The post holder will work as part of a team to provide a safe, effective, efficient care environment for patients, relatives and carers in the Pre-Assessment Clinic.
The post holder will undertake pre-operative assessments for all elective patients with the use of a questionnaire.
The post holder will work autonomously within their scope of practice, following the NICE, national and local trust guidelines.
The post holder will manage a caseload and prioritise to facilitate an efficient service.
The post holder will work flexibly with the team in the pre assessment and perioperative admissions department.
The post holder will supervise junior staff.
Provide nurse-led pre-operative assessment for patients undergoing elective surgery under general anaesthetic, including both complex and non-complex cases, ensuring patients are appropriately prepared and optimised for their procedure.
Deliver safe, effective, and patient-centred care in line with Trust policies, including equality and diversity standards, ensuring a respectful and inclusive environment for patients, relatives, carers, and staff at all times.
Demonstrate sound clinical judgement in assessing patients, identifying risks, and determining appropriate actions to support safe surgical pathways.
Work autonomously to make informed decisions, prioritise workload, and solve problems within scope of practice, while recognising personal limitations and seeking advice or escalation from senior colleagues or the multidisciplinary team when required.
Maintain a safe clinical environment, adhering to infection prevention and control, health and safety, and risk management policies.
Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:
Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
Improving the experience of staff with disability
Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
Making equalities mainstream
The Pre-Assessment Nurse is responsible for delivering high-quality, patient-centred pre-operative assessment to ensure patients are safely prepared and optimised for surgery. The role involves clinical assessment, patient education, coordination of care, and effective communication with the multidisciplinary team to support safe surgical pathways and positive patient outcomes.
Main Responsibilities:
Undertake comprehensive pre-operative nursing assessments to evaluate patients’ fitness for surgery, working independently or under supervision where appropriate.
Identify actual or potential risks and ensure timely referrals to appropriate healthcare professionals (e.g. anaesthetists, consultants, pharmacists, or specialist teams) for further assessment, investigation, or treatment to optimise patients prior to their procedure.
Ensure patients are fully informed about their planned procedure, including preparation, admission process, post-operative care, and discharge expectations.
Provide clear, accurate information and respond to patient queries and concerns, escalating complex issues to senior staff or relevant professionals when required.
Recognise and proactively address potential discharge barriers at the pre-assessment stage, acting to facilitate safe, timely, and effective discharge following surgery.
Accurately complete and maintain all patient documentation in accordance with Trust policies, professional standards, and data protection and confidentiality requirements.
Utilise electronic patient record systems and other IT platforms effectively to document care, track patient pathways, and support service delivery.
Report incidents, risks, or near misses promptly in line with Trust policy, including escalation to the departmental manager and completion of the electronic incident reporting.
Communicate effectively with patients, relatives, and members of the multidisciplinary team, demonstrating excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to liaise confidently at all levels, both face-to-face and via telephone.
Contribute to maintaining a safe, efficient, and patient-focused pre-assessment service, supporting service improvement and adherence to clinical and operational standards.
