Assistant Practitioner / Nursing Associate Truro, England
Job description
There is the opportunity to recruit an Assistant Practitioners or Nursing Associates to work with the Nursing and Healthcare team on the Trauma Unit.
The Trauma Unit is a busy, proactive 54 bedded unit that cares for patients pre-operative and post-operatively, including trauma and orthopaedic patients. We work closely with the Trauma Assessment Unit, Trauma Co-ordinators and Trauma MDT.
We are looking for a pro-active and willing Band 4 AP/NA to support the delivery of care to our Trauma and Orthopaedic patients.
As a Band 4 on the area you will be supported to nurse a cohort of patients and be responsible for their care, leading on their care and joining ward rounds to ensure that there is an MDT approach to the patient journey.
Full time (37.5 hours per week) and part time hours available.
Assist with and undertake patient assessment (under supervision and
after appropriate delegation from the registered practitioner).
Obtain requested specimens and ensure transportation to appropriate
department – urine, faeces, sputum, exudates e.g., swabs – nose, eye,
wound site, etc.
Obtain requested routine bloods/investigations; have a basic
understanding of normal and altered values, reporting adverse results.
Maintain patients’ personal and oral hygiene, e.g., help with
dressing/ undressing, giving bed baths, mouth, and skin care,
assisting with pressure area care, maintaining privacy and dignity.
Assist in providing conditions to meet the patient’s need for rest and
sleep.
Provide and promote health education; support and encourage the
patient to meet their own health and wellbeing needs.
Maintain and improve the patient’s mobility using appropriate
equipment and handling techniques.
Assist the patient to be as comfortable as possible, i.e., help with
moving and positioning the patient using appropriate equipment.
Assist with checking pain levels and requesting pain relieving
medication on patient’s behalf.
Involve the patient in shared decision-making and obtain their consent
before undertaking nursing procedures.
Sustainability is integral to the Trust achieving the NHS Net Zero target. All staff are therefore actively encouraged and supported to implement new ways of working within their field of expertise.
Work co-operatively as part of the multi-disciplinary team, assisting nursing, midwifery, and other clinical staff to deliver a high standard of holistic patient-centred care.
Implement programmes of care and contribute to care plan modifications,
undertaking risk assessments as directed and within the limits of own
knowledge and competence.
Monitor and care for patients receiving oxygen therapy as directed.
Measure, monitor and record observations as designated by the Ward Sister, Charge Nurse or nominated Nurse in Charge (following training and having been assessed as competent), e.g., TPR & BP, Oxygen saturation, peak flow, ECG, urine tests, blood glucose monitoring, fluid intake and output, MEWS.
Report adverse signs to the nurse in charge / doctor / therapist.
Use prescribed pressure-relieving equipment and other appropriate measures to prevent pressure sores following risk assessment (i.e., Waterlow Score).
Implement and evaluate wound management care plans as directed.
Assist and/or deliver prescribed therapy programmes to promote functional Independence.
Assist with/commence basic cardio-pulmonary resuscitation procedures.
Be aware of the physical, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual needs of the dying patient: implement appropriate care management as directed.
Provide comfort, reassurance, and support to patients and/or their carers
if anxious or distressed.
Assist with essential patient care, e.g., making beds, sorting clean
linen, distributing menu cards etc.
Assist patients to become as independent as possible by giving the
appropriate level of support as delegated.
Escort patients to other departments, including observation where
intravenous infusions or Oxygen are being administered.
Understand special and/or cultural dietary needs and implications for the
patient’s condition.
Ensure adequate hydration and nutritional intake, including feeding patients and the recording of naso-gastric tube intake and output.
Ensure that fluid balance charts and other relevant documentation is
completed in a timely fashion.
Assist patients to access and use appropriate toilet facilities, ensuring privacy and dignity are maintained.
Alert trained staff promptly of changes in the patient’s condition or any
possible risks.
Assist with the referral of patients to internal/external AHPs and / or
other agencies.
Assist with effective and timely discharge planning.
For full details please see attached job description.
