Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Pre-assessment Nurse to deliver high standards of care and a positive experience for patients attending our busy Surgical Pre-assessment Outpatient Service at Orpington Hospital. This is a fantastic opportunity for a Staff Nurse with extensive pre-assessment experience to join a multi-disciplinary team assessing and caring for patients scheduled for surgical procedures.
The successful candidate will need to be flexible, enthusiastic, and committed to providing the highest level of nursing care in line with the quality agenda of the NHS and the King's strategy. You should be able to demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong planning and organizational abilities, as well as leadership skills.
The post holder will be required to work flexibly within a 5-day service delivery.
Main duties of the job
- To undertake pre-operative assessments on elective patients prior to admission, ensuring the patient is fit for anaesthesia.
- Demonstrate appropriate practice and provide specialist advice in the assessment and management of patients with a range of conditions--history taking, physical examination, and requesting agreed diagnostic procedures or clinical investigations.
- To be a safe and effective practitioner, working with the nursing and multi-disciplinary team to provide evidence-based, high-quality, holistic care to a group of patients.
- Take responsibility for managing and coordinating the pre-assessment service in the absence of more senior staff.
- Take responsibility for developing and maintaining personal knowledge, clinical skills, and professional awareness in line with nursing revalidation requirements to uphold a professional profile.
- Conduct annual appraisals for staff and ensure own appraisal and personal development plan (PDP) are current.
- Provide expert, holistic care of a high standard to both patients and their relatives within King's College Hospital.
- Act as a clinical resource within the department.
- Act as a positive role model to junior staff members. Particular emphasis is placed at King's on the need to ensure that all staff recognise their responsibility to deliver services in a high-quality, courteous, patient-focused manner and to always maintain patient confidentiality.
About us
The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.
We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To adhere to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and always adhere to this. To demonstrate clinical expertise in the care of any patients being assessed. To assess, plan, implement and evaluate the needs of patients prior to surgery. To accurately assimilate and interpret clinical information about the patients condition, promptly report changes and instigate remedial action as appropriate. To act as a resource person to others, providing accurate information, advice and support to the multidisciplinary team, patients and their relatives. To ensure that accurate records are maintained. To ensure that patients and their relatives are updated regularly with accurate information, and ensure that this is presented in a way that they understand. To ensure that Clinical Guidelines are implemented and to be actively involved in auditing practice in conjunction with Line Manager and practice development staff. To ensure that practice is evidence based and with support assist in the development of policies and protocols within the clinical area. To uphold high standards of nursing care, according to existing policies and standards. To support the Matron in processes of continuous quality improvement, formally evaluating standards of care and assisting in the implementation of changes in the light of such findings. To contribute to the health education of patients and their families, ensuring that all patients receive appropriate advice and support to maintain a healthy lifestyle. To actively support the implementation of the Trust nursing strategy and uphold the ethos of the local philosophy.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To adhere to the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and always adhere to this. To demonstrate clinical expertise in the care of any patients being assessed. To assess, plan, implement and evaluate the needs of patients prior to surgery. To accurately assimilate and interpret clinical information about the patients condition, promptly report changes and instigate remedial action as appropriate. To act as a resource person to others, providing accurate information, advice and support to the multidisciplinary team, patients and their relatives. To ensure that accurate records are maintained. To ensure that patients and their relatives are updated regularly with accurate information, and ensure that this is presented in a way that they understand. To ensure that Clinical Guidelines are implemented and to be actively involved in auditing practice in conjunction with Line Manager and practice development staff. To ensure that practice is evidence based and with support assist in the development of policies and protocols within the clinical area. To uphold high standards of nursing care, according to existing policies and standards. To support the Matron in processes of continuous quality improvement, formally evaluating standards of care and assisting in the implementation of changes in the light of such findings. To contribute to the health education of patients and their families, ensuring that all patients receive appropriate advice and support to maintain a healthy lifestyle. To actively support the implementation of the Trust nursing strategy and uphold the ethos of the local philosophy.
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrate clinical expertise relevant to the area
- Demonstrable interest in and commitment to the professional development of others.
Desirable
- Previous experience of leading change in a clinical environment
Qualifications
Essential
- 1st level registered general nurse
- Further professional studies relevant to the clinical area
Desirable
- Degree in Nursing or Equivalent
Skills
Essential
- Communication skills - able to relate and communicate with patients and staff at all levels and from different professions. Adapts communication style as necessary and is able to work with and through others.
- Team building and working skills - able to lead a team to achieve results
- Problem solving skills - able to respond to unexpected issues and provide first line response and to identify appropriate sources of secondary support
- Flexibility - Able to adapt to ensure achievement of objectives within constantly changing situations and environments
Desirable
Person Specification
Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrate clinical expertise relevant to the area
- Demonstrable interest in and commitment to the professional development of others.
Desirable
- Previous experience of leading change in a clinical environment
Qualifications
Essential
- 1st level registered general nurse
- Further professional studies relevant to the clinical area
Desirable
- Degree in Nursing or Equivalent
Skills
Essential
- Communication skills - able to relate and communicate with patients and staff at all levels and from different professions. Adapts communication style as necessary and is able to work with and through others.
- Team building and working skills - able to lead a team to achieve results
- Problem solving skills - able to respond to unexpected issues and provide first line response and to identify appropriate sources of secondary support
- Flexibility - Able to adapt to ensure achievement of objectives within constantly changing situations and environments
Desirable
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
