Nursing Associate

Transformation Unit; Preston; Remote; GBP 28,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Nursing Associate (Band 4) for a surgical ward at Royal Preston Hospital. The role focuses on safe, compassionate post-operative care within a skilled multidisciplinary team.

You will support assessment, delivery and evaluation of care for elective major surgery patients and contribute to Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathways.

Qualifications

• Registered Nursing Associate on the NMC register.
• GCSE Grade A-C or Grade 4+ in Maths & English or skills level 2 Maths & English or equivalent.
• Good Information Technology skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality post-operative care and ongoing assessment.
• Monitor observations, fluids, wounds, drains, catheters and nutrition.
• Assist with mobility, pain management and early recovery principles (ERAS).
• Escalate deterioration promptly and document care and findings.
• Support a safe, efficient patient flow and discharge planning.

Skills

Teamwork

Clinical measurements

Quadramed

Education

NMC Registered Nursing Associate

GCSE Maths & English or equivalent

Good IT skills

Tools

Quadramed

Job description

Employer Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Royal Preston Hospital Town Fulwood Salary £28,392 - £31,157 Per Annum, Pro Rata Salary period Yearly Closing 03/11/2026 23:59

Nursing Associate

Band 4

Job overview

Nursing Associate – Elective Surgical Ward 11 - Supporting safe, compassionate post-op recovery within a skilled surgical team.

Main duties of the job

The Nursing Associate will work as an integral member of the Ward 11 multidisciplinary team, supporting the delivery of safe, effective and compassionate care to patients undergoing elective major surgical procedures.

Ward 11 is a specialist elective surgical ward caring for patients across Upper GI, Urology, Colorectal and Vascular surgery, including patients requiring complex post-operative care. They will work closely with experienced Registered Nurses, Nursing Associates, Healthcare Assistants, Clinical Nurse Specialists, medical teams and the wider multidisciplinary team to ensure patients receive high-quality, evidence-based care throughout their post-operative journey.

The role requires the Nursing Associate to take responsibility for an identified group of patients , and must hold a valid NMC registration. They will work within their scope of practice , They will contribute to assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of care, recognising changes in a patient's condition and escalating concerns promptly and appropriately.

They will provide high-quality post-operative nursing care, supporting patients following major elective surgery and helping them progress safely through their recovery to discharge. The Nursing Associate will actively support the principles of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery, helping patients achieve safe and timely recovery while maintaining individualised care.

Working for our organisation

We are a 22 bed surgical ward in Royal Preston Hospital. We embed team working from all grades on the ward and we work collaboratively with our ward doctors and our allied health professionals on the ward (physio, OT, SLT etc). Patient safety is central to the role. The Nursing Associate will contribute proactively to Ward 11's established culture of safe, high-quality care.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Nursing Associate will work as an integral member of the Ward 11 nursing team supporting Night duties and occasional Day shift cover, providing safe, compassionate and evidence-based care to patients undergoing major elective surgery across Upper GI, Urology, Colorectal and Vascular specialties.

Working alongside experienced Registered Nurses and Healthcare Assistants, the Nursing Associate will take responsibility for an allocated group of patients within their scope of practice, supporting assessment, care delivery, monitoring and evaluation.

Key responsibilities include providing high-quality post-operative care, undertaking observations, monitoring fluid balance, wounds, drains, catheters, nutrition, pain and mobility, and recognising and escalating deterioration or post-operative complications promptly.

The role will actively support Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) principles, including early mobilisation, nutrition and hydration, effective symptom management, independence and timely recovery.

The Nursing Associate will identify and manage patient safety risks including falls, pressure damage, VTE, infection, deterioration and safeguarding concerns, ensuring appropriate escalation and documentation.

They will contribute to safe patient flow, discharge planning, infection prevention, accurate clinical documentation, MDT communication and quality improvement.

The postholder will demonstrate professionalism, accountability, excellent communication and a commitment to maintaining Ward 11's strong reputation for safe, high-quality, patient-centred elective surgical care.

Person specification

Qualifications & Education

• Registered Nursing Associate on the NMC register
• GCSE Grade A-C or Grade 4 or above in Maths & English or skills level 2 Maths & English or equivalent
• Good Information Technology skills

Knowledge & Experience

• Significant experience working in a healthcare environment as part of a team.
• Proven competency of assisting with a core range of physical measurements.
• Experience of using clinical systems –e.g. Quadramed

We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership, neurodiversity or veteran status are encouraged to apply for this post. Our Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is available Here

To support you in your application process we’ve created a What we can offer you guide that shows what you can expect when you join our hospitals. The guide includes links to our strategic aims and objectives as well as our values, development support and rewards and benefits. To help you get the best from your application we’ve also put together two guides to help you make your application the best it can be. Just click here and here to go through them, or have them open as you complete your application.

We recognise that the recruitment process may present barriers for some and you may need personal adjustments to enable you to participate in our recruitment process. Please make contact with the recruitment team at the earliest opportunity to ensure that measures can be put in place to enable your application for this post.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications

If you choose to use AI or other tools to assist in writing your application, it's essential to personalise this information, particularly your supporting information section. While AI can help streamline the writing process, these tools cannot fully grasp the context or requirements of the job you’re applying for. There is also a risk that it can generate false or misleading information.
AI-generated job applications can often be generic, impersonal and may not accurately reflect your qualifications, knowledge, skills, and experiences. It is crucial that you personalise your supporting statement by articulating these in your unique voice. Relying solely on AI to write your application or supporting information section is not advocated by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals and could negatively impact your chances of success in the application process.

We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Supporting Information

The supporting information section is an opportunity for you to showcase how your qualifications, knowledge, skill and experiences align with the requirements and criteria outlined in the job description and person.
Our recruiting managers score applications based on the criteria listed in the person specification. They will be looking for evidence of how you meet these criteria. To increase your chances of securing an interview, provide examples of how you have applied your skills and knowledge in real-life situations. Share work-related successes and challenges you’ve navigated that align with the criteria. These could be from various aspects of your life, including work, education, and personal experiences.
Consider structuring your supporting information section with clear headings or bullet points. This approach will help both you and the recruiting manager navigate through your application more effectively.

Working Smarter pledge

We are reminded everyday of how important life is, so as part of our Working Smarter pledge we offer a variety of flexible working options and wellbeing support to enable our people to find and maintain the right work-life balance.

Secondments

If you are applying for a secondment role please ensure you have agreement from your current line manager prior to attending an interview. Also please ensure you have read the LTHTR Secondment Policy. A copy of this can be found on the intranet or by contacting [e-mail]

Please note a young person must be in part-time education or training until they’re 18. therefore if you are under 18 we are unable to employ you on a full time basis, unless it is in an apprenticeship role.

Disclosure and Barring Service checks

If the role you’ve applied for requires a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check we will administer this on your behalf and the cost will be recovered from your salary, either as a one-off payment, or over 3 months. The level of check required depends on the role that you have been offered. Currently the charges are - Basic DBS check £26.40 Standard DBS check £26.40 and Enhanced DBS check £54.40. You should be aware that if you are successful in obtaining a position that requires a DBS check but later withdraw your application, you may be required to reimburse the cost of the DBS check. DBS checks remain free of charge for volunteer positions. The DBS Code of Practice can be accessed here .

In line with guidance from United Kingdom Health Security Agency, all staff and volunteers are required to comply with Trust Infection Prevention and Control processes in relation to safe working. This includes mask wearing and adherence to social distancing at all Trust sites.

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We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.