Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties & Responsibilities of the Post

- The post holder, under supervision, will assist the multidisciplinary team in delivering individualised planned patient care in a safe and healthy environment which promotes equality for all individuals

- Active participation in the preparation of theatres and assisting the scrub practitioner in the preparation of sterile surgical equipment

- Ability to interact with people at all levels and work effectively as a team member. 

- To communicate effectively, especially where patient ability to do so is compromised and there are barriers to understanding e.g. hearing difficulties, using tact and re-assurance

- To contribute to safe and timely patient transfer process

- Under guidance, deliver safe patient care within a challenging and changing clinical environment, using equipment and resources safely and as appropriate

- Take an active role in theatre decontamination in line with infection control policies 

- Discretion and understanding of confidentiality and data protection

- Understand and adhere to Trust Policies and Procedures

- Provide advice and guidance within own sphere of knowledge to students and other team members

- To contribute to safe and timely patient transfer process within and out of theatres

- To contribute to theatre efficiency through active engagement in the movement and delivery of equipment and stock as required

- Active participation in any theatre cleaning between cases and at the end of the day as required

- Ability to get on well with people at all levels and work effectively as a team member.  Organise own day to day work tasks and activities

- After suitable training be able to respond to change in the patient’s signs and condition, especially when on patient transfer duties 

- Ability to respond and adapt to changes within an emergency situation

- Working within the multidisciplinary team supporting the delivery of assessed and evaluated programmes of care

- To undertake additional, delegated clinical responsibilities as required

- Occasionally the job holder may be exposed to distressing or emotional circumstances

- Willingness to take on specialist link roles relevant to theatres

- Willingness to be involved in the development and training of new starters once competent and confident in the role of a HCSW within a theatre team.

Most Challenging Part of the Job

- Ability to adapt to a challenging specialist environment

- Ability to work effectively, working under pressure

- Occasionally dealing with difficult people and situations

Physical Effort and Working Conditions

- Will be required to work within the recognised Manual Handling Guidelines

- May be expected to frequently manoeuvre patients/objects over 15kg for short periods of time

- Will have possible exposure to unpleasant working conditions and will be required to follow policies and procedures pertaining to bodily fluids, Infection Control and COSHH regulations

- Ability to work where the work pattern may be unpredictable e.g. prioritising patient demands and unexpected changes to theatre operating lists

- Will be required to work flexibly including weekends and evenings on a rostered basis