Senior Nursing Assistant -Special Needs Nursing Service

NHS; Manchester; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A public healthcare organization in Manchester seeks a Senior Nursing Assistant for the Special Needs Nursing Service. This role offers a fulfilling opportunity to work closely with children having complex health needs within both school and community settings. Ideal candidates will have a Level 3 healthcare qualification and strong communication skills. Working hours are 32.5 hours per week over five days. A clean UK driving license and vehicle access are necessary. Salary ranges from £24,937 to £26,598 per annum (pro rata).

Qualifications

• Experience working in environments caring for children and young people, like hospitals or schools.
• Knowledge of Infection Control and Safeguarding processes.
• Experience caring for a group of patients.

Responsibilities

• Deliver nursing care under the supervision of a registered nurse.
• Work collaboratively with nurses to provide care to children with complex needs.
• Support special needs school nurses to meet health needs of young people.

Skills

Good communication skills (written and verbal)

Ability to work as a team

Taking and recording vital signs

Ability to carry out routine tasks

Education

Completed the National Care Certificate

Level 3 Vocational Qualification (e.g. NVQ or Apprenticeship)

Functional Skills Level 1 Maths and English or equivalent

Job description

Senior Nursing Assistant – Special Needs Nursing Service

The closing date is 22 December 2025

We are Manchester Local Care Organisation - an exciting, new public sector organisation that is bringing together NHS community health services and social care services in the city. We're driven by the aim of improving the health of local people in Manchester by working across organisational boundaries. The first health and social care staff have been deployed to us in April 2018 and are now starting to work in new ways across the city. Our teams work as one in the neighbourhoods they serve – delivering and designing services in partnership with local people. We also provide key services that work across wider localities and city-wide. We believe that our pioneering approach will make a massive difference to the health of people in our city and we are looking for you to join our team and help us do this.

The Special Needs Nursing Service in Manchester provides nursing care and support to children at 12 Special Needs Schools citywide and holds a caseload of young people with complex health and learning needs within the community. We are part of the Manchester Children's Community Nursing Team. An exciting opportunity has arisen to appoint a Term Time Only Band 3 Senior Nursing Assistant within The Special Needs Nursing Service in Manchester. The post is for 32.5 hours, required over 5 days Monday - Friday. We are looking for a motivated individual with excellent communication, interpersonal and organisational skills to join our team.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work as a member of the special needs nursing team, delivering nursing care to an agreed level under the supervision of a registered nurse. The post is one of support to special needs school nurses to ensure the health needs of young people is met safely and effectively. This will include both clinical and administrative tasks. You will need to be able to work in collaboration with nurses to provide care to children with complex needs, and their families/carers, whilst working in a school and community setting. This is an amazing opportunity for anyone interested in working within a supportive, friendly and dynamic team. Must hold a full UK driving license and must have access to a vehicle.

About us

Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward‑thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement. Whether you're beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working – empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients. You'll be part of a collaborative, multi‑disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.

At MFT, you'll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions. Your journey at MFT is more than a job – it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We'll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.

Job responsibilities

For a detailed overview of the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you'll need, refer to the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Supporting Documents heading. The Candidate Essentials Guide, which sits with the Job Description and Person Specification, provides information about the Trust, our benefits, and outlines how we care for you as you care for others. It also contains critical information you need to be aware of before you submit an application.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Completed the National Care Certificate
• Holds a level 3 Vocational Qualification (e.g. NVQ or Apprenticeship) in Clinical Healthcare or able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge and/or experience
• Holds Functional Skills Level 1 Maths and English or GCSE equivalent or undertake and achieve a pass following completion of level 1 functional skills assessment
• Worked at a band 2 Nursing Assistant level or equivalent
• Speciality specific training and evidence of competencies being achieved and continued development

Knowledge and Experience

• Working in an environment caring for children and young people e.g. hospital, nursery or school, undertaking a wide range of clinical commitments.
• Knowledge of Infection Control & Safeguarding processes
• Experience of working with the multidisciplinary team.
• Experience of caring for a group of patients
• Experience of dealing with patient/relative complaints as appropriate.
• Experience in supporting Quality Improvement audits and research and development activities.
• Experience of working in more than one speciality within a health care environment.

Skills and Abilities

• Good communication skills (written and verbal).
• Taking and recording vital signs and other clinical skill following appropriate training and assessment and within scope of job role
• Able to work as a team.
• Able to carry out routine and non‑routine tasks.
• Able to work on own initiative in delivery patient care, following direction by a Registered Healthcare Practitioner.
• Able to relate well with patients/relatives/visitors/ Colleagues/the multi‑disciplinary team and wider Trust staff.
• Experience of inducting, coaching and supervising junior staff

Attributes

• Committed to delivering high standards of patient care.
• Friendly, open, empathetic and compassionate
• Professional outlook and positive attitude.
• Able to meet the flexible needs of the role and duty roster
• Honest and trustworthy
• Access to vehicle and clean driving license

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

£24,937 to £26,598 a year
Per Annum (Pro Rata)