Advertised role location: Belfast HSCT
Official document: Band 3 Senior Nursing Assistant February 2026 (docx)
JOB DESCRIPTION

POST: Senior Nursing Assistant

LOCATION: Belfast Health and Social Care Trust

BAND: Band 3

REPORTS TO: Senior Nurse on duty in the Ward / Department

RESPONSIBLE TO: Ward Sister / Charge Nurse / Team Leader

Job Summary / Main Purpose
The post holder is required to assist in the provision of safe, effective patient centred, compassionate care.
The post holder will assist patients/services users with fundamental nursing care in all aspects of the activities of daily living, as delegated by registered nursing staff, for example, toileting, eating and drinking.
The post holder will undertake clinical duties as required in the department, which have been delegated by registered nursing staff.
The post holder must ensure that all information regarding patients is kept in strict confidence.
The post holder will adhere to the Standards for Nursing Assistants (DoH 2018).
The post holder will promote and support effective team working, fostering a culture of openness and transparency.
The post holder will ensure that they take all concerns raised with them seriously and act in accordance with the BHSCT Your Right to raise a concern (Whistleblowing) Policy.

Main Duties / Responsibilities
Provision of Care
The post holder will:
Maintain the confidentiality of all information, regarding patients/clients at all times.
Respect the dignity, wishes and beliefs of all patients/clients/service users
Obtain consent from patient/client for all care and treatment provision.
Assist patients/service users with fundamental nursing care in all aspects of the activities of daily living, as delegated by registered nursing staff, for example, toileting, eating and drinking.
Undertake clinical duties as required in the ward/department, which have been delegated by registered nursing staff which may include venepuncture, cannulation, simple dressings and physiological observations.
Report and where appropriate accurately record all activities undertaken.
Encourage patients/service users to actively participate in their own care when this is appropriate.
Identify if patients/service users are at risk and inform the registered nurse and make a written record.

Communication
The post holder will:
Deal courteously with patients/service users and others with whom they come into contact in the course of their duties.
Communicate effectively with patients/service users and others taking into account physical and mental state.
Report any changes in patients/ service users’ condition or behaviour to relevant registered nursing staff.
Ensure that all information/messages are passed onto relevant registered nursing staff in an appropriate and timely manner.
Where required make accurate and complete written records, for example fluid balance charts.
Maintain the confidentiality of all information, regarding patients/service users and staff, at all times.

Personal & People Development
The post holder will:
Participate fully in the HSC Trust’s KSF/PCF Personal Performance and Development Review and comply with the Trust’s appraisal system.
Attend Induction Programme and participate in training and other learning and development activities as required.
Keep up to date records of own development review process.
Participate in the induction and development of others as required.

Health, Safety & Security
The post holder will:
Undertake duties that are required to ensure adequate standards of environmental hygiene and prevent cross infection.
Report any accidents and incidents to relevant registered nursing staff and assist in the investigation of same.
Comply with health and safety policies and statutory regulations.
Contribute to effective and economic use of resources and the maintenance of all equipment.
Work within own role in emergencies and summon help.
Identify and report any health, safety and security issues to the appropriate person.
Comply with HSC Trust policies, procedures, guidelines and protocols.

Service Improvement
The post holder will:
Fully participate in all work place audits
Report all concerns and complaints to appropriate registered nursing staff in a timely manner.

Quality
The post holder will:
Work within the limits of own competence and responsibility and will refer issues beyond these limits to registered nursing staff.
Act responsibility as a team member and seeks help if necessary.
Contribute to the delivery of respectful and professional care in order to provide a quality service.

Equality & Diversity
The post holder will:
Adhere to current legislation and HSC Trust policies on equality and diversity.
Present a positive image of self and the organisation, and treat others with dignity and respect.
Recognise and report behaviour that undermines equality and diversity.

General Responsibilities

Employees of the Trust are required to promote and support the mission and vision of the service for which they are responsible and:
At all times provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner.
Demonstrate their commitment by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them.
Comply with the Trust’s Smoke Free Policy.
Carry out their duties and responsibilities in compliance with the Health and Safety Policies and Statutory Regulations.
Adhere to Equality and Good Relations duties throughout the course of their employment.
Ensure the ongoing confidence of the public in-service provision.
Maintain high standards of personal accountability.
Comply with the HPSS Code of Conduct.

Information Governance  

All employees of Belfast Health & Social Care Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, including patient/client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including e-mails.  All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environment Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant and to comply with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust policies on Information Governance including for example the ICT Security Policy, Data Protection Policy and Records Management Policy and to seek advice if in doubt.

For further information on how we use your personal data within HR, please refer to the Privacy Notice available on the HUB or Your HR

Environmental Cleaning Strategy

The Trusts Environmental Cleaning Strategy recognizes the key principle that “Cleanliness matters is everyone’s responsibility, not just the cleaners” Whilst there are staff employed who are responsible for cleaning services, all Trust staff have a responsibility to ensure a clean, comfortable, safe environment for patients, clients, residents, visitors, staff and members of the general public.

Infection Prevention and Control

The Belfast Trust is committed to reducing Healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) and all staff have a part to play in making this happen. Staff must comply with all policies in relation to Infection Prevention and Control and with ongoing reduction strategies. Standard Infection Prevention and Control Precautions must be used at all times to ensure the safety of patients and staff.
This includes:-
Cleaning hands either with soap and water or a hand sanitiser at the appropriate times (WHO ‘5 moments’);
Using the correct ‘7 step’ hand hygiene technique;
Being ‘bare below the elbows’ when in a clinical environment;
Following Trust policies and the Regional Infection Control Manual (found on intranet);
Wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE);
Ensuring correct handling and disposal of waste (including sharps)  and laundry;
Ensuring all medical devices (equipment) are decontaminated appropriately i.e. cleaned, disinfected and/or sterilised;
Ensuring compliance with High Impact Interventions.

The Patient Experience Standards
Patients and service users have a right to experience respectful and professional care, in a considerate and supportive environment, where their privacy is protected and dignity maintained. This principle should be prompted and supported by all health and social care organisations and professional bodies, enabling staff to provide a quality service.

There are many complex factors relevant to the quality of patient and service user’s experience. The following five areas have been identified as important towards ensuring a positive patient or client experience:

Respect
Attitude
Behaviour
Communication
Privacy and Dignity

This is not an exhaustive list and there may be overlap between the areas, however, all five relate to aspects identified by patients and service users as important to their experience.

Personal Public Involvement

Staff members are expected to involve patients, clients, carers and the wider community were relevant, in developing, planning and delivering our services in a meaningful and effective way, as part of the Trust’s ongoing commitment to Personal Public Involvement (PPI).

Please use the link below to access the PPI standards leaflet for further information.
http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/sites/default/files/PPI_leaflet.pdf

Clause: This job description is not meant to be definitive and may be amended to meet the changing needs of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE / BAND: Senior Nursing Assistant / Band 3

DEPT / DIRECTORATE: Belfast Health and Social Care Trust


Notes to applicants:
You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.
Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined below at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.
Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA


The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage.
You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor
Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience
Qualifications
Registration

Hold NVQ/VRQ/QCF/RQF Level 3 Certificate in Health/Health & Social Care or an equivalent qualification.

Or

Hold NVQ/VRQ/QCF/RQF Level 2 Certificate in Health/Health & Social Care or an equivalent qualification, and **1 years’ experience of delivering direct care in a care environment.

Or

Hold 4 GCSE’s at grade A-C including English and Maths (or equivalent qualifications) and **1 years’ experience of delivering direct care in a care environment.

Or

Have **2 years’ experience of delivering direct care in a care environment.
Shortlisting by Application Form


Right to Work
If you are an overseas national who would require a Certificate of Sponsorship from the Trust to Work in the UK, under the current Home Office Immigration Rules, we would not be able to offer this.

The starting salary for this role (£24,937, based on full time hours) is below the minimum threshold for skilled worker sponsorship (£30,000). In order to be considered you must have at least 2 years relevant and comparable NHS/UK experience equivalent to Band 3 level.

If you require sponsorship please specify below and confirm how you meet the above experience requirement. Evidence will be required at a later date.

Shortlisting by Application Form


SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Knowledge
Knowledge of role and responsibilities of the post.
Knowledge of patient/client needs in a caring environment.
Knowledge of health and safety issues.
Interview

Skills and Aptitudes
Effective communication skills.
Ability to work as part of a team.
Effective organisational skills.
Ability to carry out Venepuncture, Cannulation and Clinical observations.
Interview

Special Circumstances
Must undertake the regional induction programme in the first two weeks following the allocated start date & complete within 6 months of taking up post.
Must undertake to complete RQF Level 3 Certificate (health specific) within 18 months of taking up post ****.
Must undertake relevant training to meet the service needs.
*** Current full driving licence valid for use in the UK and access to a car on appointment.
Ability to work flexibly included evenings, nights, weekends, bank holidays and on call as required.
Interview / Job Offer Stage

Other (e.g. Driving etc.)
For Community posts:
Must hold a full drivers licence and have access to a car or form of transport that will enable the post holder to carry out duties.
‘Where disability prohibits driving, this criteria will be waived if the applicant is able to organise suitable alternative arrangements’.

Job Offer Stage


APPLICANTS WHO DO NOT HOLD ENGLISH AND MATHS QUALIFICATIONS AS SPECIFIED WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE A WRITTEN/NUMERICAL TEST BEFORE THEY ARE SHORTLISTED FOR INTERVIEW.

**Care environment is defined as: paid work within a hospital/residential/ nursing home or community setting. This must be evidenced on the application form and will be tested at interview.

*** This criteria is only applicable to some posts therefore it does not prevent an individual applying to this recruitment and selection process for posts that do not have this requirement. The criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving Interview but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.

**** It is required that the RQF Level 3 Certificate (health specific) must undertake to complete within 18 months of taking up post. It may be the case in some exceptional circumstances that this requirement is not met. All such cases must be signed off by the professional head of service/ senior nurse for the division and reported and explained to the Trust Director of Nursing.

NOTE:
Where educational/professional qualifications form part of the criteria you will be required, if shortlisted for interview, to produce original certificates and one photocopy of same issued by the appropriate authority. Only those certificates relevant to the shortlisting criteria should be produced. If educational certificates are not available an original letter and photocopy of same detailing examination results from your school or college will be accepted as an alternative.

If successful you will be required to produce documentary evidence that you are legally entitled to live and work in the United Kingdom. This documentation can be a P45, Payslip, National Insurance Card or a Birth Certificate confirming birth in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland. Failure to produce evidence will result in a non-appointment.

Where a post involves working in regulated activity with vulnerable groups, post holders will be required to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority.

HSC Values

Whilst employees will be expected to portray all the values, particular attention is drawn to the following values for this role