Band 7, 8 and 9 nursing job profile review: have your say
Posted 17 October 2024 - 14:56
Nurses are encouraged to take part in consultation on proposed changes to decade-old profiles and comment on whether they accurately reflect modern nursing skills, training and practices
A newly launched review into NHS nursing job profiles for bands 7, 8 and 9 has been described by a nursing leader as ‘long overdue’.
The NHS Staff Council job evaluation group (JEG) began a nine-week consultation on 14 October on proposed changes to job evaluation profiles for the three nursing and midwifery bands.
Review follows campaign to ensure nursing staff are banded and paid fairly
The profile review follows a long-running campaign by the RCN and the Royal College of Midwives, which submitted a request to the staff council for profiles to be updated.
The existing profiles are more than a decade old and it is hoped that updated ones will more accurately reflect the reality of present-day advanced nursing skills, training and practice.
RCN associate director of employment relations Brian Morton said: 'Alongside other unions, the RCN has fought hard for this review. We need to see nursing staff at all levels paid fairly for the work they do. The reality is that eight in ten feel that their level of pay doesn’t match their skill, expertise and responsibilities.
'This leaves nursing staff feeling undervalued, pushing many into leaving the profession. We will be consulting our members and contributing to this review to ensure the voice of nursing is at the heart of its findings.'
Employers and nursing staff are invited to respond to the consultation and answer questions about the suitability of the proposed changes, and whether the qualifications, responsibilities and clinical skills adequately reflect all band 7, 8 and 9 roles.
The job evaluation group says it has already carried out extensive evidence gathering, including a nationwide survey, job information analysis, round table discussion and interviews.
Poor quality job descriptions have led to gaps in information, says profiles questionnaire
However, the national profiles questionnaire states that ‘poor quality job descriptions that have not been regularly updated’ have led to gaps in information.
It says job descriptions used for recruitment purposes ‘often do not reflect changes in practice, changes in roles and developments in education’.
Nurses have until 15 December to contribute to the consultation. Meanwhile the results of a consultation on a job profile review for bands 4, 5 and 6 are expected in early 2025.
To take part, go to National Nursing and Midwifery Job Profile Review.
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