Registered Nurse - Pre-Operative Assessment in Norwich

An exciting opportunity has arisen at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for motivated, enthusiastic, and experienced Band 5 nurses to join the General and Orthopaedic Pre‑operative Assessment (POA) team. This dynamic, nurse‑led service plays a vital role in preparing patients for elective surgery across a wide range of specialties, including Orthopaedics, General Surgery, Gynaecology, Vascular, Upper GI, Colorectal, Breast & Endocrine, Urology, Plastics, ENT and OMF.

The POA service supports both day‑case and inpatient pathways, seeing approximately 400 patients per week, and is currently undergoing significant development, including national initiatives such as “Waiting Well,” prehabilitation, and a new Digital Pre‑Assessment System (DPOA) which provides a new pre‑screening element to meet current GIRFT requirements. Staff work closely with a multidisciplinary team that includes a nurse coordinator, pre‑op pharmacy and admin teams, prehabilitation practitioner and anaesthetic support. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to quality improvement projects and help shape the future of surgical care.

Applicants should be committed to delivering high‑quality, compassionate care and embody the Trust’s PRIDE values: People‑focused, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence. We encourage behaviours that support and promote an inclusive culture.

Main duties of the job

At the Norfolk & Norwich Hospital, our team consists of approximately 40 nurses and runs up to 11 face‑to‑face nurse clinics per day supported by our HCA (Healthcare Assistant) team. We provide a 7‑day service although weekends offer a reduced service; weekend work will be rostered on a rotational basis. We currently have a second city‑centre location which runs Monday to Friday 2 nurse clinics per day; new team members may be required to work at this location on an ad‑hoc basis. POA offers a friendly, professional, and innovative work environment with a culture of strong teamwork and mutual support.

Previous surgical experience is an advantage as is a good basis of nursing knowledge, including an understanding of medications and patient comorbidities. Our nurses are well supported by our HCA team who assist with much of the physical side of the patient assessment, so the nurse role is generally much less practical. A good level of IT skills is advantageous as a variety of IT systems are required to complete a nursing assessment. The unit embraces the opportunity for individuals to gain leadership skills to coordinate clinic activity, to identify effective use of the clinical area and management of the patient booking system.

Job responsibilities

• Ensure practice is in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and work within limits of competence.
• Have successfully completed the Trust’s preceptorship programme.
• Maintain a high standard of nursing care applying evidence‑based practice.
• Carry out assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of nursing care without supervision.
• Maintain accurate records of all care given.
• Update patient administration systems (e.g., PAS) to ensure real‑time data collection and confidentiality.
• Effectively use information technology for the benefit of patient care in accordance with the Trust’s Cyber Code of Conduct.
• Maintain confidentiality of information (written, verbal, electronic), whilst being aware of the Freedom for Information Act.
• Promptly and effectively communicate relevant changes in patient status to the multi‑disciplinary team.
• Communicate effectively with patients, relatives, carers, significant others, the multi‑disciplinary team and support services.

Please refer to the Job Description for the full specification of responsibilities and requirements for this post.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse on the appropriate part of the NMC Register.

Experience

• Recent experience of nursing in an acute hospital environment.

Skills

• Excellent communication and inter‑personal skills.
• Competency in clinical skills including enhanced practice relevant to the level of experience and clinical area.
• Effective role model, demonstrating NNUH’s PRIDE values of People focused, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence.
• Demonstrates understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
• Willingness to further develop knowledge and skills.

Benefits

• Fast‑Track Staff Physiotherapy Service
• Multi‑faith prayer room
• Discounted gym memberships
• Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
• Wagestream – access up to 40 % of your pay as you earn it
• Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH site
• Free 24‑hours confidential counselling support
• On‑site nursery
• On‑site cafes offering staff discounts
• Flexible staff bank
• Salary sacrifice schemes including lease cars, cycle‑to‑work scheme and home electronics

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.

£32,073 to £39,043 a year, pro rata