Nursing Associate

Job overview

The Palatine Ward is a joint collaboration between the haematology and transplant service and the teenage and young adult (TYA) service, providing high quality care for adult patients with haematological malignancies and TYA (16-24 year old) patients with all types of cancers. We also treat paediatric patients receiving radioiodine treatment.

We are a 31 bedded ward - all rooms are en-suite side rooms - with specialist HEPA side rooms for isolating severely immunocompromised patients. We also have a specialist room for the treatment of patients undergoing radioiodine radiotherapy. We give established evidence-based specialist treatments including chemotherapy and immunotherapy. We are JACIE accredited and regularly carry out autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplants and provide exciting new treatments such as CAR T-cell therapy, all supported by a comprehensive and thorough training process, inclusive of UKONS certificate for the delivery of Systemic Anti-Cancer Treatment (SACT) and care of patients receiving SACT. Our Clinical Practice Facilitator team (CPF) are here to support you for your education and development needs and you will be fully supported during your orientation program and beyond. The Christie is also very research active, so we have the opportunity to support patients on clinical trials.

Main duties of the job

This Band 4, Nurse Associate role will involve a specialist interest in admission and discharge co-ordinating. You will be expected to liaise with other providers in ensuring that discharge plans for patients are proactively managed and supported throughout the ongoing discharge planning process.

To be a point of contact for inpatient areas providing advice and support around patient admissions and discharges, liaising with clinical teams as required.

Work with the nursing team to ensure discharges are prioritised on a day-to-day basis and escalate any delays or concerns to the nurse in charge and discharge team.

As a part of the Palatine team you will support the co-ordinator or other nurses with observations and administering medication, undertaking ECGs, cannulation, venepuncture and using CVCs.

Support ward healthcare assistants in the provision of essential bedside care: hygiene, nutritional, elimination and all holistic needs, including end of life care.

You will have the opportunity to work within a supportive environment, developing excellent skills and knowledge from our five Clinical Practice Facilitators (CPF’s), who are dedicated to our Haematology and TYA service.  We also provide excellent educational opportunities and support our staff to attend TYA and Hematology study days.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Specific Responsibilities:

• To be the first point of call for staff with issues regarding patient admissions and discharges. Participate in board rounds on inpatient wards as per discharge team.
• To work both autonomously and with the wider MDT to manage objectives set following daily board round and Discharge team huddle.
• Communication with others. Working closely with the ward coordinator and ward clerks to plan the days admission and discharges. Liaise with other Palatine departments for smooth flow of patients.
• Look ahead at upcoming admissions and ensure pre-treatment tests have been undertaken and patient is aware of admission time may not be in the morning.
• Identify potential complex patients at board round and support ward staff with appropriate referrals early.
• Following daily board round update each ward patients EDD and reason to reside status on CWP.
• To ensure effective communication with the patient and their family regarding discharge planning as soon as patient is identified as having care needs on discharge.
• Effectively communicate and discuss sensitive issues such as personal and emotional care needs with individuals, families and carers and discuss in a sensitive and understanding manner how these may be met, always ensuring confidentiality in accordance with Trust policy and professional governance.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, huddles and actively contribute to the planning of patient discharges.
• Liaise with the wider teams including discharge team and supportive care team to ensure for example the principles of end-of-life care (aSKINNg bundles, hygiene needs, repositioning & mobilising, and oral hygiene) are being adhered to.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with all members of the multidisciplinary team to ensure collaborative and holistic working for the benefit of patient care.
• Share up to date discharge information with relevant staff, as well as patients and their families.
• Encourage patients with their plan of care overcoming barriers with patients whose understanding is impaired, always treating patients with dignity and respect.
• Support the Nursing staff with clinical tasks within your scope of practice to ensure the upkeep of your mandatory training, clinical skills and personal and professional development.
• Actively contribute to the ongoing developments of discharge processes within the organisation, in order to improve service provision.
• Have an awareness of safeguarding boundaries and to escalate and action any concerns appropriately.
• Work collaboratively within scope of own practice.
• Support band 2’s and band 3’s in the provision of care and assist with promoting essential training completed in line with trust policy.
• Ensure hygiene need checklists are completed electronically daily and perform regular audits to ensure and uphold outstanding care provision and documentation.
• Uphold the Trust’s values and behaviours, maintaining the public’s confidence and excellent experience of care.
• To have a willingness to undertake additional skills and training, dependant on department requirements.
• To engage in reflective practice including management of self and reflection on own reactions, asking questions and reflecting on answers given.
• Recognise and work within the limits of your competence.

Promoting health and preventing ill heath

• Support people to improve and maintain their, physical, mental health and wellbeing, promoting health and preventing ill health.
• Maintain an understanding of caring for individuals with additional needs due to conditions such as dementia, mental illness, learning disabilities

Providing and monitoring health

• To utilise a wide range of communication methods, including verbal, non-verbal and written to enable the post holder to interact with a variety of individuals including patients, carers and members of the multi-professional team to provide compassionate, safe and effective care and support to people in a range of care settings.
• Adapt communication methods, to include the use of technology, to meet the needs of individuals who have sensory impairment or communication difficulties.
• Develop understanding of all elements of the nursing process and be able to assist the registered nurse in the ongoing assessment, planning, management and evaluation of care.
• Develop competencies and practices clinical skills required to deliver care relevant to patient groups and within the Scope of Practice of the Nursing Associate such as catheterisation, venepuncture, CVC access, clinical observation, fluid balance and ECGs.
• Maintain clear and accurate patient records utilising both digital and paper based records.
• 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.
• To ensure that high standards of nursing care are given and maintained. To act and raise concerns when standards are not being maintained following local policy and procedures.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of care delivered and liaises with the Registered Nurse to agree changes to the plan of care as required.
• Demonstrate proficiency and hold a competency to administer medications within local policy and procedure and in line with the NMC Standards of Proficiency.
• Recognise and effectively respond to emergency situations seeking support from the Registered Nurse in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Ensure own practice comply with General Data protection Regulations (GDPR/Code of Confidentiality and Caldicott principles.

Working in teams

• Work as a member of the multi-professional team providing clinical care to patients in inpatient settings as supported by the Registered Nurse or Registered Care Professional.
• Work in collaboration with others to ensure the safe and timely discharge of patients with the aim of avoiding readmission.
• Carry out specific delegated clinical and care tasks and responsibilities to a high standard and competency, under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse or other Registered Care Professionals.
• Where appropriate, work without direct supervision, at times delivering care independently in line with the individual’s defined plan of care, within designated parameters of practice of the Nursing Associate role, accessing clinical and care advice when needed.
• Support newly qualified staff, students, new starters, Trainee Nursing Associates and encourage an effective learning environment.
• Provide support and supervision to Healthcare Assistants to promote their learning and development within their role.
• The post holder will be expected to undertake a full variety of shifts to meet the service need.
• 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.
• Contribute to team success and challenge others constructively.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues, providing clear verbal, digital or written information and instructions when sharing information, delegating or handing over responsibility for care.

Improving safety and quality

• To be involved in Trust initiatives to improve patient safety and care such as the CODE Accreditation audit.
• Report any accidents or incidents through the Datix process and raise any concerns including safeguarding concerns as per organisational policy.
• To be aware of our Freedom to Speak up guardian to raise concerns in a safe environment to prevent harm to patients, users and other Trust staff.
• Ensure clear, concise, accurate and legible records and all communication is maintained in relation to care delivered adhering to local and national guidance.
• Ensure all patient related information is treated sensitively and adhere to the principals of confidentiality at all times.
• 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.
• Report/escalate 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.
• Responsibility to prevent and control infections within the Trust. Ensuring both personal and team compliance with all relevant policies, especially hand washing, the Trust uniform policy and MRSA screening policies.

Contributing to integrated care

• To act as an advocate for the patient and the family, including promoting and protecting their interests, privacy, rights and inclusion.
• To be flexible to work within areas or departments to meet the demands of changing service needs.
• 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 all healthcare settings