Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity for a Band 4 Nurse Associate to join the team in a brand new Planned Surgical Unit.

Patients undergoing surgical procedures will be admitted in The Planned Surgical Unit and patients having day case procedures will then be discharged later from the same unit. There are 14 theatres in total for the unit, meaning a consistent and steady flow of patients throughout. The Nurse Associate will be responsible for admitting and discharging patients as per their surgical care plan and under the supervision of the nurse in charge.

We are looking for a good team player and someone with initiative and enthusiasm for the role. We are also looking for someone who puts patients first and provides excellent care throughout the entire peri-operative journey.

The post holder will be responsible for delivering high quality, patient centred, compassionate care under the direction of a Registered Nurse with a focus on promoting health and independence. They will be an accountable professional and have the ability to work without direct supervision, at times delivering care independently in line with the individual's defined plan of care, within the parameters of practice of the Nursing Associate role, accessing clinical and care advice when needed.

Main duties of the job
The Nurse Associate will admit and discharge patients and ensure that all information is given to the patients and their relatives to aide their recovery. The Nurse Associate will work closely with their Registered Nurse and Clinical Support Worker colleagues to ensure consistent patient flow through theatres.

• Provide and monitor care
• Demonstrate the ability to recognise changing priorities seeking advice and guidance from the Registered Nurse or other registered care professionals as appropriate
• Assist in the implementation of appropriate action to meet the specific physical, emotional and psychological, social, cultural and spiritual needs of individuals and carers
• Implement and evaluate individual care/treatment plans. Ensure care is documented accurately and in a timely manner
• Coordinate and undertake the safe admission, transfer and discharge of patients in accordance with the Organisation's standards, protocols and policies.
• Develop and improve practical and theoretical knowledge, competence and skills throughout the Nursing Associate Role and maintain all evidence required
• 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 inter-personal skills that promote clarity, compassion, empathy, respect and trust

About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job

Job responsibilities
See attached Job Description for full list.

• Develop understanding of all elements of the nursing process and be able to assist the registered nurse in the on-going assessment, planning, management and evaluation of care
• Provide and monitor care
• Demonstrate the ability to recognise changing priorities seeking advice and guidance from the Registered Nurse or other registered care professionals as appropriate
• 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
• Implement and evaluate individual care/treatment plans. Ensure care is documented accurately and in a timely manner
• Coordinate and undertake the safe admission, transfer and discharge of patients in accordance with the Organisations standards, protocols and policies.
• Develop and improve practical and theoretical knowledge, competence and skills throughout the Nursing Associate Role and maintain all evidence required
• Contribute towards developing a culture of learning and innovation, developing high quality learning environments
• 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 inter-personal skills that promote clarity, compassion, empathy, respect and trust

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Foundation Level Degree: Nursing Associate Qualification
• GCSE Grade A-C including English and Maths or Level 2 in Maths and English

Desirable

• Evidence of CPD

Experience
Essential

• Experience of working with the public demonstrating good customer care skills
• Good experience of working in a teams

Desirable

• Previous experience of working within an Acute health / care setting
• Venepuncture and Cannulation

Knowledge
Essential

• Understanding of the scope of the role of the Nursing Associate in context of the team and the organisation, and how the role may contribute to service development
• Understanding of the importance of the promotion of health and wellbeing (Making Every Contact Count)
• Knowledge of when to seek advice and refer to a registered care professional
• Understanding of basic physiology, e.g. normal vital signs, fluid balance, nutritional requirements etc.

Desirable

• Understanding of evidence based practice
• Evidence of involvement in support / development of less experienced staff

Personal Skills
Essential

• Able to communicate clearly and effectively, both written and verbal.
• Positive, enthusiastic and caring attitude
• Good use of initiative
• Passionate about delivering safe care
• Good team player

Desirable

• Reliable, trustworthy and adaptable

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).