Staff Nurse- Pre-assessment

This staff nurse post sits in the pre-assessment department of The Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth, a private hospital. The work centres on checking surgical patients are fit to proceed, taking detailed histories, running tests and making referrals, including to anaesthetists. The caseload spans urology, gastrointestinal and plastic and cosmetic surgery, and the nurse works autonomously on it. Adult NMC registration and advanced assessment skills are the key entry requirements.

• Complete pre-assessment for a caseload of patients, including a targeted history of past medical, operative and anaesthetic history
• Prioritise patients by triage pathway and optimise them in high risk clinic using a validated health questionnaire
• Carry out testing to NICE guidelines, interpret and manage results, and make referrals where appropriate
• Perform venepuncture, ECG and lung function tests, and request x-rays, as per policy
• Identify patients with specific health issues, carry out risk scoring and manage the results
• Review previous anaesthetic documentation and identify factors that need anaesthetist assessment
• Follow up referral outcomes to confirm fitness to proceed
• Support and advise patients, carers, family and staff
• Keep accurate health records in Lifebox pre-assessment software
• Assess patients safely in line with hospital and national guidelines, analysing clinical findings to judge fitness for surgery
• Work to the NMC Code of Conduct and hospital policies, procedures and standards

• Registered adult nurse with valid NMC registration

• Advanced assessment skills, including analysis of clinical findings
• Works efficiently and effectively, and as part of a team

• Diploma or degree in a relevant subject
• Post-registration qualification
• Relevant experience and competency in surgical specialties
• At least 3 years post-registration nursing experience
• Previous nurse-led pre-assessment experience
• Excellent clinical skills