Job summary
The North Middlesex Pre-Assessment Department is pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for Band 6 nurses seeking career development, growth, and a new challenge.
We currently have two full-time Band 6 positions available.
Are you ready for a fresh opportunity?
This is an ideal role for an RGN with at least 24 months of surgical experience who is keen to broaden their skills within the dynamic Pre-Assessment Team. Strong communication and interpersonal abilities are essential, as the role involves close collaboration with Doctors, Anaesthetists, the Admissions Department, and other members of the multidisciplinary team.
This post presents a fantastic chance to join a modern and effective service while developing your own career pathway. The successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating and managing their own caseload of patients in clinics running Monday to Saturday. You will need to demonstrate initiative, alongside the ability to work both independently and as part of a supportive team.
The post holder will be supported in maintaining their clinical competencies and will be offered opportunities for continued professional development
Main duties of the job
The Post holder should be able to carry an assessment on patients who are undergoing Day Cases and Inpatient Elective Surgery in accordance with our Pre-Assessment Unit Guidelines.
They are expected to have significant clinical experience in both medical and surgical background, to ensure the seamless transition of patients throughPre-Assessment to the day of Surgery.
The post holder would be responsible for assessing patient's fitness, working closer with the waiting list co-ordinators in admission and liaising with other relevant members of the multi-disciplinary team as appropriate.
The post holder would be expected to be engaged and willing to learn at a fast pace to maintain and manage their own caseload of paints and overseeing the junior staff in the department by providing advice and support.
They will work within the Pre-Assessment Unit alongside to Main Theatre and Day Surgery to promote a good close working environment.
The post holder acts in accordance with the NMC code of Professional Conduct and with local hospital and statutory guidelines and policies.
They should be a role model for expert clinical knowledge, provide sound clinical expertise to their team and coordinate and deliver high standard of care to their patients.
The post holder will be expected to work and support the elective surgical pathway and to always work in line with he identified Trust Values.
About us
The North Middlesex University Hospital, Royal Free NHS Foundation Trust is a medium-sized acute and community trust with over 525 beds and over 600 community staff, serving more than 600,000 people living across Enfield and Haringey and the surrounding areas, including Barnet and Waltham Forest.
In the year ending 31 March 2022, the Trust reported a turnover of £419.7m and employed almost 4,000 staff. Following the transfer of Enfield Community Services on 1st April 2023, this has increased as we have welcomed over 600 new staff including District Nurses, Community Matrons, Community Physiotherapists, Psychologists and many more across a wide range of adult and children's community services in Enfield.
In January 2025 we joined the Royal Free group: it is an exciting time to join North Mid as we continue our journey to become an integrated care organisation to deliver high quality, seamless care in our local communities, with a focus on tackling health inequalities.
North Mid is part of North Central London integrated care system - consisting of the NHS and Local authority organisations in Camden, Islington, Barnet, Enfield and Haringey. As with other ICSs, we are working increasingly closely with partners and indeed many of our financial and performance objectives are measured at this system level. Whilst all organisations remain as standalone statutory bodies, we have an ICS infrastructure for making shared decisions and agreeing shared approaches.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities:
- Ensure patients are pre-assessed prior to undergoing elective surgery within the Surgical Directorate.
- Take detailed present and past medical history including social history.
- Taking vital signs, height and weight.
- MRSA / MSSA screening as per pre-assessment protocol.
- Recall patient for treatment if found to be MRSA positive. Recall for
o re-screening to monitor MRSA status.
Provide support and information to patients and relatives on all aspects of surgery prior to admission, which includes Health Education.
- Work to agreed protocols and guidelines supported by and in conjunction with the Modernisation Agency.
- Assess the suitability for patients requiring a surgical procedure or operation by providing appropriate routine testing and assessment.
- Arrange other specialist tests i.e. Echocardiogram, pulmonary function test if needed.
- Identify clinical abnormalities that will impair on the surgical journey and act to resolve them
- Liaise with Anaesthetic and Senior Medical Staff to ensure patients fit for surgery.
- Arrange patients to be reviewed prior to operation by anaesthetists if appropriate.
- Arrange referrals to other medical specialists i.e. Cardiology and Respiratory Medicine.
- Arrange alternative management as necessary including referring patients back to their GP or specialists in other professions as necessary.
- Maintain accurate records including pre-operative testing and care interventions to form the basis of total patient records.
- Initiate discharge planning using agreed formats and working closely with members of the Multi-Disciplinary Team.
- Ensure patient is on the most appropriate route for surgical intervention.
- Carry out all relevant forms of care of designated patients and be able to supervise learner nurses and Health Care Support Workers.
- Responsible for the monitoring and audit of the pre-operative assessment service against the service objectives. Assesses the effectiveness of patients outcomes and maximises theatre utilisation.
- Working within the Trusts pre-assessment policies and guidelines.
- Ensuring all forms of communication are used effectively in the interests of patients care.
- Reporting to Manager or Senior Divisional Nurse in the absence of the former, any untoward incidents occurring.
- Ability to complete relevant paperwork regarding untoward incidents.
- Ensure work with the Trust/unit and ward policies in order to maintain professional, clinical and patient safety.
- The maintenance of an acceptable environment for patients, reporting and taking appropriate action in emergency situations and for personally attending the compulsory update sessions.
- Have knowledge and monitor good hand hygiene and environmental cleaning practices.
- Ensure a working knowledge of all information technology systems in use within the Trust i.e. Careflow, e-mail and intranet in line with Trust policies and procedures on real time data collection and confidentiality.
- Ensure a full working knowledge of all equipment in use in clinical area.
Managerial:
- To be responsible for the day-to-day management requirements of the pre-operative assessment service while manager is away.
- To produce the off-duty rota and sickness monitor forms on a monthly basis in the absence of or under instruction of the unit manager.
- Ensure sickness and absence/time keeping policies are adhered to by all staff.
- Ensure that the Trusts induction policy is adhered to for all new members of staff.
- Ensure that the staffs are capable to undertaking the duties delegated to them.
- Ensure that all staff is aware of the Health & Safety, Fire and Cardiac Arrest Policies.
- Liase with the domestic administration to ensure unit is cleaned.
- Ensure that all staff adheres to the guidelines for infection control as laid down in the infection control manual and to liase regularly with the senior infection control nurse.
- Work toward achieving personal objectives and assist junior staff in achieving team objectives.
- To assist medical staff by reporting on patients condition from the pre-op assessment and make suggestions in order to optimise patient for surgery.
- To receive and contribute information at departmental meeting and audit.
- To liase with other heads of departments for their co-operation and support to ensure the smooth running of the unit.
- To ensure that confidentiality of patient identifiable information is maintained at all times.
- Ensuring the safe custody and usage of drugs in accordance with established procedures, policies and laws.
- Preparing and supervising the preparation of statements and contributing information to the Unit manager on untoward and unexpected situations relating to any legal responsibilities e.g. accidents to staff/patients/visitors, complaints or losses.
- Innovate change when appropriate.
- Implement the Trusts Corporate Governance Strategy with regard to meeting the necessary standards of accountability, financial control, patient and public involvement and the delivery of clinical outcomes.
Communication:
- Participate in the multi-disciplinary decision-making process regarding changes in patient care and order of operating lists.
- Communicate work priorities for a given period to junior colleagues.
- Demonstrate awareness of others emotional, physical, and psychological situation and respond sensitively.
- Report to Team Leader or Team Manager accidents, incidents, and complaints.
- Communicates effectively with patients and colleagues and facilitate a question-andanswer dialogue with patients and relatives.
- Communicate nursing interventions to relatives and carers with rationale and be able to demonstrate listening skills and the use of non-verbal cues.
- Evaluate written information and documentation.
- Actively contribute to team discussions.
- Participate in the multi-disciplinary decision-making process regarding changes in patient care and order of operating lists.
- Ensure patient care is documented appropriately and that all electronic records are maintained and accurate.
Governance:
- Ensure a high standard of clinical care to patients.
- Keep patients involved in their treatment by providing information to patients.
- Identify any risks elements involved in the provision of health care.
- Update clinical skills to maintain professional development.
Education and Training /Self -Development:
- Identify own training and development needs and undertake appropriate training/education as required.
- Participate in an annual individual performance review process where objectives will be agreed, performance monitored, and personal development needs discussed.
- To attend all statutory and mandatory training as and when required to do so.
- Act responsibly in respect of colleagues health, safety and welfare following safe work practices and complying with the Trusts Health and Safety Policies.
- Adhere to all Trust Policies as applicable
- Participate in the development of local nursing/pre-assessment policies and guidelines.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical Responsibilities:
- Ensure patients are pre-assessed prior to undergoing elective surgery within the Surgical Directorate.
- Take detailed present and past medical history including social history.
- Taking vital signs, height and weight.
- MRSA / MSSA screening as per pre-assessment protocol.
- Recall patient for treatment if found to be MRSA positive. Recall for
o re-screening to monitor MRSA status.
Provide support and information to patients and relatives on all aspects of surgery prior to admission, which includes Health Education.
- Work to agreed protocols and guidelines supported by and in conjunction with the Modernisation Agency.
- Assess the suitability for patients requiring a surgical procedure or operation by providing appropriate routine testing and assessment.
- Arrange other specialist tests i.e. Echocardiogram, pulmonary function test if needed.
- Identify clinical abnormalities that will impair on the surgical journey and act to resolve them
- Liaise with Anaesthetic and Senior Medical Staff to ensure patients fit for surgery.
- Arrange patients to be reviewed prior to operation by anaesthetists if appropriate.
- Arrange referrals to other medical specialists i.e. Cardiology and Respiratory Medicine.
- Arrange alternative management as necessary including referring patients back to their GP or specialists in other professions as necessary.
- Maintain accurate records including pre-operative testing and care interventions to form the basis of total patient records.
- Initiate discharge planning using agreed formats and working closely with members of the Multi-Disciplinary Team.
- Ensure patient is on the most appropriate route for surgical intervention.
- Carry out all relevant forms of care of designated patients and be able to supervise learner nurses and Health Care Support Workers.
- Responsible for the monitoring and audit of the pre-operative assessment service against the service objectives. Assesses the effectiveness of patients outcomes and maximises theatre utilisation.
- Working within the Trusts pre-assessment policies and guidelines.
- Ensuring all forms of communication are used effectively in the interests of patients care.
- Reporting to Manager or Senior Divisional Nurse in the absence of the former, any untoward incidents occurring.
- Ability to complete relevant paperwork regarding untoward incidents.
- Ensure work with the Trust/unit and ward policies in order to maintain professional, clinical and patient safety.
- The maintenance of an acceptable environment for patients, reporting and taking appropriate action in emergency situations and for personally attending the compulsory update sessions.
- Have knowledge and monitor good hand hygiene and environmental cleaning practices.
- Ensure a working knowledge of all information technology systems in use within the Trust i.e. Careflow, e-mail and intranet in line with Trust policies and procedures on real time data collection and confidentiality.
- Ensure a full working knowledge of all equipment in use in clinical area.
Managerial:
- To be responsible for the day-to-day management requirements of the pre-operative assessment service while manager is away.
- To produce the off-duty rota and sickness monitor forms on a monthly basis in the absence of or under instruction of the unit manager.
- Ensure sickness and absence/time keeping policies are adhered to by all staff.
- Ensure that the Trusts induction policy is adhered to for all new members of staff.
- Ensure that the staffs are capable to undertaking the duties delegated to them.
- Ensure that all staff is aware of the Health & Safety, Fire and Cardiac Arrest Policies.
- Liase with the domestic administration to ensure unit is cleaned.
- Ensure that all staff adheres to the guidelines for infection control as laid down in the infection control manual and to liase regularly with the senior infection control nurse.
- Work toward achieving personal objectives and assist junior staff in achieving team objectives.
- To assist medical staff by reporting on patients condition from the pre-op assessment and make suggestions in order to optimise patient for surgery.
- To receive and contribute information at departmental meeting and audit.
- To liase with other heads of departments for their co-operation and support to ensure the smooth running of the unit.
- To ensure that confidentiality of patient identifiable information is maintained at all times.
- Ensuring the safe custody and usage of drugs in accordance with established procedures, policies and laws.
- Preparing and supervising the preparation of statements and contributing information to the Unit manager on untoward and unexpected situations relating to any legal responsibilities e.g. accidents to staff/patients/visitors, complaints or losses.
- Innovate change when appropriate.
- Implement the Trusts Corporate Governance Strategy with regard to meeting the necessary standards of accountability, financial control, patient and public involvement and the delivery of clinical outcomes.
Communication:
- Participate in the multi-disciplinary decision-making process regarding changes in patient care and order of operating lists.
- Communicate work priorities for a given period to junior colleagues.
- Demonstrate awareness of others emotional, physical, and psychological situation and respond sensitively.
- Report to Team Leader or Team Manager accidents, incidents, and complaints.
- Communicates effectively with patients and colleagues and facilitate a question-andanswer dialogue with patients and relatives.
- Communicate nursing interventions to relatives and carers with rationale and be able to demonstrate listening skills and the use of non-verbal cues.
- Evaluate written information and documentation.
- Actively contribute to team discussions.
- Participate in the multi-disciplinary decision-making process regarding changes in patient care and order of operating lists.
- Ensure patient care is documented appropriately and that all electronic records are maintained and accurate.
Governance:
- Ensure a high standard of clinical care to patients.
- Keep patients involved in their treatment by providing information to patients.
- Identify any risks elements involved in the provision of health care.
- Update clinical skills to maintain professional development.
Education and Training /Self -Development:
- Identify own training and development needs and undertake appropriate training/education as required.
- Participate in an annual individual performance review process where objectives will be agreed, performance monitored, and personal development needs discussed.
- To attend all statutory and mandatory training as and when required to do so.
- Act responsibly in respect of colleagues health, safety and welfare following safe work practices and complying with the Trusts Health and Safety Policies.
- Adhere to all Trust Policies as applicable
- Participate in the development of local nursing/pre-assessment policies and guidelines.
Person Specification
Education & professional Qualifications
Essential
- RN essential
- Post registration course in a relevant speciality essential
Desirable
- Advanced Assessment Skills module desirable
Experience
Essential
- Current experience of preoperative assessment essential
- Experience of caring for the sick surgical patient
- Experience working as a mentor
Skills and aptitudes
Essential
- Knowledge of surgical nursing essentia
- Excellent communication skills
- Evidence of phlebotomy skills
Person Specification
Education & professional Qualifications
Essential
- RN essential
- Post registration course in a relevant speciality essential
Desirable
- Advanced Assessment Skills module desirable
Experience
Essential
- Current experience of preoperative assessment essential
- Experience of caring for the sick surgical patient
- Experience working as a mentor
Skills and aptitudes
Essential
- Knowledge of surgical nursing essentia
- Excellent communication skills
- Evidence of phlebotomy skills
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).
