Nurse Assistant job description

To support qualified staff in the assessment of care needs and the
development of programmes of care, delivering delegated aspects of
care without direct supervision for a specific patient group.

To recognise and report with accuracy to qualified members of staff
any changes in the patient’s conditions or circumstances appropriate to
the degree of urgency.

Record and report patient observations in care plans to ensure
maintenance of accurate and up to date records.

Patient/Client Care

Assist in the provision of high quality person-centred care to people with a mental illness ensuring individual needs are recognised and met.

Comply with the requirements of the Mental Health Act 1983 and work within the Code of Practice guidelines.

Undertake assigned duties with patients regarding Observation Policy as directed by qualified staff according to policy and procedure.

Perform, report and record a variety of clinical observations explaining process and reassuring patient.

Undertake escorting of in-patients to social, domestic and clinical settings.
 
Assist and support activity co-ordinator in the development of therapeutic daytime activities for patients with mental health needs.

Responsible for manual handling of patients/clients as required according to policy and procedure, including use of appropriate equipment.

Participate as an active member of the nursing team in delivering, monitoring and evaluating care plans, implementing parts of the care plan as directed by qualified staff.

Complete factual, consistent and accurate records under the supervision of a registered nurse, including the making of entries in the nursing care records.
Comply with and demonstrate by example how to meet the requirements of Health and Safety, Fire and other legislation and policy and procedure.

Policy and Service Development
Follow policy for own role. May be asked to comment on service change, proposals and changes in working practices and procedure.

Financial and Physical Resources
Lists and records patient’s cash and valuables on admission and discharge, ensuring safe provision for same if patient vulnerable. Will handle patient’s cash when assisting patients with shopping.

Human Resources
Will demonstrate workplace routines and activity to new starters from the direction of the qualified nurse.

Information Resources
Will document and record patient observation and test results. Report and record patient information using the appropriate systems e.g. Health and Safety reports.

Research and Development
Complete staff survey, participate in audit/research as necessary including literature searches.

Freedom to Act
May work without direct supervision as required on predetermined clinical interventions.

Will be expected to use own initiative with duties assigned by qualified nurse.

Maybe required to action certain critical / emergency situations in line with policy procedures without the guidance of the nurse in charge until assistance can be gained.

Communications and Relationships
Responsible for the development and maintenance of good channels of communication with colleagues and members of the multi disciplinary team
Communicate effectively with patients/carers including the use of alternative means of communication as indicated by individual patient/carer need
When qualified nurse is busy, will triage incoming communications to unit, by phone or personal visit, assisting urgency of same and taking appropriate response.

May receive sensitive information from patient’s carers regarding patient’s physical or mental health, which would need to be relayed accurately and promptly to registered nurse.

Will use tact, diplomacy and persuasion to enable patients to follow elements of care planning, due to the nature of the client group.

Will be empathetic to carer’s needs at all times, whilst maintaining confidentiality.

Effort and Environment
Will assist patient movement with the use of mechanical aids and help manoeuvre patients including wheelchairs both within the unit and on escort
Use controlled restraint on patients within guidelines.

Stand/walk for the majority of the shift.

Assist patients with personal skills (i.e. Dressing, hygiene, toilet needs)
involving bending, kneeling, twisting.

Education And

Qualifications
NVQ 3 in Care or commitment to work towards NVQ3 in Care

Knowledge and Experience
Previous experience of
working in a care
environment
Awareness of mental
health issues

Skills and
Competencies
Team worker
Good communication skills
Good interpersonal skills
Self motivated

Personal
Characteristics
Demonstrates positive approach to people with mental health needs

Nurse Assistant job description