Pre-Op Assessment Nurse Practitioner | The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
The surgical pre-op assessment department are seeking an experienced surgical nurse to join their busy department. The pre-op department is a nurse led unit, open Monday to Friday 0800 - 1800 running clinics every day. We see patients from every surgical specialty, prior to their surgical treatment for cancer.
Two positions are being recruited with full time and part time hours available.
A thorough pre-op is vital to ensure patients are as fit as they can be and optimised where possible for their scheduled surgery.
The pre-op nurse practitioner assesses a patient’s suitability for a general anaesthetic for patients awaiting surgery as treatment for their cancer.
The candidate must have experience of surgical oncology – ideally experience of the pre-op role but not essential. They must be an excellent communicator with attention to detail as paramount to the role. They must be capable of working autonomously and also as part of a team.
The candidate will form part of the MDT and work with it to ensure patients that are not fit are flagged to the relevant teams. They will also be responsible for following up results of investigations and pulling together all information required for the anaesthetic teams – working closely with our consultant anaesthetists.
Taking a clinical history and examining patients in line with the in house competency package.
They will be responsible for ordering investigations – ranging from blood tests, xrays, echos, and communicating any pertinent information to the relevant anaesthetists. They will also follow up any results and act on them accordingly.
The candidate will work as part of the pre-op team – supporting junior staff and co-ordinating shifts. They will also play a part in service improvement, infection control and any relevant audits undertaken within the department.
We are looking for a conscientious individual, with excellent communication skills, experience in surgical oncology and the ability to manage their own workload working to various deadlines.
The pre-op service was set up to ensure theatre utilisation is optimised and reduce risk of on the day cancellations – which is paramount in the pre-op department. Along with ensuring patient experience is put at a high priority, as well as safety and efficiency.
The pre-op service is primarily nurse led, with various consultant anaesthetist led clinics (anaesthetic assessment, exercise tolerance testing and lung function testing). There 5 nurse practitioners (including the Band 7) and 3 HCAs, plus 2 administrators.We also house the ERAS team and various members of the MDT such as stoma nurse, complementary therapy and consultant anaesthetists, and collaborate with all to enhance the patient experience.
As a small team we strive to support each other whilst looking after some very complex and unwell patients – putting our patients at the forefront and work hard to ensure patients feel safe and cared for. This is alongside the need to assess and gather the information required to ensure the decision regarding proceeding to surgery is balanced and thoroughly assessed.
In terms of our culture the Band 7 operates an open door policy and offers 1:1s to all team members as well as the PDRs. Once the complementary therapy team restart staff benefits – the Band 7 will cover any staff that wish to access these services.This was working well prior to lock down and we are hopeful this will return.
We are a very friendly team and support each other well – with regular catch ups throughout the day to assess each staff members workload.
The Band 7 promotes health and well-being and regularly catches up with the team informally to ‘check in’ and discuss any concerns each staff member may have.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Clinical- Perform a comprehensive assessment of patients – including taking a full medical history, conducting a systems review and commence discharge planning. This is in order to ensure patients are optimised for surgery and that all relevant investigations and referrals to appropriate members of the MDT are carried out in good time prior to scheduled surgery.
- Collect, collate, evaluate and report information, maintaining accurate in-patient records in line with clinical governance and risk-management.
- Involve patients and carers/relatives in the planning and delivery of care and development of services to enhance the patient/carer experience.
- Work collaboratively with other professionals and agencies to ensure patient needs are met, especially in relation to ongoing care needs and discharge arrangements. This includes contact with referring consultants, GP’s and other members of the primary care team.
- Required to convey sensitively, detailed information to patients/carers/relatives regarding treatment plans & care decisions throughout the patient journey, from initial referral to long-term follow-up.
- Use advanced communication skills in a variety of settings.
- Assess the needs of the patient and family, ensuring provision of client centred care which focuses on the promotion of health as well as illness.
- Assess educational and informational needs of patient and family, providing up to date information enabling them to participate in the planning of care.
- Exercise a high degree of clinical autonomy and professional judgment, treating independently or where necessary referral to other health care providers
- Demonstrate a clear understanding of the legal and ethical issues with regard to nurse-led services and professional accountability and responsibility.
- Act always in accordance with NMC Code of Conduct and Guiding documents.
- Provide specialist, clinical knowledge to clinical colleagues, patients and carers/relatives both within and outside the Trust.
- Take a lead in monitoring health, safety and security of self and others and promoting best practice in the clinical area.
- Help foster a supportive working environment and maintenance of staff morale, promoting a culture in which staff feel valued and able to reach their potential.
- Provide a welcoming and approachable management support ethic for new staff, junior staff and act as a mentor to designated staff, ensuring each staff member participates in a personal development plan and act to maximize the potential of others.
- Be aware of responsibilities with regard to Health and Safety At Work Act. Maintain and develop an environment and culture that improves health, safety and security
- Actively participate in clinical risk assessments and ensure correct documentation of clinical incidents in accordance with hospital policy.
- Report and record all accident and complaints according to the agreed policy, investigating speedily and compassionately.
- Maintain good order and cleanliness of the unit in conjunction with nursing staff, domestics and matron. Take part in environmental walkabouts and assist in coordinating and implementing relevant action plans.
- Supervise the requisition of stock and equipment with care and economy.
- Deputise as required in the absence of the Senior Sister/Matron by attending any meetings/ committees, feeding back meaningful information
- Participate in the selection and appointment of new staff, adjusting skill mix as appropriate to promote best use of available resources.
- Exercise leadership by example in
- Fair and clear relationships with staff
- Sound organization and judgment
- Upholding equality and diversity of colleagues, patients and visitors
- Clear and sincere communications
- Being aware of one’s own limitations
- Seeking advice where necessary
- Confidentiality
- Ensure the Health and Safety at Work Act is adhered to and risk assessments are undertaken and actioned as required
- Report staff sickness and absence in accordance with Hospital Policy taking a progressive approach in managing long term and short term sickness
- Take appropriate action in relation to any disciplinary matter when the need arises and following Trust procedure
- To act as a positive role model and lead by example
- Assist the Senior Sister in the development and implementation of policies, procedures and guidelines at regional/national level regarding surgical cancer patients.
- Under supervision the role requires the participation in the education of nurses, doctors and other members of the MDT.
- The duties of the role require compliance with regard to mandatory training.
- In line with individual PDP arrangements, the pre-operative assessment nurse, will continue to engage in educational programmes as appropriate to the further development of the role and to meet the changing needs of service
- Maintain own awareness of current nursing practice. Use relevant educational opportunities to maintain the highest standards and up to date care offered to the patient.
- Supervise clinical staff and disseminate knowledge and current developments. Participate and undertake research and audit which will influence practice
- Ensure own learning and development needs are met.
- Promote and support self-awareness of colleagues and own professional, educational and developmental needs.
- The role includes, under supervision, identifying the need for, and undertaking, clinical audit in order to improve effectiveness of patient care.
- Assist in the writing of protocols relevant to the treatment and care of patients within the Christie trust.
- Demonstrate a pleasant and approachable manner and help create good working relationships
- Show professional and courteous manner whilst practicing excellent communication skills at all levels
- Being aware of one’s own limitations, maintain confidentiality and adherence to NMC professional code of conduct.
- Actively seek mentorship/supervision to enable reflection and development within the role
This advert closes on Friday 18 Oct 2024