Description
Evolve Staffing Ltd. is actively seeking dedicated, highly qualified, and resilient Band 5 Registered Theatre Nurses (RGN) specializing in Post-Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU) / Recovery to join acute perioperative departments and high-acuity surgical inpatient pathways across a flagship major NHS acute hospital trust based in Cheshire.
Operating within one of Cheshire’s primary major NHS acute hospital facilities—a comprehensive tertiary surgical centre featuring multi-specialty operating theatre complexes, high-dependency recovery bays, and emergency trauma suites compared to single-specialty theatre environments—this role presents an extraordinary locum opportunity for experienced recovery and inpatient nurses. As a Theatre Recovery Nurse representing Evolve Staffing Ltd., you will play an indispensable clinical role in safeguarding patients during the immediate post-operative phase—managing the critical transition from general, regional, or local anaesthesia back to physiological stability—as well as overseeing ongoing acute recovery across busy medical and surgical inpatient wards.
Whether caring for adult patients recovering from major elective surgery, emergency laparotomies, complex orthopaedic trauma cases, high-volume day-surgery procedures, or managing acute inpatient admissions, your clinical vigilance, airway expertise, and rapid decision-making skills will directly drive superior patient outcomes across Cheshire’s premier NHS acute infrastructure.
Key Responsibilities & Clinical Duties
As a Band 5 PACU / Recovery Nurse, your primary responsibility is to deliver high-dependency, one-to-one post-operative nursing care alongside comprehensive general inpatient ward management following complex surgical procedures and acute emergency admissions.
Your core duties across recovery wards, PACU bays, and acute inpatient units will encompass:
Airway Management & Respiratory Care
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Post-Anaesthetic Emergence: Executing continuous assessment and maintenance of patient airway patency following general anaesthesia, endotracheal intubation, supraglottic airway device (SAD/LMA) removal, or regional nerve blocks.
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Airway Emergency Response: Proficient handling of acute respiratory emergencies, including laryngospasm, bronchospasm, complete/partial airway obstruction, hypoventilation, hypercapnia, and delayed emergence.
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Ventilatory Support: Administration of high-flow nasal oxygen therapy, non-invasive ventilation (CPAP/BiPAP), tracheostomy care, oral/tracheal suctioning, and respiratory chest physiotherapy support.
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Physiological Gas Monitoring: Real-time monitoring and interpretation of arterial blood gases (ABGs), continuous end-tidal capnography, and pulse oximetry metrics.
Hemodynamic Monitoring & Stabilization
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Advanced Vital Sign Tracking: Continuous real-time monitoring, interpretation, and management of vital signs using National Early Warning Score (NEWS2) protocols, continuous 3-lead/12-lead ECG interpretation, non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP), arterial lines, and central venous pressure (CVP).
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Fluid & Blood Administration: Monitoring post-operative bleeding, surgical drain outputs, surgical wound dressings, fluid balance charts, IV fluid therapy, and executing emergency blood transfusions (PRBCs, FFP, platelets).
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Emergency Escalation: Proactive identification and rapid emergency escalation of life-threatening post-operative complications, including hypovolemic/septic shock, cardiac arrhythmias, anaphylaxis, malignant hyperthermia, pulmonary embolism, and active hemorrhage.
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Thermal Regulation: Active patient rewarming utilizing forced-air warming blankets (e.g., Bair Hugger systems) to aggressively manage perioperative hypothermia and prevent post-anaesthetic shivering.
Analgesia, Sedation & Symptom Control
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Acute Pain Services: Titration and safe administration of intravenous opioids, regional analgesia continuous infusions, epidural analgesia, and Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA) protocols.
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Pain Scoring: Objective assessment of surgical and acute pain using validated numerical and visual pain scoring frameworks, delivering targeted multimodal pharmacological interventions.
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PONV Management: Systematic evaluation and acute management of Post-Operative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) utilizing multi-agent antiemetic regimes aligned with local NHS Trust prescribing guidelines.
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Delirium Care: Delivery of compassionate, reassuring care to alleviate post-operative delirium, emergence agitation, post-anaesthetic confusion, and acute patient anxiety.
Governance, Ward Discharge & Handover
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PACU Scoring Frameworks: Utilizing standardized recovery discharge criteria (e.g., modified Aldrete Score or Post-Anaesthetic Discharge Scoring System – PADSS) to evaluate patient readiness for safe transfer to general inpatient surgical wards or discharge home.
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Structured SBAR Handovers: Conducting detailed, structured clinical handovers using SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) methodology to receiving general ward nurses, Intensive Care Unit (ICU/HDU) staff, or day-surgery teams.
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Documentation & Auditing: Ensuring complete, contemporaneous, and accurate electronic health record (EHR/EPR) entry of post-operative nursing observations, controlled drug administration logs, and WHO Surgical Safety Checklist sign-outs.
Candidate Requirements & Qualifications
To be considered for this Band 5 Recovery Nurse opportunity with Evolve Staffing Ltd. in Cheshire, applicants must meet the following criteria:
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Professional Registration: Active, unrestricted registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a Registered Adult Nurse (RNA / Level 1 Nurse) with an active PIN.
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Clinical Experience: Minimum of 6–12 months post-qualification experience working in an NHS acute hospital setting within an Operating Theatre Recovery Ward, Post-Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU), or acute surgical inpatient ward.
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Certifications: A recognized qualification or post-registration module in Recovery/PACU Nursing Care or Acute Ward Care is highly advantageous, alongside current Immediate Life Support (ILS) or Advanced Life Support (ALS) certification.
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Core Competencies: Demonstrated clinical proficiency in post-operative airway care, invasive line monitoring, PCA/epidural management, NEWS2 escalation protocols, acute wound management, and emergency resuscitation.
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Compliance Standards:
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Valid Right to Work in the United Kingdom.
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Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance registered on the DBS Update Service.
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Full occupational health clearance (verified immunization status for Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, and Tuberculosis).
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Two satisfactory professional clinical references covering the most recent 3 years of clinical practice.
Why Choose Evolve Staffing Ltd.?
At Evolve Staffing Ltd., we take pride in supporting our dedicated healthcare workforce with unmatched agency benefits and personal care:
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Total Shift Flexibility: Take full control of your schedule. Select early, late, long day, night, or weekend shifts that perfectly fit around your lifestyle and personal commitments.
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Cheshire NHS Access: Gain consistent shift access across premier NHS acute trusts and major hospital sites in Cheshire and the wider North West region.
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Fast-Track Onboarding: Dedicated, expert recruitment consultants to guide you through registration, clinical vetting, and compliance smoothly.
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Weekly Payroll Processing: Dependable, fast weekly payments processed via PAYE or fully compliant Umbrella partners.
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Continuous Professional Development: Access to free mandatory training updates, CPD points accumulation support, and expert assistance with your NMC Revalidation portfolio.
Application Process
If you are an experienced Band 5 PACU / Recovery Nurse or Surgical Inpatient Ward Nurse seeking flexible, high-paying agency work across major NHS acute hospitals in Cheshire, submit your CV today highlighting your post-anaesthesia care, airway management, and acute ward experience. A clinical recruiter from Evolve Staffing Ltd. will contact you shortly to complete your application and match you with active hospital shift vacancies.
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