Pre-Operative Assessment Specialist Triage Lead
The main purpose of this role is to improve elective surgical waiting list patient triage quality and quantity by effective, knowledgeable, safe, reliable and consistent triage leadership. It is pivotal in increasing the pool of elective surgical waiting list patients who can be safely dated for surgery by Central Booking. This will increase theatre productivity and reduce overall patient cancellations. The role will incorporate using specialist pre-operative triage skills to triage elective waiting list surgical patients, both independently and by supporting the education of the assessment nurse team, to become skilled in effective patient triaging. This role will identify the triage learning and development needs of the pre-operative assessment nurses and provide the appropriate mechanisms for these to be met. The role will work closely with the Care Co‑Ordinate Pre‑Screening team, supporting them in early triage and aiding appropriate skill expansion and education. The role will track triage effectiveness through regular audit, focusing on quality of clinical decision-making, quantity of triaged patients (reflected in how much of the elective surgical waiting list has been triaged), overall team triage skill improvement, team effectiveness and consistent reliability of triage rates. The role will actively look at ways to improve the triage service using collected data to support the need for future development.
Main duties of the job
* Ensure that pre-operative elective surgical care planning and delivery is managed according to national and local evidence‑based guidelines.
* Obtain and document an accurate and appropriate medical history and nursing assessment.
* Provide patients with appropriate pre-operative advice and support and initiate referrals as appropriate to other members of the multi‑disciplinary team.
* Organise relevant pre-operative investigations as per hospital protocol and NICE guidelines.
* Exercise clinical judgement, and decision making in terms of the patient's risk and suitability for surgery consulting Clinicians as necessary for advice and support to maintain patient safety.
* Liaise and/or refer to primary or secondary care providers to ensure pre-operative health is optimised.
* Promote health education and lifestyle changes to patients, as indicated, e.g., weight loss, smoking cessation and reduction of alcohol intake as appropriate.
* Participate with the informed consent process by ensuring patients are aware of the risks and benefits of the procedure.
* Recognise a patient's health is deteriorating and take appropriate action to manage the patient or elevate your concerns.
* Evaluate and document the outcomes of nursing and other interventions.
* Demonstrate sound clinical judgement across a range of differing professional and care delivery contexts.
Person Specification
* First level registered nurse with a Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Degree in Nursing and/or evidence of continuing professional development equivalent to post‑graduate diploma level.
* Evidence of extended advanced study and/or extended scope of practice, such as HAPE, Enhanced Clinical Assessment Nurse Prescriber, Future ACP role.
* Able to triage > 30 patients daily.
* Minimum of 3 years' experience at Band 5 working in an acute environment. Knowledge and recent experience within pre‑operative assessment care.
* Demonstrate expert knowledge of POAU policies, resources, knowledge base and both practical and theoretical skills.
* Experience of providing educational support to junior staff and students.
* Involvement in service improvement projects relevant to clinical area and role.
* Experience of providing formal feedback to junior colleagues and/or learners in practice.
* Venepuncture and ECG skills.
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.
£39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum pro rata if part time
#J-18808-Ljbffr