Job overview
This is an exciting opportunity to lead the Maidstone Pre-op Assessment team. The post will be suitable for someone with a wealth of experience and knowledge in Pre-op assessment as a Band 6 or above, who has excellent leadership and organisational skills. We are looking for the right person to provide strong clinical leadership, work closely with other Departments and to lead on any future changes to further improve our service.
Main duties of the job
1. To support the band 6 and POA staff to manage the day to day running of the pre-operative assessment clinic ensuring an effective and efficient nursing service within available resources.
2. To ensure provision of high-quality patient centred care.
3. To be responsible for the safe and effective running of the unit ensuring appropriate co-ordination of patient to maintain an effective flow through the clinics.
4. To act as link between the department and other areas of the Directorate and the Trust. To lead the department in the development of Directorate, Trust and NHS initiatives. To create and maintain a positive learning environment in the department for the staff and multidisciplinary team.
5. To develop strong links with all other departments in the Trust to ensure the smooth treatment of patients and a continuous working relationship.
6. To take part in the unit’s development activities as part of a forward-thinking leadership team and be the nursing lead for developing the role of nursing within pre-assessment.
7. Contributes towards the development of high standards of patient care (reflecting the beliefs of the clinic philosophy) and is instrumental in ensuring that those standards are maintained and evaluated.
8. To have knowledge of the current National recommendations and changes for the Pre-op assessment service
Working for our organisation
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.
We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.
Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.
Looking for flexible working?
We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it’s adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.
to hear what our staff say.
Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:
At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
Blue Light card eligibility
And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We’ve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.
Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children). If a role involves regulated activity and requires a DBS check with a barred list check, you cannot apply if you are on the barred list.
All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.
Following your corporate induction you will be expected to attend the Trust’s 2-week Induction Programme for RNs, NAs, RMs, ODPs and Paramedics. The programme is full-time (please email if this is problematic) and will involve travel to both Trust sites. The programme includes supernumerary shifts in the clinical area, classroom-based sessions and e-learning.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
9. NMC Level 1 Registration. Evidence of professional and education development at an advanced level.
10. ENB 998 or other relevant mentoring qualification.
11. Degree qualification – or working towards a degree.
12. Teaching qualification and/or evidence of proficient teaching skills
13. Senior post in pre-operative assessment
Desirable criteria
14. Evidence of continuing education at Master’s level.
Knowledge/Experience
Essential criteria
15. Pre-operative experience or demonstrable knowledge base.
16. Expert clinician experience of a band 6 role.
17. Leadership experience.
18. Commitment to working in partnership with patients/ carers.
19. Experience of teaching and learning.
Desirable criteria
20. Leadership qualification.
21. Experience at ward/department management level.
22. Involved in research/audit/project/change management initiatives
Skills
Essential criteria
23. Excellent communication skills verbal and written,
24. Ability to facilitate change management
25. Ability to work within multi-disciplinary team and to lead, manage and motivate all staff within sphere of responsibility.
26. Excellent interpersonal skills.
27. Evidence of problem solving and decision-making skills.
Desirable criteria
28. Experience with managing a budget.
29. An understanding of organisational management issues.
30. Recruitment and selection skills.