Pre op nurse

Job overview

We are seeking a motivated and experienced staff nurse to join our team. We provide a bespoke service to 14 surgical specialties within the trust for elective, day case and surgical inpatients.

You will be part of a small, supportive team but will need to be able to work independently within a clinical environment and manage a potentially complex caseload of patients. I.T skills would also be an advantage along with enhanced communication skills.

The successful candidate will have an interest in peri-operative care and be able to thrive in a busy area with many time pressures and deadlines. However, this post also provides a great deal of job satisfaction and an opportunity to enhance the patient and family journey prior to their admission.

Working unsupervised in a hybrid role completing pre-operative assessments via telephone and face to face as required to plan the patient's stay in hospital and ensure appropriate selection of in-patient and day surgery.

Confidently carries out those activities involved when conducting the comprehensive assessment of patient's requirements, using guidelines, knowledge and experience to provide comprehensive preparation for elective surgery.

Adopts an holistic approach an treats every patient and there family as an individual. Assesses every patients medical, social and psychological needs.

Main duties of the job

Provide a comprehensive high quality and effective pre- operative assessment for infants, children and adolescents,

Make autonomous judgements and influence decisions on patient suitability for day case or inpatient admissions

Work autonomously as well as part of a team.

Be efficient in clinical history taking, identifying any previous medical history, anaesthetic problems or medications that may affect General Anaesthetic, Surgical treatment or Post-operative recovery.

Request a full range of pre-operative investigations, limited by local policy

Independently refer as required to specialist nurses and clinicians within trust and to primary care services.

Following a training programme, will be competent in venepuncture, and capillary blood sampling.

Implement policies and ensure the safeguarding of Children and young adults referred to the pre-admission service.

Competent in use of Electronic Patient Record systems to document assessment and ensure patients with specific clinical needs will be scheduled onto appropriate surgical lists with the appropriate resources available.

Have excellent communication skills, working with patient/ families and staff members both internal and external to the Trust.

Undertake written, telephone and face to face clinical assessments, maintaining professional standards throughout.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide a comprehensive high quality and effective pre- operative assessment for infants, children and adolescents, promoting positive patient experience from listing for theatre to discharge.
• Work collaboratively with all specialities both internal and external to the trust, ensuring all pre- admission investigations/ medical history is available for Anaesthetic review prior to or on the day of surgery.
• Make autonomous judgements and influence decisions on patient suitability for day case or inpatient admissions using agreed pathways and ASA levels.
• If patient unwell in the immediate time prior to theatre, make autonomous decisions on suitability for anaesthetic or refer to Anaesthetist for advice.
• Work autonomously as well as part of a team.
• Be efficient in clinical history taking, identifying any previous medical history, anaesthetic problems or medications that may affect General Anaesthetic, Surgical treatment or Post-operative recovery.
• Request a full range of pre-operative investigations, limited by local policy
• Complete VTE risk assessment and measure identified patients for Anti-embolism stockings; provide families with information on surgical interventions and the requirement for pregnancy testing in accordance with trust policy.
• Independently refer as required to specialist nurses and clinicians within trust and to primary care services.
• Follows up advice/ referral/ investigations for complex patient requirements
• Following a training programme, will be competent in venepuncture, and capillary blood sampling.
• Implement policies and ensure the safeguarding of Children and young adults referred to the pre-admission service.
• Participate in research and Audit and ensure CPD training courses are accessed as appropriate to the role and in accordance with the NMC requirements.
• Commitment to flexible working patterns to meet the needs of the service.
• Monitor and report sickness in accordance with trust policy ensuring staff receive support on return to work.

• Competent in use of Electronic Patient Record systems to document assessment and ensure patients with specific clinical needs will be scheduled onto appropriate surgical lists with the appropriate resources available.

• Assist in administrative process and cover for absences when required.
• Contribute to the development of student nurse training programmes, acting as a mentor, completing all documentation in partnership with the Practice Education Facilitators for the trust.

Communication Skills:

• Have excellent communication skills, working with patient/ families and staff members both internal and external to the Trust.
• Undertake written, telephone and face to face clinical assessments, maintaining professional standards throughout.
• Support the child/ parent/ carer throughout their surgical journey giving knowledge based advice to allay fears and anxieties.

Education:

• Annually attend and participate in Mandatory Study days as per Trust policy.
• Ensure personal professional CPD is maintained within correct timeframes.
• Develop and apply new skills appropriate to job role, in accordance with personal development plan discussed with the line manager.
• Develop skills and knowledge, contributing to the development of others.
• Attend and participate in all unit meetings and team briefings.
• Attend and contribute to annual PDR’s as per Trust policy.
• Attend all instrument/equipment demonstrations as appropriate to the role.

• Risk and Governance:

• To be fully conversant with Trust Health and Safety policies and procedures. To promote, monitor and maintain health and safety of self and others within the workplace.
• To maintain the confidentiality of patients, visitors and staff including all verbal written and electronic communication in line with Trust policy on Information Governance.
• Ensure all training is up to date and signed off as competent for all equipment/facilities used by the pre-admission service.
• Refrain from the willful misuse of/or interference with anything provided in the interest of Health and Safety and any action which might endanger you or others.
• Report as soon as practical all hazards and defects to the line manager and the appropriate department.
• Report as soon as practical, all incidents and untoward occurrences and to ensure the incident forms are completed.
• Promote security of self, others and property within the workplace as per Trust policy.