Job summary An exciting and challenging opportunity has become available for a Band 7 Clinical Nurse Practitioner. The post holder will be responsible for ensuring immediate care to the relevant patient group and will work within the pre-operative assessment and admission service. You will work closely with a wide MDT, including other hospitals and GP services to ensure a smooth, safe and positive journey for all our patients. We also support weekly Anaesthetics clinics, for complex patient assessment and planning. You will be able to provide initial direct patient care. You will utilize your level 7 in clinical examination and diagnostics qualification by assessing and determining fitness for surgery. You will be expected to manage your own caseload of patients and also using a " buddy " system to ensure a cohort of patients daily are fully optimized Pre Operatively whilst high standards of quality of care are delivered and maintained. You will provide first contact assessment, confirm diagnosis and reason for surgery and comprehensively assess patient with complex/advanced conditions and co-morbidities where more specialist assessment is required. You will be expected to escalate and discuss your clinical findings to determine need for preoperative Anaesthetic assessment. An Enhanced DBS with barred lists for both Adults & Children is required for this post. Main duties of the job Provide first contact assessment, confirm diagnosis and reason for surgery and comprehensively assess patient with complex/advanced conditions and co-morbidities where more specialist assessment is required. Order/undertake, interpret and act upon diagnostic tests and investigations. Clinically assess patients to determine need for preoperative anaesthetic assessment Liaise with Anaesthetic Leads based on agreed protocols for patients graded high risk for anaesthetic. Liaise with other clinical teams regarding abnormal findings within agreed protocols, to offer a differential diagnosis and ensure patient clinical safety. Act as advanced practitioner exercising judgement, discretion, and decision making in clinical care. Ensure compliance with specific regulations with regard to drugs/omission of drugs prior to surgery, and record keeping within area of work. Document patient's clinical conditions and action plans in preoperative assessment notes, communicating with relevant medical/nursing staff and ensure all documentation is directed to the appropriate department for electronic scanning, or direct to ward in event of imminent patient admission. About us Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 9000 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites. We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care. Our services: Acute Care Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites. Primary Care Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital. Community Services Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation, freeing up space for more unwell patients. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre. Specialist Regional Services We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales. Achievements: Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018 Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal) National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme Date posted 05 November 2024 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 7 Salary £46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 409-6695815-A Job locations St Helens Marshalls Cross Road St Helens WA9 3DA Job description Job responsibilities CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES Provide first contact assessment, confirm diagnosis and reason for surgery and comprehensively assess patient with complex/advanced conditions and co-morbidities where more specialist assessment is required. Order/undertake, interpret and act upon diagnostic tests and investigations. Clinically assess patients to determine need for preoperative anaesthetic assessment. Liaise with Anaesthetic Leads based on agreed protocols for patients graded high risk for anaesthetic. Liaise with other clinical teams regarding abnormal findings within agreed protocols, to offer a differential diagnosis and ensure patient clinical safety. Act as advanced practitioner exercising judgement, discretion, and decision making in clinical care. Ensure compliance with specific regulations with regard to drugs/omission of drugs prior to surgery, and record keeping within area of work. Document patients clinical conditions and action plans in preoperative assessment notes, communicating with relevant medical/nursing staff and ensure all documentation is directed to the appropriate department for electronic scanning, or direct to ward in event of imminent patient admission. Take active role in nurse led clinics, developing and advancing service. Refer complex cases to Anaesthetist for further discussion, assessment and action as appropriate. Liaise with primary and secondary care Clinicians as required. Prescribe medication in accordance with current legislation and trust policy. GOVERNANCE RESPONSIBILITIES Active participation in collection and collation of research and audit data as appropriate, presenting the outcomes to clinical audit. Active participation in the reporting of clinical incidents/concerns and take appropriate action to address any safety and quality issues raised. Adhere to policies, procedures and protocols relevant to area of work. Monitor standards of care and participate in the improvement of care through ad hoc benchmarking/audit/research. Maintain clear, concise, legible and contemporaneous records at all times, in line with Trust Policy and the Standard for Record keeping (NMC Act 1993). Demonstrate understanding of evidence based care, including where to obtain evidence. Provide verbal and written advice to patients/carers about discharge planning, equipment needs, etc. Ensure decisions regarding consent and mental capacity are taken in accordance with Trust protocols. TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES Impart high level knowledge, advice and support to colleagues, patients, carers and relatives; in relation to planned surgery and recovery. Raise awareness of specialist conditions and their specific requirements for surgery/anaesthetics, by development of protocols for practice. Assist in the provision of an appropriate learning/practice environment for nursing students allocated to the department. COMMUNICATION RESPONSIBILITIES Establish effective communication with patients, carers and relatives attending the department. Provide sensitive, complex information to patients, carers, relatives and professionals across multidisciplinary and multi-agency boundaries, as appropriate to the patients specific needs. Support patients, carers and relatives in their understanding and acceptance of their diagnosis and surgical treatments, and provide education and support in their postoperative needs. Liaise with consultant surgical/anaesthetic team as appropriate to ensure preoperative needs are met and to ensure effective planning for postoperative care package. SERVICE IMPROVEMENT AND CHANGE MANAGEMENT Provide leadership support to Department Manager and Pre Op Lead Nurse in the continued development of preoperative assessment department. Take lead of development projects as appropriate. Continually promote equality and diversity, undertaking equality impact assessments when appropriate. Ensure effective uses of physical and financial resources within the service. Promote patient and public involvement activities in specialist area to promote service improvement. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Develop and maintain specialist clinical skills in assessment, diagnosis and investigation request/interpretation within the preoperative service. Attend annual appraisal to identify and agree training and development needs as part of a Personal Development Plan Participate in clinical supervision sessions and provide leadership to colleagues, arranged by the team Leader/Clinical Supervisor. Deputise, if required, for Pre-Op Manager maintaining smooth running of the clinic TEAM WORK AND DEVELOPMENT Be responsible for own development, including attendance at mandatory training and continually keep up to date with changes to legislation and current best practice. Support nursing colleagues in their continuous professional development including peer supervision. Job description Job responsibilities CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES Provide first contact assessment, confirm diagnosis and reason for surgery and comprehensively assess patient with complex/advanced conditions and co-morbidities where more specialist assessment is required. Order/undertake, interpret and act upon diagnostic tests and investigations. Clinically assess patients to determine need for preoperative anaesthetic assessment. Liaise with Anaesthetic Leads based on agreed protocols for patients graded high risk for anaesthetic. Liaise with other clinical teams regarding abnormal findings within agreed protocols, to offer a differential diagnosis and ensure patient clinical safety. Act as advanced practitioner exercising judgement, discretion, and decision making in clinical care. Ensure compliance with specific regulations with regard to drugs/omission of drugs prior to surgery, and record keeping within area of work. Document patients clinical conditions and action plans in preoperative assessment notes, communicating with relevant medical/nursing staff and ensure all documentation is directed to the appropriate department for electronic scanning, or direct to ward in event of imminent patient admission. Take active role in nurse led clinics, developing and advancing service. Refer complex cases to Anaesthetist for further discussion, assessment and action as appropriate. Liaise with primary and secondary care Clinicians as required. Prescribe medication in accordance with current legislation and trust policy. GOVERNANCE RESPONSIBILITIES Active participation in collection and collation of research and audit data as appropriate, presenting the outcomes to clinical audit. Active participation in the reporting of clinical incidents/concerns and take appropriate action to address any safety and quality issues raised. Adhere to policies, procedures and protocols relevant to area of work. Monitor standards of care and participate in the improvement of care through ad hoc benchmarking/audit/research. Maintain clear, concise, legible and contemporaneous records at all times, in line with Trust Policy and the Standard for Record keeping (NMC Act 1993). Demonstrate understanding of evidence based care, including where to obtain evidence. Provide verbal and written advice to patients/carers about discharge planning, equipment needs, etc. Ensure decisions regarding consent and mental capacity are taken in accordance with Trust protocols. TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES Impart high level knowledge, advice and support to colleagues, patients, carers and relatives; in relation to planned surgery and recovery. Raise awareness of specialist conditions and their specific requirements for surgery/anaesthetics, by development of protocols for practice. Assist in the provision of an appropriate learning/practice environment for nursing students allocated to the department. COMMUNICATION RESPONSIBILITIES Establish effective communication with patients, carers and relatives attending the department. Provide sensitive, complex information to patients, carers, relatives and professionals across multidisciplinary and multi-agency boundaries, as appropriate to the patients specific needs. Support patients, carers and relatives in their understanding and acceptance of their diagnosis and surgical treatments, and provide education and support in their postoperative needs. Liaise with consultant surgical/anaesthetic team as appropriate to ensure preoperative needs are met and to ensure effective planning for postoperative care package. SERVICE IMPROVEMENT AND CHANGE MANAGEMENT Provide leadership support to Department Manager and Pre Op Lead Nurse in the continued development of preoperative assessment department. Take lead of development projects as appropriate. Continually promote equality and diversity, undertaking equality impact assessments when appropriate. Ensure effective uses of physical and financial resources within the service. Promote patient and public involvement activities in specialist area to promote service improvement. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Develop and maintain specialist clinical skills in assessment, diagnosis and investigation request/interpretation within the preoperative service. Attend annual appraisal to identify and agree training and development needs as part of a Personal Development Plan Participate in clinical supervision sessions and provide leadership to colleagues, arranged by the team Leader/Clinical Supervisor. Deputise, if required, for Pre-Op Manager maintaining smooth running of the clinic TEAM WORK AND DEVELOPMENT Be responsible for own development, including attendance at mandatory training and continually keep up to date with changes to legislation and current best practice. Support nursing colleagues in their continuous professional development including peer supervision. Person Specification Other Essential Research and Development - awareness, understanding of and application of current evidence-based practices Demonstrate commitment to Clinical Governance Agenda Skills Essential Effective Communicator Effective Organisational skills Enthusiastic and motivated Awareness of how audit may affect quality of patient care Computer literate Knowledge & Experience Essential Worked in health care setting Experience of clinical examination and assessment Experience in Surgical Nursing Practice Evidence of on-going professional development Awareness of NICE guidelines for pre-operative assessment Desirable Experience in a Pre-operative setting or relevant field Worked in a surgical setting Knowledge of ASA grading Qualifications Essential 1st level RN (minimum 4 years post registration) Current NMC Registration MSC in clinical examination - Level 7 MSC in Clinical Diagnostics, Clinical Skills - Level 7 Desirable Context of advanced practice Non-Medical prescribing Certificate V300 Person Specification Other Essential Research and Development - awareness, understanding of and application of current evidence-based practices Demonstrate commitment to Clinical Governance Agenda Skills Essential Effective Communicator Effective Organisational skills Enthusiastic and motivated Awareness of how audit may affect quality of patient care Computer literate Knowledge & Experience Essential Worked in health care setting Experience of clinical examination and assessment Experience in Surgical Nursing Practice Evidence of on-going professional development Awareness of NICE guidelines for pre-operative assessment Desirable Experience in a Pre-operative setting or relevant field Worked in a surgical setting Knowledge of ASA grading Qualifications Essential 1st level RN (minimum 4 years post registration) Current NMC Registration MSC in clinical examination - Level 7 MSC in Clinical Diagnostics, Clinical Skills - Level 7 Desirable Context of advanced practice Non-Medical prescribing Certificate V300 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. Certificate of Sponsorship 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. Certificate of Sponsorship 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). Employer details Employer name Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Address St Helens Marshalls Cross Road St Helens WA9 3DA Employer's website https://www.merseywestlancs.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)