Band 3 Trainee Nursing Associate - Devizes

at  Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

Poppy Unit are looking for a Band 3 Trainee Nurse Associate to join their experienced Multi Disciplinary Team. The successful applicant will join as a Band 3 Trainee and will be supported through their Nurse Associate training, upon completion they will transition into a Band 4 Nurse Associate within Poppy Unit.
Poppy Unit is a mixed gender 20 bedded acute inpatient ward, providing care for patients from across Wiltshire, Swindon and BaNES. Poppy Unit is based in Devizes, a beautiful rural town nestled in the heart of Wiltshire.
To provide focused, person-centered support to people receiving care, and to contribute to effective care and treatment interventions. To undertake a two-year Nursing Associate Apprenticeship (which will include a Level 5 Foundation Degree), leading to NMC-Registration as a qualified Nursing Associate (at Band 4). Aligning to the six platforms of the NMC Standards of Proficiency for Nursing Associates , the post-holder will:
Develop, demonstrate and practice (under supervision) the required competencies of a Nursing Associate
Contribute to the ongoing assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of secure nursing care interventions
Develop and maintain knowledge, skills and competencies related to the role of a Nursing Associate within the service and through completion of the Nursing Associate training programme / placements
Display proficient attitudes and behaviours compatible with NHS Values
Work with a mentor to take responsibility for developing own clinical competence, leadership and reflective practice skills within the workplace, while on placements and through attending the Nursing Associate Training Programme
The Nursing Associate training programme combines and integrates both academic and work-based learning through close collaboration between employers and education providers.
We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust) a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.
We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.
Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.
At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.
Knowledge, training and experience
Develop knowledge of the scope of practice of the Nursing Associate role within different care settings
Develop and improve practical and theoretical knowledge, competence and skills throughout the Nursing Associate Training Programme and maintain all evidence required
Contribute towards developing a culture of learning and innovation, developing high quality learning environments
Clinical responsibilities – Individual’s 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 blood pressure, temperature, respirations, pulse
Undertake clinical tasks including cannulation, venepuncture, ECGs (under supervision)
Accurately record nutritional and fluid intake
Ensure the privacy, dignity and safety of individuals is maintained at all times
Demonstrate the ability to recognise changing priorities seeking advice and guidance from the Registered Nurse or other registered care professionals as appropriate
Report back and share information with the registered nurses on the condition, behaviour, activity and responses of individuals
Assist in the implementation of appropriate action to meet the specific physical, emotional and psychological, social, cultural and spiritual needs of individuals and carers
Assist in the delivery of complex care [1] as prescribed by the registered nurse
Develop understanding of caring for individuals with particular conditions for example dementia, mental illness, learning disabilities
Develop skills in relation to coaching/teaching individuals/carers/other staff
Assist with the implementation and monitoring of clinical standards and outcomes
Develop a working knowledge of other providers’ resources and referral systems to ensure individual’s needs are met, within parameters of practice
Engage in reflective practice including management of self and reflection on own reactions, asking questions and reflecting on answers given
Demonstrate good understanding of principles of consent and ensure valid consent is obtained prior to undertaking nursing and care procedures
Demonstrate good understanding of the Mental Capacity Act / Deprivation of Liberties and applies principles to everyday practice seeking advice / guidance from the Registered Nurse or registered care professional as required
Policy and service development
Promote health and safety maintaining best practice in health, safety and security
Share ideas with colleagues to improve care and suggest areas for innovation
Participate in audit activities being undertaken in area of practice
Contribute to the improvement of service by reflecting on own practice and supporting that of others
Adhere to legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines both local and national Regularly attend workplace and staff engagement meetings and contribute positively to discussions about the improvement of care
Planning and organisation
Plan and manage competing demands of job role, study and placement activities
Work in an effective and organised manner demonstrating excellent time management and organisational skills to effectively deliver person-centred care for an allocated group of individuals
Deliver effective care following treatment plans determined by the Registered Nurse or registered care professional and provide feedback on progress against the plan
Communication and relationships
Communicate effectively across a wide range of channels and with a wide range of individuals, the public, health and social care professionals, maintaining the focus of communication on delivering and improving health and care services
Demonstrate those inter-personal skills that promote clarity, compassion, empathy, respect and trust
Contribute to team success and challenge others constructively
Communicate with individuals, carers and other visitors in a courteous and helpful manner, whilst being mindful that there may be barriers to understanding
Report to appropriate registered care professional information received from the individuals, carers and members of the team
Ensure all patient related information is treated sensitively and adhere to the principals of confidentiality at all times
Report any accidents or incidents and raise any concerns as per organisational policy
Ensure clear, concise, accurate and legible records and all communication is maintained in relation to care delivered adhering to local and national guidance
Ensure ability to manage electronic records system taking cognisance of need to protect access (ID, passwords, swipe cards)
Analytical and judgmental skills
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 trainee Nursing Associate
Exercise judgment in assessing patient condition, comfort and wellbeing using analysis of a range of possible factors
Ensure that only those activities for which competence has been achieved are undertaken without supervision and that recognition is given to the impact and consequences of practising outside capability
Physical skills requirement
Use frequent moderate effort when undertaking carrying out the manual handling of individuals and equipment in line with organisational guidelines
Use skills of manual dexterity and manipulation of clinical instruments and equipment
Use a combination of standing, walking bending and stretching throughout the shift
Financial and physical resources
Exercise personal duty of care in the safe use and storage of equipment
Be environmentally aware and prudent in use of resources and energy
Human resources
Act in ways which support equality and value diversity
Demonstrate own duties to new or less experienced staff
Support development of less experienced staff and students
Information resources
Develop skills to maintain professional standards of record keeping
Follow all information governance guidance and policies
Maintain confidentiality as outlined within data protection policies
Freedom to Act
Work to standard operating procedures with registered care professionals available for reference
Work within the organisational policy, procedures and guidelines
Work within the trainee Nursing Associate parameters of practice
Be responsible and accountable for own practice, working within limits of competence and within professional boundaries
Raise any concerns to a registered care professional or appropriate person
Mental and Emotional effort
Frequently use concentration and experience work patterns which are unpredictable with regular interruptions, some requiring immediate response
Maintain a professional approach while working in challenging, distressing situations or dealing with challenging behaviour
Support individuals, their families and carers when faced with unwelcome news and life changing diagnoses
Working conditions
Dependent on care setting, have frequent exposure to potentially unpleasant working conditions (e.g. working with uncontained body fluids and challenging behaviour)
Teaching and Training
Be proactive in seeking opportunities to develop own knowledge and skills, achieving clinical competencies and Foundation Degree / Level 5 qualification within agreed timeframes. Seeks support / guidance in timely manner if any difficulties are encountered
Work in partnership with manager to develop and deliver on Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound (SMART) objectives at annual appraisal and personal development planning meeting
Take responsibility for organising and attending statutory / mandatory updates in accordance with organisational requirements
Act as an excellent role model by upholding and implementing good practice in the workplace. Recognising and either directly challenging or seeks support to challenge any poor practice observed
[1] Nursing Associates can deliver complex care, defined as patients with complex care needs with a combination of multiple chronic conditions, mental health issues, medication-related problems, and social vulnerability if a specific protocol has been written for that group of employee

Please refer the Job description for details