Theatre Scrub Practitioner

Job overview

Scrub ODP's and Scrub Nurses Are you looking for a career move or change?

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to join our team of ODP’s and Nurse's at Northampton, and work within a dynamic and exhilarating environment. We can offer you fantastic development opportunities and a wide range of specialities including Emergency and Elective surgery, General, Gynaecology, Vascular, Urology, Colorectal, Plastics, ENT Maxillofacial, Trauma, Orthopaedics and the Da Vinci Robotic surgical system to name just a few. Northampton General Hospital has 6 Theatre complexes with a total of 18 theatres and ODP’s/ Nurse's also support other areas within the Trust to ensure service needs are met.

Together we aim to continue to deliver the highest standard of evidence-based peri-operative care, resulting in increased patient satisfaction.

We have a strong commitment to education and training. The Education Facilitator will guide you, with the Team Leaders, into preceptorship programmes and continuing professional development and support you in your role within the Trust. Career progression within Northampton General Hospital is evident and supported, A Potential to work in all areas of the Perioperative environment should you wish is available.

Main duties of the job

Theatre Practitioners are key to the smooth running of each theatre. ODPs/ Nurses will work closely with Theatre team to ensure that everything the Surgeons and Anaesthetists need each day is ready and available. ODPs/Scrub nurses will then assist in Theatre and make sure the patient has everything they may need peri and post operatively.

You are expected to deliver safe quality care for patients during their peri-operative phase of care. You will be expected to take responsibility

As an ODP / Scrub Nurse you will play an important role in ensuring every operation is as safe and effective as possible. An expectation to commit to out of hours working.

The post holder will work as a member of the theatre team at Northampton General Hospital, supporting the organisation and delivery of theatre services across Main Theatres, Manfield Theatres , Gynae Theatres, Opthalmology Theatre and Day Surgery. The post holder will participate in delivering a high standard of patient care and safety. He/she will be expected to demonstrate enthusiasm to help create a suitable patient and an effective learning environment. This post will demand a commitment to providing flexible shift cover and out of hours working i.e. on-call, weekends or nights

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Supporting Clinical Excellence

To provide a high standard of care as set out in Theatre Standards and trust guidelines

Able to assist surgeons  in simple to complex operations and willingness to learn

To maintain accurate completion of theatre records, documentation and care plans.

Assess the immediate and ongoing needs of the patient and when appropriate in discussion with the patient and or their significant others develop an individualised plan of care.

Make decisions on the most appropriate method of care for the patients where a variety of options need to be considered as to the most suitable care plan going forward.

Regular communicate with other team members, including Consultants, nursing staff and other specialties.

Contribute to and participate in the development of a culture that is committed to innovation and quality improvement through the use of research and audit.

To assist in the monitoring and maintenance of equipment used in the Units and report any faults that occur to the appropriate person.

Assist in cleaning schedules, facilitating an agreed level of cleanliness for the units.

Actively contribute to setting and maintaining high standards of quality care.

Work collaboratively and co-operatively with others to meet the needs of patients and their families/ carers.

Actively maintain and promote a safe theatre environment.

Undertake nursing procedures and techniques in accordance with agreed Trust policies and guidelines.

Plan, develop and implement approaches to promote health and wellbeing of patients and improve their health status.

Maintain an awareness of the developments in the care and treatment of patients in order to be able to carry out duties competently and efficiently.

Responsible for safe supply, storage, administration, checking and disposal of medications including controlled drugs in line with Trust Policy and Nursing Midwifery Council standards.

Document the condition and progress of patients and report to medical staff and/or senior theatre staff any areas of concern.

Maintain contemporary detailed theatre documentation.

Assisting and contributing to the management and organisation of the theatre area.

Once competent in team management skills, takes charge of the clinical area on a regular basis in the absence of the person who has continuing responsibility or his/her deputy.

Comply with all Trust policies and risk assessments with particular regard to the policies and procedures carried out in the event of maintaining staff and patient safety.

Leadership

Lead by example with drive and enthusiasm, responding appropriately to the needs of patients, families and carers.

Responsible for assisting with the management and leadership of the theatre, maintaining an appropriate style that maintains good morale, a team approach to work and a culture which fosters innovation and change.

Sets high standards of nursing care for the theatre, including theatre cleanliness, etc., are maintained so that the patients experience is excellent.

Influence people and events through successful communication, negotiation and persuasion skills.

Constructively challenge practices as necessary, which impact on patients care and/or staff wellbeing.

Work in partnership with the senior team members to ensure the nursing strategy objectives are achieved.

Supporting Patient Excellence

In the absence of the Theatre Team Leader act as a first contact point for patients, relatives and staff to address concerns and complaints.

To be courteous and helpful to patients, families/carers, colleagues and all users to the trust. To act as a positive role model to the team.

Responsible for the assessment of the care needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of patient care

Work collaboratively and co-operatively with others to meet the needs of patients and their families/carers.

Actively participate in the ward culture whereby patients’, relatives and carers participate and understand treatment plans

To monitor activity and patient dependency, escalating any concerns to the Theatre Team Leader both in and out of hours.

Adopt an open learning culture from clinical incidents and patient/staff feedback.

People/Management Excellence

Collaborate with all members of the clinical area to ensure efficient running of theatres.

Assist the Theatre Team Leader in introducing new members of staff to their duties, act as a preceptor to newly qualified staff.

Take all reasonable steps to ensure the safe keeping of patients’ property in accordance with Trust policy.

Promote and maintain a suitable learning environment for staff and act as a facilitator/mentor/preceptor/coach in the supervision and teaching of less experienced staff, supporting and facilitating the development of competencies across all staff levels.

Maintains competent computer skills and be able to access patient details and reports via the Trusts IT systems.

Support a culture of teamwork within the clinical area. Supporting Financial Excellence

Use resources effectively in order to provide quality patient care whist having an awareness of budgetary issues.

Be aware and undertake effective and efficient use of clinical, physical and financial resources. Professional Responsibilities

To be responsible for your own professional development, maintain a professional portfolio and keep up to date on current nursing and health service issues.

To take full responsibility for your own actions and to abide by the NMC Code of Conduct 2018 and or HCPC Code Conduct 2016.

Maintain own knowledge and clinical skills demonstrating competence in delivering a high standard of care.

To be conversant with all Nursing Policies and procedures

Maintain a current knowledge of professional issues, ensuring continued professional development is maintained.

Identify learning needs in self, negotiating a Personal Development Plan recognising own limitations.

Actively undertake education, development and supervision of self

Act as a clinical and professional role model, assessing and supporting students and learners on placement within the clinical area. Quality Assurance and Monitoring

Actively promote evidence-based practice within the clinical area.

Contribute to audit initiatives.

Participate in setting and reviewing standards for practice and evaluating outcomes as part of the clinical governance agenda.

Report indecencies, using the Trust reporting system Policy and Service Development Responsibilities

Work within the confines of Trust policies, protocols and other relevant documentation, taking appropriate action where compliance is breached

Research, Development & Education Responsibilities

Undertake the Trust Corporate and Directorate specific Induction and competency Programmes.

Maintain and promote an awareness of evidence-based practice and participate in its implementation.

Contribute to audit research and development programmes within the department.

Will seek out ‘Best Practice’ to generate new ideas and generate change.

Undertake a recognised mentoring/ assessor course

Participate in clinical supervision