Following appropriate training, undertake the collection, storage and despatch of
pathological specimens including intravenous blood samples, swabs, smears etc and
ensure the cleanliness of any equipment so used. Perform any investigatory
procedures requested by the GPs or senior Nurse
Administrative and professional responsibilities
 Recognise and work within own competence and professional code of conduct as
regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
 Participate in the administrative and professional responsibilities of the practices’
team/s.
 Ensure accurate notes of all consultations and treatments are recorded in the
patients’ notes on the clinical computer system as appropriate.
 Ensure accurate completion of all necessary documentation associated with patient
health care and registration with the practice/s.
 Ensure collection and maintenance of statistical information required for regular and
ad hoc reports.
 Attend and participate in meetings as required.
Managerial
 Contribute to the assessment of service needs.
 Assist patients to identify their health needs.
 Contribute a nursing perspective to the practice/PCN development plan as required.
 Manage and organise individual patient consultations.
 Aware of identification and reporting procedures related to professional standards.
 Ensure effective relationships and communications with colleagues and other
agencies.
 Support the clinical governance agenda.
 Identify potential changes to clinical practice that are required to implement evidence-
based guidelines
Research projects
 Co-operate and participate as required in any research projects as identified.

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Nursing Associate Job Description

Student/staff education and training

 Contribute towards the education and training of Nursing Associate students, health
care support workers and those new to Primary care roles.
 The induction of relevant members of practice staff with special responsibility for
Health Care Assistants as required.
Liaison
 Maintain effective liaison with other agencies and staff concerned with patient care
and with all other disciplines, with appropriate regard to confidentiality.

Conduct
 To demonstrate professional and ethical behaviours always including when liaising
with internal and external colleagues.

Confidentiality:
 While seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive
information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and
have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately
 In the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post-holder may
have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carer’s, staff and
other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the
practices as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be
regarded as strictly confidential
 Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the
business of the practices may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance
with practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of
personal and sensitive data

Health & Safety:

The post-holder will contribute to, and implement, a full range of promotion and management
of their own and others’ health and safety and infection control as defined in the practices’
Health & Safety policy, the practices’ Health & Safety manual, and the practices’ Infection
Control policy and published procedures. This will include (but will not be limited to):
 Using personal security systems within the workplace according to prescribed
guidelines
 Awareness of national standards of infection prevention and control and cleanliness
and regulatory / contractual / professional requirements, and good practice guidelines
 Responsibility for the correct and safe management of the specimen’s process
including collection, labelling, handling, use of correct and clean containers, storage
and transport arrangements
 Management and maintenance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including
provision, ordering, availability and ongoing correct usage by staff
 Responsibility for hand hygiene
 Working within infection prevention and control, and clinically based patient care,
protocols
 Actively reviewing own working practices in relation to infection prevention and
control, cleanliness and related activities, ensuring that procedures are followed, and
weaknesses / training needs are identified, escalating issues as appropriate

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 Bath Independents PCN
Nursing Associate Job Description

 Contributing to Practice/Organisation risk assessments as requested

 Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills, and initiate and
manage the training of others across the full range of infection prevention and control
and patient processes
 Monitoring practice facilities and equipment in relation to infection prevention and
control, ensuring that provision of hand cleansing facilities, wipes etc are sufficient to
ensure a good clinical working environment and reporting any issues as appropriate
 Safe management of sharps procedures including training, use, storage and disposal
 Using appropriate infection prevention and control procedures, maintaining work
areas in a tidy, clean and sterile, and safe way, free from hazards. Initiation of
remedial / corrective action where needed or escalation to responsible management
 Actively identifying, reporting, and correction of health and safety hazards and
infection hazards immediately when recognised
 Keeping own work areas and general / patient areas generally clean, sterile,
identifying issues and hazards / risks in relation to other work areas and assuming
responsibility in the maintenance of general standards of cleanliness in consultation
(where appropriate) with other senior staff members
 Undertaking annual infection prevention and control training
 Maintaining own team area/s, to prescribed standards
 Complying with Practices’ Policies in relation to waste management including
collection, handling, segregation, container management, storage and collection
 Spillage control procedures, management and training
 Decontamination control procedures, management and training, and equipment
maintenance
 Maintenance of sterile environments
 Reporting potential risks identified.

Equality and Diversity:

The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and
colleagues, to include:
 Acting in a way that recognises the importance of people’s rights, interpreting them in
a way that is consistent with the practices procedures and policies, and current
legislation
 Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues
 Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental
and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights.

Personal/Professional Development:
The post-holder will:
 Maintain and develop professional development and education either virtually or by
attendance at courses and study days as deemed useful or necessary for the needs
of the service
 Participate in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility
for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development

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 Take responsibility for own development, learning and performance and

demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work.

Quality
The post-holder will strive to maintain quality, and will:
 Manage and assess risk within the areas of responsibility, ensuring adequate
measures are in place to protect staff and patients
 Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk
 Monitor work areas and practices to ensure they are safe and free from hazards and
conform to health, safety and security legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines
 Ensure safe storage, rotation and disposal of vaccines and drugs is undertaken.
Where appropriate, oversee the monitoring, stock control and documentation of
controlled drug usage according to legal requirements
 Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities
and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the team’s performance
 Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients’ needs
 Effectively manage own time, workload and resources.
 Undertake mandatory and statutory training
 Apply infection prevention and control measures within the practice according to local
and national guidelines
 Apply policies that reduce environmental health risks, are culturally sensitive and
increase access to health care for all

Communication:
The post-holder should recognise the importance of effective communication within the team
and will strive to:
 Communicate effectively with other team members
 Communicate effectively with patients and carers
 Recognise people’s needs for alternative methods of communication and respond
accordingly
 Communicate with other NHS Bodies

Safeguarding:
All staff will receive training on Child & Adult Protection; Safeguarding Children & Adult
Policies and Procedures as part of their Induction and annual updates. This training will
equip the post holder with the knowledge of what to do if they have concerns about the
welfare of a child or adult.

Flexibility
This role profile is intended to provide a broad outline of the main responsibilities only. The
post holder will need to be flexible in developing the role to ensure business needs are
satisfied.
Contribution to the Implementation of Services
The post-holder will:

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 Apply relevant policies, standards and guidance

 Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines
will affect own work
 Work with other nurses and team members to ensure sufficient staff of appropriate
ability, quality and skill mix are available to meet the needs of patients
 Participate in audit where appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING FOR THIS JOB

The Nursing Associate must meet the specific qualification and training requirements as
specified in the Nursing Midwifery Standards of proficiency by having undertaken and
completed the two-year Foundation Degree delivered by a Nursing and Midwifery Council
(NMC) - approved provider and is registered with the NMC and revalidation is undertaken in
line with NMC requirements.

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS FOR THIS JOB

 Demonstrates general clinical skills and knowledge in core areas, within the capacity
of their role.
 Demonstrates accountability for delivering professional expertise and direct service
provision as an individual
 Demonstrates ability to use skills in a range of routine situations requiring analysis or
comparison of a range of options
 Recognises priorities when problem-solving and identifies deviations from the normal
pattern and can refer to senior staff members or GPs when appropriate
 Can follow legal, ethical, professional and Organisational policies/procedures and
codes of conduct
 Involves patients in decisions about prescribed medicines and supporting adherence
as per NICE guidance.

COLLABORATIVE WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

 Recognises the roles of other colleagues within the Organisation and their role to
patient care.
 Demonstrates appropriate communication with patients, colleagues and Community
Teams
 Demonstrates ability to work as a member of a team.
 Can recognise personal limitations and refer to more appropriate colleague(s) when
necessary.
 Liaises with other GP Practices and staff as needed for the collective benefit of
patients.
 Contributes to Team Meetings and Primary Care Network Team meetings.

LEADERSHIP
 Demonstrates understanding of the Nursing Associate’s role in governance and can
implement this appropriately within the workplace.

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 Demonstrates understanding of, and contributes to, the workplace vision.

 Demonstrates ability to improve quality within limitations of service.
 Reviews progress and develops clear plans to achieve results within priorities set by
others.
 Demonstrates ability to motivate self to achieve goals.

MANAGEMENT
 Demonstrates understanding of the implications of national priorities for the team
and/or service.
 Demonstrates understanding of, and conforms to, relevant standards of practice.
 Demonstrates ability to identify and resolve risk management issues according to
policy/protocol.
 Follows professional and organisational policies/procedures relating to performance
management.
 Demonstrates ability to extend boundaries of service delivery within the team.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

 Understands and demonstrates the characteristics of a role model to members in the
team and/or service.
 Demonstrates understanding of the mentorship process.
 Demonstrates self-development through continuous professional development
activity.
 Demonstrates an understanding of current educational policies relevant to working
areas of practice and keeps up to date with relevant clinical practice.

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Nursing Associate Job Description

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title: Nursing Associate
Essential Desirable
Education Registered Nursing Associate on the o Commitment to Continued
and NMC register. Professional Development through
Qualifications Nursing associate foundation degree further study.
qualification. o Post registration qualification e.g.
cytology, immunisation and
GCSE Grade A-C in Maths & English
vaccination training.
or skills level 2 Maths & English or
equivalent

Knowledge Understanding of the scope of the role o Post registration experience in

and Expertise of the Nursing Associate in context of related environment.
the nursing and interdisciplinary team o Supporting mentorship of student
and the organisation, and how the role nurses.
may contribute to service
development.
Understands and acts in line with
NMC professional standards for
practice contained within The Code.
Knowledge of when to seek advice
and escalate to the appropriate
professional for expert help and
advice.
Understand requirements for NMC
professional revalidation.
Understanding of the importance of
following procedures and treatment
plans.
Experience Experience of working in teams under o Experience of the SystmOne
appropriate supervision as part of a Primary Care Clinical system
multi-disciplinary team. o Experience of Primary Care/GP
Insight into how to evaluate own Practice
strengths and development needs,
seeking advice where appropriate.
Experience of providing and receiving
complex, sensitive information.
Personal Ongoing training and commitment to o Able to work within enhances
Attributes development access hours as required
Excellent interpersonal skills
Effective written, verbal and non-
verbal communication \ carers and all
members of multi-disciplinary teams
Ability to work with patients from a
diverse range of religious, cultural and
social backgrounds to meet their
needs
Flexible and adaptable to change

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