Pre Assessment Staff Nurse

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Tees Valley is seeking a Pre Assessment Staff Nurse to join their pre-operative assessment team. The ideal candidate should be an experienced Registered General Nurse with relevant skills in day case and surgical assessment, having a holistic approach to patient care. Responsibilities include pre-operative assessments for elective surgeries and collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams. This role offers a chance to impact patient care significantly while ensuring proper preparation for surgical procedures.

Qualifications

• Relevant post registration experience at Band 5, on a surgical ward or surgical setting.
• Valid UK NMC registration.

Responsibilities

• Assist with pre-operative assessment of patients undergoing elective surgery.
• Run initial health assessment clinics for patients listed for surgery.
• Carry out telephone assessments where appropriate.

Skills

Day case and surgical assessment

Involved in care of elective surgery and pre-assessment

Education

Registered General Nurse

ENB 998

City and Guilds 730

Diploma

Degree

Job description

Go back County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Pre Assessment Staff Nurse

The closing date is 06 January 2026

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced and motivated individual to undertake the above post as part of the pre-operative assessment team at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust. The successful candidate will provide a specialist pre-operative service to all surgical specialities and Endoscopy.

The pre-operative assessment service is nurse lead. Duties include assessing patients and liaising with other members of the multi-disciplinary team in planning for admission and discharge.

The role requires you to be an experienced nurse from a surgical background, who is a team player, working effectively alongside a wide range of professionals, as well as working autonomously. You should have a holistic approach to care and in house training will enable you to evaluate patients suitability for the various forms of anaesthesia.

Main duties of the job

To assist with the pre-operative assessment of patients undergoing elective surgery. To run Initial health Assessment clinics for those patients who have been listed for surgery. To carry out telephone assessments where appropriate. To assist in the delivery of pre assessments for patients who are to undergo a surgical procedure or Endoscopic or Colonic procedure. To further develop the service where necessary. Manage their own caseload of patients within agreed protocols to provide comprehensive pre-operative care for patients undergoing elective surgery.

This post has an internal rotation program.

To work within agreed protocols for all aspects of professional practice.

Assessment of patients, using an established proforma and checklist.

Document assessments and plans in the patients record.

Differentiate between major and minor illnesses and refer patients on medical or other colleagues as appropriate. To assess patient suitability as a day case in accordance with day case criteria.

To prepare patients physically and psychologically for the theatre.

Provide verbal and written pre and post-operative care and instructions for patients.

Advise on health promotion.

About us

We provide hospital services from two acute sites – Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester‑Le‑Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.

We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under‑represented.

Person Specification

Experience

• Relevant post registration experience at Band 5, on a surgical ward or surgical setting.

Statutory Registration

• Valid UK NMC registration

Qualifications

• Registered General Nurse
• ENB 998
• City and Guilds 730
• Diploma
• Degree

Special Skills & Knowledge

• Day case and surgical assessment
• Involved in care of elective surgery and pre assessment

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.

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust