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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Clinical responsibilities:

Gives and maintains a high standard of patient care at all times, ensuring the dignity and self-esteem of the patient is preserved.

Assists in maintaining a safe environment for patients and staff as required by the Theatre Policies and Procedures, the Health and Safety at Work Act and COSHH Regulations.

Chaperons patients whilst in the Anaesthetic Room, reporting on observations made of the patient in any change of condition, to the nurse in charge of the operating list.

Assisting in the maintenance of stock levels as well as assisting with the ordering of individual stock items needed for individual theatres. Reporting any discrepancies

Ensuring that packs are not damaged, correctly distributed and rotated thus preventing out-of-date packs being used.

Ensures that the whole department has sufficient supply of materials including sterile consumables stocks and instruments, reporting any deficiencies.

Check delivery of stores and linen.

Participate in circulating duties in accordance with Theatre  Policy and Procedures.

Undertake the duties of cleaning and preparation of the theatre suite.

Participate in the handling of specimens in accordance with theatre Policies and Procedures.

Gives assistance to newly appointed staff as guided by a Registered Practitioner.

To be involved in the preparation and planning of theatre lists on a day to day basis, ensuring that the correct equipment is available.

Liaise with other departments to ensure that ongoing equipment will be available .

Ensure environment is conducive to patient safety and comfort,

Assist in the cleaning of the environment, including patient trolleys and theatre equipment.

Assist with unpacking and correctly storing all medical/surgical goods coming into the department .

Disposal of dirty linen, suction liners and clinical waste, including sharps boxes, to the clinical waste room.

Replenish linen as and when required.

Collect medicines/drugs from pharmacy and ensure safe and secure transport to all areas of theatre as required. 

Ensure the availability at all times of an adequate supply of medical gas cylinders as per policy.

Ensure safe transportation of patients both to and from the department.

The safe handling of waste products in relation to personal protection as regards the threat of injury from sharps .

Retrieve blood from blood fridge and be trained and competent in use of T bars system in relation to blood fridge .

Document patient information on the theatre computer and paper / completed Documentation in accordance to instruction and guidance of the registered practitioners of  when performing circulating duties.

Report any defects in the building or fixtures and fittings to the Coordinator and document them in the fault file.

Assist the Decontamination Co-ordinator in providing an effective  T.S.S.U Service if required.

Patient Care:

Undertake practical patient care and respect the patient’s right to privacy, dignity and confidentiality at all times.

Have an understanding of the patient’s individual needs.

Assist with the positioning of patients, onto trolleys or theatre tables, ensuring the patients comfort and safety during operative procedures taking into account each individual patient problem, eg. stiff/arthritic limbs, which may make positioning difficult.

Assist in the preparation of theatre for an operating list ensuring that all necessary resources are available; report to person in charge any problems before the list start.

Assist theatre staff in circulating duties within the boundaries of the job role.

Act as a member of the team- to assist and anticipate the needs of the  “scrub practitioner” ie. As a runner for instruments, sutures, dressings, disposal. Account for swabs and blood loss as one of the staff performing the theatre count.

Ensure that agreed Standard Operating Policies and standards for theatre and protocols pertaining to the delivery of patient care in the operating department are adhered to.

Ensure that records of patient care are accurately recorded .

Use equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and report any faults immediately.

Assist theatre staff in the handling of specimens according to departmental Standard  Operating Policies and standards.

Assist with the handling and safe transfer of specimens to the relevant Pathology service and replenish sample pots.

Assist the staff in the transfer of the clean and contaminated Instruments.  Assist in  cleaning up and  the disposal  of contaminated waste in accordance to COSHH, and Trust policies and procedures.

Please see attached job description