To provide expert clinical, professional, and managerial leadership in the running of the surgical pre-operative assessment (POA) service. This includes both nursing and patient booking teams.

This service provides assessment of patients going through the elective surgical pathway to identify and mitigate clinical risk, with decision making for referral to anaesthetic consultant review as required.

Key working relationships

Internally:Anaesthetic Consultant TeamAdmissions/booking staff

Infection ControlPathologyExternallyGeneral Practitioners and Colleagues in other NHS organisations

Main duties of the job

An enthusiastic and self-motivated person is required to undertake pre-operative assessments. The role gives the opportunity to work as part of a dedicated and busy clinical team whilst developing self and others in delivering a high standard of clinical care.

The post holder will undertake pre-operative assessments of all elective inpatient and day surgery patients requiring general anaesthetic.

By successfully completing the assessment process, ordering pre-operative investigations and liaising with internal and external members of the multidisciplinary team, the post holder will have prepared the patients for admission and reduce cancellations.

About us

Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.

Our Excellence Values

Compassion

Accountability

Respect

Integrity

Courage

We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.

We are a Defence positive trust, supporting our reservists, veterans, spouses and partners.

The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.

We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.

We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds.This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Supporting Clinical Excellence

The post holder must be able to perform an in-depth history from the patient and evaluate previously unknown health issues.

Have the knowledge and skills to be able to conduct heart and airway assessments, ECG recognition and spirometry interpretation.

Have excellent verbal and written communication skills to ensure that information is disseminated accurately to patients. Be able to deal with complex patients where other MDT members need to be involved.

To have the relevant knowledge to provide the patient/carers relevant information and advice about their operation or procedure. Discuss associated risks and general health education. Identifying any barriers to discharge and communicating these to MDT.

Being able to provide emotional support to patients who are to undergo major/ life changing surgery and cancer diagnosis.

Be able to demonstrate clinical decision-making skills and take responsibility for decisions. Ordering correct pre-operative investigations. Liaising with specialist teams to create and organise pre-operative care management plans, including making the clinical decision to defer to medical anaesthetic team and declare a patient is fit for surgery. Acting on abnormal results in a timely and effective manner to minimise any delays in treatment.

Be confident to work autonomously and independently with exceptional time management skills. Prioritise referrals to within the trust and primary care. Be in charge of own caseload including cancellation of admissions and following up referrals and investigations for the more complex patients.

Follow admission criteria for both day surgery and inpatient admissions.

Participate in supervision and coaching of student nurses.

Participate in the education, development and supervision of other staff members. Including, medical/ODP students.

To assist in establishing and monitoring protocols/care pathways.

Being able to use IT systems for triaging pre-operative patients and completing electronic patient assessments.

Ensure relevant IT systems are updated so that important information is shared with the booking teams/theatres/surgeon/anaesthetist and medical secretaries.

To supervise junior staff in the delivery of care.

Be able to organise, make decisions, problem solve and manage conflict in managing daily operations of department.

Actively contribute to setting and maintaining high standards of nursing care

Responsible for the safe supply, storage, administration, checking and disposal of medications.

To undertake any expanded roles deemed necessary for the role following the Trust policy Expansion of Professional Practice for Registered Healthcare Practitioners.

Supporting Patient Excellence

People/Management Excellence

To participate in regular staff and division meetings.

Have open positive communication between all disciplines of staff.

Assist the team to create and maintain positive working relationships within the multi-disciplinary team.

Assist the department to monitor standards of care in liaison with the department sister.

Policy and Service Development Responsibilities

Undertake the Trust Corporate and Directorate specific Induction and competency Programmes.

To contribute to annual appraisal and be responsible for own personal performance/development plan to achieve KSF outline for role.

Able to identify learning needs in self, negotiating a Personal Development Plan recognising own limitations.

Contribute to the education and training of others, gaining an understanding of clinical supervision.

Complete all competencies relating to role within an agreed timescale.

Actively promote evidence-based practice within the clinical area and contribute to audit initiatives.

Adhere to all Trust Policies and Health & Safety, as applicable.

Supporting Financial Excellence

Have budget awareness in the ordering and use of equipment, supported by written documentation where applicable.

Professional Responsibilities

Be responsible for their own development, maintaining a professional portfolio and keeping themselves updated on current nursing issues.

Will be responsible for their own actions and be bound by the NMCs Code of Professional conduct and all approved Trust policies.

Will maintain own skills and knowledge and demonstrate clinical excellence and high standards of practice to other staff.

Be an active and approachable role model.

Research & development Responsibilities

To practice clinical competencies in line with relevant Trust initiatives e.g. ECG, Heart Sounds and Venepuncture.

To maintain awareness of evidence-based practice and participate in its Implementation.

To contribute to research and development programmes within the ward/department.

General Responsibilities

Is observed to have a smart appearance, hence adhering to the Trusts uniform policy.

Demonstrates a caring and supportive attitude towards their work colleague.

Uphold the Trusts vision and values.

Person Specification

Education and Training

Essential

• NMC registered
• Degree level study or equivalent experience and able to demonstrate specialist knowledge within this field through practical experience

Desirable

• Pre-operative assessment specialist knowledge
• Recognised mentoring and assessment qualification
• Recognised management qualification
• Healthcare related degree

Knowledge and expreience

Essential

• Post Registration experience - surgical or medical required
• Pre-assessement experience/process
• Working within teams with autonomy and own caseload
• Knowledge of elective surgery
• Competence across a range of nursing, either medical/surgical ward experience
• Knowledge of relevant NICE guidelines

Desirable

• Knowledge of current issues facing the NHS
• Pre-operative Assesment experience
• Research and implementation in practice

Skills and abilities

Essential

• Assessment skills including detailed history taking
• Leadership skills
• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Good IT skills including use of excel and sharepoint
• Good planning, prioritisation and organisational skills
• Extended clinical skills - including ECG recording and interpretation
• Physical examination of the patient (heart, spirometry & airway assessment

Desirable

• Extended skills including venepuncture, chest auscultation and blood result interpretation

Personal qualities

Essential

• Self motivated and able to use own initiative
• Caring and compassionate
• Flexible
• Ability to work within and lead a team
• Strong drive to improve standards
• Dexterity
• Empathy
• Frequent moderate physical effort - assisting patients on/off couch/assessing patients

Employer details

Employer name

Northampton General Hospital

Address

Pre-Operative Assessment Area K, Northampton General Hospital

Cliftonville

Northampton

NN1 5BD

Any attachments will be accessible after you click to apply.

265-6719143