Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust

Sister/Charge Nurse

The closing date is 22 March 2026

Job summary

SurgicalPre-AssessmentSister/Charge Nurse

Are you anenthusiastic,experiencedand dynamicPre-AssessmentNurselooking to progressfurther in the speciality. We have an exciting opportunity for a Band 6Pre-AssessmentSister/ChargeNursewith a keen interest in the optimisation of patients prior tosurgerytojoin our team, playing a vital role indelivering effective care for patients undergoing surgical procedures.

Main duties of the job

As aPre-AssessmentSister/ChargeNurseyouwillbe responsible forthe assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of the Pre-assessment Services within the Surgical Division.Providingclinical and managerial leadership for nursing and support staff across the unit ensuring equity of service. You will be working collaborativelywiththeClinicalOperations Manager to ensure patients receive safe, effective care and to deputise in their absence.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact within a trust that has received national recognition for its innovation and service improvement within operating servicesand Surgery and Anaesthetics division.

About us

CHFT is an integrated Trust of 6,500+ colleagues providing hospital and community services to patients and communities across Calderdale and Kirklees. We are rated as 'Good' by the Care Quality Commission, are a top performing Trust for Elective Recovery, Emergency and Cancer Care and widely acknowledged as a national digital lead when it comes to caring for people across our local and regional systems.

Our people are at the core of everything we do, hence our commitment to One Culture of Care. Our focus is to care for and support each other in order to provide outstanding compassionate care to our patients. That is why we are looking for an inclusive collaborative, creative, innovative and compassionate leader to join us in this role.

Details

Date posted

18 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

372-SURG2073

Job locations

Huddersfield Royal Infirmary

Acre Street

Huddersfield

HD3 3EA


Job description

Job responsibilities

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

  • Act as a clinical role model, providing leadership and guidance to staff on operational and professional issues, ensuring clinicalexpertiseand practice is enhanced.

  • Tosafely and competently assess patients requiring surgeryand taking a lead on complex patient's assessments.

  • To act as clinical co-ordinator for the pre assessment departmentensuring that services run smoothly and effectively. Ensuring patients are triaged,assessedand have a clear management plan in place alongsidemaintainingpatient safety.

  • Interpret ECG recordings and takeappropriate action,escalatingasrequired.

  • To perform relevant cardiovascular/respiratory assessment of patients.

  • Authorise and review relevant tests and results to include bloods and ECHO and overnight oximetry.

  • To recognise changes in a patients condition which requires the intervention of others and refer the patients on asappropriate.

  • Work alongside Senior Anaesthetists both in clinic andvirtually toensure patients are assessed and investigations completed/reviewed asrequired.

  • Ensuring optimisation treatments and prophylactic treatments are provided to patients,completingandmaintainingPGDs to support.

  • Lead on optimisation of patients prior to surgery, signposting to services available and liaising with primary care and hospital specialities to ensure patients are safely assessed and fit for surgery.

  • To ensurehigh standardsof nursing care are given andmaintained, taking actions as required whenstandards are not being upheld.

  • Be proactive in the development of the clinical area, supporting and planning process and service development, contributenew ideasto improve patient care.

  • Act as a mentor/preceptor to students andnew staffmembersandactivelyparticipatein training and teaching.

  • Support the Clinical Operations Manager and Matron in leading the team to meet local divisional andTrustobjectives, including treatment and recovery targets and minimising cancellations.

  • Contribute to the audit process and utilise results in practice.

  • Develop and motivate the team.

  • Co-ordinate the servicedelivered at CHFTin line with regional and national guidelines.

  • To take an active role in risk assessment, supporting the implementation of strategies to minimise risk. Ensure incidents and near misses are reported, through promotion of a no blame culture.

  • Competently managing a team of staff including support with appraisals, mandatorytrainingand sickness management

  • To manage complaints and escalate where necessary.

  • Toestablishand maintain effective communication, both verbal and written and build relationships within the multidisciplinary teams.

  • To recognise and prevent wherepossible areasof conflict and escalate if necessary.

  • Supervise and deploy staff appropriately considering knowledge and skill mix.

  • Take an active role in the recruitment process.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

  • Act as a clinical role model, providing leadership and guidance to staff on operational and professional issues, ensuring clinicalexpertiseand practice is enhanced.

  • Tosafely and competently assess patients requiring surgeryand taking a lead on complex patient's assessments.

  • To act as clinical co-ordinator for the pre assessment departmentensuring that services run smoothly and effectively. Ensuring patients are triaged,assessedand have a clear management plan in place alongsidemaintainingpatient safety.

  • Interpret ECG recordings and takeappropriate action,escalatingasrequired.

  • To perform relevant cardiovascular/respiratory assessment of patients.

  • Authorise and review relevant tests and results to include bloods and ECHO and overnight oximetry.

  • To recognise changes in a patients condition which requires the intervention of others and refer the patients on asappropriate.

  • Work alongside Senior Anaesthetists both in clinic andvirtually toensure patients are assessed and investigations completed/reviewed asrequired.

  • Ensuring optimisation treatments and prophylactic treatments are provided to patients,completingandmaintainingPGDs to support.

  • Lead on optimisation of patients prior to surgery, signposting to services available and liaising with primary care and hospital specialities to ensure patients are safely assessed and fit for surgery.

  • To ensurehigh standardsof nursing care are given andmaintained, taking actions as required whenstandards are not being upheld.

  • Be proactive in the development of the clinical area, supporting and planning process and service development, contributenew ideasto improve patient care.

  • Act as a mentor/preceptor to students andnew staffmembersandactivelyparticipatein training and teaching.

  • Support the Clinical Operations Manager and Matron in leading the team to meet local divisional andTrustobjectives, including treatment and recovery targets and minimising cancellations.

  • Contribute to the audit process and utilise results in practice.

  • Develop and motivate the team.

  • Co-ordinate the servicedelivered at CHFTin line with regional and national guidelines.

  • To take an active role in risk assessment, supporting the implementation of strategies to minimise risk. Ensure incidents and near misses are reported, through promotion of a no blame culture.

  • Competently managing a team of staff including support with appraisals, mandatorytrainingand sickness management

  • To manage complaints and escalate where necessary.

  • Toestablishand maintain effective communication, both verbal and written and build relationships within the multidisciplinary teams.

  • To recognise and prevent wherepossible areasof conflict and escalate if necessary.

  • Supervise and deploy staff appropriately considering knowledge and skill mix.

  • Take an active role in the recruitment process.

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING

Essential

  • First level registration/ registered ODP

Desirable

  • Specialist qualification in pre-operative assessment including interpretation of ECG and bloods
  • Evidence of recent continuous professional development
  • Degree in Healthcare / Management
  • Management certificate
  • Mentorship qualification
  • Nurse Prescribing qualification
  • Recruitment and Selection training

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

Essential

  • Knowledge of a wide range of surgical specialties
  • Up to date professional knowledge of local and national pre-assessment strategies and guidelines.
  • Interpretation of ECG/Blood results or willingness to undertake training
  • Significant experience as a band 5 within in a surgical pre-assessment department

Desirable

  • Extensive experience in surgical speciality in secondary care.
  • Experience in acute medicine
  • Knowledge of Electronic Patient Record
  • Computer literate
  • Knowledge of future provision of services
  • Conducting appraisals

COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES)

Essential

  • Evidence of self-development/clinical knowledge
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Experience of evidence-based practice
  • Proven ability to lead a team
  • Ability to foster multi-disciplinary working
  • Works within budgetary parameters

Desirable

  • Experience of change management,
  • CHFT Leadership Passport
Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING

Essential

  • First level registration/ registered ODP

Desirable

  • Specialist qualification in pre-operative assessment including interpretation of ECG and bloods
  • Evidence of recent continuous professional development
  • Degree in Healthcare / Management
  • Management certificate
  • Mentorship qualification
  • Nurse Prescribing qualification
  • Recruitment and Selection training

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

Essential

  • Knowledge of a wide range of surgical specialties
  • Up to date professional knowledge of local and national pre-assessment strategies and guidelines.
  • Interpretation of ECG/Blood results or willingness to undertake training
  • Significant experience as a band 5 within in a surgical pre-assessment department

Desirable

  • Extensive experience in surgical speciality in secondary care.
  • Experience in acute medicine
  • Knowledge of Electronic Patient Record
  • Computer literate
  • Knowledge of future provision of services
  • Conducting appraisals

COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES)

Essential

  • Evidence of self-development/clinical knowledge
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Experience of evidence-based practice
  • Proven ability to lead a team
  • Ability to foster multi-disciplinary working
  • Works within budgetary parameters

Desirable

  • Experience of change management,
  • CHFT Leadership Passport

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Huddersfield Royal Infirmary

Acre Street

Huddersfield

HD3 3EA


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Huddersfield Royal Infirmary

Acre Street

Huddersfield

HD3 3EA


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Operations Manager

Karen Lockwood

karen.lockwood2@cht.nhs.uk

01484342652

Details

Date posted

18 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

372-SURG2073

Job locations

Huddersfield Royal Infirmary

Acre Street

Huddersfield

HD3 3EA


Supporting documents

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