Job overview
Tired of shift working or working nights, Dream of never working bank holidays again? Interested in a new challenge?
Whether you are a Staff Nurse with clinical experience or an ODP we have an opportunity for you within our very busy Pre-Operative Assessment Clinic.
We are looking for dedicated and passionate Band 5 Registered Nurses/ HCPC practitioner to work with our Pre- Operative Assessment Team at Fordcombe Hospital.
Do you have good communication and interpersonal skills?
Do you enjoy the autonomy of having your own patients to manage but still feel part of a team?
Are you used to liaising with a wide variety of members from the multi-disciplinary team and have a passion for improving the patient’s surgical pathway?
Then this could be the role for you!
Main duties of the job
Staff members in the Pre-assessment Unit play a pivotal role in delivering safe and efficient pre-operative care to the elective surgical patient. You will be working with the multi-disciplinary teams, including GP’s, Surgical Consultants and Anaesthetists on a daily basis, providing effective clinical assessments to ensure our patients and their families/carers receive excellent preparation for elective surgical procedures.
As a member of the Pre-Operative Assessment Unit, you will play an important role in assessing patients for specialities including ENT, Orthopaedics, Urology, Gynae, Breast and Surgical procedures.
Working for our organisation
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 NHS Staff Survey.
We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.
Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.
Looking for flexible working?
We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it’s adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.
Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:
• At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
• Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
• Blue Light card eligibility
• And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We’ve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.
Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children)
All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.
Following your corporate induction you will be expected to attend the Trust’s 2-week Induction Programme for RNs, NAs, RMs, ODPs and Paramedics. The programme is full-time (please email if this is problematic) and will involve travel to both Trust sites. The programme includes supernumerary shifts in the clinical area, classroom-based sessions and e-learning.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. First level registered nurse OR professional registered with the HCPC such as Operating Department Practitioner.
2. Basic Life Support provider
3. Mentorship / preceptorship course or equivalent
Desirable criteria
4. Evidence of further education since qualification e.g. diploma or degree
5. Preoperative Assessment experience
6. ENB specialist Course
7. Intermediate advanced life support
Experience/Knowledge
Essential criteria
8. Minimum of 2 years’ experience in an acute setting.
9. Proficient clinician and clinical role model
10. Insight and understanding of current issues in healthcare
11. Demonstrate a commitment to professional development
Desirable criteria
12. ITU / anaesthetic / preoperative assessment experience
13. Understanding of audit and benchmarking processes
Skills
Essential criteria
14. Excellent communication skills
15. Evidence of commitment to patient centred care
16. Understanding of own accountability
17. Good interpersonal skills
18. Good analytical skills
Desirable criteria
19. Advanced clinical skills
20. Commitment to teaching others
21. IT/keyboard skills