People at the Heart. One Team. Your Career at WWL.

Job overview

We are seeking an enthusiastic, self motivated, forward thinking individual who will be committed to providing high quality care to join us as Nursing Associate within UEC and Livewell.

This vacancy is open to all internal and external candidates. NHS Employees should obtain their manager's approval for a secondment before applying, as this will be a condition of any offer made.

This vacancy is advertised on a fixed term basis to provide cover for an employee on Secondment and will end in February 2028 or resumption of the post holder, whichever is sooner. Whilst this post is advertised on an fixed term basis there is the potential that this post may become permanent in the future without the need to advertise.

This vacancy may close early if a sufficient number of applications are received.

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The role of the Nursing Associate is to work with the multi professional team and the Registered Nurse contributing to the ongoing assessment, providing and monitoring care in line with the service pathways and as agreed with supervising clinician(s). They will monitor the condition and health needs of people within their care on a continual basis in partnership with the multi-professional team.

The Nursing Associate has a breadth of knowledge across the lifespan, providing holistic and person centred care and support for people of all ages and in a variety of settings. The Nursing Associate will help to bridge the gap between Health Care Assistants and Registered Nurses by working independently under the leadership of Registered Nurses, working within the sphere of nursing and care and within all aspects of the nursing process.

Nursing Associates are equipped with the knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes and behaviours relevant to employment; and will act in accordance with the NMC Code: Professional standards of practice and behavior for nurses, midwives and nursing associates.

Working for our organisation

Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is proud to provide high‑quality acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, our staff are central to everything we do — we believe that happy staff make for happy patients, and this ethos underpins our culture and our success.

We have a strong, recognised track record in staff engagement and in living our values:

• People at the Heart
• Listen and Involve
• Kind and Respectful
• ONE Team

We are committed to placing patients at the heart of every decision and delivering safe, effective care that protects dignity and enhances experience. We seek to recruit people who share our values, our passion for high‑quality care, and our belief in working together as One Team.

At WWL, we recognise the strength that comes from a rich and diverse workforce. We welcome applications from all sections of society and are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Planning and Organisational Duties

• Under the supervision and working in partnership with a registered nurse provide and deliver a high standard of nursing care contributing to the ongoing assessment, providing and monitoring care based on evidence and working in partnership with the multi-disciplinary team.
• Provide compassionate, safe and effective care and support to patients in a range of care settings
• Monitor the condition and health needs of patients within their care on a continual basis in partnership with patients, families and carers, ensuring appropriate escalation to a registered nurse when required.
• Support patients to improve and maintain their mental, physical, behavioural health and well-being.
• Promote comfort and well-being by ensuring that patients’ personal and social needs are met and be able to care for a patient’s nursing needs.
• To safely undertake the following procedures to meet the patient’s nursing needs to include; undertaking routine procedures including venepuncture, ECG recording, measuring and interpreting blood glucose levels, recording and interpreting vital signs, continence care, bladder and bowel care, pressure area care, wound care, skin clip and suture removal, removal and application of casts, application of splints, nutrition, hydration, foot care, skin integrity, mood identification (as outlined in the NMC Nursing Associate Skills Annex). Identify and report changes in a patient’s condition to a registered nurse.
• Prioritise and manage own workload, recognising where elements of care can safely be delegated to other colleagues, carers and family members.
• Provide and receive sensitive information concerning a patient’s medical condition.
• Work with the registered nurse and engage with other agencies and community teams to ensure a safe, individualised approach to the admission and discharge of patients.
• Maintain accurate, contemporaneous patient records in line with Trust policy and the NMC Code.
• Provide effective evidence-based care for service users under the supervision of registered nurses in order to perform non-complex activities, in line with clinical governance and professional standards.
• Recognise the effects of medicines, allergies, drug sensitivity, side effects, contraindications and adverse reactions.
• Undertake safe and effective administration and optimisation of medicines in accordance with Trust policy and the NMC standards of proficiency for nursing associates.
• Administer medicines via the following routes, oral, topical, rectal, subcutaneous and intramuscular in line with NMC Standards and Trust policies.
• Comply with Trust policy in relation to any safety critical medicines to be administered by Nursing Associates.
• Monitor the condition and health needs of patients within their care following administration of medication.
• Recognise and report any situations, behaviours or errors that could result in poor care outcomes related to medicines management.

Communications and Key Working Relationships

• Communicate effectively with dignity and respect to all patients, relatives and others giving consideration to potential barriers to understanding.
• Communicate effectively with colleagues, providing clear verbal, digital or written information and instructions when sharing information, delegating or handing over responsibility for care.
• Recognise and report any situations, behaviours or errors that could result in poor care outcomes.
• Report accidents, incidents, near misses or complaints following Trust policies/procedures.
• Contribute to a culture where all staff feel safe to raise their concerns [and that] speaking up about what these are is a normal part of their routine.
• Identify relevant sources of evidence to inform practice.
• Critically consider and analyse their own practice in light of best available evidence.
• Contribute to surveys, audits, research activity as required to own role, supporting recommended changes in practice.

Responsibility for Finance

• To be aware of resources and give high-quality cost-effective care.

Responsibility for Human Resources

• In conjunction with the ward manager, and Registered Nurses, introduce new staff to the ward and their duties.

Responsibility for Health & Safety

• Compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 – the post holder is required to fulfil a proactive role towards the management of risk in all of their actions. This entails the risk assessment of all situations, the taking of appropriate actions and reporting of all incidents, near misses and hazards, and a statutory duty of care for their own personal safety and that of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions.

Responsibility for Teaching

• Comply with mandatory competencies in line with Trust policy.
• To engage in a preceptorship period that includes achieving the Nursing Associate Medicines Management Competency framework
• Maintain own continuing professional development in accordance with NMC CPD requirements and contribute to formulation of own objectives and personal development plans.
• Support, supervise, teach (where appropriate) and act as a role model to trainee nursing associates, student nurses, healthcare support workers and new staff members, promoting reflection and providing constructive feedback.
• Contribute to the maintenance of the learning environment.
• Adopt a reflective approach to own practice with a view to continually improve.
• Undertake further training as required, prior to carrying out any additional duties identified as relevant to role, to comply with Trust policies and procedures.
• Take personal responsibility for developing and maintaining own knowledge, clinical skills and professional awareness in conjunction with NMC guidance.
• Attend mandatory training as directed by Trust.
• In conjunction with ward manager and Registered Nurses, help create and maintain a suitable learning environment for staff and students and act as a Practice supervisor in the supervision and teaching of less experienced staff.

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Recruitment Information for Applicants

Our preferred method of application is online.

Using AI when writing job applications
If you choose to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) or other tools to assist in writing your application, it’s essential to personalise this information, particularly your supporting statement to reflect the skills and experience to match your job application. Relying solely on AI to write your application or supporting statement is not advocated by Wrightington Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as it could negatively impact your chances of success in the application process. Please refer to the attached "Applying for a role in the NHS guidance" for further information regarding the use of AI.

The Trust reserves the right to close adverts earlier than the stated closing date if there is a high volume of applications.

We endeavour to inform all applicants of the outcome of their application by email or SMS text message.

Guidance on Completing Your Application

Applications are assessed against the person specification. We strongly encourage you to use the supporting information section to demonstrate how you meet the essential and desirable criteria, providing clear examples where possible.

On-Call

Please note that some roles may require participation in an on-call rota, particularly those that are operational in nature.

Continuous Service

WWL is part of the Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment. We recognise continuous or ‘unbroken’ service from any Greater Manchester Local Authority, NHS organisation, Transport for Greater Manchester, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service or the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. This ensures access to our service-related benefits.