Job summary
An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and dynamic Band 5 Nurse to join our Surgical Assessment Unit (SAU) and Surgical Same Day Emergency Care department (SSDEC).

You will be flexible, committed to maintaining and improving high standards of patient care and experience. We assess non-elective emergency patients from multiple specialties to ensure that they are safe and fully optimised prior to admission or discharge from hospital.

The purpose of this role is to provide comprehensive clinical assessment and implementation of care plans to support either discharge, discharge for further follow-up investigations as an outpatient or admission for continued inpatient care within the surgical wards that support the speciality flow from SAU and SSDEC.

The post holder will act as a junior team member, supported by senior colleagues whilst developing skills specific to both the ambulatory care environment and inpatient care environment.

Undertaking face-to-face assessment of patients. In conjunction with the specialist medical teams the implementation of on-going care plans to support early hospital discharge or to facilitate the transfer of care to inpatient clinical areas. We are looking for motivated individuals with a keen interest in emergency surgical care patient pathways.

Main duties of the job
Assessment and implementation of acute nursing care for the following specialities to the point of admission to hospital for continued care or discharge from hospital

• General Surgery
• Vascular
• Urology
• Gynaecology
• ENT
• Max Fax
• Plastics
• Ophthalmology

About us
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is one of the largest and most modern in the country. Based across two sites, Royal Stoke in Stoke-on-Trent and County Hospital in Stafford, we are proud to serve around three million people and we're highly regarded for our facilities, teaching and research. We are the specialist centre for major trauma for the North Midlands and North Wales.

All of our employees make a valuable contribution regardless of role here at UHNM and we are proud of our wide range of development packages aimed at ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their true potential.

UHNM create and encourage a culture of inclusion, providing equal opportunities for career development that are fair and transparent. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture in which all staff feel valued and respected. In return we ask all of our employees to make a commitment to the values, co-created by our staff, patients and carers, and that unite us as a Trust.

At University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust we know that investing in, supporting and developing our staff has a direct impact on the quality of care that we deliver. Our employees are as important as our patients and the population that we serve.

Job responsibilities
The Post holder will be responsible for supporting the Qualified Medical and Nursing Teams with the assessment of the needs for patients who present to the SAU and SACU departments. The post holder will be required to act in a professional manner at all times, working in a busy department that deals with emergency unplanned care. The post holder will need to exhibit the positive and professional image of the organisation and of the nursing and medical team within the department. The Post Holder will need to be dynamic in their approach to supporting registered nurses in the delivery of acute surgical care in a busy clinical area helping to support the registered nursing team with the complexities of emergency unplanned care in an area that manages both an inpatient and ambulatory service.

Person Specification
Appropriately Completed application form

• Essential: Clear individual and non-generic application form exhibiting all role requirements
• Desirable: Generic application

Acute Nursing experience

• Essential: Previous Nursing experience
• Desirable: No acute experience

Aptitude for position

• Essential: Previous experience at acute surgical nursing
• Desirable: Post registration qualification

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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Location: Surgical Assessment Unit, London Road, Stoke on Trent, ST4 6QG
Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year per annum (Agenda for Change, Band 5)
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Closing date: 08 November 2026

Apply through our website.