Senior Theatre Scrub Nurse

Job responsibilities

To contribute to the maintenance of patient care standards and to assist with the implementation of changes to care delivery systems, methods and practice in order to bring about improvements in the quality of care

To contribute to the development and implementation of professional standards which reflect customer requirements and best practice

Carry out planned care for a group of patients without direct supervision providing individualised patient care

Provide professional leadership, advice and guidance within the team, working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team

Maintain accurate and contemporaneous patient records in line with professional standards

Have responsibility for the administration and custody of medicines in line with SPH policy and professional standards

Assist in the maintenance of professional standards, highlighting to the line manager when standards are not seen to be met

Undertake practice assessments competently

Maintain accurate clinical observations of the patient and act accordingly on findings

Act as the patient advocate

Be clinically competent in all areas of advanced practice relevant to the post

Ensure own professional knowledge is continuously updated

Work with the teams to attain and maintain a CQC rating of Good or Outstanding

You will play a pivotal role in ensuring the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred care and maintaining professional standards within the theatre setting. This is an exciting opportunity for a compassionate, forward-thinking, experienced clinician who is ready to be part of a skilled team, with a family atmosphere.

Key recommendations to ensure safe surgical practice.

The role of the theatre scrub, recovery, anaesthetic practitioner should be undertaken by someone who has successfully completed a validated university programme of study that meets the nationally recognised standards underpinning the knowledge and skills required for the role.

Theatre Scrub, Recovery, Anaesthetic Practitioners must ensure that they have appropriate indemnity cover.

The Theatre Scrub, Recovery, Anaesthetic Practitioner scope of practice may be extended in line with service need

The Theatre Scrub, Recovery, Anaesthetic Practitioner s name and designation must be recorded within the perioperative documentation.

The practitioner acting as Scrub Practitioner must be focused upon the management of the intraoperative care required by the patient and therefore must not assume the additional duties such as that of the SFA.

The practitioner acting as Scrub Practitioner must be focused upon the management of the intraoperative care required by the patient and therefore must not assume the additional duties such as that of the SFA.

In the event, that an employer considers that a dual role is required in minor surgery, then this must only be undertaken by a registered practitioner and the decision should be endorsed by a policy that fully supports this practice and should also be based on a risk assessment of each situation to ensure patient safety.

The policy and risk assessment should identify the skills, knowledge and competencies required and the category of surgery and situations for which the employing organisation determines the dual role as acceptable. If this is not in place, as part of an effective clinical governance framework, then scrub practitioners must NOT undertake SFA duties in a dual role.

Personal/Professional Development

To take every reasonable opportunity to maintain and improve your professional knowledge and competence

To participate in personal objective setting and review, including the creation of a personal development plan and the Trusts appraisal process.

Financial

Monitoring and maintaining stock levels. Report any deficiency to the Theatre Manager as appropriate.

Participates in effective resource management for example, staffing rotas, maintaining stock levels

Business Development

To propose and assist in the implementation of new ideas and procedures.

To implement and develop research-based nursing care, adhering to Spencer Private Hospitals Policies and Procedures

Quality

Assess patient care needs by planning, implementing and evaluating programmes of care within a multi-disciplinary team.

Completes the Perioperative Care Plan

Adheres to pharmaceutical codes of practice to include preparation, custody, ordering and documentation relating to controlled and prescribed drugs, as professionally qualified to do so

To adhere to professional codes of practice and to maintain active status on the relevant professional register

Carry out daily preparation and maintenance of complex medical equipment e.g. anaesthetic, life support, surgical items and complete the appropriate documentation. Identify and report faults to senior staff

Participate, provide support and resuscitation skills as a member of the resuscitation team. Organise and deliver patient care and equipment during inter-department and inter-hospital patient transfers

To liaise with colleagues, medical staff and other agencies to ensure the timely delivery of prescribed patient care

Provide emergency theatre cover during major incidents when either on duty or called in from home

Facilitate the delivery of surgical procedures, including positioning of patients for surgery. Ensure the correct labelling and recording of specimens. Act as the circulating person in the support of the surgical team. Perform patient and environmental safety checks

Act as the scrub person in the surgical team with responsibility for providing the required range of sterile instruments and implants. Conduct safety checks of swabs/needles/instruments, in accordance with clinical guidelines. Complete the appropriate documentation

Participates in the delivery of the Governance agenda. Reports actual and near miss incidents promptly and appropriately. Takes effective action to minimize risk

To monitor patient condition for any adverse reactions and act upon appropriately

Take all necessary precautions to protect self and others from contamination from body fluids, infectious materials and toxic substances encountered during daily practice and a working knowledge of infection control

To recognise and report abnormal clinical situations and report them to the Theatre Manager

To keep his or her knowledge updated about the procedures to be adopted in the event of fire, untoward incidents, major incidents, accidents and faulty equipment

To actively demonstrate an up to date knowledge of current clinical practice.

Skills

Essential

• Leadership, interpersonal and organisational skills.
• Good working knowledge of Word/Excel/Outlook.
• Effective oral and written skills.
• Ability to work as member of a team.
• Dealing with emergency situations within operating theatre department.
• Highly developed physical/clinical skills where accuracy is important.
• Checking patients documentation.

Experience

Essential

• Ability to assess, plan and evaluate patient care.
• Knowledge of research and evidence-based practice
• Catalyst for change
• Teaching and assessing/mentorship, or willing to undertake.
• Knowledge of CQC.
• Provide highly specialised emergency knowledge.
• Orthopaedic, general, gynae, urology, ENT surgeries.
• Minimally invasive procedures.
• Laser applications

Desirable

• Multiskilling - demonstrate competency in recovery and
• Endoscopy.
• Post registration theatre experience in private sector dealing with children, adults.

Other

Essential

• Manual handling of patients and manoeuvring heavy instrumentation and equipment.
• Frequent unpleasant working conditions; contact with body fluids, foul linen daily.
• Daily contact with substances hazardous to health.
• Flexible to needs of the business.

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse or Operating Department Practitioner.
• NMC/HPC Registered

Desirable

• Mentorship or equivalent

Personal Attributes

Essential

• Remain alert and focused for long periods of time.
• Long periods of peri-operative concentration.
• Occasional demands and interruptions.

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).