Senior Anaesthetic / Scrub (Vascular) Practitioner

Job responsibilities

Supporting Clinical Excellence

• Ensure delivery of highest standard of patient care, while assisting anaesthetist being as anaesthetic staff or assisting surgeon during surgical procedures as scrub.

• Take responsibility for the availability of surgical equipment from SSD or when it is processed off site.

• Assisting and contributing to the management and organisation of the clinical area.

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

• To work collaboratively and co-operatively with others to meet the needs of patients and their families.

• To maintain accountability for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating programmes of care.

• Consider new ways of working which enhance and improve patient care.

• Consider new ways of working which are cost saving.

• To co-ordinate the patients discharge from in accordance with NGH discharge policy.

• To educate patients and their carers as required, where a need has been identified.

• Adhere to appropriate safety precautions, as established within the theatres/Clinic to minimize the risks of fire, explosion, electrical shock, contamination, accident and equipment malfunction.

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

• Complete patient documentation correctly.

• To maintain a safe ward environment.

• Responsible for safe supply, storage, administration, checking and disposal of medications including controlled drugs.

• Adopt an open learning culture from patient experience and action plan improvements as necessary.

• To undertake any expanded roles deemed necessary for the role following the Trust policy Expansion of Professional Practice for Registered Healthcare Professionals.

• Actively participate in the education, development and supervision of other staff members.

• Assess and support students and learners on placement within the clinical area.

• Promote and maintain effective communication, both written and verbal.

• To act as a role model for staff.

• Ensure patient and staff confidentiality.

• To supervise junior staff in the delivery of care.

• To participate in the safe movement and handling of patients within the operating department, and between other departments within the Trust.

• Always maintain patient privacy and dignity.

• Provide support and reassurance to all patients undergoing regional or local anaesthesia.

• Safe and sensitive escorting of patients, relatives and carers.

• Help maintain high standards of cleanliness expected within a surgical environment.

• Participate in stock control/rotation and order. Restocking of theatres and other adjoining areas as required.

• Facilitate junior members and students with their CPD, setting goals, facilitating training opportunities, and mentoring as appropriate.

• Assist with the maintenance of equipment and report any faults to senior members of staff or report to clinical engineering.

• Carry out errands when requested.

• This job description is not a rigid/inflexible document but acts to provide the post holder with guidance as to the expectations of the role. Whilst in post, these expectations may change to meet service needs.

Communication

• Recognise and maintain confidentiality of information relating to patients/clients and their records.

• Maintain accurate documentation of any clinical notes or IT systems used in theatre.

• Ensure clarity in communicating with patients, relatives and carers as well as other team members. Answer questions within the sphere of ones own knowledge.

• Answer the telephone on a clear, friendly, helpful and professional manner. Take any messages accurately and refer as necessary.

• Demonstrate a caring approach to patients/clients, their families and visitors and to have good verbal and non-verbal communication skills.

• To attend and participate in departmental meetings, helping to implement change as and when required.

Leadership

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

• Act as a supportive professional role model for nursing and midwifery / HCPC, providing quality care in accordance with the NMC/HCPC rules and codes of practice.

Management

• Support the promotion and maintenance of a departmental culture which promotes an open and honest approach to professional decision making and problem solving.

• Support departmental management, acting as lead / coordinator when required.

• Participate in the development of the department, implementing change to improve services.

• Provide junior staff mentorship as required and facilitate regular staff appraisal and professional development support.

• Assist in the management of sickness absence.

• Coordinate and proactively lead main theatre teams.

• Have an awareness of departmental budget and equipment maintenance programs.

• Demonstrate commitment to patient safety and risk management strategy within the department.

• Take all possible action to minimise clinical risk to patients, utilising all available resources.

• Support preceptee in clinical practice during and after their preceptorship programme.

• Support the implementation of preceptorship and education programmes for newly qualified nurses and midwives.

• Support and promote clinical audit and quality improvement.

• Assist in the facilitation approach to decision making.

• Assist in administrative tasks as required.

• Work closely with management and to take up management assignments or responsibilities as and when required depending on the departmental needs.

• Conduct local induction when introducing new members / bank staff / agency staff to their duties and the theatre policies.

People/Management Excellence

• Have the ability and knowledge to competently deal with an emergency.

• Manage his/her time effectively and perform allocated tasks within a reasonable time frame, knowing when to seek support, assistance and advice from other team members.

• Assist in the maintenance of department equipment and stock levels, e.g. equipment, linen, catering supplies, sterile services, consumables etc.

• Awareness about staff roster and allocation of staff, including skill mix.

Professional Responsibilities

• Adhere to Trust values and behaviours at all times.

• To participate in regular performance reviews.

• Maintain own statutory, role specific, mandatory training, and divisional /directorate specific essential training.

• Be self-motivated and seek ways to flexibly extend own knowledge skills.

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

• To take full responsibility for your own actions and to abide by the Nursing and Midwifery Council Code of Conduct / Health Professions Council Code of Conduct.

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

• To have an awareness of Trust policies and procedures.

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

• Understand own limitations and know where to find advice and assistance.

• Act as a role model for new starters and junior staff in the area.

• Will seek out Best Practices to generate new ideas and generate change.

Quality Assurance and Monitoring

• Assist the management team with the undertaking of audits within theatres.

• To participate in developing working guidelines, protocols and practices which enhance the patient experience in line with national and Trust policies.

• Actively promote evidence-based practice within the clinical area.

• Assist the theatre manager in the acquisition, maintenance and repairs of surgical equipment.

Corporate Responsibilities

• Act as a role model in customer service towards visitors to the hospital.

• Facilitate any measures to help achieve directorate/divisional and Trust targets and agendas.

Educations, Training and Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to diploma or degree level or equivalent level of education
• Registered Anaesthetic Nurse or Operating Department Practitioner
• Evidence of continuing professional education / development
• Possess a mentorship qualification

Desirable

• Undergone ILS & PILS training
• Evidence of specific theatre training.
• Management training / equivalent qualification

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Be an experienced anaesthetic nurse or ODP
• More than 2 years post qualification experience in perioperative care
• Experience of mentoring and assessing in clinical practice
• Awareness of infection prevention
• Previous experience anaesthetic experience of working with shared airways, paediatrics and emergencies
• Ability to work effectively in a team and autonomously
• Experience as Vascular scrub staff particularly in major I.R operations including EVAR
• Experience in Stock ordering and Management

Desirable

• Experience in theatres at band 6 level

Skills

Essential

• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Able to prioritise workload and plan ahead and time management
• Excellent of interpersonal skills displaying tact and sensitivity
• Able to work in stressful situation
• Can assess, plan and implement and evaluate effective patient care
• Demonstrate the ability to recognise, prioritise, and respond appropriately to urgent and emergency situations
• Competent and confident in using medical equipment and Can take their own initiative with learning needs and appraisal and help staff with appraisalquipment
• Able to undertake new staff and students and guide them through procedures / surgeries
• Previous experience in ordering and arranging kits and instruments for theatres in an orderly manner
• Ability to work and advocate for the patient's rights and safety

Desirable

• Experience in conducting training/development programme

Key Competencies/Personal Qualities and Attributes

Essential

• Excellent leadership qualities
• Team player
• Assertive, confident and approachable
• Innovative and creative
• Ability to lead by example, motivate and inspire others
• Dedicated to excellence in values
• Equality, diversity and inclusion of our staff, patients and service users
• Motivated
• Taking initiative and remain positive during service changes and challenges
• Able to maintain professional relation with colleagues and management.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).