Clinical Nurse Specialist for Cardiothoracic Pre-assessment

Job overview

The pre assessment nurses have advisory, clinical caseloads and teaching responsibilities on an equal basis in order to fulfil the role, including :

• Provision of expert advisory and consultative services to healthcare professionals within the organisation and to GP’s if further investigations are required.
• Provide leadership and vision within the multidisciplinary team to affect the modernisation of pre assessment service.
• Have responsibility for the assessment of surgical patients to prepare them safely for surgery.
• Facilitate the pathway of care prior to, in between and after surgery whilst developing strong links with the Surgeons and the wider multi-disciplinary teams eg Scheduling, Anaesthetists, ACPs, Ward nurses
• Identifying through pre assessment patients who are suitable for same day admissions and which require admission prior to surgery.
• Scheduling of patients within the agreed timeframe for and following the investigation provide a full report to the referrer within 3 working days

Main duties of the job

Utilise evidence-based, advanced specialist skills, knowledge, and expertise to deliver high standards of clinical practice.

Develop and enhance the role of the Cardiac Clinical Nurse Specialist to ensure the delivery of holistic, patient-centred care.

Integrate into the existing clinical structure and support other healthcare professionals in managing the surgical service.

Be responsible for conducting routine assessments, including history taking and clinical examination, arranging relevant investigations, and communicating results to the lead clinician and scheduling staff where appropriate.

Take a lead role in organising the pre-admission clinics, in collaboration with the Clinical Nurse Specialist team, including coordinating the staff rota to ensure appropriate cover.

Perform physical assessments for surgical patients during the pre-assessment process and complete the relevant medical and nursing documentation. (If you have not yet completed a physical assessment course, you will be required to undertake this training, however that might mean we will not be able to appoint you as Band 7, but Band 6 instead)

Working for our organisation

Behaviours for Everyone

These behaviours apply to everyone at the Trust.

Additional behaviours apply when we are managing and supporting others , or leading people and the organisation .

Caring – We put patients first.

Ambitious – We innovate and strive for excellence.

Inclusive – We respect each other and work collaboratively.

Our Values and Behaviours Framework describes what it means for each of us at the Trust to put our values into action. The full framework is available on our Trust careers pages and the GTIntranet.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Department Information

The department comprises Clinical Nurse Specialists, Consultants, Advanced Clinical Practitioners, and Pharmacists. The team is responsible for reviewing and preparing patients for elective cardiac surgery. Patients are identified from the waiting list and scheduled according to clinical priority. These are multidisciplinary-led clinics where teamwork is central to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care.

Job Description – Band 7 Pre-Assessment Nurse

Clinical Responsibilities

Utilise evidence-based, advanced specialist knowledge, skills, and expertise to provide high-quality clinical care.

Develop the role of the Cardiac Nurse Specialist to support the delivery of holistic, patient-centred care.

Integrate into the existing clinical structure and support the wider multidisciplinary team in managing the cardiac surgical service.

Undertake routine patient assessments, including history taking and clinical examination. Arrange and interpret relevant investigations, and communicate findings to the lead clinician and scheduling staff as appropriate.

Lead the organisation of pre-admission clinics in collaboration with the CNS team, including coordinating staff rotas to ensure appropriate cover.

Perform physical assessments during pre-assessment and complete all medical and nursing documentation. (If you have not completed a physical assessment course, training will be required.)

Provide individualised support and guidance to surgical patients and their families.

Liaise with ward managers, administrative staff, and the multidisciplinary team to ensure a smooth transition of patients along the surgical pathway.

In collaboration with the Lead Nurse and operational lead, contribute to setting goals and benchmarking standards for pre-assessment and pathway management.

Maintain accurate documentation in line with Trust standards, including electronic patient records.

Produce reports related to all aspects of the pre-assessment and discharge service.

Ensure continuity of care across the multidisciplinary team, from hospital to community settings including communication with GPs.

Adhere to the Trust’s infection prevention and control policies.

Act as an advocate for patients and their families, supporting them in expressing their needs effectively.

Manage and communicate complex or sensitive information with compassion and clarity.

Management and Leadership

Maintain and develop clinical skills and knowledge in pre-assessment, ensuring practice remains evidence-based and aligned with best practice principles.

Take responsibility for maintaining your own professional scope of practice and demonstrating competence.

Act as a role model and clinical expert, supporting the multidisciplinary team with evidence-based guidance.

Work autonomously, making accountable clinical decisions in accordance with the NMC Code of Conduct.

Undertake the independent / supplementary prescribing course following completion of the physical assessment / nurse practitioner training.

Participate in advanced skills training and continuous professional development.

Manage personal annual leave in line with Trust policy.

Identify personal and professional development needs in consultation with the Divisional Lead Nurse and Senior Business Manager.

Support and supervise colleagues in the development of advanced clinical competencies.

Quality, Risk, and Governance

Lead the implementation of effective governance systems and risk management processes within the pre-assessment service—for example, when patients require additional investigations or medication changes.

Monitor compliance with internal and external governance requirements, such as tracking patients on the waiting list and using Medpad.

Support conflict resolution among patients, staff, suppliers, and partner organisations.

Participate in complaint investigations and assist with PALS concerns.

Ensure learning from root cause analyses, serious incidents, and PALS feedback is implemented.

Contribute to quality improvement and audit programmes within the cardiothoracic service.

Strategy, Change, and Service Improvement

Ensure the consistent delivery of high-quality care to all patients.

Support the multidisciplinary team in the implementation of service changes.

Actively contribute to the development and review of pre-assessment protocols and procedures in collaboration with the wider team, surgeons, and anaesthetists.

Lead service improvements and ensure governance systems are in place.

Engage in the Trust’s performance review process to maintain and enhance care standards.

Contribute to business planning and service development initiatives.

Innovate and explore new approaches within nursing and allied health professional boundaries.

Demonstrate advanced clinical knowledge and take responsibility for your professional development.

Deliver teaching sessions to nursing and multidisciplinary staff across the Trust.

Assist with resource management, ensuring efficient use of supplies and equipment.

Contribute to accurate data entry on PAS and other electronic systems.

Complete training on electronic systems and use them for ordering tests and reviewing results.

Communicate findings and outcomes to the surgical team promptly.

Use email as a standard method of professional communication.

Review and update patient-facing literature in collaboration with the care team.

Input data into the Trust clinical data warehouse.

Represent the team at directorate and corporate meetings as required.

Research and Audit

Participate in clinical audits, quality assurance initiatives, and research projects, implementing findings where appropriate.

Identify and conduct local audits and analyse data to inform practice.

Engage with patient feedback and satisfaction surveys to support service development.

Remain up to date with professional and clinical advancements and share knowledge with colleagues.

Identify and recommend relevant areas for research to enhance patient care.

Take part in multidisciplinary research and promote a positive culture for nursing and AHP-led research.

Implement and apply relevant research findings into practice.

Attend and represent the Trust at relevant conferences and working groups.

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential criteria

Desirable criteria

Experience and knowledge

Essential criteria

Desirable criteria

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria

Desirable criteria

Personal Qualities

Essential criteria

Other requirements

Essential criteria

Guy’s and St Thomas’ celebrates, respects and values the diversity of its staff and patients. We review our policies, procedures and practices to ensure that all employees, patients and carers are treated equitable according to their needs. We are actively committed to ensuring that no one who applies for a job, works or study’s at the Trust, or accesses our services is discriminated against on the grounds of race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, religion or belief, age, gender identity , gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity / paternity, or marital / civil partnership.