Assistant Practitioner/ Nursing Associate- Day Surgery Unit (DSU)

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust; Kingskerswell; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an Assistant Practitioner/ Nursing Associate for the Day Surgery Unit (DSU) at Torbay Hospital in Torquay. The post is NHS AfC Band 4, permanent, full time (37 hours per week) with a salary of £27,485 - £30,162 per annum pro rata.

You will deliver direct patient care under a Registered Nurse, participate in pre-operative assessment, and support the team to achieve timely discharge while maintaining high standards of care.

Qualifications

• Experience as AP/NA in day surgery.
• Customer care experience.
• Knowledge of policies, procedures and health and safety issues regarding daily working with blood and body fluids.
• Recent surgical experience, pre-op and post-op at Band 3 or 4 in the ward area and preassessment.
• ECG training.
• Venepuncture training.
• Experience of MRSA screening.

Responsibilities

• Deliver direct care to patients attending the Day Surgery Unit in a safe, welcoming, and compassionate environment under supervision of a Registered Nurse.
• Undertake pre-operative assessment on patients designated suitable for AP/NA.
• Support registered staff to provide best patient outcomes and timely discharge, including nurse-led discharge for suitable patients.

Skills

Customer care

Policies & safety

Surgical experience

ECG training

Venepuncture training

MRSA screening

Teamwork

Knowledge sharing

Education

Experience as AP/NA in day surgery

Job description

Assistant Practitioner/ Nursing Associate- Day Surgery Unit (DSU)

NHS AfC: Band 4

Main area Day Surgery Grade NHS AfC: Band 4 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37 hours per week Job ref 388-8363403-PC&S

Site Torbay Hosptial Town Torquay Salary £27,485 - £30,162 per annum pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 08/11/2026 23:59

Job overview

The Day Surgery Unit is looking for individuals who are passionate about making a difference and becoming part of a highly motivated, supportive team.

We are seeking a dynamic, hard-working, and flexible individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and possesses excellent communication skills to join our team a

In this role, you will be responsible for delivering direct care to patients attending the Day Surgery Unit in a safe, welcoming, and compassionate environment, under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. You must be able to prioritise workloads, work independently, and collaborate as part of our well-established team, all while upholding high standards of patient care.

If you are dedicated to providing exceptional patient care and eager to be part of a team committed to excellence, we’d love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

• An AP/NA works under the supervision of a Registered Nurse in accordance with Trust policy, protocols and standard operational procedures. The registered practitioner remains accountable for the appropriate and effective delegation of activities and must ensure that the AP/NA has the competence and expertise to carry out such activities.

On the ward area they will undertake pre-operative assessment on patients that have been designated suitable for an AP/NA to do safely.

When working on the ward area, to support registered staff to provide best patient outcomes and timely patient discharge home. This involves supporting band 3 members of the team and to provide nurse led discharge on patients designated suitable for an AP/NA to do safely.

Working for our organisation

Torbay Day Surgery is proudly recognised both locally and nationally as a centre of excellence. We work closely with our multi-disciplinary team and take great pride in the high-quality service we provide, along with our exceptional outcomes.

Our patients regularly share positive feedback, particularly highlighting the friendly and supportive atmosphere we foster for both our patients and staff.

With the diverse range of care we provide, there are continuous learning opportunities and further training available to help you develop your skills and grow in your role.

Care to join us in making a difference to our patients and be part of a team that truly values collaboration and excellence.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Full vacancy details can be found on the attached Job Description/Person Specification. When submitting an application, please refer to your suitability to the post in your supporting information from the role requirements or person specification.
• Please be aware that our unit is open Monday to Friday 08:00 - 21:00 with varying shifts to cover these hours.

Person specification

Qualifications and Training

• Experience as an AP/NA in day surgery

Knowledge and Skills

• Customer care experience
• Knowledge of Policies, procedures and Health and Safety issues regarding daily working with blood and body fluids
• Recent surgical experience, pre-op and post op at Band 3 or 4 in the ward area and preassessment
• Completion of ECG training
• Completion of venepuncture training
• Experience of performing MRSA screening

Specific Skills

• Able to work with team and/or independently with minimal supervision
• Commitment to sharing knowledge, skills a with others

  You will be joining the organisation at an exciting time. As the first fully integrated care organisation in England, we are working to improve the way we deliver safe, high-quality health and social care. We have a positive and vibrant working atmosphere, we are proud of our investment in our staff both in terms of developing potential career skills and valuing people.

  If you provide support to a family member or friend with health or care needs, we aim to be a Carer-friendly employer. We have a ‘Staff Carers’ policy which includes flexible working where possible and a Carer’s Passport scheme that links you into support and discounts.

  IMPORTANT INFORMATION

  • We reserve the right to close vacancies early if we receive a high volume of applications. Therefore, we encourage you to apply promptly.
  • Applicants who identify in their application form they are a part of the Armed Forces community will be guaranteed an interview, provided they meet the minimum essential criteria outlined in the job description and person specification for the role. Step into Health guidance can be found on our NHS Employers website.
  • Correspondence will be sent via Trac, text, and email. Please ensure you check your email and Trac account regularly.
  • Applicants with no previous NHS experience will ordinarily be appointed to the minimum of the band.
  • If you have not received an invitation to interview within 28 days of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure the timely receipt of appropriate references.

  The Trust is committed to preventing discrimination, valuing diversity and achieving equality of opportunity. No person (staff, patient or public) will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of the nine protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. If you require support you can obtain this from our Equality Business Forum which has representatives from all protected groups.

  Employer certification / accreditation badges

  This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.