Pre-assessment Sister/Charge Nurse/OPD band 6

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job overview

The band six Pre-assessment practitioner plays a key role in ensuring that patients are clinically optimised and fully prepared for elective surgery. You will provide evidence-based nursing assessment, working closely with anaesthetist, surgical teams and other allied health professionals to ensure safe, timely and effective patient care. The role requires strong clinical judgement, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work efficiently in a fast paced environment.

Main duties of the job

• Provide clinical leadership and experience within a pre-assessment department.
• Undertake comprehensive Pre-operative assessments.
• Identify, investigate and manage clinical risks that may affect patients waiting for surgery.
• Assist in rostering.
• Assist with audit collection and analysis.
• Contribute to staff training and development.
• Partake and assist in anaesthetic notes review sessions.

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wave—a national programme that’s changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector.

This means we’re working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives.

We’re a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.

Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To provide expert, holistic care of a high standard to both patients and their relatives at The Princess Alexandra Hospital’s Pre Assessment department.

To be a professional role model, leading and co-ordinating the Pre Assessment department team. This involves managing a wide range of complex and sometimes conflicting priorities for elective surgical patients.

To take direct managerial responsibility for the clinical area in the absence or as delegated by the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse / Matron

To act as a clinical resource with the department and across the care directorate as necessary.

To act as a positive role model to junior staff members. Particular emphasis is put at The Princess Alexandra Hospital on the need to ensure that all staff recognise their responsibility to deliver services in a high quality, courteous, patient focused manner and to maintain patient confidentiality at all times

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse (part 1 register) or ODP

Desirable

• Evidence of continued professional studies related to area of surgery
• Teaching qualification such as practice assessor or mentorship
• Degree in nursing or equivalent
• Minimum standard BLS competent

Experience

Essential

• Awareness and understanding of current health issues
• Demonstrate interest and commitment to the professional development of others
• Able to contribute to the development of students, nurses, ODPs and self
• Able to contribute to develop the workplace as a learning environment
• Interest in Pre Assessment

Desirable

• Leadership skills to manage an area
• Awareness national and local targets
• Experience of Pre Assessment or anaesthetics

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.

Employer details

Employer name

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust

Address

The Princess Alexandra Hospital

Harlow

Essex

CM20 1QX

Employer's website

https://www.pah.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)