Unit Manager - Preoperative assessment

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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Unit Manager for Pre-Operative Assessment will provide strong, visible leadership across services at Royal Preston Hospital and Chorley and South Ribble Hospital, ensuring the delivery of safe, effective, and high-quality patient care.

Leadership and Management

• Provide professional and operational leadership to the Pre-Operative Assessment teams across both sites.
• Lead, motivate, and support a large multidisciplinary team, promoting a positive and inclusive working environment.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels, skill mix, and effective workforce planning to meet service demands.
• Undertake recruitment, appraisal, performance management, and staff development.
• Act as a role model, demonstrating Trust values and behaviours at all times.

Clinical Governance and Quality

• Take overall responsibility for clinical governance within the department.
• Ensure compliance with Trust policies, national standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Lead on audit, quality improvement, and the implementation of evidence-based practice.
• Monitor patient outcomes, incidents, and risks, ensuring appropriate actions are taken.
• Promote a culture of safety, openness, and continuous learning.

Clinical Responsibilities

• Maintain a high level of clinical expertise within pre-operative assessment.
• Support and guide staff in delivering advanced patient assessments for elective surgery.
• Act autonomously to identify and manage clinical risk, order and interpret diagnostic investigations, and make appropriate referrals.
• Ensure patients are optimised for surgery, working closely with anaesthetic and surgical teams.
• Provide expert advice and support for complex cases.

Service Delivery and Development

• Oversee the effective day-to-day running of Pre-Operative Assessment services across both sites.
• Work collaboratively with anaesthetists, surgeons, and operational managers to ensure efficient patient pathways.
• Lead service improvement initiatives to enhance patient experience, reduce cancellations, and improve efficiency.
• Contribute to the strategic development of the service in line with Trust and divisional objectives.
• Ensure effective use of resources and contribute to budgetary control.

Communication and Collaboration

• Maintain effective communication within the team and across the wider organisation.
• Build strong working relationships with key stakeholders, including clinical and non-clinical teams.
• Act as a key point of contact for Pre-Operative Assessment services.
• Ensure clear and compassionate communication with patients, relatives, and carers.

Education and Development

• Support the learning and development of staff, fostering a culture of continuous professional development.
• Identify training needs and ensure staff are appropriately trained and competent.
• Promote teaching, mentorship, and clinical supervision within the team.

The post holder will be expected to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and contribute to the ongoing development and success of the Pre-Operative Assessment Units.

Person specification

Education & CPD

Essential criteria

• Diploma or degree in Nursing
• NMC registration
• NMC recognised Mentorship qualification
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Experience of over 12 months at band 6

Desirable criteria

• Level 3 or 5 ILM (Institute of leadership and Management) in leadership or equivalent.
• completed core people skills

Knowledge & Experience

Essential criteria

• Knowledge of relevant policies and procedures
• Evidence of expert clinical competence in area of speciality
• Knowledge of Clinical Governance and the relevance to practice
• Knowledge of maintaining assurance of department

Desirable criteria

• Experience of budgetary management
• Awareness of changes in practice and the ability to implement change.

Thanks for taking the time to view this advert; we're looking forward to receiving your application. You should be aware that the vacancy may close earlier than the published date if sufficient applications are received so it would be best to apply as soon as you can. We'll contact you by e-mail to update you on the progress of your application so please check the e-mail account that you applied from (including spam/junk) regularly.

We are committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of race, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage and civil partnership, neurodiversity or veteran status are encouraged to apply for this post. Our Statement on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is available