Respiratory Nursing Assistant

• County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
• Respiratory Nursing Assistant

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated HCA to work within a forward‑thinking organisation that delivers a patient‑centred approach to supporting patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea, as well as general respiratory patients.

There are approximately 8,000 patients established on treatment for sleep‑disordered breathing within the County Durham and Darlington area.

As a member of the sleep service you will have the opportunity to develop your skills and knowledge of sleep‑disordered breathing to enhance the care that patients receive.

This includes providing lifestyle advice, offering DVLA guidance and answering queries related to sleep‑disordered breathing.

This role will be predominantly hospital‑based at both BAH and UHND.

You will be responsible for direct patient care and HCA‑led clinics, both 1:1 and group capacity, telephone clinics for reviewing patients established on treatment, and safely offering patient‑initiated follow‑up where necessary.

You will liaise closely with other members of the sleep service and support Respiratory Nurse Specialists within the hospital setting.

Main duties of the job

The role involves both direct and indirect patient contact. You will work closely with other members of the sleep service and relevant MDT members.

• Deliver face‑to‑face and telephone reviews for newly diagnosed patients and reviews for those established on treatment.
• Distribute new equipment, educate patients and troubleshoot potential problems.
• Support senior sleep nurses with group sessions, including delivering a presentation to a small group of same‑sex patients and commencing treatment.
• Answer telephone and email concerns from patients and liaise closely with other service members.
• Assist nurses with physical observations, venepuncture, capillary blood gases and some admin tasks.
• Job responsibilities
• Work alongside existing Sleep Specialist nurses to provide a high level of specialist knowledge to patients and other health‑care professionals.
• Deliver both telephone and face‑to‑face clinics for patients established on CPAP therapy.
• Troubleshoot problems with CPAP devices and equipment, and arrange suitable follow‑up or delivery of equipment.
• Respond to queries from patients with pre‑existing OSA and pre‑formal diagnosis.
• Understand the mechanics of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and relevant equipment.
• Use remote monitoring (Airview) and adjust pressures and settings to ensure optimal patient treatment.
• Arrange patient‑initiated follow‑up (PIFU) and cross‑site cover (UHND/BAH).
• Measure and record observations: respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, temperature, pulse and blood pressure.
• Clean and restock respiratory equipment (CPAP masks, nebulisers, peak‑flow meters, oxygen tubing).
• Reinforce patient education given by nurses.
• Communicate changes in a patient’s condition promptly to the clinical team.
• Provide reassurance and emotional support to patients with chronic breathing issues.
• Follow infection‑control procedures, especially for airborne illnesses.
• Demonstrate good communication, empathy and remain calm when patients are distressed or breathless.
• Perform basic clinical skills, including venepuncture where suitable and capillary blood gases.
• Administer medication where required.
• Maintain attention to detail when recording observations.
• Demonstrate basic understanding of respiratory conditions and OSA.

About us

We provide hospital services from two acute sites – Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham.

We also have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester‑Le‑Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield, Weardale and over 80 other community‑based settings, including patients’ homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and BAME candidates, as these groups are currently under‑represented.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Foundation degree or NVQ level 3 in a hospital environment.
• Evidence of CPD.
• Valid driving licence.
• Willingness to work toward a foundation degree.

Experience

• Ability to work independently.
• IT literate.
• Knowledge of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea / Respiratory conditions.
• Experience of sleep aneu a and respiratory conditions.
• Special Skills & Knowledge
• Ability to prioritise work load.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Special Requirements
• Driving posts require a valid Full UK driving licence.
• Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

• County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
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