Registered Nursing Associate - Willow Unit

Overview

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Registered Nursing Associate - Willow Unit

The closing date is 21 September 2025

NCH&C is hiring several multidisciplinary roles within the Willow Therapy Unit at Norwich Community Hospital. The new facility will provide a supportive environment for 48 patients and will open in 2024. The unit aims to enable patients to make steady improvements and gain independence as they prepare to return to the community, with a focus on patient involvement in their own care.

Healthcare will be delivered by a multidisciplinary team of clinical professionals. NCH&C offers flexible working, training and progression opportunities, and a wellbeing package including free staff gyms, counselling and physiotherapy.

For further information or to arrange an information discussion, please contact Bianca Bailey, Forest Ward Manager - Willow Therapy Unit -

Note: unfortunately sponsorship is not provided for this position.

Main duties of the job

Be responsible for delivery of care in a reablement setting and support an environment where all team members follow a reablement ethos using a positive risk-taking approach for patients, carers and families. Support patients to be as independent as possible within their functional limits, working as part of a multidisciplinary team within a quality framework to ensure high standards of care.

Support and deliver innovation within discharge practice and pathways with system partners including the voluntary sector to ensure seamless transfer of care into and onward from the unit. Co-ordinate care for a named group of patients and work within the team to meet unit and trust goals, promoting policies and guidelines.

Engage in mobile working with SystmOne Optimisation. Be aware of the demand and capacity model and adapt work patterns to meet service needs, including actions in line with the current escalation plan (OPEL).

About us

Find out more about working for our organisation here:

Please note: selection processes are designed to recruit candidates with the right values and skills. The use of AI in applications is monitored to ensure accuracy of skills reflected.

Apply now to join an organisation awarded an Outstanding rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Job responsibilities

Clinical

• Assess patients with straightforward requirements based on predetermined department protocols.
• Prepare for, carry out and monitor assessments and treatments, and discharge in line with department protocols.
• Apply competency-based treatment techniques under supervision of a qualified practitioner.
• Modify and progress intervention/treatment using clinical reasoning, notifying a qualified practitioner as needed.
• Prepare for and develop individual/group activities to meet defined intervention needs.
• Monitor patients and prompt a qualified practitioner when there are unexpected changes.
• Demonstrate problem solving and contribute to solutions with colleagues.
• Make basic judgments on patient response to treatment and report findings to a qualified practitioner.
• Plan and prioritise visits, document in electronic ledgers, and ensure records are completed (SystmOne).
• Adjust explanations for barriers to understanding to gain consent and concordance.
• Use tact and persuasive skills to gain patient cooperation in treatment/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 as appropriate (e.g. Gold Standard Framework).
• Communicate with patients/carers with clarity, reassurance and empathy; establish professional relationships with colleagues and professionals.
• Demonstrate dexterity and coordination in treatments (e.g. venepuncture, transfers, passive exercises).
• Ensure equipment is used safely and maintained; assist with requisitioning supplies electronically.
• Work predominantly independently with clinical support and supervision from a qualified practitioner.
• Demonstrate understanding of consent and gain consent as appropriate per policy.
• Share responsibility for stores, equipment, housekeeping and general tasks; handle indirect patient contact tasks (appointments, referrals, data input).
• Work with universal precautions for infection control and demonstrate basic IT skills.
• Develop and maintain key competencies to support planned and unplanned care within own scope of practice.
• Achieve competencies in key skills including wound care, medication administration, continence management, palliative care and holistic assessments.

Professional

• Active participation in in-service training, staff meetings, courses and reflective practice.
• Participate in staff appraisal and maintain a personal development plan.
• Demonstrate awareness of clinical governance and risk management; provide peer support and develop competencies to meet patient and service needs.

Job description Job responsibilities

Clinical

• Same as above in Clinical responsibilities (consolidated for readability).

Clinical Nursing Competencies

• Develop and maintain key competencies to support planned and unplanned care teams; achieve competency in areas such as wound care, medication administration, continence management, palliative care and holistic assessments.

Professional

• Active participation in training, appraisal, governance and reflective practice; provide peer support and develop competencies to meet service needs.

Person Specification

Qualifications

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

Experience

• Experience of working in a Community Health care setting (including primary care)

Skills, Abilities and Knowledge

• Team player with multi-disciplinary collaboration
• Self-awareness of strengths and development needs; seek advice where appropriate
• Understanding of the Nursing Associate role within the team and organisation; contribute to service development
• Time management and prioritisation
• Intermediate IT skills
• Ability to handle non-routine workload and patient contact
• Willingness to move between sites across health and social care as required
• Ability to work on own initiative and engage in reflective practice
• Understanding of health promotion (Making Every Contact Count)

Communication

• Communicate with the public and health and care providers; competent in written and spoken English
• Courteous, respectful and helpful

Personal and People Development

• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare of vulnerable groups

Personal Attributes

• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting welfare of vulnerable groups

Desirable

• Knowledge of lone working

Other

• Ability to work different shifts
• Community posts require a full driving licence and access to a vehicle

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and a DBS check will be required.

Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust

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