NursingNetUK

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

JOB PROFILE

As a member of the theatre team you will contribute by:

• Ensuring all areas within the suite are clean, tidy and that adequate stock levels are maintained
• Cleaning, preparation and positioning of theatre equipment, furniture and operating lights according to theatre schedules and local policy
• Checking, connecting, preparing and providing equipment and supplies to registered theatre personnel during patients peri-operative stay
• Supporting registered theatre personnel by opening packs in a sterile fashion and manoeuvring equipment as required

• Assisting with the moving and positioning of the conscious and unconscious patients in preparation for surgery and/or treatment, ensuring that any intravenous infusions, drains or catheters are appropriately positioned.

• Supporting and re-assuring patients during local anaesthetic procedures
• Completing all relevant documentation including patient notes/EPR, TIMS, Theatre registers and care plans

• Remove clinical waste, linen and sharps within theatres and prepare for collection, being aware of local health and safety policies and procedures.

• Clean theatres, recovery and corridors as required daily, observing the Trust Infection Control Policy and take special precautions where required. Ensure changing rooms are kept tidy.

• Participate in additional weekly cleaning programme to ensure the required standards of cleanliness following infection control guidelines are maintained in the department.

• Clean and check theatre patient trolleys daily and between cases.

• Complete daily checks of transport and patient trolley Oxygen cylinders and replace as required.

• Maintain a stock of medical gas cylinders, returning empty cylinders to the store as agreed locally. 

• If required maintain stocks Theatre Scrubs as required and ensure stocks are counted daily to facilitate reordering.

• Report immediately to a senior member of staff any incidents, accidents or complaints involving patients, staff or visitors, and take any necessary action as instructed.

• To perform other duties as directed by Senior Nurses and Theatre Manager.

• To assist with the transfer of patients from the acute care area to the anaesthetic room/theatres/recovery room, including x-ray department on all hospital sites according to local policy.

• Clean and maintain specialised equipment, reporting any faults to the appropriate personnel.

• Assist the multi-disciplinary team in the delivery of high quality care to patients throughout their peri-operative experience, ensuring at all times that utmost regard is given to patient dignity, safety, values, individuality, religion and confidentiality.  To be aware of and comply with the Data Protection Act 1998.

• Where required participate in the on call rota for emergency surgery contributing to 24-hour cover for the departments.

• If required be responsible for the care and transportation of specimens to the Pathology Department.
• If required Transport blood and blood products to and from the blood bank following local policies and procedures.
• If required transport cadavers from theatre to the mortuary in a sensitive and appropriate manner
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Maintaining Safety

• To undertake annual training including update in Basic Life Support, Manual Handling and Fire prevention
• To be aware of and adhere to Health and Safety and Infection Control policies and risk assessments carried out within the department, including those specific to the specific clinical area.
• To report all accidents, incidents and areas of concern to senior staff ensuring relevant documentation is completed
• To have knowledge of the procedure for calling for emergency assistance following cardiac arrest or patient emergency.
• To ensure all faulty equipment is taken out of service, cleaned appropriately, labelled correctly and sent for repair.

• Ensure all equipment is cleaned correctly (according to hospital policy) and stored appropriately. To assist in maintaining a safe working environment for patients, visitors and colleagues

Communication

• To establish and maintain good relationships with patients, relatives and colleagues through effective verbal and nonverbal communication.

• Contribute towards the creation of a welcoming and safe atmosphere for patients and visitors to the department.

• To assist in promoting and maintaining good communication between all members of the theatre team

• To be familiar with the concept of team working, be involved in team discussions, meetings and project developments

• To answer telephone calls, accurately relaying messages to other members of the multi-disciplinary team promptly and accurately

• To be aware of the roles within the team the structure of the unit and it’s relationship within the organisation

Education

• Complete your departmental competencies and hour logs in a timely manner in line with departmental guidelines

• To help orientate and act as co-mentor for new health care assistants and other staff
• To utilise educational resources available in Theatres, in the Trust and from other sources to identify and develop areas of knowledge and skills for own personal and professional development.