As a Pre-Assessment Nurse, you help prepare patients for treatment or surgery before they come to the ward. Your role is important because it helps the hospital plan care safely and ensures your patients feel supported from the start. When you take time to listen and explain clearly, you help reduce worry and build trust.
In your day-to-day work, you will meet patients before their procedure, either by phone or in person, depending on the service. You will review medical history, current conditions, and previous operations. You will ask about allergies, medicines the patient takes, past anaesthetic problems, and any health concerns they may have. You will also check lifestyle factors that may affect care, such as smoking or previous reactions to treatments.
You will gather key information and organise the next steps. This can include arranging blood tests, ECGs (heart tracing), scans, or other checks if needed. You will confirm instructions for patients—such as fasting times, medication changes, and what to bring on the day. You will make sure your patient understands these instructions in simple terms.
You also play a key role in safety. You will identify risks early, such as breathing problems, heart issues, bleeding risks, or infection concerns. If you notice something that needs urgent attention, you will report it quickly to the appropriate clinician. Your careful assessment helps the team plan the safest option for your patient.
Communication matters in this role. You will answer questions, explain what happens next, and offer reassurance. You will treat each person with respect and understand that pre-assessment can feel stressful.
Overall, as a Pre-Assessment Nurse, you are the link between patients and the clinical team. You help your patients prepare with confidence, and you help the hospital deliver safer, smoother care.
Key Responsibilities:
Location
Essential
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
We are committed to your wellbeing, professional growth, and long-term career success. Joining our team means becoming part of a values-led organisation that invests in you — not just as an employee, but as a professional and an individual.
With us, you will benefit from:
Our people choose to build their careers here because they feel supported, appreciated, and proud to be part of something that makes a genuine difference.
All applicants will be taken through onboarding checks including:
