Pre Assessment Staff Nurse

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced and motivated individual to undertake the above post as part of the pre-operative assessment team at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. The successful candidate will provide a specialist pre-operative service to all surgical specialities and Endoscopy.

The pre-operative assessment service is nurse lead. Duties include assessing patients and liaising with other members of the multi-disciplinary team in planning for admission and discharge., To assist with the pre-operative assessment of patients, undergoing elective surgery. To run Initial health Assessment clinics for those patients who have been listed for surgery. To carry out telephone assessments where appropriate. To assist in the delivery of pre assessments for patients who are to undergo a surgical procedure or Endoscopic or Colonic procedure. To further develop the service where necessary. Manage their own caseload of patients within agreed protocols to provide comprehensive pre-operative care for patients undergoing elective surgery.

This post has an internal rotation program.

To work within agreed protocols for all aspects of professional practice.

Assessment of patients, using an established proforma and checklist.

Document assessments and plans in the patients record.

Differentiate between major and minor illnesses and refer patients on medical or other colleagues as appropriate. To assess patient suitability as a day case in accordance with day case critera.

To prepare patients physically and psychologically for theatre.

Provide verbal and written pre and post-operative care and instructions for patients.

Advise on the health promotion.

The role requires you to be an experienced nurse from a surgical background, who is a team player, working effectively alongside a wide range of professionals, as well as working autonomously. You should have a holistic approach to care and in house training will enable you to evaluate patients suitability for the various forms of anaesthesia.

If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager

You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks

We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented

From April 1 2024 we are unable to offer sponsorship for healthcare roles that do not meet the minimum salary £23,200, to apply you must have Right to Work in the United Kingdom. If you are in the UK on a VISA please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post