Registered Nursing Associate - Willow Unit in Norwich

Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust is hiring multidisciplinary roles within our state‑of‑the‑art Willow Therapy Unit, open in 2024 at Norwich Community Hospital. The 48‑bed unit offers a supportive, comfortable environment for patients to regain independence in preparation for return to the community. Patients are supported to play an active role in their own care and to feel confident in daily activities when they leave. The unit design includes a supervised kitchen where patients can prepare snacks and drinks. Healthcare is delivered by a dedicated multidisciplinary team focused on patient recovery and wellbeing.

Main duties of the job:

• Deliver reablement care and support a positive risk‑taking environment for patients, carers and families.
• Work within a quality framework, ensuring the highest standards of care and patient independence.
• Innovate discharge practice and pathways in partnership with the voluntary sector, ensuring seamless care transfer.
• Coordinate care for a named group of patients, working proactively to achieve unit and trust goals.
• Use mobile working with SystmOne Optimisation and adhere to workload models and OPEL status.

Job responsibilities – Clinical:

• Assess patients using predetermined protocols and carry out treatments within specified areas.
• Apply competency‑based techniques under supervision and modify interventions as required.
• Prepare and develop individual/group activities to meet intervention needs.
• Monitor patients and alert a qualified practitioner to unexpected changes.
• Use problem‑solving skills and contribute to solutions with colleagues.
• Make basic judgments on patient responses and report findings to a qualified practitioner.
• Plan and prioritise visits, ensuring documentation in electronic ledgers and daily SystmOne input.
• Adjust communication for hearing or cognitive impairments to gain understanding, consent and concordance.
• Use tact and persuasive skills to gain patient cooperation in care plans.
• Liaise with GPs, Social Services, inpatient teams, allied health professionals and the voluntary sector to coordinate care.
• Participate in multi‑disciplinary/multi‑agency meetings (e.g., Gold Standard Framework).
• Communicate with patients/carers with factual information, reassurance, tact and empathy.
• Maintain appropriate working relationships with colleagues, patients, carers and health professionals.
• Handle tasks requiring dexterity such as taking blood sugars, venepuncture and supervising transfers.
• Ensure safe use and maintenance of equipment; requisition supplies via electronic ordering.
• Work independently on specified tasks with regular clinical support.
• Understand consent and apply department policy.
• Share responsibilities for store, housekeeping and indirect patient contact tasks.
• Adhere to infection control policies and universal precautions when exposed to bodily fluids.
• Demonstrate basic IT and keyboard skills.

Job responsibilities – Professional:

• Actively participate in staff meetings, training sessions, courses and reflective practice.
• Engage in the staff appraisal scheme and maintain a personal development plan.
• Apply clinical governance and risk management principles to work situations.
• Provide peer support to other carers.
• Develop competencies to meet patient and service needs.

Person Specification – Qualifications:

• Registered Nursing Associate on the NMC register.
• Nursing Associate Foundation Degree qualification.

Person Specification – Experience:

• Experience working in community health care settings including primary care.

Person Specification – Skills, Abilities and Knowledge:

• Work effectively as a team player under supervision and in multidisciplinary teams.
• Evaluate own strengths and development needs, seeking advice when appropriate.
• Understand the scope of the Nursing Associate role within the team and organisation.
• Manage time effectively and prioritise tasks.
• Use intermediate IT skills.
• Handle a non‑routine and unpredictable workload.
• Move between sites across health and social care as required.
• Work on own initiative and in reflective practice.
• Seek advice and refer to registered professionals when needed.
• Promote health and wellbeing (Making Every Contact Count).

Person Specification – Communication:

• Communicate with the public, health and care providers effectively.
• Use written and verbal English effectively.
• Remain courteous, respectful and helpful at all times.

Person Specification – Personal Attributes:

• Identify with the Trust's commitment to safeguarding and welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
• Knowledge of lone working.

Person Specification – Other:

• Work a variety of shift patterns.
• Must hold a full and valid driving licence and have access to a vehicle (Community posts only).

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a submission for disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous convictions.

Salary: £27,485 to £30,162 a year (pro rata per annum).