Surgical Nurse Practitioner

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 6 Surgical Nurse Practitioner/Band 7 with nurse prescribing qualification.

Enhanced Recovery approach utilises quality improvement initiatives in improving elective surgical care and outcomes. Working closely with multidisciplinary team members such as surgical, anaesthetic, nursing teams, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, cancer nurse specialists, stoma nurse specialists, waiting list officers and secretaries, the approach focuses on involving patients actively in their own recovery and helping patients to ensure they are better prepared to manage when back at home following discharge.

We are looking for a dynamic, passionate, flexible individual who can adapt to changing demands and workload.  You will be a confident and autonomous practitioner, enjoy working within a multi-disciplinary team and have an interest in service development.  Experience in elective surgery is essential to the role and you will work closely with other members of wider surgical team and key stakeholders. You will be a good team member but also able to work independently as pre-operative assessment and the ability to assess health and suitability for surgery and optimise the patient is key to the role.

The SNP will work as an independent nurse practitioner for pre-operative and post-operative colorectal and general surgical patients who attend for Nurse Led Pre-operative assessment.  Excellent communication and IT skills are required to effectively assess the patient and manage follow up and flow to theatre.  Post operatively ensure the Enhanced recovery Programme is followed and be accessible for help and assistance by both patients and staff.

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The Surgical Nurse Practitioner will see patients pre-operatively to assess the patient's needs, fitness for surgery and plan/implement and evaluate a programme of care which is evidence-based utilising all available resources taking into consideration lifestyle, gender and cultural background and ensure involvement with family, carers and significant others. The Enhanced Recovery Programme is a main factor in our patients journey.

·        Assess suitability for surgery

·        Request and follow up on additional tests required to facilitate suitability for surgery

·        Work as an independent Nurse Practitioner and to the accredited physical examination skills criteria

·       Competent in venepuncture and cannulation - we perform iron infusions pre-operatively.

·         ECG

·        To make clinical decisions based on protocol

·        Maintain patients records in line with NMC guidelines for records and record keeping

·        Training of ward staff and junior medical team to ensure knowledge in keeping with the Enhanced Recovery Programme

·        Management of own appointment system – appointment booking in liaison with waiting list and secretaries using electronic system

·         Management of own diary

·        Review patients in the post operative inpatient phase and to discuss directly with patients to ensure treatment is following expected pathway

·         Ensure discharge planning is in progress for every patient and that any issues are addressed

·        Work collaboratively with all disciplines to ensure best use of resources and enhanced patient outcome

·        Undertake continuous patient centred review of the enhanced recovery pathway, exploring patient experience, communication, information and planning

·        Undertake regular audits and reviews, and to present written reports of outcomes/findings to surgical team and specialties

·        Support the ward with clinical skills