Job overview
Join Ward 11 Elective Surgery at Royal Preston Hospital as a Band 5 Registered Nurse and become part of a supportive, forward-thinking team dedicated to delivering outstanding surgical care. This dynamic ward specialises in elective procedures, offering you the opportunity to develop strong clinical skills in post-operative care, patient assessment, and recovery management within a well-structured and highly collaborative environment.
Working across days and nights, you will play a key role in providing safe, high-quality, patient-centred care while upholding the core values of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. You’ll be supported by experienced colleagues who are committed to mentorship, making this an excellent environment for newly qualified Registered Nurses to build confidence, competence, and clinical expertise.
Ward 11 prides itself on strong teamwork, compassionate care, and a positive learning culture. You will be empowered to develop professionally, contribute to service improvement, and make a meaningful difference to patients’ surgical journeys—from admission through to discharge. Whether you are starting your nursing career or looking to grow within a surgical specialty, this is an exciting opportunity to thrive in a busy, rewarding clinical setting.
Main duties of the job
As a Band 5 Registered Nurse on Ward 11 Elective Surgery at Royal Preston Hospital, your main duties will centre on delivering safe, high-quality, patient-focused care throughout the surgical pathway.
You will be responsible for the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of care for elective surgical patients, including pre-operative preparation and post-operative recovery. This involves monitoring patients for signs of deterioration, managing pain effectively, delivering medications safely, and escalating concerns in a timely manner. You will also support wound care, infection prevention, and ensure accurate, contemporaneous documentation in line with governance standards.
Working as part of the multidisciplinary team within Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, you will communicate effectively with patients, relatives, and colleagues to ensure a seamless care experience. You will contribute to safe admissions and timely discharges, promoting patient flow and positive outcomes.
In addition, you will participate in shift coordination when required, support junior staff and students, and contribute to maintaining a clean, safe clinical environment. You will be expected to work flexibly across day and night shifts, uphold Trust values, and actively engage in continuous professional development to enhance your clinical skills and knowledge.
Working for our organisation
Working for Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust offers a range of strong benefits that make it an attractive place to build and grow your nursing career:
Supportive learning environment and Wide clinical exposure
With major sites including Royal Preston Hospital and Chorley Hospital, you gain experience across a broad range of specialties, particularly within surgical care. This helps you develop versatile, transferable skills early in your career.
Strong team culture
There is a genuine emphasis on teamwork, respect, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Wards often have close-knit teams where staff support each other, which makes a big difference—especially on busy shifts.
Focus on patient safety and quality care
The Trust prioritises high standards of care, governance, and continuous improvement. This means you’ll be working in an environment where safe practice, patient dignity, and clinical excellence are taken seriously.
Making a real difference
As a busy acute Trust, the work is meaningful and impactful. You’ll see the difference you make to patients every day, particularly within surgical pathways where recovery and outcomes are very visible.
Overall, LTHTR provides a balanced mix of support, challenge, and opportunity—making it a solid choice for both newly qualified nurses and those looking to progress.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities
Band 5 Registered Nurse – Ward 11 Elective Surgery
Royal Preston Hospital | Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Ward 11 is a 23-bedded elective surgical ward specialising in upper gastrointestinal, urology, colorectal, and vascular surgery. The ward provides care for patients undergoing major procedures, requiring high standards of post-operative monitoring, clinical skill, and multidisciplinary collaboration. As a Band 5 Registered Nurse, you will work across days and nights to deliver safe, effective, and compassionate care within a structured and supportive environment, working closely alongside Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) teams.
Clinical Responsibilities
You will be responsible for the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of individualised patient care for elective surgical patients. This includes:
1. Delivering comprehensive pre-operative and post-operative care, ensuring patients are optimised for surgery and safely managed throughout recovery
2. Monitoring patients for signs of deterioration, including sepsis, bleeding, pain, and post-operative complications, and escalating concerns appropriately
3. Administering medications safely in line with Trust policy, including IV therapies, analgesia, and anticoagulation
4. Undertaking wound care management, drain care, catheter care, and stoma care where required
5. Supporting enhanced recovery pathways to promote timely mobilisation, nutrition, and discharge
Patient Safety and Quality of Care
6. Maintain high standards of infection prevention and control at all times
7. Ensure accurate, timely, and contemporaneous documentation in line with governance standards
8. Participate in risk assessments, incident reporting, and safeguarding processes
9. Contribute to maintaining a clean, safe, and organised ward environment
Multidisciplinary Team Working
10. Work collaboratively with the wider MDT, including surgeons, anaesthetists, physiotherapists, pharmacists, and CNS teams (including colorectal, urology, vascular, and upper GI specialists)
11. Act as a key point of contact for patients and relatives, providing clear communication, education, and emotional support
12. Participate in ward rounds, handovers, and discharge planning to ensure seamless patient journeys
Leadership and Team Contribution
13. Take responsibility for a delegated group of patients and contribute to overall ward coordination when required
14. Support and supervise healthcare assistants, students, and newly appointed staff
15. Act as a positive role model, promoting Trust values and professional standards
Service Delivery and Patient Flow
16. Support timely admissions, transfers, and discharges to optimise bed capacity and patient flow
17. Contribute to achieving ward and Trust targets, including length of stay and elective surgery pathways
18. Assist in ensuring theatre lists are supported through effective pre- and post-operative bed management
Professional Development
19. Engage in continuous professional development, maintaining clinical competencies relevant to surgical nursing
20. Participate in training opportunities and work towards developing specialist skills within surgical care
21. Actively contribute to quality improvement initiatives and evidence-based practice
This role offers the opportunity to develop a strong foundation in complex surgical nursing within a busy elective setting, supported by experienced colleagues and specialist CNS teams, making it particularly suitable for both newly qualified nurses and those looking to advance within surgical care.
Person specification
Qualifications & Education
Essential criteria
22. Appropriate NMC Registration
23. NMC recognised Mentorship qualification
24. Evidence of continuing education or development for more experienced Band 5 nurses
Desirable criteria
25. Degree
Knowledge & Experience
Essential criteria
26. Willing to expand clinical role eg IV additives, venepuncture and cannulation
27. Awareness of changes within Nursing practice
28. Knowledge of Clinical Governance and the relevance to practice
29. Knowledge of relevant policies and procedures
30. Demonstrates competency during internship
Desirable criteria
31. Knowledge of ethical issues
32. Evidence of clinical competence in area of speciality eg surgery
33. Knowledge of Leadership and Management
34. Research and Development