Job summary
We are seeking an experienced, motivated, and forward-thinking clinical leader to join our Directorate as Lead Pre-Operative Nurse Specialist. This is a key leadership role with responsibility for the strategic development, operational management, and continuous improvement of the pre-operative assessment service, ensuring patients are optimally prepared for surgery and supporting high standards of patient safety, experience, and elective pathway performance.
Working collaboratively with multidisciplinary, anaesthetic, surgical, and operational colleagues, you will provide visible clinical and professional leadership, influence service design, and drive the implementation of innovative, evidence-based pathways aligned to Trust and national priorities.
This role offers an excellent opportunity to shape the future of pre-operative services, develop advanced clinical practice, lead workforce development, and deliver improvements in patient outcomes, service efficiency, and overall quality of care.
Hours per week: 37.5
We welcome applications from Graduate visa holders; it is important to note that you must have a minimum of 6 months before this expires at the start of your employment for training and operational reasons.
Non-UK or Irish applicants should check their visa and this role's eligibility for sponsorship before applying. For further information please visit Visas and immigration - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Main duties of the job
Please be advised we are unable to provide Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship to non-UK residents.
Provide strategic, professional and clinical leadership for the Pre-Operative Assessment Service.
Lead and manage a team of Pre-Operative Nurse Specialists and administrative staff, including workforce development, appraisal and succession planning.
Deliver expert autonomous clinical care, including advanced assessment, examination, differential diagnosis and referral within scope of practice.
Ensure patients are optimised and suitable for anaesthesia and surgery, supporting safe, efficient elective pathways.
Lead the development and implementation of pre-operative policies, protocols and pathways in line with national and local guidance.
Act as a specialist clinical resource, providing advice and support to multidisciplinary teams across planned care services.
About us
We are committed to providing the best quality integrated care to our patients. To achieve this aim we need highly motivated staff who are united by common values and behaviours.
We believe our workforce is our greatest asset and we actively support our staff to develop their capabilities to the full, with a variety of learning and development opportunities.
Whether you are just starting out in your career or are looking to use your skills and experience in a new role, East Cheshire NHS Trust is the right employer for you. We look forward to you joining us so that we can bring out your best.
Please be aware that this post requires an Enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check with barred lists, the cost of which is payable by the successful candidate. If you have lived or worked abroad for 6 months or more in the last 5 years you will need to obtain an overseas police clearance. Further information can be found on the additional information links at the bottom of the advert.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please read the attached Applicant Pack prior to completing your application form to find out more information.
Please download a copy of the Job Description and Person Specification located under the Supporting documents heading to read more about the advertised role.
As part of making your application we encourage you to review the Trusts Careers webpage Careers :: East Cheshire NHS Trust for more information about working for East Cheshire NHS Trust.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome all applications irrespective of age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race or religion. The Trust is a Disability Confident Leader and as such, applicants with disabilities will be offered an interview providing they meet the minimum criteria for the post (outlined in the Person Specification).
We understand that some applicants may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in preparing their application. While this is not discouraged, it is essential to personalise this information, particularly your supporting information section as these tools cannot fully grasp the context or requirements of the job youre applying for. We kindly remind candidates that all submissions must be truthful and accurately reflect your own experiences and suitability for this role. Personal integrity and authenticity are central to our recruitment process and being a member of East Cheshire NHS Trust.
Applicants are advised to apply early as we reserve the right to close the advert prior to the advertised closing date should we receive a large number of applications.
We look forward to receiving your application.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please read the attached Applicant Pack prior to completing your application form to find out more information.
Please download a copy of the Job Description and Person Specification located under the Supporting documents heading to read more about the advertised role.
As part of making your application we encourage you to review the Trusts Careers webpage Careers :: East Cheshire NHS Trust for more information about working for East Cheshire NHS Trust.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome all applications irrespective of age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race or religion. The Trust is a Disability Confident Leader and as such, applicants with disabilities will be offered an interview providing they meet the minimum criteria for the post (outlined in the Person Specification).
We understand that some applicants may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in preparing their application. While this is not discouraged, it is essential to personalise this information, particularly your supporting information section as these tools cannot fully grasp the context or requirements of the job youre applying for. We kindly remind candidates that all submissions must be truthful and accurately reflect your own experiences and suitability for this role. Personal integrity and authenticity are central to our recruitment process and being a member of East Cheshire NHS Trust.
Applicants are advised to apply early as we reserve the right to close the advert prior to the advertised closing date should we receive a large number of applications.
We look forward to receiving your application.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- First Level Registered Nurse
- Proof of registration with NMC (Nursing & Midwifery Council)
- Degree
- Masters/post graduate qualification modules in clinical examination and diagnostics, or working towards or masters in clinical nursing/advanced practice or working towards
Desirable
- Teaching qualification/ evidence of teaching
- Leadership/ management qualification or working towards
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Expert clinical practitioner, independent and professionally autonomous
- Able to act in an advisory capacity to multi-professional teams using clinical expertise
- Excellent critical appraisal skills
- Excellent leadership skills
- Effective communicator
- Ability to prioritise workload to deliver agreed milestones and overcome conflicting demand on time and resources
- Excellent communicator with effective persuasion and negotiation skills and the ability to motivate and influence others.
- Ability to write clear and concise reports and present information relevant to sphere of responsibility within agreed timescales
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable evidence of clinical practice at senior nurse level within a surgical discipline
- Understanding of governance framework, risk assessment appraisal and mitigation
- Good track record of partnership working
- Experience of workforce management and development across multiple functions
- Management of employee relations in accordance with HR policies and procedures
- Practical experience of assessment of clinical competencies
Desirable
- Operational management experience within perioperative specialty
Specific Job Requirement
Essential
- Demonstrates strong clinical and leadership skills
- Manage and implement change in the pre- operative specialty.
- Develop strategies to identify risk and prevent recurrence
- Develop effective working relationships within the Trust
- Committed to acting as advocate for nursing at senior level
- Visionary
- Punctual, flexible, approachable and reliable
- Evidence of development of systems to support peer review for nurse practitioners and other specified specialist practitioners
- Encourage and promote best practice through research
- Assist in the ongoing clinical development of staff
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- First Level Registered Nurse
- Proof of registration with NMC (Nursing & Midwifery Council)
- Degree
- Masters/post graduate qualification modules in clinical examination and diagnostics, or working towards or masters in clinical nursing/advanced practice or working towards
Desirable
- Teaching qualification/ evidence of teaching
- Leadership/ management qualification or working towards
Knowledge and Skills
Essential
- Expert clinical practitioner, independent and professionally autonomous
- Able to act in an advisory capacity to multi-professional teams using clinical expertise
- Excellent critical appraisal skills
- Excellent leadership skills
- Effective communicator
- Ability to prioritise workload to deliver agreed milestones and overcome conflicting demand on time and resources
- Excellent communicator with effective persuasion and negotiation skills and the ability to motivate and influence others.
- Ability to write clear and concise reports and present information relevant to sphere of responsibility within agreed timescales
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable evidence of clinical practice at senior nurse level within a surgical discipline
- Understanding of governance framework, risk assessment appraisal and mitigation
- Good track record of partnership working
- Experience of workforce management and development across multiple functions
- Management of employee relations in accordance with HR policies and procedures
- Practical experience of assessment of clinical competencies
Desirable
- Operational management experience within perioperative specialty
Specific Job Requirement
Essential
- Demonstrates strong clinical and leadership skills
- Manage and implement change in the pre- operative specialty.
- Develop strategies to identify risk and prevent recurrence
- Develop effective working relationships within the Trust
- Committed to acting as advocate for nursing at senior level
- Visionary
- Punctual, flexible, approachable and reliable
- Evidence of development of systems to support peer review for nurse practitioners and other specified specialist practitioners
- Encourage and promote best practice through research
- Assist in the ongoing clinical development of staff
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).
