Team Leader Anaesthetics & Recovery Theatres, KTC

Job responsibilities

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Patients, Theatre Personnel, Anaesthetists, Surgical Teams, Ward Staff

External: Visitors to theatres, Relatives, Ward personnel, Housekeeping, Portering and Estates Teams

Liaises With: Patients, Theatre Personnel, Anaesthetists, Surgical Teams, Ward Staff

Risk Assessment: This post involves manual handling activities, a risk of exposure to bodily fluids and chemicals on a frequent basis and will involve using Display Screen Equipment (DSE). Individuals will be required to concentrate for cumulative periods of time during their shift where the work pattern is largely predictable. However, there is also a requirement to work under pressure in emergency situations which may include prolonged concentration and exposure to circumstances of a distressing and emotional nature.

Job Purpose:

Provides effective leadership for a multidisciplinary team (MDT) to safeguard standards of care and professional practice, this includes delegating work activities, providing supervision and supporting the development of individuals.

Responsible for the management and coordination of activities within a delegated area to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of patient care in line with nationally recognised standards and the Trust 4ward behaviours.

Collaborates with the Speciality Manager to deliver the ambitions of the speciality, department and the wider organisation, this includes assuming the responsibilities and duties of the Speciality Manager in their absence.

To work as a member of the multidisciplinary team, undertaking a range of clinical and non-clinical activities, promoting the safe delivery of high quality, individualised, compassionate patient care within the perioperative environment.

Utilising an evidence based approach to assess, plan, implement and evaluate programmes of patient care, practicing autonomously and in accordance with the standards and expectations of professional regulatory bodies (e.g. NMC/HCPC) and the Trust.

Carries out Key Duties by utilising appropriate and clearly defined policies, procedures and professional guidelines.

Key Duties Clinical Practice

Utilise up to date professional knowledge, best practice evidence/guidance, professional standards, legislation and organisational policies to undertake a range of clinical duties within the perioperative setting, in accordance with individual scope of practice.

Ability to recognise and respond to situations which may be detrimental to the health and wellbeing of patients. Is able to assess and respond to the deteriorating patient by utilising appropriate methods as well as escalating concerns appropriately/seeking expert help.

Advocates for all patients within the perioperative environment by acknowledging personal preferences and by utilising professional judgement to ensure the delivery of individualised, patient focused care.

Responsible for ensuring the personal care and comfort of patients, maintaining safety, dignity and privacy at all times.

Facilitate effective and positive communication with patients, relatives and carers, colleagues and other visitors to the department. This may involve communicating complex and sensitive information which requires empathic and reassuring skills and a multi modal approach where there are barriers to understanding (e.g. due to age, disability, cultural or language differences).

Provide effective handover of patient care between healthcare professionals and multi-disciplinary teams, utilising communication methods/tools recognised by the Trust (e.g. SBAR).

Maintains accurate and up to date patient and departmental records by utilising patient administration systems and completing relevant documentation.

Ensures the safe and secure handling, storage and administration of medicine products by adhering to the responsibilities set out in the Trust Medicines policy, relevant standard operating procedures and the expectations of regulatory bodies.

Responsible for moving and positioning both conscious and unconscious patients in preparation for surgery or treatment as well as a frequent requirement to demonstrate physical effort when actively delivering clinical care (e.g. standing at the operating table/maintaining restricted positions required for the delivery of care).

Utilises highly developed physical skills to prepare clinical equipment in preparation for the delivery of patient care (e.g. instrumentation, clinical consumables).

Responsible for the safe use of clinical and non-clinical equipment, in line with scope of practice, training and Trust policies, reporting any faults to the Team Leader, Theatre Coordinator or other departments as required.

Contribute to the preparation and maintenance of the clinical area, including the removal of clinical waste/linen, the appropriate cleaning of equipment/environment and the maintenance and management of stock/supplies, in accordance with relevant Trust policies (e.g. Infection, Prevention and Control, Health and Safety Policy).

Undertakes the role/duties of a Practitioner with extended skills (e.g. Surgical First Assistant) in accordance with relevant Trust policies and/or national recognised standards, duties and expectations, subject to individual scope of practice which is determined by the completion of an appropriate programme of study and achievement of competencies.

Key Duties Leadership, Development and Trust/Professional Expectations

Coordinates perioperative activities within a delegated area to ensure the efficient, effective and safe delivery of patient care, including delegating work activities, leading the multidisciplinary team and liaising with other healthcare professionals.

To assist with the management of individual staff performance, including personal appraisal/personal development planning and absence management.

Supports the Speciality Manager to develop service improvement plans and implement change.

Contributes to the development and delivery of service improvement and quality initiatives to enhance standards of care, clinical outcomes and Trust performance, including the setting of clinical standards and the development of standard operating procedures.

Reviews and monitors standards of care by undertaking regular audit activities relevant to the perioperative environment; reports findings to the Speciality Manager and supports the development of improvement actions.

Promotes the use of nationally recognised tools/standards to ensure the delivery of safe, high quality perioperative care (e.g. WHO surgical safety checklist).

Participates in Clinical Governance activities, such as the identification, assessment and management of clinical risk and the immediate reporting and investigation of incidents, accidents and complaints.

Understands the developmental requirements of roles within the department and provides opportunities for others to enhance knowledge through the delivery of education, training and supervision; this includes mentoring/supporting staff, students and other Health Care Professionals.

Supports the development of workforce plans and the recruitment of Theatre personnel.

Acts in a manner which promotes positive working relationships and maintains the professional image of the Trust

Understands, demonstrates and positively promotes 4ward behaviours which support the Trusts ambition to deliver sustained performance and quality improvements

Undertakes Continuous Professional Development commensurate to role and scope of practice, including maintaining a professional portfolio which supports revalidation/re-registration and undertaking all necessary mandatory and role specific training

Maintains a broad knowledge of current health and perioperative related issues, news and information

Participates in own appraisals and personal development reviews demonstrating a commitment to achieve agreed objectives

Contributes to and promotes the continual improvement of patient care through active participation in clinical audit, research/development and other departmental activities, such as team meetings and training sessions.

Maintains a safe environment for patients and staff by complying with Trust Policies and Procedures, as well as professional and regulatory expectations/standards

General duties:

Participates in the on-call rota or out of hours duties as required for emergency surgery

Performs other duties as directed by senior theatre personnel, commensurate to scope of practice

Provides short-term cover for colleagues during periods of absence

Adheres to the Trusts IT policies regarding email and internet usage

Is aware of and complies with the Data Protection Act 1998

Ensure that all Trust standards are maintained and monitored to improve the quality of care to all whom come into contact with services provided by this Trust

Every employee has a duty to take care of the health and safety of him / herself and of other persons who may be affected by his / her acts or omissions at work and to cooperate with the trust to ensure that statutory and trust regulations are complied with

Equality and Diversity

The Trust promotes policies and practices that challenge discrimination, promote equality, respect individual needs, preferences and choices, and protects human rights. The Trust has a clear commitment to equality for all in employment practices based on an applicants ability, skills and aptitude for the post. A range of equality & diversity policy initiatives are in place and all successful applicants are expected to familiarise themselves with these. It is therefore the duty of every employee to comply with the detail and spirit of these policies and the law at all times.

Dignity

All employees must treat each person as an individual, offering a personalised service respecting peoples dignity and modesty at all times.

Please refer to full Job Description attached.

Other Job Requirements

Essential

• Ability to work a varied shift pattern including late shifts, nights, weekends and on-call if required.
• Is able to work flexibly to meet the needs of the department, including a willingness to work in other clinical areas, including at other sites when required.

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse/Operating Department Practitioner with current/active registration with NMC/HCPC
• Mentoring/Coaching qualification or willingness to undertake

Desirable

• Leadership and Management qualification/training
• Surgical First Assistant Qualification/Competencies or willingness to undertake
• Other relevant postgraduate/extended role qualifications/competencies (relevant to scope of practice) or willingness to undertake

Experience

Essential

• Comprehensive and relevant clinical/perioperative experience, including knowledge of the day to day management and activities of a theatre suite.
• Demonstrable experience of leading a team within the perioperative environment, including the delegation and coordination of relevant activities.
• Experience of developing members of the perioperative team, including providing clinical supervision and mentoring students/trainees.
• Evidence of post registration learning/continued professional development activities.

Desirable

• Experience of undertaking Leadership and Management activities (e.g. human resource management, change management, service development, financial management etc.)
• Experience of developing standards of care, policies and procedures.

Professional Qualities

Essential

• Demonstrates professional, role model behaviours which contribute to the Trusts 4ward initiative and quality improvement programmes
• Demonstrates confidence and is assertive when managing difficult/complex situations
• Demonstrates motivation and enthusiasm for area of practice and for the delivery of high quality, patient focused care
• Punctual and reliable
• Proactive and dynamic
• Honest and trustworthy

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Understands clinical governance activities and their contribution to patient safety, clinical outcomes and quality improvement (e.g. Risk, Incident reporting/investigation)
• Understands the importance of monitoring and improving standards of care through audit and associated quality improvement strategies.
• Demonstrates an ability to problem solve by utilising negotiation, persuasion and influencing skills
• Understands the Trust 4ward programme and is able to motivate teams to demonstrate 4ward behaviours and achieve shared goals
• Understands and analyses information to aid decision making
• Understands and complies with the standards and expectations of professional regulatory bodies (NMC/HCPC/CQC) and the Trust
• Ability to practice autonomously, applying evidence based practice to undertake a range of clinical skills relevant to scope of practice/training/registration
• Understands relevant anatomy and physiology sufficient to support the delivery of perioperative care
• Demonstrates attention to detail (e.g. accurate literacy/numeracy skills/ the ability to correctly calculate drug doses)
• Ability to communicate with a wide range of people using a multi-modal approach
• Understands the contribution and responsibilities of the multi-disciplinary team and is able to lead the team to work cohesively in the interests of the patient
• Understands and adopts risk management, health and safety and Infection Prevention and Control principles to contribute to the patient safety agenda
• Demonstrates an awareness of current issues in healthcare
• Ability to utilise IT systems to accurately record information
• Demonstrates a commitment to personal and professional development in the perioperative care setting
• Demonstrates skills in the planning and prioritisation of workload

Desirable

• Has an awareness of current NHS financial issues and is able to support the delivery of cost effective improvement initiatives in the execution of their role
• Has an awareness of Leadership and Management activities (e.g. human resource management, change management, service development, financial management etc

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.

UK Registration

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