Recruitment Information

Pack
 We provide wide-ranging NHS care for people in the community, in a
About KCHFT range of settings including people’s own homes; nursing homes; health
clinics; community hospitals; minor injury units and in mobile units.

We are one of the largest NHS community health providers

in England, serving a population of about 1.4 million across Kent
and 600,000 in East Sussex and London. We employ more than
5,000 staff, including doctors, community nurses, physiotherapists,
dietitians and many other healthcare professionals.

We firmly believe our trust belongs to our people – both the people
we care for and the people who work here. Our people are our
most valued asset and the best resource we have to deliver all that
is required of us. They shoulder enormous responsibility for the
lives of patients and their working life must reflect this; they should
be trusted, have compassionate leadership and be duly recognised
for their contribution.

KCHFT colleagues are expected to be kind and responsive,

Our values professional and informative and to contribute to the quality of our
services by demonstrating our ‘CARE’ values:

Compassionate
This is about putting our patients and service users at the heart of everything we do
so that the way we deliver our services empowers them, meets their expectations
and caters for their needs. It is characterised by having a positive attitude, being kind
and polite, understanding diversity and demonstrating respect, patience and
tolerance. It is equally about making staff feel truly valued so they feel cared for and
are engaged with our vision and values and display these values to each other,
whatever their role in the trust.

Aspirational
This is about empowering and being aspirational for ourselves and our patients and
service users. It is seeking and supporting continuous improvement, a focus on
research, generating ideas and innovations and being adaptable to change. Sharing
information, resources and ideas to deliver excellent outcomes. It is characterised by
openness, transparency, and thinking creatively.

Responsive
This is about listening and acting and is characterised by effective relationships,
communicating clearly, doing what we say we will when we say we will, asking and
taking account of opinions, planning with patients and service users and working
across organisational boundaries. It is about working with and being responsive to
our commissioners and stakeholders and designing services with them. It is also
about effective working relationships within teams and across internal boundaries to
deliver outcomes that improve our patients’ experience. It is equally about applying
these principles every day, working with staff so they feel valued and empowered.

Excellent
This is about striving to deliver the best care we can. It is about providing high quality
services and wanting the best for our patients. It is also about leading by example
and supporting and growing a culture of excellence in our teams. It is characterised
by challenging complacency, tackling inappropriate and challenging behaviour and
striving for continuous improvement.
 Job Description
Registered Nurse Degree Apprentice
AFC Banding: 3/4 Base: Westbrook House
Hours: 37.5 Contract Type: Permanent
Community Hospital Adult
Responsible to: Matron Directorate/ Division:
Services

Role overview
The registered nurse degree apprenticeship provides a pathway into a career in nursing.
The programme will help you to develop and maintain the knowledge, skills and competencies of a
Registered Nurse (RN), while working as a Healthcare Assistant for the NHS.
Following successful completion of the programme, you will be awarded a degree-level equivalent
qualification (level six) and can move into a role as a qualified nurse.

As an apprentice nurse you will combine academic and work-based learning to become a Registered
Nurse (Adult). During the programme you will be an employee of Kent Community Health NHS
Foundation Trust, and will experience working as a Healthcare Assistant in a variety of healthcare
settings; including community hospitals, community nursing, clinics and public health settings, to
enhance your understanding of the wider health economy. You will be required to undertake shift work
and to travel to a variety of locations.

There are five essential skills clusters that support the achievement of the standards of a Registered
Nurse (Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)), which you will be working to achieve over the course of
the programme.

They are:
 Care, compassion and communication
 Organisational aspects of care
 Infection prevention and control
 Nutrition and fluid management
 Medicines management

As a registered nurse apprentice, you will have the opportunity to broaden your knowledge, skills and
experience during placements to a wide range of settings across the trust and be provided with dedicated
time to study for a Bachelor’s degree in nursing in conjunction with the Open University (OU).

At the end of the four-year programme, you will be equipped with the knowledge, understanding, skills,
attitudes and behaviors relevant to the NMC Code of Conduct as a Registered Nurse.

Service overview
Westbrook House Ward provides rehabilitation for patients, with specialist support for patients post
stroke with complexities, with a minimum of 8 beds forming a stroke rehabilitation unit for East Kent.

The majority of stroke patients will be referred from the acute stroke unit at Kent and Canterbury
Hospital. As these are new beds we have the opportunity to work differently and the focus with be to
improve outcomes for patients by working across traditional boundaries, having a 24/7 approach to
rehabilitation, with all the staff working together to achieve shared patient goals. To this end, the
healthcare assistants will also act as therapy assistants and receive training and support to be able to
deliver a delegated therapy programme 7 days a week. Much of this will be delivered through the usual
daily living tasks carried out, with the support of the healthcare assistants, but they might also act as a
second or third pair of hands during gym sessions where this is required.

The inpatient care and management is overseen by a Matron along with a Consultant Allied Health
Professional for stroke rehabilitation. The MDT will consist of registered nurses, healthcare assistants,
physiotherapists, occupational therapists, a dietitian, a speech and language therapist, rehabilitation
assistants, care management staff, a pharmacist and our visiting medical officers.
Community hospitals provide a range of comprehensive healthcare services for patients over the age of
18 and in some sites also outpatient services.

The units predominantly provide rehabilitation and end of life support for palliative patients and their
families.
Patients are referred to the ward either from the acute setting to allow a further period of rehabilitation
and assessment or directly from home via their GP or local community nursing teams.

Key working relationships

Internal: Patients, families, carers, health professionals, management team etc.
External: Education providers, visitors, general public, outside agencies, other hospitals or NHS
organisations etc.

Organisational chart

Matron

Band 6 RN Band 5 RN

Band 3 Band 3 Senior Band 2

Band 4 Nurse
Therapeutic Healthcare Healthcare Ward Clerk
Associate
worker assistant assistant

Job Summary
As part of your role you will be responsible for:

 Assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating care, putting the needs of patients and service
users first.
 Being responsible and accountable for own work and for reviewing the effectiveness of actions.
 Demonstrating leadership qualities, manage and lead colleagues as appropriate.
 Maintaining a current knowledge and skill base.
 Supporting the development of learners and new entrants to the profession.
 Abiding by the NMC Code and meet the NMC requirements for pre-registration students.

Key Result Areas

All colleagues are committed to providing safe, effective services and providing patients/clients and
families with a positive experience.

Patient Safety

You will contribute to the provision of safe and reliable services by:

 Practising safely by being aware of the correct use, limitations and hazards of common
interventions, including nursing activities, treatments, and the use of medical devices and
equipment. You will be able to evaluate their use, report any concerns promptly through
appropriate channels and modify care where necessary to maintain safety. You will contribute to
the collection of local and national data and formulation of policy on risks, hazards and adverse
outcomes.
 Understanding the public health principles, priorities and practice in order to recognise and
respond to the major causes and social determinants of health, illness and health inequalities.
You will use a range of information and data to assess the needs of people, groups, communities
and populations, and work to improve health, wellbeing and experiences of healthcare; secure
equal access to health screening, health promotion and healthcare; and promote social inclusion.
  Understanding and applying current legislation to all service users, paying special attention to the
protection of vulnerable people, including those with complex needs arising from ageing, cognitive
impairment, long-term conditions and those approaching the end of life.
 Using therapeutic principles to engage, maintain and, where appropriate, disengage from
professional caring relationships, and must always respect professional boundaries.

Clinical Outcomes

You will contribute to the effective delivery of services by:

 Carrying out accurate assessments of people of all ages using appropriate diagnostic and decision-
making skills.
 Providing effective care for service users and others in all settings.
 Having an in-depth understanding of and competence in medical and surgical nursing to respond
to adults’ full range of health and dependency needs.
 Delivering care to meet essential and complex physical and mental health needs.
 Being able to recognise and respond to the needs of all people who come into their care including
babies, children and young people, pregnant and postnatal women, people with mental health
problems, people with physical disabilities, people with learning disabilities, older people, and
people with long term problems such as cognitive impairment.
 Safely using a range of diagnostic skills, employing appropriate technology, to assess the needs of
service users.
 Safely using invasive and non-invasive procedures, medical devices, and current technological and
pharmacological interventions, where relevant, in medical and surgical nursing practice, providing
information and taking account of individual needs and preferences.
 Recognising and responding to the changing needs of adults, families and carers during terminal
illness. You will be aware of how treatment goals and service users’ choices may change at different
stages of progressive illness, loss and bereavement.
 Recognising the early signs of illness in people of all ages. You will make accurate assessments
and start appropriate and timely management of those who are acutely ill, at risk of clinical
deterioration, or require emergency care.
 You will work in partnership with people who have long-term conditions that require medical or
surgical nursing, and their families and carers, to provide therapeutic nursing interventions, optimise
health and wellbeing, facilitate choice and maximise self-care and self-management.
 You will be able to provide leadership in managing adult nursing care, understand and coordinate
inter-professional care when needed, and liaise with specialist teams.
 You will be adaptable and flexible, and able to take the lead in responding to the needs of people
of all ages in a variety of circumstances, including situations where immediate or urgent care is
needed.
 You will recognise your leadership role in disaster management, major incidents and public health
emergencies, and respond appropriately according to their levels of competence.
 Facilitating nursing students and others to develop their competence, using a range of
professional and personal development skills.
 You will work independently as well as in teams, taking the lead in coordinating, delegating and
supervising care safely, managing risk and remaining accountable for the care given.
 You will work effectively across professional and agency boundaries, actively involving and
respecting others’ contributions to integrated person-centred care. You will know when and how
to communicate with and refer to other professionals and agencies in order to respect the choices
of service users and others, promoting shared decision making, to deliver positive outcomes and
to coordinate smooth, effective transition within and between services and agencies.
 Using up-to-date knowledge and evidence to assess, plan, deliver and evaluate care,
communicate findings, influence change and promote health and best practice. You will make
person-centred, evidence-based judgments and decisions, in partnership with others involved in
the care process, to ensure high quality care. You will be able to recognise when the complexity
of clinical decisions requires specialist knowledge and expertise, and consult or refer accordingly.
 Practising with confidence according to The Code: Professional standards of practice and
behaviour for nurses and midwives (NMC 2015), and within other recognised ethical and legal
frameworks. You will be able to recognise and address ethical challenges relating to people’s
 choices and decision-making about their care, and act within the law to help them and their
families and carers find acceptable solutions.
 Practising in a holistic, non-judgmental, caring and sensitive manner that avoids assumptions,
supports social inclusion; recognises and respects individual choice; and acknowledges diversity.
Where necessary, you will challenge inequality, discrimination and exclusion from access to care.
 Fully understanding the nurse’s various roles, responsibilities and functions, and adapt their
practice to meet the changing needs of people, groups, communities and populations.
 Understanding the roles and responsibilities of other health and social care professionals, and
seek to work with them collaboratively for the benefit of all who need care.
 Practising independently, recognising the limits of their competence and knowledge. You will
reflect on these limits and seek advice from, or refer to, other professionals where necessary.
 Appreciating the value of evidence in practice, be able to understand and appraise research,
apply relevant theory and research findings to their work, and identify areas for further
investigation.
 Being able to identify priorities and manage time and resources effectively to ensure the quality of
care is maintained or enhanced.
 Possessing a broad knowledge of the structure and functions of the human body, and other
relevant knowledge from the life, behavioural and social sciences as applied to health, ill health,
disability, ageing and death. You will have an in-depth knowledge of common physical and mental
health problems and treatments in their own field of practice, including co-morbidity and
physiological and psychological vulnerability.
 Carrying out comprehensive, systematic nursing assessments that take account of relevant
physical, social, cultural, psychological, spiritual, genetic and environmental factors, in partnership
with service users and others through interaction, observation and measurement.
 Ascertaining and responding to the physical, social and psychological needs of people, groups
and communities. You will plan, deliver and evaluate safe, competent, person-centred care in
partnership with them, paying special attention to changing health needs during different life
stages, including progressive illness and death, loss and bereavement.
 You will contribute to the collection of local and national data and formulation of policy on risks,
hazards and adverse outcomes.
 Being able to recognise and interpret signs of normal and deteriorating mental and physical
health and respond promptly to maintain or improve the health and comfort of the service user,
acting to keep them and others safe.
 Promoting the concept, knowledge and practice of self-care with people with acute and long-term
conditions, using a range of communication skills and strategies.
 You will know when to consult a third party and how to make referrals for advocacy, mediation or
arbitration.
 Maintaining accurate, clear and complete records, including the use of electronic formats, using
appropriate and plain language.
 Respecting individual rights to confidentiality and keep information secure and confidential in
accordance with the law and relevant ethical and regulatory frameworks, taking account of local
protocols.

Patient Experience

 Acting in ways which support equality and value diversity.

 Recognising when people are anxious or in distress and respond effectively, using therapeutic
principles, to promote their wellbeing, manage personal safety and resolve conflict. They must
use effective communication strategies and negotiation techniques to achieve best outcomes,
respecting the dignity and human rights of all concerned.
 Responding warmly and positively to people of all ages who may be anxious, distressed, or facing
problems with their health and wellbeing.
 Building partnerships and therapeutic relationships through safe, effective and non-discriminatory
communication, taking account of individual differences, capabilities and needs.
 Demonstrating the ability to listen with empathy.
 Using a range of communication skills and technologies to support person-centred care and
enhance quality and safety. Ensuring that people receive all the information they need in a
language and manner that allows them to make informed choices and share decision making.
 Recognising when language interpretation or other communication support is needed and know
how to obtain it.
  Acting as change agents and provide leadership through quality improvement and service
development to enhance people’s wellbeing and experiences of healthcare.
 Systematically evaluate care and ensure you and others use the findings to help improve people’s
experience and care outcomes and to shape future services.
Supporting yourself and others

Engaged colleagues are more productive. You will play a role in engaging fellow health professional
peers and the work we do by:

 Demonstrating your own duties to new or less experienced colleagues.

 Supporting the development of less experienced colleagues and students .
 Being self-aware and recognise how their own values, principles and assumptions may affect
their practice. You will maintain their own personal and professional development, learning from
experience, through supervision, feedback, reflection and evaluation.
 Being responsible and accountable for keeping your own knowledge and skills up to date through
continuing professional development. You will aim to improve your performance and enhance the
safety and quality of care through evaluation, supervision and appraisal.

Working Conditions
Use frequent moderate effort when carrying out the manual handling of individuals and
equipment in line with organisational guidelines. Use skills of manual dexterity and
Physical manipulation of clinical instruments and equipment. Use a combination of standing, walking
Effort bending and stretching throughout the shift. Exercise personal duty of care in the safe use
and storage of equipment Be environmentally aware and prudent in use of resources and
energy.
Frequently use concentration and experience work patterns which are unpredictable with
Mental regular interruptions, some requiring immediate response. Have exposure to VDU screen.
Effort
Maintain a professional approach while working in challenging, distressing situations or
Emotional dealing with challenging behaviour. Support individuals, their families and carers when
Effort faced with unwelcome news and life changing diagnoses.

Work to the direction of a registered nurse/other health registered professional. Work to

standard operating procedures with registered care professionals available for reference
.Work within the organisational policy, procedures and guidelines. Work within the trainee
Freedom Registered Nurse parameters of practice. Be responsible and accountable for own
to Act practice, working within limits of competence and within professional boundaries. Raises
any concerns to a registered care professional or appropriate person.

Working Dependent on care setting, have frequent exposure to highly unpleasant working
Conditions conditions e.g. dealing with uncontained body fluids and difficult aggressive behaviour.

This is an outline job description designed to summarise the key responsibilities of the role and is not
intended to cover every task that may be required. The post holder will be expected to be flexible to
respond to change and organisational need.
Job description agreement
Job holder’s name:
Job holder’s signature:
Date:
Line managers name and title:
Line managers signature:
Date:
 Person Specification
Essential Desirable
Functional skills level 2 or GCSE English Level 5 qualification as an Assistant
(minimum grade C or 4) Practitioner or Nursing Associate.

Functional skills level 2 or GCSE Maths

(minimum grade C or 4)
Qualifications
Evidence of Level 3 qualification in
healthcare e.g. Diploma/ NVQ or equivalent
experience.

Experience providing direct patient care in a NHS experience

health and/or social care setting.
Experience Working within a multi-disciplinary health
care team.

Understanding of the role of a Registered Understanding of evidence-based

Nurse practice.

Insight into how to evaluate own strengths Completion of the Care Certificate.
and development needs, seeking advice
where appropriate. Understanding of basic physiology e.g.
normal vital signs, fluid balance,
Knowledge nutritional requirements etc.

Evidence of involvement in support/

development of less experienced staff.

Evidence of recent work-based learning

or self-directed learning.

 Compassionate
 Exceptional interpersonal skills
 Ability to communicate effectively
with staff, patients, carers and
relatives (as appropriate) remaining
sensitive and empathetic.
 Listening skills
 Respectful of others’ views
 Professional and patient focussed
approach with inspirational skills.
 Excellent organisational skills
 Ability to manage own time and plan
Skills & timed activities.
abilities  Ability to recognise and manage
challenging situations in a calm and
professional manner.
 Able to take instruction and direction
and work effectively as part of a
team.
 Ability to record and retrieve
information on paper/electronic
records as appropriate.
 High standards of written
communication skills with the ability
to use email and internet.
 Ability to work effectively as a team
player under appropriate
 supervision, and as part of a multi-
disciplinary team.
 Intermediate IT skills- Word, MS
teams, Rio.
 Ability to move between sites
working across health and social
care as required by the needs of the
apprenticeship programme.
 Ability to work on own initiative
 Ability to take part in reflective
practice and clinical supervision
activities.
 Understanding of the importance of
the promotion of health and
wellbeing (Making Every Contact
Count).

 Caring and compassionate

 Honest
 Conscientious and committed
 Appreciation of diversity, beliefs,
Personal culture, needs, values, privacy and
attributes preferences.
 Empathy
 Adaptable
 Resilient

The ability to travel around the trusts

geographical area in a timely manner.
Ability to
Has a valid full UK driver’s licence and owns
manage
a car- for attending base, placements and
training.

Additional Information

You will be required to comply with the Trust’s Standing Orders and Standing
Financial Instructions, and at all times deal honestly with the Trust, with colleagues
and all those who have dealings with the Trust, including patients, relatives and
suppliers.
Standards of
All Trust staff may be involved directly or indirectly with people who are receiving a
Business conduct
health service. Therefore, the Trust is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders
Act (1974) and this post may be subject to a Criminal Records Bureau disclosure.

The post holder is expected to adhere to the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of
Professional conduct.

You will ensure compliance with the Trust’s risk management policies and
procedures. These describe the Trust’s commitment to risk management, the
Risk Management
recognition that our aim is to protect patients, staff and visitors from harm, and
stress that all staff have a responsibility to minimise risk.

Governance Comply with the relevant governance standards applicable to the Trust as
Standards communicated to the post-holder from time to time.
 To comply with Trust Policies and the Data Protection Act in all respects, with
Data Protection
particular relevance to the protection and use of patient information.

Trust employees are required to ensure that information about patients and staff is
safeguarded to maintain confidentiality and is kept securely in accordance with
General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA18),
Confidentiality
the Caldicott Principles 1998 and the National Data Guardian Data Security
Standards. The trust’s Data Security and Protection policy and the Cyber, Network
and Information Systems policy provide guidance on how this can be achieved.

All colleagues must be familiar with and adhere to Trust child/adult safeguarding
procedures and guidelines, in conjunction with Kent Safeguarding
Child/Adult Children/Vulnerable Adults Board procedures and supporting policies/guidelines. All
Safeguarding staff are required to attend child/adult safeguarding basic awareness training and
additional training regarding child /adult safeguarding, commensurate to their
position and role.

Records To maintain Trust and patient records (both paper and electronic) in accordance
Management with Trust policies to facilitate clinical care and effective administration.

To provide advice and assistance to all persons who propose to make, or have
Freedom of made requests for information, and to ensure all requests for information are
Information managed appropriately in accordance with Trust Freedom of Information
procedures.

To comply with Trust policies to ensure there is a safe and secure environment that
Security protects patients, staff and visitors and their property, and the physical assets and
the information of the organisation.

The post holder will ensure compliance with the Trust’s Infection Prevention and
Infection Control Control policies and procedures and the Health Act 2006, ensuring that the risk of
healthcare associated infection to service users and staff is minimised.

Freedom to Speak You will have responsibility for patient and staff welfare and should raise any
Up concerns relating to a breach of NHS policies and procedures with their manager or
(Whistleblowing) refer to the Freedom to Speak Up Policy for alternative options.

You will ensure compliance with the Trust’s environmental management policies
Environmental and procedures. These describe the Trust’s commitment to climate change and
Impact carbon management, the recognition that our aim is to protect the environment and
the use of natural resources that all staff have a responsibility towards.

This Job Description will be used as a basis for individual performance review
between the post holder and the manager.

Performance The Job Description covers only the key result areas and, as such, does not intend
review to provide a comprehensive list of objectives. Specific objectives will be reviewed
each April, and may develop to meet the changing needs of the service. The post
holder will need to take due account, in the way they achieve the key result areas,
of Trust policies and procedures.
 The Trust aims to maintain the goodwill and confidence of its own staff, service and
users and the general public. To assist in achieving the objective it is essential that
Equality and at all times employees carry out their duties in a courteous and sympathetic
Diversity manner. The post holder will carry out their duties in accordance with the Trust’s
Equal Opportunities Policy respecting the differing backgrounds of colleagues and
clients.