Job Purpose
The Day of Surgery Admission (DOSA) Unit is a pre- operative unit where patients are prepared for theatre on the day of your surgery. Operating Monday to Friday, DOSA cares for patients undergoing surgical procedures across a large number of specialties and provides pre-operative care for patients having major surgery. DOSA strives to make the patient journey to theatre as efficient as possible.
The role is responsible for the provision of quality service in line with standards of nursing practice. As a key member of the frontline team, the general registered nurse will demonstrate strong clinical skills and facilitate effective communication with colleagues in the hospital. The position requires a collaborative and supportive approach to the development of services and structures, embracing continuous quality improvement and the implementation of changes necessary to achieve organisational objectives.
A Pre-Assessment Nurse conducts comprehensive pre-operative evaluations, reviewing patient health history, ordering tests (ECGs, bloods), and optimizing patient health before surgery. They collaborate with surgeons and anaesthetists to determine fitness for anesthesia, provide education, and ensure informed consent, ultimately enhancing patient safety and reducing cancellations.
Job Background/Context
The Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic is a private hospital providing a full range of medical and surgical care across a broad spectrum of specialities. Each Ward provides a range of services and this role is important in making a significant contribution, developing and maintaining best practice in nursing services at Ward level.
DOSA Key Responsibilities
Operations
-
Work as a member of the nursing team on day duty and perform duties as allocated by the Clinical Nurse Manager 1and/or 2.
-
Deliver skilled practical care to patients and participate in the monitoring of the planning, delivery and evaluation of individualised patient care, ensuring a patient centred focus.
-
Be aware of the multifaceted needs of patients and provide a holistic support service for them and their families.
-
Ensure that controlled drug records are kept in accordance with standard recognised legal and professional practice.
-
Ensure safe practice is adhered to in the storage and administration of all drugs in accordance with local policy and Department of Health / NMBI guidelines, keeping patient and staff safety a priority.
-
Be aware of the multifaceted needs of emergency, medical and surgical patients and provide a holistic support service for them and their families.
-
Keep accurate, comprehensive, up-dated records and written reports as required and guided by NMBI recommendations.
-
Ensure correct and economical use of unit stocks and material and the safe and correct use of all equipment.
-
Ensure the safekeeping of patient's belongings in accordance with hospital policy where necessary.
-
Document all necessary care given on the Meditech Patient information system.
-
Be willing to be deployed to other areas of the hospital if requested to do so.
-
Document and report to the CNM, in a timely and comprehensive manner, any incidents, accidents, near misses or complaints and participate in any subsequent investigation as requested.
-
Participate in staff meetings, team meetings and committees as required.
Learning and Education
-
Contribute to the requirements of NMBI for the practice of professional nursing are met and upheld, including the development of an expanded scope of nursing practice.
-
Take personal responsibility for own professional development and keep up to date with evidence based practice and research.
-
Attend and participate in staff development programmes on an ongoing basis and sharing knowledge with other staff members.
-
Assist with the orientation and induction of new staff and be available to provide orientation as deemed necessary, helping them to integrate as members of the Unit team.
-
Assist in the training of nursing support staff.
-
Identify and inform the Learning and Education Team of any training and professional development requirements.
-
Attend all mandatory training days and ensure that all mandatary training is in date.
-
Comply with all HR system and policy requirements.
-
Promote a patient centred culture of openness and responsiveness to positive and constructive patient feedback and ensuring patient dignity, respect and choice is maintained in their care.
Quality Improvement and Risk Management
-
Ensure compliance with all relevant Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic guidelines, policies, procedures and relevant legislation and regulatory requirements.
-
Participate in the continuous review and evaluation of policies, guidelines and existing practices through regular audit programmes and review engagement with the multi-disciplinary team where required.
-
Assist in promoting a culture of continuous quality improvement across the department.
-
Be aware of the core objectives, standards and key performance indicators for the service and contribute to the monitoring of performance against these standards.
-
Participate in the requirements of the hospitals accreditation process.
-
Participate in the requirements of the hospital's risk management programme.
-
Promote the delivery of a high standard of care to all patients. Encourage evidence-based practice and assist in the dissemination and implementation of research findings.
-
Work with members of the Multidisciplinary team in devising Standard Operating Procedures for the development of the Unit.
-
Assist in ensuring a culture of safety, promoting positive reporting of incidents and near misses; investigate and take remedial action on incidents or near misses involving patients and staff according to hospital policies, protocols and guidelines.
Pre-Assesment Key Responsibilities
Clinical Assessment
-
Perform detailed physical, social, and psychological nursing assessments to ensure suitability for surgery/sedation.
Diagnostic Coordination
-
Order, perform, and interpret pre-operative investigations, including ECGs, blood tests, and swabs.
Patient Optimization & Education
-
Educate patients on pre-operative hygiene, fasting, and medication changes, including managing chronic conditions to reduce risks.
Multidisciplinary Collaboration
-
Liaise with surgeons, anaesthetists, and GPs to review complex cases and manage potential risks.
Documentation & Compliance
-
Ensure accurate, timely documentation in compliance with hospital policies and professional standards.
Essential Criteria
Knowledge / Experience
- Be registered in the general division of the Register of Nurses maintained by NMBI
-
Have at least two years recent relevant post-registration nursing experience (full-time or equivalent hours part-time) in an acute hospital setting, with one year in a surgical setting
-
Hold an up-to-date Basic Life Support course.
-
Previous experience in surgical, anaesthetic, or acute care settings
Skills / Competencies
-
Clinical Skills
-
IT skills
-
Quality focus
-
Risk Management
-
Clinical audit
-
Team work
-
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
