Important Visa Information
This position includes a certificate of sponsorship for eligible candidates who require Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK. However, all applicants must verify their visa eligibility directly with the employer. The certificate of sponsorship does not guarantee visa approval, and applicants should confirm all visa requirements and costs with Spire Healthcare Ltd before applying. International candidates are encouraged to contact the hiring manager for specific sponsorship details.
About the Role
Spire Harpenden is seeking an experienced Preoperative Assessment (POA) Team Leader to join their dedicated healthcare team. This is a unique opportunity for a qualified registered nurse looking to advance their career into a leadership position within a private hospital setting. The role involves leading the pre-assessment team and ensuring the smooth running of the department in the absence of the POA Manager.
Job Details
Company: Spire Healthcare Ltd
Location: Heathbourne Rd, Bushey, Harpenden, WD23 1RD
Job Title: Pre-Assessment Nursing Team Lead
Salary: £41,387 per annum
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full-time
Closing Date: 9 January 2026
Key Responsibilities
The Pre-Assessment Nursing Team Lead will be responsible for ensuring the smooth running of the department on a day-to-day basis. This includes working autonomously to complete pre-operative assessments for a caseload of patients, backfilling protected clinic slots for short-dated bookings, and undertaking targeted histories with assessments of past medical, operative, and anaesthetic history.
Clinical Duties
Key clinical responsibilities include leading on the clinical triage of all patient Health Questionnaires to ensure appropriate POA pathways are identified for all patients. The successful candidate will follow the local hospital short-dated bookings process to reduce pressure points and ensure a smooth patient journey for urgent cases. Additional clinical tasks include completing venepuncture, electrocardiogram, lung function testing, and requesting x-rays as per hospital policy.
Risk Assessment and Patient Management
The role involves identifying patients with specific health issues and undertaking relevant risk scoring where indicated, as well as managing the results. The candidate must demonstrate appropriate review of previous anaesthetic documentation and show knowledge and understanding of key factors that would require referral for anaesthetist assessment. Following up on outcomes of referrals to ensure fitness to proceed is also a critical responsibility.
Communication and Liaison
Excellent communication skills are essential for this role, as the successful candidate will provide information about specific pre-operative instructions, intraoperative care, and discharge procedures. They will liaise with anaesthetists and surgeons to determine fitness to proceed, communicate special requirements and essential resources to the multidisciplinary team (MDT), and provide cover for weekly theatre meetings when required.
About Spire Healthcare
Spire Healthcare is proud to be an equal opportunities employer that celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive culture for all employees. As a leading provider of private healthcare services, Spire Harpenden prides itself on comprehensive private hospital services and high standards of care for patients in Hertfordshire. The company is dedicated to providing quality treatment and aftercare through ongoing investment in facilities and introduction of new services.
What We Offer
We offer employees a competitive salary along with a comprehensive benefits package that includes 35 days annual leave inclusive of bank holidays, an employer and employee contributory pension with flexible retirement options, and access to the Spire for you reward platform offering discounts and cashback for over 1,000 retailers. Additional benefits include free Bupa wellness screening, private medical insurance, life assurance, and free onsite parking.
Who We’re Looking For
The ideal candidate will be an Adult Nursing Degree holder registered with the NMC, with experience of leadership and knowledge of working within a pre-operative assessment setting. Advanced assessment skills in a POA or equivalent background are essential, along with the ability to work independently and prioritize patient caseload and POA workload effectively.
Essential Qualifications and Experience
Applicants must possess an Adult Nursing Degree and be registered with the NMC. Previous experience of leadership is required, along with knowledge of working within a pre-operative assessment setting. Advanced assessment skills in a POA or equivalent background, the ability to work independently and prioritize workload, and experience of supervision of staff are all essential criteria for this role.
Personal Attributes
The successful candidate will have well-developed communication skills, both written and verbal, as well as strong IT skills. They will participate in the development of policy, guidelines, and patient information for POA. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are essential, along with the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
Professional Values
At Spire Healthcare, we are extremely proud of our heritage in private healthcare and our organizational values: driving clinical excellence, doing the right thing, caring is our passion, keeping it simple, delivering on our promises, and succeeding and celebrating together. Our people are our difference – their dedication, warmth, and pursuit of excellence set Spire Healthcare apart.
Career Development
We commit to our employees’ well-being through work-life balance, ongoing development, support, and reward. For us, it’s more than just treating patients; it’s about looking after people. This role offers an excellent opportunity for career advancement within a supportive environment that values professional development.
Equal Opportunities
Spire Healthcare is an equal opportunities employer that celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive culture for all. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of their race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. We believe that diversity strengthens our organization and enhances the care we provide to our patients.
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. This is a standard requirement for all healthcare positions to ensure patient safety and protection.
UK Registration Requirement
Applicants must have current UK professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). For further information regarding UK registration requirements, please see the NHS Careers website for overseas health professionals. This is a mandatory requirement for all nursing positions within the UK healthcare system.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, please visit the NHS Jobs website and search for reference number 25580. The application process requires you to complete an online application form and submit any required supporting documents. Ensure you clearly indicate in your application if you require sponsorship to work in the UK.
Application Checklist for International Candidates
If you are an international candidate requiring sponsorship, please ensure you have the following ready before applying: current NMC registration, evidence of your nursing qualifications, proof of English language proficiency if applicable, and details of any previous UK work experience. It is also advisable to contact Hannah Radford, Resourcing Manager, at Hannah.Radford@spirehealthcare.com or +447725208712 to discuss your specific situation and sponsorship eligibility before submitting your application.
Application Timeline
The closing date for applications is 9 January 2026. However, Spire Healthcare reserves the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once they have received a sufficient number of applications. We therefore encourage early applications to ensure your application is considered. All applications will be acknowledged, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview.
Contact Information
For any questions about this position or the application process, please contact:
Name: Hannah Radford
Title: Resourcing Manager
Email: Hannah.Radford@spirehealthcare.com
Phone: +447725208712
Privacy Notice
Spire Healthcare Ltd is committed to protecting your personal data. For information on how we process your personal data, please refer to our privacy notice available at https://www.spirehealthcare.com/legal/privacy-policy/. Your data will be used solely for recruitment purposes and will be handled in accordance with data protection legislation.