Pre-Assessment Nurse: Sponsorship Available

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 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.