Job summary
We are currently seeking an experienced highly motivated professional qualified nurse to join our preassessment team. This individual will be able to work within a multidisciplinary team approach to ensuring patients are optimised and prepared safely for surgery.

Exciting developments coming to preassessment including NHS GIRFT recovery work, pre-screening and development of digital preassessment module.

Main duties of the job
The post holder will work with in the preassessment team undertaking assessments on patients due for plastic, maxiloifacial and corneo-plastic surgery. Supporting the anaesthetic and surgical teams, patients and relatives. Liaising with external agencies to ensure pre operative health promotion and optimal patient care. Identifying and highlighting patient needs and notifying scheduling, theatres, ward, discharge team and consultants while planning effective admissions for patients . The post holder will have excellent communication skills, be confident, motivated, independent and proactive in patient assessment, patient care and decision making skills.

About us
Rated GOOD overall with outstanding care by the CQC. A specialist NHS hospital providing life-changing reconstructive surgery, burns care and rehabilitation services across the South of England and beyond.

We specialise in conditions of the eyes (corneoplastics), hands, head and neck cancer and skin cancer, reconstructive breast surgery, maxillofacial surgery and prosthetics, providing regional and national services in these areas of clinical expertise.Our world-leading clinical teams also treat more common conditions of the eyes, hands, skin, and teeth for the people of East Grinstead and the surrounding areas. In addition, QVH provides a minor injuries unit, expert therapies, a sleep service, and a growing portfolio of community-based services.Patients consistently rate QVH amongst the top hospitals in the country for quality of care.

Our success is underpinned by the skills and enthusiasm of our staff and a strong culture of partnership. We are fully committed to training and development of the workforce with support for continuing education and learning.

Job responsibilities
The post holder will undertake pre-operative assessments of all elective inpatient and day surgery admissions including local, regional and general anaesthetics. By successfully completing the assessment process, ordering preoperative investigations and liaising with internal and external members of the multidisciplinary team the post holder will have prepared the patients for admission and reduce cancellations.

Be expected to work autonomously and independently with exceptional time management, prioritise referrals to within the trust and primary care. Be in charge of their own caseload including cancellation of admissions and following up referrals and investigations for the more complex patients.

The post holder must demonstrate clinical decision-making skills and take responsibility for decisions. Ordering correct pre-operative investigations. Liaising with specialist teams to create and organise preoperative care management plans, including making the clinical decision to refer to medical anaesthetic team and declare a patient is fit for surgery. Acting on abnormal results in a timely and effective manner to minimise any delays in treatment.

Be able to provide health promotion advice when indicated and give explanations to the patients +/- relatives and promote health education to provide efficient discharge of patients.

Take an in-depth history from the patient and evaluate previously unknown health issues.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Current NMC registration

Desirable

• Evidence of management and leadership
• Preassessment Qualification

Experience
Essential

• Post registration experience surgical or medical
• Preassessment experience

Knowledge
Essential

• Preassessment Process
• Competence across a range of nursing either medical or surgical ward/clinic experience

Desirable

• Plastic, Corneo-plastic and maxillofacial nursing experience

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.

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).