Advertised role location: Craigavon Area Hospital (SHSCT)
Official document: Job Description / Personnel Specification (docx)
Applicant Information Pack

Senior Nursing Assistant Band 3
Acute Mental Health and Learning Disability Inpatient Wards - Bluestone Unit, Craigavon Hospital Site

Permanent full-time or part-time hours
(You must be available to work across a range of shifts which include days, evenings, nights and weekends )

We will also be creating a Senior Nursing Assistant Bank specific to the Bluestone Unit

Applicant Information Pack

Senior Nursing Assistant Band 3
Acute Mental Health and Learning Disability Inpatient Wards - Bluestone Unit, Craigavon Hospital Site

Permanent full-time or part-time hours
(You must be available to work across a range of shifts which include days, evenings, nights and weekends )

We will also be creating a Senior Nursing Assistant Bank specific to the Bluestone Unit

All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times

This is a recruitment exercise to fill a range of current permanent Senior Nursing Assistant Band 3 vacancies within our Acute Mental Health & Disability Inpatient Wards in the Trust’s Bluestone Unit situated on the Craigavon Area Hospital Site.

A waiting list will also be compiled for future vacancies that arise within the next 12 months, in our Acute Mental Health & Disability Inpatient Wards i.e. Rosebrook Ward, Cloughmore Ward, Bronte Ward, Silverwood Ward, Willows Ward, Gillis Dementia Ward and Dorsy Unit (Learning Disability).

A bank will be created that is specific too Senior Nursing Assistant in the Bluestone Unit. Craigavon Area Hospital.

Hours

The vacancies available are full-time or part-time working across a 7 day week. A minimum of 30 hours per week will be considered. However, you will be required to work across a range of shifts which include long days, short days, twilight and night shifts.

Please find enclosed in this applicant information pack, a Job Description and Personnel Specification for the role of Senior Nursing Assistant Band 3. Please ensure that you demonstrate clearly how you meet the specified essential criteria in your application form. Your application form will be shortlisted against the essential criteria and if you have successfully demonstrated that you meet the criteria you will be invited to attend for interview.

You must be willing to complete relevant training for the role, including QCF Level 3 Certificate (health specific) if you do not already hold this qualification.


JOB DESCRIPTION


JOB TITLE

Senior Nursing Assistant

BAND

3

DIRECTORATE

Mental Health & Disability Services

INITIAL LOCATION

Bluestone Unit – Craigavon Area Hospital Site
Ward allocation confirmed on appointment

REPORTS TO

Registered Nurse

ACCOUNTABLE TO

Ward Sister/Charge Nurse

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder is required to assist in the provision of safe, effective, compassionate person centred care.
The post holder will 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, washing, toileting, eating and drinking.
The post holder will undertake clinical duties as required in the ward/department, which have been delegated by registered nursing staff.
The postholder will engage in therapeutic recover focussed activities and assist patients in the social setting e.g. accompanying patients off ward on leave or to attend appointments.
The post holder must ensure that all information regarding patients/service users is kept in strict confidence.
The post holder must adhere to the Standards for Nursing Assistants (DoH, 2018).

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

Provision of Care

The post holder will:
Maintain the confidentiality of all information, regarding patients/service users at all times.
Respect the dignity, wishes and beliefs of all patients/service users.
Obtain consent from patient/service user 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, washing, 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, 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 within the course of their duties.
Communicate effectively with patients/service users and others taking into account physical and mental state.
Report and record any changes in patient’s/service user’s condition or behaviour to relevant registered nursing staff, in line with organisational policy.
Ensure that all information/messages, issues and concerns 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 and comply with the Trust’s appraisal system.
Complete 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 safe use and 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 responsibly as a team member and seek help if necessary.
Contribute to the delivery of respectful, safe, effective person-centred and compassionate care in order to provide a quality service.

Equality & Diversity

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

Environmental Cleaning Strategy

The Trust’s Environmental Cleaning Strategy recognises 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 HSC Trust staff have a responsibility to ensure a clean, comfortable, safe environment for patients, service users, residents, visitors, staff and members of the general public.

Infection Prevention and Control

The 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/clients and staff.

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 promoted 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 experience. The following five areas have been identified as important towards ensuring a positive patient or service user 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.

RAISING CONCERNS - RESPONSIBILITIES
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 Trust’s ‘Your Right to Raise a Concern (Whistleblowing)’ policy and their professional code of conduct, where applicable.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The post holder will be required to:

Assist the organisation in fulfilling its statutory duties under Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to promote equality of opportunity and good relations and under the Disability Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 2006. Staff are also required to support the organisation in complying with its obligations under Human Rights Legislation.

Ensure the Organisation’s policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.

Co-operate fully with the implementation of The Organisation's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.

Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example:
Smoke Free policy
IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct
standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour

Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.

Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.

Take responsibility to minimise the Trust’s environmental impact wherever possible. This will include recycling, switching off lights, computers, monitors and equipment when not in use. Helping to reduce paper waste by minimising printing/copying and reducing water usage, reporting faults and heating/cooling concerns promptly and minimising travel.

All employees of the Organisation are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Southern Health & Social Care Trust including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information act 2000 the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the Southern Health & Social Care Trust policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.

Represent The Organisation’s commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within the Trust's area, as needs of the service demand.

Nov 2025


PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND Senior Nursing Assistant Band 3

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE Bluestone Unit – Mental Health & Disability Services

HOURS Full-time / Part-time (Minimum of 30 hours per week will be considered)
(Hours will be worked across a 7 day working week and include a range of shifts to cover long days, short days, evenings and weekends)

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 in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 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


SECTION 1: 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

Have 2 years’ experience of delivering direct care in a care environment1
OR
Hold NVQ/VRQ/QCF/RQF Level 3 Certificate in Health/Health & Social Care (or relevant equivalent qualification) 2
OR
Hold NVQ/VRQ/QCF/RQF Level 2 Certificate in Health/Health & Social Care (or equivalent qualification)2 and have 1 year’s experience of delivering direct care in a care environment1
OR
Hold 4 GCSEs at grade A-C including English and Maths (or equivalent qualification) 2 and have 1 year’s experience of delivering direct care in a care environment1
Shortlisting by Application Form

SECTION 2: The following are also ESSENTIAL criteria which you are expected to possess

Skills / Abilities
Effective communication skills to meet the needs of the post in full

Ability to work as part of a team

Effective organisational skills

An interest and commitment to making a difference to service users, highly committed to a patient centred approach and high quality of care.

Ability to work flexibly including evenings, nights, weekends, bank holidays and on call as required

Willing to undertake training necessary for the role.

Interview Assessment

Knowledge
Understanding of role.

Understanding of patient / service user experience needs in a caring environment.

Awareness of health & safety issues.

Interview Assessment

NOTES FOR APPLICANTS
1 ‘Care environment’ is defined as: paid work within a hospital/residential/ nursing home or community setting. This must be evidenced on the application form
2 You must complete the RQF Level 3 Certificate (health specific) within a maximum of 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. For the majority of staff, it would be expected that this Certificate will be completed at the earliest opportunity, which will normally be within 6 months of appointment or as soon as possible thereafter.


Postholders will be required to undertake the regionally developed induction programme in the first two weeks following the allocated start date and complete within 6 months of taking up post. Postholders must also undertake relevant training to meet service needs.

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

Successful applicants will be required to produce documentary evidence that they are legally entitled to live and work in the United Kingdom.

At the time of advertising, the starting salary for this role does not meet the minimum requirements set by the Home Office to sponsor candidates. For this reason, unfortunately we are unable to offer skilled worker sponsorship.

Successful applicants may be required to attend for a Health Assessment.

THE TRUST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER