Job summary
As a theatre team we aim to provide outstanding care to all patients requiring surgery in the East Kent Area. We provide services for elective surgery and 34-hour cover for any emergency surgery required.
The role of the Senior Theatre Practitioner is to support the Theatre Coordinators in providing outstanding and efficient care to the patients of East Kent, and to lead theatre teams to ensure the care they provide is safe and effective.
Main duties of the job
To manage a complex agenda of providing hands on care as well as undertaking a leadership role on the department.
To maintain credibility and flexibility as a competent practitioner in every changing environment, while continuing to develop professionally in line with the demands of a responsive service focused on the needs of patients. To provide support and assistance to the Theatre Coordinator and Matron to provide a quality service within your area, with forward thinking, autonomous practitioners, managed within the financial and organisational envelope of East Kent Hospitals NHS University Foundation Trust.
We confirm the details of the above post as presented are correct. This is a description of the duties of the post as it is at present. This is not intended to be exhaustive. The job will be reviewed on a regular basis in order to ensure that the duties meet the requirements of the service and to make any necessary changes.
About us
We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is 'great healthcare from great people'. Everything we do is guided by our values: 'People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference'. We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called 'We care'. It's about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day-to-day. We're looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.
Applications for this role should be written by the applicant. If artificial intelligence (AI) programmes are used then the application may be rejected due to this document being an important part of the assessment process. This does not prevent applicants seeking appropriate support with applications should they need to for the purposes of any declared disability.
Please note that if you require a Certificate of Sponsorship to work in the UK you must declare this on your application form, even if you currently have a certificate of sponsorship or a work permit for another role and are already working in the country. Please note we are only able to sponsor candidates on a Skilled Worker Visa applying for roles Band 5 and above.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Leadership - Managerial Duties
- To support and assist the Theatre Coordinator to provide continuing responsibility for the department.
- Ensure staff competence for clinical practice procedures, using Trust competency framework, including appropriate underpinning knowledge and practical skill.
- To support and assist the Theatre Coordinator to monitor performance and manage the theatre staff in areas of responsibility, ensuring all employment records are locally maintained and current in the absence of the Theatre Coordinator.
- To support and assist the Theatre Coordinator to monitor performance and manage the theatre staff in areas of responsibility, ensuring all employment records are locally maintained and current in the absence of the Theatre Coordinator.
- To support and assist the Theatre Coordinator to ensure that the staff update mandatory training in line with Trust guidelines.
- Maintain accurate staff records regarding annual leave, sickness and absence.
- Represent the department at Trust wide forums and interagency meetings, deputising for the Theatre Coordinator when required.
- Actively take part in and support Care Group initiatives and issues.
Clinical and Professional Leadership
- Use clinical skills and knowledge to provide specialist advice and support to peer group staff, patients and relatives.
- Act as a clinical expert and positive role model for all staff.
- Provide professional leadership, advice and guidance to theatre practitioners and non-theatre staff, within the theatre environment and foster collaborative partnerships with other disciplines.
- Lead and develop the supervision and management of clinical nursing practice within area of responsibility to ensure safe and effective holistic evidence-based care.
- Lead in the development of clinical standards ensuring these are set, embedded and monitored in accordance with the needs of the service in conjunction with the Theatre Coordinator.
- Liaise with the multidisciplinary team in planning patient care, implementing measures to improve the patient pathway.
- To deliver nursing care of the highest possible standard to patients in your care by ensuring that nursing assessment, implementation and evaluation of patient care are undertaken competently by all staff.
- Lead and facilitate decision making within the department and the development and implementation of department objectives.
Patient Safety and Quality Improvement
- Support the Theatre Coordinator to maintain a 24 hour continuing responsibility for professional, policy and procedural practice to ensure the continuance of best practice in your area during your absence.
- Support the Theatre Coordinator in implementing Productive Theatre to increase the time spent on direct care.
- Participate in audit and research programmes appropriate to the advancement of the nursing service as identified and initiated by the Matron for your area.
- Act and lead on designated areas for improvement.
- With senior staff, identify and minimise clinical and non-clinical risk issues reporting to the Theatre Coordinator and other senior staff.
- Implementation of action plans to address areas which fall below acceptable standards.
- Ensure that all quality initiatives within the nursing environment are adhered to and that the highest standards of care are maintained at all times.
- To always act in a professional manner in accordance with the NMC/ HPC guidelines. Safe, efficient and effective administration of medicines in accordance with the NMC/ HPC guidelines.
- Ensure that accurate and legible patient records are kept in line with professional and legal requirements.
- Promote and maintain effective working relationships and communications with Consultants, medical staff, nurse colleagues and other multiagency professionals.
Infection Prevention and Control
- Ensure staff standard of dress and appearance promotes patient and public confidence in Infection Prevention and Control practice for the department.
- To support the Theatre Coordinator achieve a department culture of cleanliness and compliance with best practice in Infection Prevention and Control, promoting zero tolerance to avoidable infection.
- Ensure all clinical areas have consistent access to alcohol hand rub.
- Contribute to the Implement Care Group Key Performance Indicator Targets as appropriate to area.
- Ensure that relevant audits are completed by each clinical area in line with the Trust's annual programme for Infection Prevention and Control.
- Contribute to development of action plans and support implementation following the annual Environmental Infection Control audits.
- Implement service changes following adverse incidents/ root cause analysis.
- Support the Theatre Coordinator in implementing and support the Infection Prevention and Control Link Worker role with emphasis on ensuring hand hygiene training and assessment of competency.
Patient Experience
- Act as the patient's advocate and ensure the advocacy role is understood by all staff.
- Ensure that privacy and dignity of patients is maintained at all times and to work to minimising mixing of male and female patients and sharing of toilet facilities and mixed sex areas.
- To ensure that learning from complaints is evidenced and actioned within the department.
- Ensure that complaints are resolved by local resolution where possible.
- Contribute to formal complaint investigations, written responses and attendance of complaint meetings.
Developing the Workforce
- Conduct management of short and long-term sickness in accordance with Trust policy in absence of the Theatre Coordinator.
- Support Theatre Coordinator in ensuring a system if annual appraisal for all ward staff, setting appropriate performance objectives in line with Care Group and Trust objectives; expected performance of 100%.
- Ensure an effective learning environment for all staff. Ensure effective mentorship support for students and preceptor support for preceptees.
- To contribute and lead on the implementation of site based seminars to raise awareness and develop skills in practice for theatre staff.
- Participate in the development and delivery of appropriate training materials/ programmes to promote professional development.
- Contribute to the clinical supervision and support process and facilitate the development of reflective practice.
Clinical Governance
- Ensure adherence to the Clinical Governance Framework for nursing by ensuring appropriate policies, protocols and guidelines are in place to support practice.
- Production, updating the department-based risk register.
- Report, investigate and act upon complaints and adverse incidents in line with Care Group and Trust policies. Collating themes and identification of learning points for the department and Care Group.
- Where there are areas of concern, ensure these are escalated appropriately identifying a clear reason for escalation.
- Monitor and report clinical competency profile of staff including clinical skills ad use of equipment.
- Support Theatre Coordinator in ensuring all staff complete mandatory training updates with an aim to achieving 100% compliance.
Personal Development
- To identify own personal development needs and maintain the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the role effectively.
- Complete competencies that demonstrate the ability to perform within sphere of practice e.g. assist surgeon cutting sutures, holding camera or other relevant clinical skills.
- To participate in an annual appraisal with relevant reviews and to follow personal development plan as agreed with line manager.
- To ensure that all staff have a yearly appraisal.
- To keep updated of current professional issues and maintain the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the role effectively.
- Develop and maintain a professional portfolio.
- Ensure compliance with professional expectations as outlines in the NMC/ HPC Code of Professional Conduct.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Leadership - Managerial Duties
- To support and assist the Theatre Coordinator to provide continuing responsibility for the department.
- Ensure staff competence for clinical practice procedures, using Trust competency framework, including appropriate underpinning knowledge and practical skill.
- To support and assist the Theatre Coordinator to monitor performance and manage the theatre staff in areas of responsibility, ensuring all employment records are locally maintained and current in the absence of the Theatre Coordinator.
- To support and assist the Theatre Coordinator to monitor performance and manage the theatre staff in areas of responsibility, ensuring all employment records are locally maintained and current in the absence of the Theatre Coordinator.
- To support and assist the Theatre Coordinator to ensure that the staff update mandatory training in line with Trust guidelines.
- Maintain accurate staff records regarding annual leave, sickness and absence.
- Represent the department at Trust wide forums and interagency meetings, deputising for the Theatre Coordinator when required.
- Actively take part in and support Care Group initiatives and issues.
Clinical and Professional Leadership
- Use clinical skills and knowledge to provide specialist advice and support to peer group staff, patients and relatives.
- Act as a clinical expert and positive role model for all staff.
- Provide professional leadership, advice and guidance to theatre practitioners and non-theatre staff, within the theatre environment and foster collaborative partnerships with other disciplines.
- Lead and develop the supervision and management of clinical nursing practice within area of responsibility to ensure safe and effective holistic evidence-based care.
- Lead in the development of clinical standards ensuring these are set, embedded and monitored in accordance with the needs of the service in conjunction with the Theatre Coordinator.
- Liaise with the multidisciplinary team in planning patient care, implementing measures to improve the patient pathway.
- To deliver nursing care of the highest possible standard to patients in your care by ensuring that nursing assessment, implementation and evaluation of patient care are undertaken competently by all staff.
- Lead and facilitate decision making within the department and the development and implementation of department objectives.
Patient Safety and Quality Improvement
- Support the Theatre Coordinator to maintain a 24 hour continuing responsibility for professional, policy and procedural practice to ensure the continuance of best practice in your area during your absence.
- Support the Theatre Coordinator in implementing Productive Theatre to increase the time spent on direct care.
- Participate in audit and research programmes appropriate to the advancement of the nursing service as identified and initiated by the Matron for your area.
- Act and lead on designated areas for improvement.
- With senior staff, identify and minimise clinical and non-clinical risk issues reporting to the Theatre Coordinator and other senior staff.
- Implementation of action plans to address areas which fall below acceptable standards.
- Ensure that all quality initiatives within the nursing environment are adhered to and that the highest standards of care are maintained at all times.
- To always act in a professional manner in accordance with the NMC/ HPC guidelines. Safe, efficient and effective administration of medicines in accordance with the NMC/ HPC guidelines.
- Ensure that accurate and legible patient records are kept in line with professional and legal requirements.
- Promote and maintain effective working relationships and communications with Consultants, medical staff, nurse colleagues and other multiagency professionals.
Infection Prevention and Control
- Ensure staff standard of dress and appearance promotes patient and public confidence in Infection Prevention and Control practice for the department.
- To support the Theatre Coordinator achieve a department culture of cleanliness and compliance with best practice in Infection Prevention and Control, promoting zero tolerance to avoidable infection.
- Ensure all clinical areas have consistent access to alcohol hand rub.
- Contribute to the Implement Care Group Key Performance Indicator Targets as appropriate to area.
- Ensure that relevant audits are completed by each clinical area in line with the Trust's annual programme for Infection Prevention and Control.
- Contribute to development of action plans and support implementation following the annual Environmental Infection Control audits.
- Implement service changes following adverse incidents/ root cause analysis.
- Support the Theatre Coordinator in implementing and support the Infection Prevention and Control Link Worker role with emphasis on ensuring hand hygiene training and assessment of competency.
Patient Experience
- Act as the patient's advocate and ensure the advocacy role is understood by all staff.
- Ensure that privacy and dignity of patients is maintained at all times and to work to minimising mixing of male and female patients and sharing of toilet facilities and mixed sex areas.
- To ensure that learning from complaints is evidenced and actioned within the department.
- Ensure that complaints are resolved by local resolution where possible.
- Contribute to formal complaint investigations, written responses and attendance of complaint meetings.
Developing the Workforce
- Conduct management of short and long-term sickness in accordance with Trust policy in absence of the Theatre Coordinator.
- Support Theatre Coordinator in ensuring a system if annual appraisal for all ward staff, setting appropriate performance objectives in line with Care Group and Trust objectives; expected performance of 100%.
- Ensure an effective learning environment for all staff. Ensure effective mentorship support for students and preceptor support for preceptees.
- To contribute and lead on the implementation of site based seminars to raise awareness and develop skills in practice for theatre staff.
- Participate in the development and delivery of appropriate training materials/ programmes to promote professional development.
- Contribute to the clinical supervision and support process and facilitate the development of reflective practice.
Clinical Governance
- Ensure adherence to the Clinical Governance Framework for nursing by ensuring appropriate policies, protocols and guidelines are in place to support practice.
- Production, updating the department-based risk register.
- Report, investigate and act upon complaints and adverse incidents in line with Care Group and Trust policies. Collating themes and identification of learning points for the department and Care Group.
- Where there are areas of concern, ensure these are escalated appropriately identifying a clear reason for escalation.
- Monitor and report clinical competency profile of staff including clinical skills ad use of equipment.
- Support Theatre Coordinator in ensuring all staff complete mandatory training updates with an aim to achieving 100% compliance.
Personal Development
- To identify own personal development needs and maintain the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the role effectively.
- Complete competencies that demonstrate the ability to perform within sphere of practice e.g. assist surgeon cutting sutures, holding camera or other relevant clinical skills.
- To participate in an annual appraisal with relevant reviews and to follow personal development plan as agreed with line manager.
- To ensure that all staff have a yearly appraisal.
- To keep updated of current professional issues and maintain the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the role effectively.
- Develop and maintain a professional portfolio.
- Ensure compliance with professional expectations as outlines in the NMC/ HPC Code of Professional Conduct.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NMC/ HCPC, ODP 111/ ODA C&G 752
Desirable
- Assisting in surgical intervention
Experience
Essential
- 2 years experience at Band 5 in a hospital setting
- Mentorship
- Intermediate Life Support
Desirable
- 3 years post registration experience in a variety if acute clinical settings
Skills
Essential
- Expert scrub skills
- Communication skills
- Staff development and empowerment
Desirable
- Venepuncture, cannulation, ECG, IV drugs
Knowledge
Essential
- Key issues and development in nursing COSHH
- Ongoing professional development
- Able to juggle a large number of demands by setting priorities and planning effectively
Desirable
- Able to manage conflicting and unpredictable demands
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NMC/ HCPC, ODP 111/ ODA C&G 752
Desirable
- Assisting in surgical intervention
Experience
Essential
- 2 years experience at Band 5 in a hospital setting
- Mentorship
- Intermediate Life Support
Desirable
- 3 years post registration experience in a variety if acute clinical settings
Skills
Essential
- Expert scrub skills
- Communication skills
- Staff development and empowerment
Desirable
- Venepuncture, cannulation, ECG, IV drugs
Knowledge
Essential
- Key issues and development in nursing COSHH
- Ongoing professional development
- Able to juggle a large number of demands by setting priorities and planning effectively
Desirable
- Able to manage conflicting and unpredictable demands
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).
