Job summary Surgical Pre-Assessment Sister/Charge Nurse Are you an enthusiastic, experienced and dynamic Pre-Assessment Nurselooking to progress further in the speciality. We have an exciting opportunity for a Band 6 Pre-Assessment Sister/Charge Nurse with a keen interest in the optimisation of patients prior to surgery to join our team, playing a vital role in delivering effective care for patients undergoing surgical procedures. . Main duties of the job As a Pre-Assessment Sister/Charge Nurse you will be responsible for the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of the Pre-assessment Services within the Surgical Division. Providing clinical and managerial leadership for nursing and support staff across the unit ensuring equity of service. You will be working collaboratively with the Clinical Operations Manager to ensure patients receive safe, effective care and to deputise in their absence. This role offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact within a trust that has received national recognition for its innovation and service improvement within operating services and Surgery and Anaesthetics division. About us CHFT is nationally recognised for its innovation and commitment to delivering exceptional care. The Trust has received recent national recognition for its innovation and staff engagement in delivering theatre productivity improvements and reducing waiting times for patients: The Economist: The story of one NHS operation https://www.economist.com/britain/2024/10/08/the-story-of-one-nhs-operation NHS Providers: Value for Money Excellence https://nhsproviders.org/providers-deliver-achieving-value-for-money/calderdale-and-huddersfield-nhs-foundation-trust BBC One Show https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002935k Sky News https://news.sky.com/story/this-nhs-trust-got-a-grip-of-its-waiting-list-can-others-around-the-country-do-the-same- Secretary of State for Health & Social Care https://x.com/wesstreeting/status/1876228022434742383 We employ more than 6,500 staff who deliver compassionate care from our two main hospitals, Calderdale Royal Hospital and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary as well as in community sites, health centres and in patients' homes. We also are incredibly proud to have almost 150 volunteers here at CHFT. We provide a range of services including urgent and emergency care; medical; surgical; maternity; gynaecology; critical care; children's and young people's services; end of life care and outpatient and diagnostic imaging services. Details Date posted 12 May 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 6 Salary £37,338 to £44,962 a year pro rata per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 372-SURG1951 Job locations Huddersfield Royal Infirmary Acre street Huddersfield HD3 3EA Job description Job responsibilities Act as a clinical role model, providing leadership and guidance to staff on operational and professional issues, ensuring clinical expertise and practice is enhanced. To safely and competently assess patients requiring surgery and taking a lead on complex patient's assessments. To act as clinical co-ordinator for the pre assessment department ensuring that services run smoothly and effectively. Ensuring patients are triaged, assessed and have a clear management plan in place alongside maintaining patient safety. Interpret ECG recordings and take appropriate action, escalating as required. To perform relevant cardiovascular/respiratory assessment of patients. Authorise and review relevant tests and results to include bloods and ECHO and overnight oximetry. To recognise changes in a patients condition which requires the intervention of others and refer the patients on as appropriate. Work alongside Senior Anaesthetists both in clinic and virtually to ensure patients are assessed and investigations completed/reviewed as required. Ensuring optimisation treatments and prophylactic treatments are provided to patients, completing and maintaining PGDs to support. Lead on optimisation of patients prior to surgery, signposting to services available and liaising with primary care and hospital specialities to ensure patients are safely assessed and fit for surgery. To ensure high standards of nursing care are given and maintained, taking actions as required when standards are not being upheld. Be proactive in the development of the clinical area, supporting and planning process and service development, contribute new ideas to improve patient care. Act as a mentor/preceptor to students and new staff members and actively participate in training and teaching. Support the Clinical Operations Manager and Matron in leading the team to meet local divisional and Trust objectives, including treatment and recovery targets and minimising cancellations. Contribute to the audit process and utilise results in practice. Develop and motivate the team. Co-ordinate the service delivered at CHFT in line with regional and national guidelines. To take an active role in risk assessment, supporting the implementation of strategies to minimise risk. Ensure incidents and near misses are reported, through promotion of a no blame culture. Competently managing a team of staff including support with appraisals, mandatory training and sickness management To manage complaints and escalate where necessary. To establish and maintain effective communication, both verbal and written and build relationships within the multidisciplinary teams. To recognise and prevent where possible areas of conflict and escalate if necessary. Supervise and deploy staff appropriately considering knowledge and skill mix. Take an active role in the recruitment process. Job description Job responsibilities Act as a clinical role model, providing leadership and guidance to staff on operational and professional issues, ensuring clinical expertise and practice is enhanced. To safely and competently assess patients requiring surgery and taking a lead on complex patient's assessments. To act as clinical co-ordinator for the pre assessment department ensuring that services run smoothly and effectively. Ensuring patients are triaged, assessed and have a clear management plan in place alongside maintaining patient safety. Interpret ECG recordings and take appropriate action, escalating as required. To perform relevant cardiovascular/respiratory assessment of patients. Authorise and review relevant tests and results to include bloods and ECHO and overnight oximetry. To recognise changes in a patients condition which requires the intervention of others and refer the patients on as appropriate. Work alongside Senior Anaesthetists both in clinic and virtually to ensure patients are assessed and investigations completed/reviewed as required. Ensuring optimisation treatments and prophylactic treatments are provided to patients, completing and maintaining PGDs to support. Lead on optimisation of patients prior to surgery, signposting to services available and liaising with primary care and hospital specialities to ensure patients are safely assessed and fit for surgery. To ensure high standards of nursing care are given and maintained, taking actions as required when standards are not being upheld. Be proactive in the development of the clinical area, supporting and planning process and service development, contribute new ideas to improve patient care. Act as a mentor/preceptor to students and new staff members and actively participate in training and teaching. Support the Clinical Operations Manager and Matron in leading the team to meet local divisional and Trust objectives, including treatment and recovery targets and minimising cancellations. Contribute to the audit process and utilise results in practice. Develop and motivate the team. Co-ordinate the service delivered at CHFT in line with regional and national guidelines. To take an active role in risk assessment, supporting the implementation of strategies to minimise risk. Ensure incidents and near misses are reported, through promotion of a no blame culture. Competently managing a team of staff including support with appraisals, mandatory training and sickness management To manage complaints and escalate where necessary. To establish and maintain effective communication, both verbal and written and build relationships within the multidisciplinary teams. To recognise and prevent where possible areas of conflict and escalate if necessary. Supervise and deploy staff appropriately considering knowledge and skill mix. Take an active role in the recruitment process. Person Specification QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING Essential First level registration/ registered ODP Desirable Degree in Healthcare / Management Management certificate Mentorship qualification Nurse Prescribing qualification Recruitment and selection Specialist qualification in pre-operative assessment including interpretation of ECG and blood Evidence of recent continuous professional development KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE Essential Knowledge of a wide range of surgical specialties Up to date professional knowledge of local and national pre-assessment strategies and guidelines. Interpretation of ECG/Blood results Extensive experience in surgical specialty in secondary care. Significant experience as a band 5 within in a surgical pre-assessment department Desirable Experience in acute medicine Knowledge of Electronic patient record Computer literate Knowledge of future provision of services Conducting appraisals COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES) Essential Evidence of self-development/clinical knowledge Excellent written and verbal communication skills Experience of evidence-based practice. Proven ability to lead a team Ability to foster multi-disciplinary working Works within budgetary parameters Desirable Experience of change management, CHFT Leadership Passport Person Specification QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING Essential First level registration/ registered ODP Desirable Degree in Healthcare / Management Management certificate Mentorship qualification Nurse Prescribing qualification Recruitment and selection Specialist qualification in pre-operative assessment including interpretation of ECG and blood Evidence of recent continuous professional development KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE Essential Knowledge of a wide range of surgical specialties Up to date professional knowledge of local and national pre-assessment strategies and guidelines. Interpretation of ECG/Blood results Extensive experience in surgical specialty in secondary care. Significant experience as a band 5 within in a surgical pre-assessment department Desirable Experience in acute medicine Knowledge of Electronic patient record Computer literate Knowledge of future provision of services Conducting appraisals COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES) Essential Evidence of self-development/clinical knowledge Excellent written and verbal communication skills Experience of evidence-based practice. Proven ability to lead a team Ability to foster multi-disciplinary working Works within budgetary parameters Desirable Experience of change management, CHFT Leadership Passport 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. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information 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. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust Address Huddersfield Royal Infirmary Acre street Huddersfield HD3 3EA Employer's website https://www.cht.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab) Employer details Employer name Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust Address Huddersfield Royal Infirmary Acre street Huddersfield HD3 3EA Employer's website https://www.cht.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab). Location : Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, Acre street, HD3 3EA Huddersfield, United Kingdom