Staff Nurse Theatres SSU

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refere to the full Job Description & Person Specification

To provide a high standard of individualised patient care reflecting individual competencies and education.

To ensure that care is evidence based and patient centred.

To assist senior staff in the management and organisation of the nursing service in the clinical area.

To provide high quality, research based, individualised patient care at all times.

To provide a problem solving approach to patient care.

To prepare the clinical environment to meet the requirements of the perioperative patients and anticipated workload, sometimes at short notice, including the emergency situation. This may involve specialist equipment and intra-operative drugs.

To act as the patients advocate and give psychological support to the patient e.g. whilst in the anaesthetic room, during local anaesthetic procedures.

To give assistance to the anaesthetist and/or the Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) whilst in the anaesthetic room e.g. the application of monitoring equipment and the positioning of the patient.

To ensure and assist with the safe preparation of patients for operative/clinical procedures e.g. safe transfer and positioning of patients on the operating table, holding of limbs during skin preparation and draping, work with anaesthetist/ODP as and when required.

To assist in the control of cross infection by adhering to departmental policy regarding dress, the maintenance of a clean working environment, decontamination and sterilisation procedures and asepsis.

Provide assistance in operative/clinical procedures as a scrub nurse assisting the surgeon and as a circulating nurse assisting the scrub team. Also taking action additional to own work role, where appropriate.

Provide immediate post-operative care.

Provide initial emergency care.

Provide help and assistance in the Day Surgery Theatres, if required.

Managerial

To be aware of the theatre budget in order to achieve a safe and cost-effective service, effectively utilising allocated resources appropriately.

To maintain clinical and managerial records in accordance with current guidelines.

To comply with Health and Safety, Infection Control and COSHH Regulations and to correctly follow the Trust policies and procedures.

To effectively communicate with all members of the appropriate theatre team, wards and other departments.

To report incidents and accidents according to Trust policy.

To maintain high standards of personal and professional conduct and performance.

To contribute in the clinical governance and quality activity in conjunction with the sister/charge nurse including:

o Maintaining accurate documentation

o Incident reporting and preparation of accurate statements as required

o Undertaking audits

o Participating in research

o Understanding the complaints procedure

o Practice Development

To set an example of professional work and behaviour and may be required to take charge of a designated area as part of an on-going experience in a learning situation.

To be required to use computer systems purchased by the Trust providing appropriate training has been given.

Teaching, Training and Research

To communicate regularly with the Theatre Perioperative Practice Educator, particularly in regard to clinical placements and other continuous development opportunities.

To attend appropriate professional updates and ensure knowledge gained from study is shared within the team.

To act as a second mentor and participate in teaching pre-registration students, Healthcare Assistants and supporting National Vocational Qualifications as required, ensuring they are given adequate supervision and support.

To continue to develop clinical and professional knowledge and be aware of own training needs.

Contribute towards departmental teaching sessions and assist the Perioperative Practice Educator in producing teaching resource files.

Professional

To maintain and develop ones own professional knowledge and expertise to meet PREP and the jobs requirements.

To actively share knowledge and expertise and contribute to the Trust as a whole.

To accept appropriate responsibilities to enhance level of practice and professional development.

To reflect as a practitioner, learning from experience and to promote reflective practices within the theatre department.

To participate within the NMC Code of Professional Conduct at all times.

To contribute to the development of the profession within the Trust, participating in projects, committees and meeting as agreed.

General

The Royal Surrey County Hospital is a dynamic organisation, consequently in discussion with the post holder; this job description may be altered from time to time.

Special Responsibilities

To abide by the NMC Code of Professional Conduct for the Nurse and ensure safe practice.

As a registered nurse or midwife, you are personally accountable for your practice.

In caring for patients and clients you must:

• Respect the patient or client as an individual
• Obtain consent before you give any treatment or care
• Protect confidential information
• Co-operate with others in the team
• Maintain your professional knowledge and competence
• Be trustworthy
• Act to identify and minimise risk to patients and clients

These are the shared values of all the United Kingdom health care regulatory bodies.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Operating Theatre experience
• Demonstrates professional awareness and knowledge

Desirable

• Understanding of current issues in Acute NHS setting
• Consolidation of Nurse Training
• Can demonstrate up-to-date clinical credibility/competence
• Knowledge of clinical governance issues, such as complaints handling, clinical risk management

Qualifications

Essential

• RGN
• Degree/Diploma or evidence of equivalent experience

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Royal Surrey County Hospital

Egerton Road

Guildford

GU2 7XX

Employer's website

https://www.royalsurrey.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)