Job summary
Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to continue your Healthcare Career. if so we need you to join our team in our Day Surgery Unit.
Senior Health Care Assistants play an intrinsic role in the team in the Operating Theatre, pre and post operation care and in Pre Operative Assessment. No two days are the same. As part of the team you will be providing care for elective patients undergoing surgery for many different specialties.
The role requires excellent communication skills empathy and the ability to work under pressure.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be working as part of the multidisciplinary theatre team to provide a safe, efficient care environment for patients and there carers.
Current specialties include Gynaecology, Vascular, Digestive Diseases, Ophthalmology and Head and Neck.
Your role is multi faceted
Carrying out pre operative assessment testing
Supporting registered nurses on the ward caring for patients pre and post operatively
Working as a circulating nurse in Theatre.
About us
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Prepare own workspace including equipment required on a daily basis and plan their own day.
- Report any accidents or near misses to the appropriate manager and complete the appropriate incident/accident report forms.
- Appropriately raises concerns about compliance and competence of other staff members and students.
- Escort of pre-and post-operative patients on foot, by wheelchair, trolley, bed, or any other means necessary in a safe and appropriate manner to and from theatre.
- Assists other theatre staff with the individual care needs within the clinical area via the implementation and evaluation of planned care.
- After appropriate training and assessment undertake a range of basic observations and personal care detailed in individual skills inventory, under the supervision and direction of the supervising theatre staff.
- Records basic observations and reports those observations to the supervising theatre staff.
- Articulates concerns about the welfare/well-being of any patient to a registered practitioner immediately.
- Awareness of emergency procedures and how to activate them when needed.
- Maintains the privacy and dignity of carers.
- Assists in the transfer and positioning of anaesthetised patients e.g. trolley to table, according to local policy.
- The collection, delivery, disposal and when necessary the positioning of furniture, air/foam mattresses, linen, patient notes, pharmacy boxes, controlled drugs, specimens, blood products, post, clinical, anatomical waste and non-clinical waste, medical equipment and supplies, food and any other items, using appropriate methods of work as directed (this is not an exhaustive list).
- Collection and delivery of deceased patients to the mortuary in a dignified manner using an appropriate means of transport.
- Use the designated biometric blood tracking system ensuring the blood products are transported in the correct manner e.g. use of cool box for 2 units or more.
- The identification, movement and storage of medical gases as necessary ensuring adherence to strict regulations governing the handling of medical gases.
- Change medical gas cylinders within the Department using appropriate methods of work, following appropriate training e.g. laparoscopic stacks
- Ensure beds, wheelchairs and trolleys are kept clean and ensure safe practice to minimise the risks of infection to patients and staff in accordance with national and Trust policy, in particular to be aware of their responsibilities as listed in the Infection Control Policy.
- Use a blood analyser machine, print out and deliver the results to the Anaesthetist or Anaesthetic Practitioner in the theatre room.
- Disposal of theatre scrub suits from the changing rooms.
- Cleaning theatre and assisting with general cleaning within the department, emptying hatchways to SSD as necessary.
- Lifting, moving and positioning patients on or between beds, trolleys and special tables under qualified supervision in theatres.
- Participation in the correct disposal of clinical/non-clinical waste in accordance with Trust policy.
- To act as a member of the theatre team by undertaking the circulating person role.
- To act as a nominated Fire Warden for the Department and undertake the duties annexed to the role after appropriate training.
- Be a role model and demonstrate the Trusts Values and Behaviours within the workplace.
- Actively participate and engage with Patient First Improvement System and the WHO 5 Steps to Safer Surgery.
- Participates in collection and entry of statistical information e.g the Theatre Management System.
- Responds to phone calls and refers as appropriate.
- Inputs data using computerised record system.
- Be aware of policies and comment on these if they feel it is necessary, commenting on changes in working practices.
- Ensure that sufficient stock levels are maintained of theatre equipment, this includes ordering and rotation of stock.
- After appropriate training, assists in the daily checking of resuscitation equipment, glucometer and haemocuereporting any malfunction to a senior practitioner in charge of the department.
For further information, please the attached Job Description and Person Specification.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Prepare own workspace including equipment required on a daily basis and plan their own day.
- Report any accidents or near misses to the appropriate manager and complete the appropriate incident/accident report forms.
- Appropriately raises concerns about compliance and competence of other staff members and students.
- Escort of pre-and post-operative patients on foot, by wheelchair, trolley, bed, or any other means necessary in a safe and appropriate manner to and from theatre.
- Assists other theatre staff with the individual care needs within the clinical area via the implementation and evaluation of planned care.
- After appropriate training and assessment undertake a range of basic observations and personal care detailed in individual skills inventory, under the supervision and direction of the supervising theatre staff.
- Records basic observations and reports those observations to the supervising theatre staff.
- Articulates concerns about the welfare/well-being of any patient to a registered practitioner immediately.
- Awareness of emergency procedures and how to activate them when needed.
- Maintains the privacy and dignity of carers.
- Assists in the transfer and positioning of anaesthetised patients e.g. trolley to table, according to local policy.
- The collection, delivery, disposal and when necessary the positioning of furniture, air/foam mattresses, linen, patient notes, pharmacy boxes, controlled drugs, specimens, blood products, post, clinical, anatomical waste and non-clinical waste, medical equipment and supplies, food and any other items, using appropriate methods of work as directed (this is not an exhaustive list).
- Collection and delivery of deceased patients to the mortuary in a dignified manner using an appropriate means of transport.
- Use the designated biometric blood tracking system ensuring the blood products are transported in the correct manner e.g. use of cool box for 2 units or more.
- The identification, movement and storage of medical gases as necessary ensuring adherence to strict regulations governing the handling of medical gases.
- Change medical gas cylinders within the Department using appropriate methods of work, following appropriate training e.g. laparoscopic stacks
- Ensure beds, wheelchairs and trolleys are kept clean and ensure safe practice to minimise the risks of infection to patients and staff in accordance with national and Trust policy, in particular to be aware of their responsibilities as listed in the Infection Control Policy.
- Use a blood analyser machine, print out and deliver the results to the Anaesthetist or Anaesthetic Practitioner in the theatre room.
- Disposal of theatre scrub suits from the changing rooms.
- Cleaning theatre and assisting with general cleaning within the department, emptying hatchways to SSD as necessary.
- Lifting, moving and positioning patients on or between beds, trolleys and special tables under qualified supervision in theatres.
- Participation in the correct disposal of clinical/non-clinical waste in accordance with Trust policy.
- To act as a member of the theatre team by undertaking the circulating person role.
- To act as a nominated Fire Warden for the Department and undertake the duties annexed to the role after appropriate training.
- Be a role model and demonstrate the Trusts Values and Behaviours within the workplace.
- Actively participate and engage with Patient First Improvement System and the WHO 5 Steps to Safer Surgery.
- Participates in collection and entry of statistical information e.g the Theatre Management System.
- Responds to phone calls and refers as appropriate.
- Inputs data using computerised record system.
- Be aware of policies and comment on these if they feel it is necessary, commenting on changes in working practices.
- Ensure that sufficient stock levels are maintained of theatre equipment, this includes ordering and rotation of stock.
- After appropriate training, assists in the daily checking of resuscitation equipment, glucometer and haemocuereporting any malfunction to a senior practitioner in charge of the department.
For further information, please the attached Job Description and Person Specification.
Person Specification
Experience/Competency
Essential
- Evidence of Maths and English
- Operating Theatre Experience
- Evidence of working in a surgical environment either ward or clinic
- Venepuncture
Desirable
- NVQ or equivalent
- Ability to multi task
- Able to work in a pressurise environment
- Sense of humour
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Person Specification
Experience/Competency
Essential
- Evidence of Maths and English
- Operating Theatre Experience
- Evidence of working in a surgical environment either ward or clinic
- Venepuncture
Desirable
- NVQ or equivalent
- Ability to multi task
- Able to work in a pressurise environment
- Sense of humour
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
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.
