Job overview
Are you a compassionate and clinically confident nurse looking to make a real impact on patient care before surgery? We’re seeking a dedicated Pre-Assessment Nurse to join our multidisciplinary team and play a vital role in preparing patients for elective procedures.
About the Role
As a Pre-Assessment Nurse, you’ll be responsible for conducting thorough clinical assessments, identifying potential risks, and coordinating investigations or referrals to ensure patients are medically optimised for surgery. You’ll be a key point of contact for patients, offering reassurance, education, and guidance throughout their pre-operative journey.
What We’re Looking For
1. Registered Nurse (NMC)
2. Strong clinical judgement and decision-making skills
3. Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities
4. Experience in surgical or pre-operative care (desirable)
5. Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Why Join Us?
6. Supportive and collaborative team environment
7. Opportunities for professional development
8. Contribution to improving patient outcomes and surgical efficiency
Main duties of the job
Key Responsibilities
9. Carry out comprehensive pre-operative assessments
10. Identify and manage clinical risks to ensure patient safety
11. Liaise with anaesthetists, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals
12. Coordinate diagnostic tests and referrals as needed
13. Provide clear, compassionate communication and education to patients
14. Support enhanced recovery pathways and reduce last-minute cancellations
Working for our organisation
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see detailed Job Description attached.
Person specification
Surgical Pre-assessment Experience
Essential criteria
15. The relevant experience in an acute setting
16. Sound knowledge of pre-op and surgical pathways
17. Flexible and adaptable to service needs
Desirable criteria
18. Post registration study in pre-assessment, perioperative care or acute care
19. Experience of service development, audit or quality improvement projects
20. Awareness of national pre operative assessments and guidelines. (e.g. NICE, ASA)
Qualifications
Essential criteria
21. Registered Nurse (Adult) with current NMC registration.
Desirable criteria
22. Teaching, mentorship, or practice assessor qualification.
23. Evidence of post-registration study in pre-assessment, perioperative, or acute care.
Knowledge and skills
Essential criteria
24. Good understanding of surgical pathways and the patient journey.
25. Ability to carry out and interpret observations and basic diagnostic tests (e.g., blood pressure, ECG, urine testing).
Desirable criteria
26. Knowledge of risk assessments and patient safety principles
27. Understanding of Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) pathways.
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.