Step guides
Understand the stages of a job evaluation specific to your band
These step guides will help you understand the national profile for bands 2 to 8, identified in our guidance.
We've outlined each factor to help you identify where there may be gaps in your current job information, to match it to the profile. As profiles can have multiple options per factor, our guide focuses on the highest option.
What you need to do
Identify the level your job has reached for each of the 16 factors below. You'll need a copy of your existing Matched Job Report (MJR), which shows how your job was originally assessed. This is a really important piece of the puzzle.
As you answer the question for each factor, you'll start to build a list of areas where your current job information would require strengthening to meet the national profile.
Where you answer 'yes', your job information may be sufficient to match the required level. You can, and should, strengthen this description if it doesn't accurately represent your role.
Where you answer 'no', your job information likely requires strengthening in this area. We've given prompts to think about how it could be improved.
Which band are you currently?
Band 2
The first step is to check that the job statement at the top of the profile does align to your job. It doesn’t need to be exact, just a good fit. The statement for the profile is:
- Undertakes personal care duties for patients in the community, in hospital or other settings.
- Supports patients/clients with toileting, bathing, dressing and meals.
- Records patient information.
As you answer the standard question for each factor, you start to build a list of where your current job information would require strengthening to meet the national profile. Your application will be stronger when you have more examples of where your knowledge, responsibilities and skills meet the standard required in each factor. Every factor counts, and it is your responsibility to represent your role accurately.
Where you answer "yes", your job information may already be sufficient to match the required level. You can, and should, strengthen this description if it does not accurately represent your role.
Where you answer "no", your job information may need strengthening in this area. We have provided prompts to help you think about how your job information could be improved.
Factor 1 – Communication and relationship skills
Does your MJR score level 3 or above?
Think about: The type of information communicated, and the skills used to gain the co-operation of patients/clients where there may be, for example, difficulties in understanding.
Factor 2 – Knowledge, training and experience
Does your MJR score level 2 or above?
Think about: How you would explain the training and experience needed to carry out your duties. Have you had on-the-job training and practical experience to develop your knowledge of personal care and related procedures? This can be gained through a Level 2 vocational qualification, or you could have equivalent relevant experience.
Factor 3 – Analytical and judgemental skills
Does your MJR score level 2 or above?
Think about: The types of judgements you make whilst undertaking personal care for patients, for example, when you would escalate concerns to senior members of the team.
Factor 4 – Planning and organisational skills
Does your MJR score level 1 or above?
Think about: How you organise your own day-to-day activities.
Factor 5 – Physical skills
Does your MJR score level 2 or above?
Think about: The skills required to perform your duties. Some examples at this level would include bathing patients, using hoists, manoeuvring wheelchairs or standard driving (if it is needed for your role).
Factor 6 – Responsibility for patient/client care
Does your MJR score level 3 or above?
Think about: The personal care you provide to patients, such as bathing, toileting, dressing and assisting patients with their appearance, or perhaps providing mealtime support.
Factor 7 – Responsibility for policy/service development
Does your MJR score level 1 or above?
Think about: Your role in the development of policies or procedures, which may be confined to following policies relevant to your specific work area and/or participating in discussions.
Factor 8 – Responsibility for financial and physical resources
Does your MJR score level 2 or above?
Think about: Whether you have any financial responsibility. This can range from a personal obligation to use equipment carefully, to handling cash and patient valuables, ensuring equipment used by others is safe, and ordering supplies to maintain stock levels.
Factor 9 – Responsibility for human resources
Does your MJR score level 1 or above?
Think about: Whether you demonstrate your own activities to new or less experienced members of staff.
Factor 10 – Responsibility for information resources
Does your MJR score level 1 or above?
Think about: The types of information you deal with and whether you gather and document it, such as height, weight, age or fluid balance.
Factor 11 – Responsibility for research and development
Does your MJR score level 1 or above?
Think about: The audits or surveys you may participate in as part of your own work. This may occasionally include participation in research and development activity.
Factor 12 – Freedom to act
Does your MJR score level 2 or above?
Think about: The initiative you take when delivering personal care that is guided by procedures and the availability of a supervisor who remains accountable.
Factor 13 – Physical effort
Does your MJR score level 4 or above?
Think about: The level of physical effort required to do the role. For example, whether you assist or move patients, and how often and for how long.
Factor 14 – Mental effort
Does your MJR score level 2 or above?
Think about: The level of concentration required for your role and whether this is predictable and routine.
Factor 15 – Emotional effort
Does your MJR score level 3 or above?
Think about: The types of emotional situations you are exposed to and the frequency with which they occur. For example, providing personal care to patients who have chronic conditions or those who are terminally ill and dying.
Factor 16 – Working conditions
Does your MJR score level 4 or above?
Think about: Whether you are exposed to foul linen or bodily fluids and the frequency with which this occurs.
Band 3
The first step is to check that the job statement at the top of the profile does align to your job. It doesn’t need to be exact, just a good fit. The statement for the profile is:
- Undertakes a range of delegated clinical care duties in hospital, community or other settings.
- Records patient observations and changes to patient clinical conditions.
- Carries out limited clinical care duties.
As you answer the standard question for each factor, you start to build a list of where your current job information would require strengthening to meet the national profile. Your application will be stronger when you have more examples of where your knowledge, responsibilities and skills meet the standard required in each factor. Every factor counts, and it is your responsibility to represent your role accurately.
Where you answer "yes", your job information may already be sufficient to match the required level. You can, and should, strengthen this description if it does not accurately represent your role.
Where you answer "no", your job information may need strengthening in this area. We have provided prompts to help you think about how your job information could be improved.
Factor 1 – Communication and relationship skills
Does your MJR score level 3 or above?
Think about: The type of information communicated, and the skills used to gain the co-operation of patients/clients where there may be, for example, difficulties in understanding.
Factor 2 – Knowledge, training and experience
Does your MJR score level 3 or above?
Think about: How you would explain the training, competencies or experience needed to become fully competent in the role. For example, this may be through completion of competencies alongside practical experience and short classroom-based courses.
Factor 3 – Analytical and judgemental skills
Does your MJR score level 2 or above?
Think about: The types of judgements you make, for example, actions taken following routine observations, tests, supporting the activities of daily living, or initiating emergency procedures.
Factor 4 – Planning and organisational skills
Does your MJR score level 1 or above?
Think about: How you organise your own day-to-day activities.
Factor 5 – Physical skills
Does your MJR score level 3 or above?
Think about: The skills required to perform your duties. Some examples at this level would be restraint of patients or clients, or venepuncture.
Factor 6 – Responsibility for patient/client care
Does your MJR score level 4 or above?
Think about: Delivery of care packages determined and delegated by others. The delegated clinical care duties will be limited and relevant to the work area. Examples may include recording patient observations, blood pressure monitoring, removal of catheters, or simple wound dressings.
Factor 7 – Responsibility for policy/service development
Does your MJR score level 1 or above?
Think about: Your role in the development of policies or procedures, which may be confined to following policies relevant to your specific work area and/or participating in discussions.
Factor 8 – Responsibility for financial and physical resources
Does your MJR score level 2 or above?
Think about: Whether you have any financial responsibility. This can range from a personal obligation to use equipment carefully, to handling cash and patient valuables, ensuring equipment used by others is safe, and ordering supplies to maintain stock levels.
Factor 9 – Responsibility for human resources
Does your MJR score level 2 or above?
Think about: The responsibility you have for staff or students. This can range from demonstrating your activities to new or less experienced staff, to the day-to-day supervision of students and junior staff.
Factor 10 – Responsibility for information resources
Does your MJR score level 1 or above?
Think about: The types of information you deal with and whether this is information you have gathered, such as taking patient observations and documenting care provided.
Factor 11 – Responsibility for research and development
Does your MJR score level 1 or above?
Think about: The audits or surveys you may participate in as part of your own work. This may occasionally include participation in research and development activity.
Factor 12 – Freedom to act
Does your MJR score level 2 or above?
Think about: The initiative you take when delivering care that is guided by procedures and the availability of a supervisor who remains accountable.
Factor 13 – Physical effort
Does your MJR score level 4 or above?
Think about: The level of physical effort required to do the role. For example, whether you assist or move patients or clients, and how often and for how long.
Factor 14 – Mental effort
Does your MJR score level 3 or above?
Think about: The level of concentration required for your role and whether you are exposed to regular, unpredictable interruptions requiring a change of task.
Factor 15 – Emotional effort
Does your MJR score level 3 or above?
Think about: The types of emotional situations you are exposed to. For example, providing care to those who are terminally ill, or dealing with patients or clients exhibiting challenging behaviour, and the frequency with which these occur.
Factor 16 – Working conditions
Does your MJR score level 4 or above?
Think about: Whether you are exposed to uncontained blood or bodily fluids and the frequency with which this occurs.
Band 4i
The first step is to check that the job statement at the top of the profile does align to your job. It doesn’t need to be exact, just a good fit. The statement for the profile is:
- Implements care packages or programmes in a range of settings under the supervision of registered clinical practitioners or as part of a multi-professional/multi-agency team.
- Carries out specific care duties for patients, as delegated by a registered nurse or other relevant professional.
- Monitors and contributes to care delivery and escalates any concerns.
- May supervise support workers.
As you answer the standard question for each factor, you start to build a list of where your current job information would require strengthening to meet the national profile. Your application will be stronger when you have more examples of where your knowledge, responsibilities and skills meet the standard required in each factor. Every factor counts, and it is your responsibility to represent your role accurately.
Where you answer "yes", your job information may already be sufficient to match the required level. You can, and should, strengthen this description if it does not accurately represent your role.
Where you answer "no", your job information may need strengthening in this area. We have provided prompts to help you think about how your job information could be improved.
Factor 1 – Communication and relationship skills
Does your MJR score level 4 or above?
Think about: The types of communication you have with patients or their families where the message may be complicated or sensitive, and where you may need to provide motivation, empathy or reassurance. Examples of this would be caring for anxious or distressed patients, or those who are terminally ill or have a cognitive impairment.
Factor 2 – Knowledge, training and experience
Does your MJR score level 4 or above?
Think about: What knowledge of procedures and practices you need to undertake your role and whether this is gained through qualifications, formal training, competencies and/or experience. Examples may include an Undergraduate Diploma or equivalent appropriate qualification and experience, such as a Foundation Degree, HNC, or Level 3 vocational qualification, plus short courses, completion of competency workbooks, or relevant experience to Undergraduate Diploma level equivalency.
Factor 3 – Analytical and judgemental skills
Does your MJR score level 3 or above?
Think about: The types of judgements you make when there is a straightforward choice of options, determining the best course of action. This may include deciding on the implementation of care programmes where there are a number of options, for example responding to a deteriorating condition or clinical emergencies such as anaphylactic shock.
Factor 4 – Planning and organisational skills
Does your MJR score level 2 or above?
Think about: Where you plan patient/client care, organise straightforward activities and reprioritise where necessary to ensure patient/client needs are met, such as organising home visits or social inclusion activities.
Factor 5 – Physical skills
Does your MJR score level 3 or above?
Think about: The skills required to perform your duties. Some examples at this level would be restraint of patients or clients, venepuncture, or insertion and removal of urinary catheters.
Factor 6 – Responsibility for patient/client care
Does your MJR score level 4 or above?
Think about: Where you provide, monitor and contribute to care, provide advice about care, and may make minor changes to care plans within your scope of practice and under the supervision of registered practitioners.
Factor 7 – Responsibility for policy/service development
Does your MJR score level 1 or above?
Think about: Where you have knowledge of clinical policies and may provide feedback on proposed changes to policies.
Factor 8 – Responsibility for financial and physical resources
Does your MJR score level 2 or above?
Think about: Where you handle patients’ or clients’ valuables, maintain stock, or order supplies.
Factor 9 – Responsibility for human resources
Does your MJR score level 2 or above?
Think about: Where you can demonstrate your role to less experienced staff, allocate work to students or clinical support workers, or provide basic training for others.
Factor 10 – Responsibility for information resources
Does your MJR score level 1 or above?
Think about: The types of information you deal with and whether this is information you have gathered, such as taking patient observations and documenting care provided.
Factor 11 – Responsibility for research and development
Does your MJR score level 1 or above?
Think about: Where you support research and development by participating in audits and surveys.
Factor 12 – Freedom to act
Does your MJR score level 2 or above?
Think about: Where you practise independently and use your own initiative, but under direct or indirect supervision, usually by a registered practitioner.
Factor 13 – Physical effort
Does your MJR score level 3 or above?
Think about: The level of frequent physical effort required for the role, for example whether you assist or manoeuvre patients and how often this occurs.
Factor 14 – Mental effort
Does your MJR score level 3 or above?
Think about: The level of concentration required for your role and whether you are exposed to regular interruptions requiring a change of task.
Factor 15 – Emotional effort
Does your MJR score level 3 or above?
Think about: The types of highly emotional and distressing situations you are exposed to, such as terminally ill patients or safeguarding issues, and the frequency with which this occurs.
Factor 16 – Working conditions
Does your MJR score level 4 or above?
Think about: Your working environment and whether you are exposed to verbal and/or physical aggression, or uncontained blood or bodily fluids, and the frequency with which this occurs.
Band 4ii
The first step is to check that the job statement at the top of the profile does align to your job. It doesn’t need to be exact, just a good fit. The statement for the profile is:
- Implements care packages or programmes for children in a range of settings under the supervision of registered clinical practitioners.
- Carries out care activities for children, for example clinical observations, and participates in social inclusion and/or parenting support activities.
- May supervise and assess support workers.
- May participate in case conferences and case review meetings, for example safeguarding.
As you answer the standard question for each factor, you start to build a list of where your current job information would require strengthening to meet the national profile. Your application will be stronger when you have more examples of where your knowledge, responsibilities and skills meet the standard required in each factor. Every factor counts, and it is your responsibility to represent your role accurately.
Where you answer "yes", your job information may already be sufficient to match the required level. You can, and should, strengthen this description if it does not accurately represent your role.
Where you answer "no", your job information may need strengthening in this area. We have provided prompts to help you think about how your job information could be improved.
Factor 1 – Communication and relationship skills
Does your MJR score level 4 or above?
Think about: The type of communication which is complex and complicated, requiring empathy, motivation and reassurance, particularly when there is a barrier to understanding or sensitivity required; for example, patients, clients, relatives or carers who may have additional learning needs. Consider how you offer support in challenging situations while meeting the communication needs of the child and family, for example children with special needs or long-term medical issues.
Factor 2 – Knowledge, training and experience
Does your MJR score level 4 or above?
Think about: The training, qualifications or experience required for the role. You may need an Undergraduate Diploma or equivalent appropriate qualification, such as an Undergraduate National Diploma Level 4, Foundation Degree in Childcare, or equivalent. This may also include a Level 3 vocational qualification plus short courses or relevant experience in children’s care, learning and development.
Factor 3 – Analytical and judgemental skills
Does your MJR score level 3 or above?
Think about: The types of judgements you make when there is a straightforward choice of options. Examples may include deciding on the implementation of care programmes where there are several options. Consider how you use clinical judgement on problems requiring investigation and analysis, or when responding to a deteriorating child’s condition or clinical emergencies such as anaphylaxis, using skills learned to assist in emergency situations.
Factor 4 – Planning and organisational skills
Does your MJR score level 2 or above?
Think about: The types of planning you undertake. Some examples at this level would be organising delegated patient care activities such as home visits, social inclusion activities, planning parentcraft classes, and reprioritising activities as required to ensure patient needs are met.
Factor 5 – Physical skills
Does your MJR score level 3 or above?
Think about: The skills required to perform your duties. Some examples at this level would be restraint of patients or clients, venepuncture, and insertion or removal of urinary catheters or cannulas.
Factor 6 – Responsibility for patient/client care
Does your MJR score level 4 or above?
Think about: How you provide, monitor and contribute to care delivery as delegated and supervised by registered clinical practitioners within your scope of practice. This may include making minor modifications to the programme of care. Detail how you provide a nursery nurse perspective to ward and multidisciplinary teams, and how you carry out care packages, including providing advice to patients, clients or carers.
Factor 7 – Responsibility for policy/service development
Does your MJR score level 1 or above?
Think about: Your role in the development of policies or procedures, which may be confined to following policies relevant to your specific work area and/or participating in discussions.
Factor 8 – Responsibility for financial and physical resources
Does your MJR score level 2 or above?
Think about: Whether you have any financial responsibility. This can range from a personal obligation to use equipment carefully, to handling cash and patient valuables. It could also include ensuring equipment used by others is safe, such as maintaining infection control for equipment used by children, including activity materials. It may also involve ordering supplies to maintain stock levels of play equipment. You may use expensive equipment such as incubators, highly specialist wheelchairs or specialist prams.
Factor 9 – Responsibility for human resources
Does your MJR score level 2 or above?
Think about: The responsibility you have for staff or students. This can range from demonstrating your activities to new or less experienced staff, to the day-to-day supervision of students and junior staff. It could include facilitating student placements and participating in learning through evidence-based practice, practical experience, training and competency assessments.
Factor 10 – Responsibility for information resources
Does your MJR score level 1 or above?
Think about: The types of information you deal with and whether this is information you have gathered, such as taking patient observations and documenting care provided.
Factor 11 – Responsibility for research and development
Does your MJR score level 1 or above?
Think about: The audits or surveys you may participate in as part of your own work. This may occasionally include participation in research and development activities, clinical trials, or staff and patient satisfaction surveys.
Factor 12 – Freedom to act
Does your MJR score level 2 or above?
Think about: The initiative you take when delivering care that is guided by procedures or treatment plans, and the availability of a supervisor who remains accountable. You may be the first point of contact for enquiries and use your own initiative while working under direct or indirect supervision of a registered practitioner.
Factor 13 – Physical effort
Does your MJR score level 3 or above?
Think about: The level of physical effort required to do the role. For example, whether you assist or move patients or clients, and how often and for how long. You might be lifting equipment or babies, or ensuring safe patient or client restraint.
Factor 14 – Mental effort
Does your MJR score level 2 or above?
Think about: The level of concentration required for your role and whether you are exposed to regular, unpredictable interruptions requiring a change of task. You might be concentrating on patient or client treatment, care plans or observations.
Factor 15 – Emotional effort
Does your MJR score level 4 or above?
Think about: The types of emotional situations you are exposed to. For example, providing care to those who are terminally ill, dealing with patients or clients exhibiting challenging behaviour, being directly involved in family breakdown or child abuse cases, or having regular exposure to safeguarding issues.
Factor 16 – Working conditions
Does your MJR score level 4 or above?
Think about: Whether you are exposed to uncontained blood, bodily fluids or foul linen and the frequency with which this occurs. Also consider whether you are exposed to any physical aggression.
Band 5
The Westminster government have committed to reviewing every band 5 NHS nursing role in England. If this applies to you, your employer should be in touch with more information soon. The job evaluation should be led by them.
The first step is to check that the job statement at the top of the profile does align to your job. It doesn’t need to be exact, just a good fit. The statement for the profile is:
- Provides nursing assessment of patients/clients.
- Plans, develops and/or implements and evaluates programmes of care in a range of settings.
- Provides clinical supervision to other staff and students.
- May be responsible for work allocation and checking of tasks of support staff and/or less experienced staff.
- Provides health promotion information and advice.
As you answer the standard question for each factor, you start to build a list of where your current job information would require strengthening to meet the national profile. Your application will be stronger when you have more examples of where your knowledge, responsibilities and skills meet the standard required in each factor. Every factor counts, and it is your responsibility to represent your role accurately.
Where you answer "yes", your job information may already be sufficient to match the required level. You can, and should, strengthen this description if it does not accurately represent your role.
Where you answer "no", your job information may need strengthening in this area. We have provided prompts to help you think about how your job information could be improved.
Factor 1 – Communication and relationship skills
Does your MJR score level 4a or above?
Think about: The type of communications you have with patients which are complicated or sensitive, requiring empathy and reassurance, particularly when there may be a barrier to understanding such as cognitive impairment or additional learning needs. Examples of this would be explaining the clinical condition and/or treatment and care plans you are implementing to the patient and their family.
Factor 2 – Knowledge, training and experience
Does your MJR score level 5 or above?
Think about: The training, qualifications or experience required for the role. Jobs requiring registration with a professional body and a degree qualification, such as nursing, where no other training or experience is required.
Factor 3 – Analytical and judgemental skills
Does your MJR score level 3 or above?
Think about: The types of judgements you make when there is a straightforward choice of options. Examples may include initial patient assessment, clinical risk assessments, and identifying and escalating any issues.
Factor 4 – Planning and organisational skills
Does your MJR score level 2 or above?
Think about: The types of planning you undertake. Some examples at this level would be organising staff and delegating duties to support staff and/or less experienced staff.
Factor 5 – Physical skills
Does your MJR score level 3 or above?
Think about: The skills required to perform your duties. Some examples at this level would be restraint of patients or clients, intravenous injections, syringe pumps and infusions, and removal of sutures.
Factor 6 – Responsibility for patient/client care
Does your MJR score level 5 or above?
Think about: The type of care programmes you develop and/or the specialist advice concerning care or treatment for a specific group of patients/clients.
Factor 7 – Responsibility for policy/service development
Does your MJR score level 1 or above?
Think about: Your role in the development of policies or procedures. This may be confined to following policies relevant to your specific work area and/or participating in discussions.
Factor 8 – Responsibility for financial and physical resources
Does your MJR score level 2 or above?
Think about: Whether you have any financial responsibility. This can range from a personal obligation to use equipment carefully, to handling cash and patient valuables, ensuring equipment used by others is safe, and ordering supplies to maintain stock levels.
Factor 9 – Responsibility for human resources
Does your MJR score level 2 or above?
Think about: The responsibility you have for staff or students. This can range from demonstrating your activities to new or less experienced staff, to the day-to-day supervision of students and junior staff.
Factor 10 – Responsibility for information resources
Does your MJR score level 1 or above?
Think about: The types of information you deal with and whether this is information you have gathered, such as taking patient observations and documenting care provided.
Factor 11 – Responsibility for research and development
Does your MJR score level 1 or above?
Think about: The audits or surveys you may participate in as part of your own work. This may occasionally include participation in research and development activity.
Factor 12 – Freedom to act
Does your MJR score level 3 or above?
Think about: The initiative you take when delivering care and whether your work is managed rather than supervised. This may include working within organisational and professional guidelines, with access to management support to escalate issues or problems.
Factor 13 – Physical effort
Does your MJR score level 4 or above?
Think about: The level of physical effort required to do the role. For example, whether you assist or move patients or clients, and how often and for how long.
Factor 14 – Mental effort
Does your MJR score level 3 or above?
Think about: The level of concentration required for your role and whether you are exposed to regular, unpredictable interruptions requiring a change of task.
Factor 15 – Emotional effort
Does your MJR score level 4 or above?
Think about: The types of emotional situations you are exposed to. For example, providing care to those who are terminally ill, dealing with patients or clients exhibiting challenging behaviour, or being directly involved in family breakdown or child abuse, and the frequency with which these occur.
Factor 16 – Working conditions
Does your MJR score level 4 or above?
Think about: Whether you are exposed to uncontained blood or bodily fluids and the frequency with which this occurs.
