Abstract
BackgroundAssistant practitioners have knowledge and skills beyond the level of traditional support workers, and work in many clinical settings. However, some assistant practitioners lack a clearly defined role and may be under-used due to issues around accountability and uncertainty about their purpose. This paper explores the assistant practitioner role from the perspectives of assistant practitioners and registered nurses.MethodsThis study aimed to explore the role of the assistant practitioner from the perspectives of assistant practitioners and registered nurses in two NHS hospital trusts in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom. Six qualitative focus groups were undertaken between February–March 2017. Ethical approval was obtained (FREC 2016/05) and written consent was provided by participants. Data was analysed thematically analysed using the Framework method.ResultsNineteen participants (assistant practitioners, n = 12; registered nurses, n = 7) were recruited using convenience sampling. Emerging themes related to ‘fluctuating roles and responsibilities of assistant practitioners’, ‘role differences between registered nurses and assistant practitioners’, ‘working relationships’, ‘supervision’ and ‘redefining nursing pathways’.The Results and Discussion sections highlight a lack of role clarity and blurring of boundaries between the roles of assistant practitioners and registered nurses, with many tasks undertaken by both. This lack of ownership of ‘nurse-specific’ roles by registered nurses was evident and clear differences were only encountered with regard to accountability. The development of the Nursing Associate role provides managers with the opportunity to redefine staff banding hierarchies to ensure that clinical staff are aware of their role capabilities and limitations and are practicing safely, whilst promoting career development and progression pathways.ConclusionAddressing issues around role clarity can benefit professional development, satisfaction, role identity and ownership for registered nurses and assistant practitioners, by recognising the individual and collective value they bring to the clinical team. The findings can help inform the development of the Nursing Associate role.
Highlights
Assistant practitioners have knowledge and skills beyond the level of traditional support workers, and work in many clinical settings
Aim of the study This study has aimed to explore the role of the Assistant practitioner (AP) from the perspective of both APs and Registered nurse (RN) working in acute, community and mental health settings in two National Health Service (NHS) hospital trusts in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
The main themes to emerge from the dataset related to the fluctuating roles and responsibilities of the APs, key differences in the roles of RNs and APs, working relationships between RNs and APs, supervision of APs and redefining nursing pathways
Summary
Assistant practitioners have knowledge and skills beyond the level of traditional support workers, and work in many clinical settings. Assistant practitioners (APs) are higher level support workers who complement the work of registered health professionals [1]. APs have knowledge and skills beyond the level of traditional support workers, such as health care assistants (HCAs), and deliver some aspects of care which were formerly the domain of registered staff. APs are most commonly employed at a Band 4 level following education and training, usually via a Foundation Degree or an equivalent programme, which is undertaken in partnership with local Higher Education Institutes [3] This educational base creates a platform for greater knowledge, opportunity and capability in the clinical setting, in comparison to HCAs, who do not undergo this formal training programme. Whilst the role has the potential for adoption in many settings, evidence suggests that APs are most prevalent in areas where funding is available for them, rather than in areas where a need for them has been identified [11]
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