Junior Sister Pre Operative Assessment

Job overview

The Pre-Operative Assessment unit looks after all patients having surgery and surgical procedures within the RUH catchment seeing approximately 1400 patients a month.

The role of the Junior Sister within this unit is to provide an advanced level of assessment and clinical examination to patients assessed as requiring this level of assessment either by the nurse practitioner themselves or colleagues within the department.  The Junior Sister is  able to refer and facilitate further investigation of such patients.

The Unit liaises closely with clinicians, anaesthetists and all members of the multidisciplinary team and surgical division members.

Main duties of the job

In this role you will assess, plan and deliver clinical care appropriate to the needs of the Pre-operative Assessment patient group and, following discussion and agreement from the manager and the multi-disciplinary team, develop policy and procedure to support role.

You will need to adapt and take an innovative approach to incorporate new/emerging therapies and developments within the service and to discuss with the unit manager, and agree any development of skill required of the service.

You will plan and deliver programmes to address patient's complex and changing health needs so that these patients are optimised for their surgery or surgical procedure.

To monitor and maintain health, safety and security of self and others in own area of work and report any issues to unit manager.

As Junior Sister you will provide nursing advice for patients, relatives and nursing staff within the specialist area during initial assessment after any additional tests and at final determination of fitness status.

To assist the unit manager in maintaining and developing nurse led services, where appropriate and when in the best interest of the patient and carers. Providing specialist clinical knowledge.

To provide information to the patients, relatives and caregivers about the treatment options and programmes, assessments, investigations, surgery, follow-up.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please find attached to the vacancy a detailed person specification and job description for further information about this role.

Assess, plan and deliver clinical care appropriate to the needs of the Pre-operative Assessment patient group and, following discussion and agreement from the manager and the multi-disciplinary team, develop policy and procedure to support role.

• Adapt an innovative approach to incorporate new/emerging therapies and developments within the service and to discuss with the unit manager and agree any development of skill required of the service.

• To assess patient's health & well-being needs when those needs are complex (and change across the caseload).

• To plan and deliver programmes to address patient's complex and changing health needs so that these patients are optimised for their surgery or surgical procedure.

• To monitor and maintain health, safety and security of self and others in own area of work and report any issues to unit manager.

• To contribute to the clinical governance agenda within Trust and specialist field.

• To discuss suggestions for developing and improving services offered with the unit manager and action these as agreed.

• To provide nursing advice for patients, relatives and nursing staff within the specialist area during initial assessment after any additional tests and at final determination of fitness status.

• To assist the unit manager in maintaining and developing nurse led services, where appropriate and when in the best interest of the patient and carers. Providing specialist clinical knowledge.

• To facilitate the provision of multidisciplinary care for patients within specialist area.

• To lead on setting, implementing, reviewing and updating service policies, procedures and protocols.

• To provide information to the patients, relatives and caregivers about the treatment options and programmes, assessments, investigations, surgery, follow-up.

• To work in partnership with nurses and other health professionals to address patients health needs through planning and delivering interventions which are based on best practice and clinical judgement.

• Empower and support health care professionals to provide appropriate care for patients in the setting most appropriate for the patients and their carers.

• To advise patients and family about medical and surgical aspects of the treatment and daily life implications.

• To work with relevant bodies to develop and update written information for patients and health care professionals

• To work closely with other Nurse Specialists and Practice development in development of practice and services.

• To monitor health, safety and security of self and others in own work area through ensuring own knowledge of appropriate national / local policies and procedures, and ensuring that these are adhered to

• To ensure own knowledge of appropriate NMC standards and Trust professional guidelines and that these are applied to practice

• To promote peoples’ equity, diversity and rights through ensuring that own and others practice is in the best interests of patients

• To plan and deliver research / evidence based care and treatment in partnership with other health professional

• To delegate / refer to other practitioners when this will improve health outcomes or when risks and needs are beyond own competence and scope of practice

• To support patients in the delivery of care through maintaining their information needs promoting their wishes and beliefs, and addressing their concerns

• To support patients in meeting their own health and wellbeing through the provision of appropriate information, advice and support

• To monitor and review the effectiveness of interventions with the patient, relatives and carers to ensure patients optimised for surgery and timely decisions regarding fitness status are made. and colleagues and modify this to meet the changing needs and established goals of care