Pre-assessment Sister/Charge Nurse/OPD band 6

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust; Harlow; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in West Essex is looking for a Pre-assessment practitioner to lead clinical assessments and manage the pre-assessment department. This role requires strong clinical judgement and excellent communication skills to ensure patients are prepared for elective surgery. The ideal candidate will have experience in nursing assessments and be able to work effectively under pressure. Join this supportive organization and contribute to high-quality patient care.

Benefits

Development opportunities

Flexible working

Strong focus on wellbeing

Qualifications

• Experience in evidence-based nursing assessment.
• Ability to identify and manage clinical risks.
• Experience in staff training and development.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical leadership within the pre-assessment department.
• Undertake comprehensive pre-operative assessments.
• Assist with audit collection and analysis.

Skills

Strong clinical judgement

Excellent communication skills

Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment

Job description

Job overview

Job overview

The band six Pre-assessment practitioner plays a key role in ensuring that patients are clinically optimised and fully prepared for elective surgery. You will provide evidence-based nursing assessment, working closely with anaesthetist, surgical teams and other allied health professionals to ensure safe, timely and effective patient care. The role requires strong clinical judgement, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work efficiently in a fast paced environment.

Main duties of the job

• Provide clinical leadership and experience within a pre-assessment department.
• Undertake comprehensive Pre-operative assessments.
• Identify, investigate and manage clinical risks that may affect patients waiting for surgery.
• Assist in rostering.
• Assist with audit collection and analysis.
• Contribute to staff training and development.
• Partake and assist in anaesthetic notes review sessions.

The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust (PAHT) is proud to care for the communities of West Essex, delivering safe, compassionate, and high-quality services. We are part of the Neighbourhood Wavea national programme that’s changing how care is delivered by focusing on prevention, early support, and more joined-up services across health, social care, and the voluntary sector.

This means we’re working more closely with local partners to bring care closer to home and support people to live healthier, more independent lives.

We’re a supportive and inclusive organisation that values its people. We offer development opportunities, flexible working, and a strong focus on wellbeing. As a Disability Confident and equal opportunities employer, we welcome applicants from all backgrounds and experiences.

Join us and help shape the future of care in West Essex.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To provide expert, holistic care of a high standard to both patients and their relatives at The Princess Alexandra Hospital’s Pre Assessment department.

To be a professional role model, leading and co-ordinating the Pre Assessment department team. This involves managing a wide range of complex and sometimes conflicting priorities for elective surgical patients.

To take direct managerial responsibility for the clinical area in the absence or as delegated by the Senior Sister / Charge Nurse / Matron

To act as a clinical resource with the department and across the care directorate as necessary.

To act as a positive role model to junior staff members. Particular emphasis is put at The Princess Alexandra Hospital on the need to ensure that all staff recognise their responsibility to deliver services in a high quality, courteous, patient focused manner and to maintain patient confidentiality at all times