Pre-Assessment Nurse

Work collaboratively with the Lead Nurse for POA to continually develop and implement the nurse led clinic.? To undertake pre assessment of pre-operative patients according to agreed protocols.? To work with the pre assessment team to promote a high standard of professional practice and clinical care? To help maintain a creative learning environment for both students and permanent staff incorporating evidence based and best practice models.?

To provide dynamic leadership for the pre assessment team in partnership with the clinical coordinator and deputise for the lead nurse, as appropriate - coordinating clinical, managerial and educational requirements of the clinical area., Assessment of patients' health prior to having elective surgery. Please see detailed job description. Working days are Monday
- Friday., Roles and responsibilities

Clinical Assess the health status of adult elective surgical patients obtaining a comprehensive history involving carers/relatives as appropriate. Undertake clinical interventions, such as phlebotomy and ECG recording, in accordance with Trust policies when necessary Develop and maintain competence to perform an assessment of the patients physical health status in preparation for anaesthetic and surgery. Be able to analyse findings to guide patient care.

Make autonomous decisions regarding suitability to proceed to surgery. Request and perform investigations as per guidelines/protocols and with reference to multidisciplinary team. Demonstrate sound analytical and judgemental skills using a range of information and facts to establish the rationale for investigation and plan of care. Discuss plans for discharge with patient and carer with particular reference to setting patient expectations for day case surgery.

Discuss the implications of surgery involving the risks and benefits helping the patient to make an informed choice regarding consent to treatment/surgery and provide accurate and concise information. Have an understanding of and share responsibility for developing protocols and guidelines within POA. Review and evaluate results of investigation/care promptly to ensure patients condition and safety is optimised preoperatively to avoid inappropriate admissions and delays in surgery being performed.

Directly refer patients to health care professionals to ensure appropriate assessment and evaluation prior to admission in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team. Maintain up to date standard documentation in accordance with the NMC Standards for Records and Record Keeping. Act in accordance to the NMC Code of Professional conduct and guide others to do the same. Practice in accordance with the core PROUD values of the Trust.

Contribute to improving patient care via inter-disciplinary decision making.

Communication Demonstrate skills in dealing with conflict and assist the Lead POA nurse in resolving issues. Assess the knowledge base of the patient and family/carer and provide appropriate information regarding condition, surgery, pre and post-operative care, recovery and return to daily life. Review and develop patient literature and information to reflect current practice, risks and benefits, seeking knowledge from established information sources.

Act as a primary contact prior to admission ensuring patient has point of contact details. Communicate with patients and relatives in a sensitive manner appropriate to the situation providing information and reassurance. Demonstrate competence in negotiation skills both verbal and written. Act as chair for meetings and act as a recorder for meetings when requested to do so.

Management of People/Time/Resources In the absence of the Lead POA nurse take responsibility for the management of the POA clinic. Demonstrate effective leadership and promote positive team working to ensure a high level of patient care is delivered utilising members of the multidisciplinary team. Have an understanding of the wider surgical patient pathway and the role of POA within it. Understand basic budgetary matters and contribute to cost effective and efficient use of resources under the direction of the lead POA nurse.

Act as an authorised signatory for the hire of temporary staff, in the absence of the lead POA nurse. Participate in the recruitment and retention of staff and be competent in carrying out the Trust interviewing/recruitment policy. Have an understanding of the staff appraisal system and carry out appraisal on junior staff. Take shared…