Nursing Associate Job Description Finally Revealed

Recruitment for the new Trainee Nursing Associates begins and the job description reveals a lot about the new role.

NHS Trusts around England have started to recruit their Trainee Nursing Associates and have revealed the job description for the new role.

Inside the adverts you can find insight into intended the role of the Nursing Associate. The job description seems to have been standardised between each trust currently advertising the role – with many using near identical wording.

The documents reveal a comprehensive list of entry requirements including the ability to study at Level 5 Diploma of Higher Education Level and have GCSE Grade A-C in Maths and English.

Many NHS Trusts have marked the adverts as ‘Internal Posts Only’ requiring applicants to have works for the trust for more than 12 months.

During their training nursing associates will be paid agenda for change band 3 and once qualified will be a band 4 and following recent negations registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

According to the advert Nursing Associates will be required to;

• 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
• 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 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.

It also states that 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.

The job description goes into further detail with many topics including; communication, judgement skills, physical skills, working conditions and training requirements.

You can download and view a full copy of several job descriptions for nursing associates; South Tees Hospitals, Humber Partnership & Worcestershire Acute Hospitals. 

Are you looking to apply for the Nursing Associate role? You should take a look at the NHS Jobs website. You can view the Department of Health: Routes into Nursing infographic.