Job summary
The Advanced Theatre Scrub Practitioner will act as first assistant to the surgeon, with autonomy in suturing. They will participate and assist in operative procedures and with pre and post-operative care as required. The Advanced Theatre Scrub Practitioner will be expected to demonstrate a competent level of knowledge within the specialist field and always work within predetermined areas of competence in accordance with the NMC or HPC code of conduct and scope of professional practice. S/he will practice within the limits of Trust policies and guidelines. S/he will be expected to maintain a high level of skill and professionalism and develop a portfolio of evidence to support application of RCS Accreditation.
Main duties of the job
Assist with surgical procedures in theatre as part of the multi-disciplinary team for the surgical speciality under the supervision or direction of the consultant surgeon, including suturing, supervised diathermy use and incision making and undertake specific surgical intervention.-
- Act as first or second assistant under the direction of the supervising consultant
- Assist with the preparation of patients for surgery including male and female catheterisation and patient positioning and preparation
- Contribute to the clinical post-operative care, including wound assessment, initial treatment and detection of surgical problems
- Provide information and advice to management and theatre personnel on specialised surgical procedures and equipment.
- Act as a formal link between surgical and theatre personnel for co-ordination of theatre usage and effectiveness.
- To be responsible for timely, accurate and complete records both manually and electronically ensuring safety and confidentiality of information and any hospital and statutory requirement are met.
The post holder is responsible the provision of a high quality patient focused service, as a skilled member of the Operating Department team, based on the assessment of patient's needs. To supervise and support the teams and provide an effective and efficient service to Clinicians and other support staff. Deputise for the Team Manager/Team Leader as required.
About us
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) King's Lynn is West Norfolk has a superb unspoilt coastline with pretty villages, all with their own individual charm. The medieval port of King's Lynn has some very interesting architecture.
We provide a comprehensive range of specialist and general acute services to around 331,000 people across West and North Norfolk, in addition to parts of Breckland, Cambridgeshire and South Lincolnshire. We have more than 4,000 staff and volunteers and approximately 500 beds on a single site. Some specialist services and clinics are provided in community facilities, such as the North Cambridgeshire hospital in Wisbech. We work in partnership with neighbouring hospitals for the provision of tertiary services.
In February 2022 the QEH the Care Quality Commission rated the Trust as 'Good' in all of the core services they inspected, and recommended the Trust moves out of the recovery support system (formerly special measures).
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further details about this vacancy please see attached Job Description and Person Specification.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For further details about this vacancy please see attached Job Description and Person Specification.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree qualification or evidence of working at degree level
- First level registered nurse or registered Operating Department Practitioner
- Current registration with either NMC or HCPC
- Completion of a validated, university accredited, Surgical First Assistant programme
- Evidence of post registration CPD in the role of Surgical First Assistant/Surgical First Assistant with extended scope of practice
- Teaching / Assessing / Mentorship qualification
Experience
Essential
- Experience at Senior Theatre Practitioner/ Band 6
- Substantial experience in the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of perioperative care, using an evidence-based approach
- Evidence of recent experience as a Surgical First Assistant / ability to demonstrate specialist knowledge / competence to undertake Surgical First Assistant role
- Experience of auditing standards of care and suggesting / developing corrective actions across the perioperative environment
- Evidence of supporting colleagues / mentoring learners / facilitating learning within the perioperative environment
- Evidence of supervising junior staff
Skills
Essential
- Maintain up to date knowledge of relevant local and national guidance / perioperative standards.
- Ability to develop audit programmes to support improvements in practice, particularly in the surgical setting.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree qualification or evidence of working at degree level
- First level registered nurse or registered Operating Department Practitioner
- Current registration with either NMC or HCPC
- Completion of a validated, university accredited, Surgical First Assistant programme
- Evidence of post registration CPD in the role of Surgical First Assistant/Surgical First Assistant with extended scope of practice
- Teaching / Assessing / Mentorship qualification
Experience
Essential
- Experience at Senior Theatre Practitioner/ Band 6
- Substantial experience in the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of perioperative care, using an evidence-based approach
- Evidence of recent experience as a Surgical First Assistant / ability to demonstrate specialist knowledge / competence to undertake Surgical First Assistant role
- Experience of auditing standards of care and suggesting / developing corrective actions across the perioperative environment
- Evidence of supporting colleagues / mentoring learners / facilitating learning within the perioperative environment
- Evidence of supervising junior staff
Skills
Essential
- Maintain up to date knowledge of relevant local and national guidance / perioperative standards.
- Ability to develop audit programmes to support improvements in practice, particularly in the surgical setting.
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
