Ward Nurse - Bank

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Title: Ward Nurse Elective Surgical Unit

Department: Inpatient/ Day Case Wards

Reports To: Ward Sister / Charge Nurse

Location: Optimised Care - Bromsgrove, Birmingham

Hours: Bank (Shift patterns across 7 days)

Salary: Competitive (depending on experience)

Job Summary

You will provide high-quality, evidence-based nursing care to patients undergoing elective surgical procedures across a range of specialities including Orthopaedics, General Surgery, Plastic Surgery, ENT, Gynaecology, and Urology. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team (MDT), you will be responsible for coordinating patient care from admission through to safe discharge, ensuring optimal surgical preparation and recovery. The role also includes participation in preoperative assessment clinics and patient education.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver skilled nursing care in accordance with hospital policies, procedures, and professional standards.

• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate individualised care plans for patients throughout the surgical pathway.

• Prepare patients for elective surgical procedures, ensuring appropriate documentation, investigations, and consent are complete.

• Support post-operative recovery, monitor clinical parameters, manage pain and wound care, and escalate concerns promptly.

• Facilitate timely and safe discharges, ensuring that follow-up appointments, medications, and community referrals are arranged.

• Liaise effectively with Consultants, Anaesthetists, Theatre teams, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Pharmacists, and administrative teams to coordinate holistic patient care.

• Contribute to admission and pre-assessment clinics, completing relevant assessments and providing patient education and reassurance.

• Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive nursing documentation in compliance with NMC standards.

• Participate in maintaining infection prevention and control standards in line with current policy.

• Support new staff and students through supervision, mentorship, and role-modelling of best practice.

• Participate in audit, clinical governance, and continuous service improvement initiatives.

• Work flexibly across varying shifts including days, nights, weekends, and bank holidays to ensure safe staffing and high-quality care.

Person Specification

Role requirements

Essential

• Person Specification
• Qualifications and Registration
• Registered Nurse (Adult) with current NMC registration Essential
• Evidence of recent CPD relevant to surgical or acute care Essential
• Mentorship / Practice Assessor qualification Desirable
• Knowledge and Experience
• Recent experience in a surgical, orthopaedic, or acute ward setting Essential
• Knowledge of pre- and post-operative care principles Essential
• Experience with admissions and discharge planning Essential
• Familiarity with elective surgery pathways and enhanced recovery programmes Desirable
• Experience in working within a multidisciplinary team Essential
• Skills and Abilities
• Excellent clinical assessment and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal abilities to support patient engagement and MDT collaboration.
• Competent in medication administration, wound care, and infection control measures.
• Ability to prioritise workload and manage time effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Confident in using electronic patient record systems and clinical documentation tools.
• Values and Attributes
• Compassionate, professional, and patient-centred approach.
• Commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
• Flexible to support service requirements across 7-day working.
• Team-oriented with a supportive and positive attitude.

Experience

Essential

• Experience working on an elective surgical unit
• Minimum of 2 years post-registration experience

Qualifications

Essential

• NMC Registration
• Registered Nurse

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Optimised Care Ltd

Address

Stoney Lane

Bromsgrove

Birmingham

West Midlands

B60 1LY

Employer's website

https://optimisedcare.com/ (Opens in a new tab)