Job Overview The Pre Assessment Clinic provides an important role in the appropriate assessment, preparation and optimisation of all adult elective surgical patients and in avoiding theatre delays and cancellations. Delivered by a highly skilled workforce of clinicians and nurses, pre-assessment is provided for all adult patients undergoing surgery or procedure under general or spinal anaesthetic, across all specialties. The pre-assessment processes aim to deliver patient centered care, by ensuring a close partnership relationship is fostered, where patients are equipped with the correct level of knowledge and understanding. Main duties of the job Accept delegated responsibility for the provision of professional and managerial leadership for nursing staff. Enhanced Clinical Assessment of patients including identification of risks for the peri-operative period. Enter patient’s usual medications onto EPMA system to prepare for their admission. Participate in developing joint action plans, protocols and pathways to ensure continuous quality improvement for the service. Through high quality pre-assessment and organisation, support the Division in meeting their targets relating to cancellation of operations and patient length of stay. Assist in implementation of the Nursing Strategy ensuring that evidence of integration of the strategy in working practice is available for audit. Promote a culture where change is embraced and there is commitment to improving the pre assessment service. Using the KSF framework, progress personal and professional knowledge and skills. Working for our organisation We want to attract the best and brightest people to work with us and that means we will look after you from the moment you apply for a role at the Trust and throughout your career with us. Our staff are central to everything we do, and we believe that investing in you is crucial if we want to enable you to reach your full potential. Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities Ensure staff deliver a patient centred, clinically effective and dynamic service in the patient’s pre-admission assessment clinic. Key Duties And Responsibilities Accept delegated responsibility for the provision of professional and managerial leadership for nursing staff. Enhanced Clinical Assessment of patients including identification of risks for the peri-operative period. Entre patient’s usual medications onto EPMA system to prepare for their admission. Participate in developing joint action plans, protocols and pathways to ensure continuous quality improvement for the service. Through high quality pre-assessment and organisation, support the Division in meeting their targets relating to cancellation of operations and patient length of stay. Assist in implementation of the Nursing Strategy ensuring that evidence of integration of the strategy in working practice is available for audit. Promote a culture where change is embraced and there is commitment to improving the pre assessment service. Using the KSF framework, progress personal and professional knowledge and skills. COMMUNICATION 1.1 Take remedial action to diffuse complaints and potential complaints from patients and/or their relatives/carers to maintain good relationships between the service and the service users. 1.2 Demonstrate a positive, optimistic and professional attitude at all times to promote motivation, commitment and team spirit. 1.3 Contribute at multidisciplinary meetings ensuring short and long term planning to enable safe, timely management of patient’s pre assessment and admission. 1.4 Respect confidentiality regarding all information received relating to employment, other members of staff and the general public. In addition uphold the requirements of the Data Protection Act. PERSONAL AND PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT 2.1 Through supervision, monitoring and assessing the individual skills of the nursing team members ensure that care and admission planning is appropriate, timely and enhances the patient’s experience. 2.2 With the multidisciplinary team, constantly review practice with a view to enhancing the nurse’s role in facilitating the pre assessment. 2.3 Ensure that staff have the opportunity to participate in clinical supervision to maintain continuous personal and professional development. 2.4 Support all staff to understand, participate and contribute confidently in an ever changing environment to ensure an innovative, positive approach to health care. 2.5 Continue to update and develop own clinical/theoretical knowledge relating to the speciality and other areas of nursing to ensure pre assessment is innovative, research based and of a high standard. 2.6 Through the appraisal process and self-evaluation, identify own development needs and agree training/education requirements with Line Manager in order to maintain expertise, knowledge and to develop new skills. 2.7 Participate actively in meetings, study sessions, working groups or similar to achieve outcomes which ensure that pre assessment is an integral part of the pathway for surgical patients. 2.8 Assist in providing the relevant clinical learning opportunities in an appropriate environment and participate in the assessment of learners to ensure that the agreed level of nursing skills and knowledge are attained. 2.9 Undertake the essential training necessary to gain the enhanced skills required for this post. HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY 3.1 Promote and monitor good practice through direct observation to ensure infection rates are maintained at low levels taking appropriate action to maintain standards. 3.2 Take responsible care for the health and safety of self and others, ensuring policies and procedures for maintaining the provision of a safe environment are adhered to. Also co-operate with the management team in meeting it’s responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act. 3.3 Take responsibility for identifying and reporting practices and areas of work that have risk management implications, and actioning changes in practice to ensure the safety of patients and colleagues. 3.4 Participate in ensuring the provision of a safe environment, which meets Health and Safety standards. SERVICE IMPROVEMENT 4.1Ensure that all future developments are planned recognising the impact pre assessment has on the smooth running of the patients’ pathway from their outpatient clinic consultation to their discharge. 4.2Be responsible for keeping up to date with new developments and research discussing the benefits and values of changing processes to ensure no disruption to the theatre planning aspect of the patient’s pathway. Lead the implementation of agreed change within the clinical team and be responsible for providing an audit tool to evaluate the revised practice. QUALITY 5.1 Contribute to the development of multi-disciplinary and inter-agency evidence based pathways of care to ensure continuous quality improvement for service users. 5.2 Participate in the Clinical Practice Benchmarking process to identify best practice and pursue continuous improvement through comparison and sharing. 5.3 Ensure nursing practice reflects current professional and clinical developments and is based on current research and demonstrates best practice. 5.4 Accept delegated responsibility for ensuring all staff are conversant with the policies, procedures and guidelines available on the intranet and in the Marsden manual, to maintain high standards of care in line with Clinical Governance. 5.5 Monitor compliance of nursing staff with the NMC requirements and the Trust’s mandatory training to maintain their registration and a healthy and safe environment. EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY 6.1Participate in the orientation and induction programme of all new staff to support them to achieve their potential in their new working environment. 6.2Plan cover for annual leave and training adopting a flexible approach balancing the needs of the service and staff members to ensure sufficient numbers of staff at the appropriate level to deliver a high quality service and maintain moral. 6.3Respect the cultural, racial and religious differences within Society. HEALTH AND WELLBEING 7.1Ensure that clinical practice has patients, their families and careers as its center, is evidence based and supports patients in making informed decisions regarding their Pathway of Care. 7.2Be a credible role model, able to demonstrate good practice to junior staff to maintain local, national and professional standards. Person specification Education And Qualifications Essential criteria Registered Nurse Diploma or Degree in Nursing Enhanced Clinical Assessment Module Level 6 Desirable criteria ENB 998 preparation for mentorship or equivalent Management or team leading qualification Leadership (LEO) course or equivalent Knowledge And Experience Essential criteria Minimum of 2 years recent experience at Staff nurse level Competent IT and Microsoft word skills Management experience and/ or experience of leading a team Troubleshooting skills Desirable criteria Minimum of 2 years post registration in Surgery or Pre-operative assessment / Anaesthetics Mentorship Skills And Knowledge Essential criteria Broad Knowledge Base Ability to demonstrate evidence of applying theory to practice Ability to lead and work effectively in a team Good interpersonal skills which engender effective working relationships with staff Ability to use assertive behaviour appropriately Accurate document presentation and attention to detail. Organisational skills The James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust recognises the requirement to promote health and reduce ill-health. The Trust is committed to the principles of improving working lives through a number of initiatives such as job share, flexible working and the development of a culture of openness and transparency. The Trust is committed to ensuring that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. ‘Prior consideration will be given to NHS At Risk staff within East of England' Tier 2 Sponsorship : We are pleased to consider applicants who require Tier 2 sponsorship to work in the UK but it is unlikely that we would be able to appoint if a suitably qualified, experienced and skilled UK/Right to work candidate is available. Applying for entry clearance into the UK, must provide 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) will also be subject to this requirement. Please check your account regularly under “My Applications” to view the progress of your applications. If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks, please assume your application has been unsuccessful. In submitting an application form, you authorise the Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process. Please note that should we experience a high level of interest in this post, the vacancy may be closed prior to the stated closing date.