Specialist Assistant Theatre Practitioner

Job description

Job responsibilities

The ATP will support the delivery of high quality, evidence based care across the pre-operative, intra operative and post-operative phases of the Patients perioperative journey. This will include:

Organisational Relationships

To develop and maintain the skills required to assist with:

To support the surgical team in the performance of surgical procedures ensuring that safe high quality care is delivered.

To always work to agreed policies and procedures as identified for the assistant practitioner role.

To maintain the patients dignity and self-respect at all times whilst providing a high standard of care.

To be aware of the Health and Safety requirements of staff and patients, and assist in maintaining a safe environment.

Clinical Objectives

To develop and maintain the skills required to assist with:

Meeting the needs surgical patients whilst always working under the direct supervision of qualified nursing staff.

Following instructions from medical and registered staff whilst assisting the performance of surgical procedures. This to include following the guidelines for correct site surgery, the WHO check list, Swab and Instrument Count Policy, the Theatre infection Control Policy and all other policies and guidelines that pertain to safe theatre practice.

Supporting the patient undergoing General, Regional or Local anaesthesia in the anaesthetic room.

Assisting in the planning of care for patients wounds and pressure areas.

Assisting in the maintenance and ordering of stock and equipment to ensure safe practice and functioning of the operating theatre.

Working within the scope of practice defined for ATPs.

Acting as the patients advocate.

Communicating effectively with all members of the operating theatre team.

To provide skilled assistance to the registered practitioner to monitor the patients physiological and psychological parameters while recovering from the effects of anaesthesia and surgery.

Become a qualified laser operator.

Contacting the relevant companies when equipment is broken or damaged to arrange repair/ replacements.

Providing assistance and training to newly registered practitioners through back scrubbing.

- Act as second scrub in day surgery when required.

Unit Management Objectives

To develop and maintain the skills to assist in:

The cost effective use of resources.

Be responsible/accountable for the ordering of stock and maintaining stock levels for a specific speciality.

Be responsible for the ordering of prosthesis for a specific speciality

Be responsible for specialist equipment for a specific speciality that is responsive to the needs of the operating lists.

Be responsible for identifying training needs and liaising with the education team to support these needs.

Attend departmental meetings as required.

Become a qualified laser mentor/operator.

Provide leadership in one or more specialities to ensure the smooth running of operating lists.

Maintaining a safe working environment and working practice, ie Health and Safety, Accident Reporting, Fire Safety.

Maintaining cleanliness of the operating theatre and equipment.

Managing sharps and clinical waste in line with operating theatre and Trust guidelines.

Communication

To develop and maintain skills to assist in:

Assisting with the recording of accurate information via the theatre information system (Bluespier)

Answering the phone, taking and passing on messages.

Providing accurate written and verbal records of pre, intra and post-operative care.

Personnel

To assist and maintain skills in:

Ensuring confidentiality at all times- on and off duty.

Following regulations regarding Health and Safety practice

Ensuring mandatory training is updated in line with Trust policy.

Participate in an annual appraisal.

The post holder will take responsibility and ownership of their personal development and maintain an up-to-date log book.

Person Specification

Essential and Desirable

Essential

• NVQ 3 in Theatre Practice or equivalent.
• Minimum of 2 years clinical experience in a general operating theatre.

Desirable

• GCSE level qualifications in Maths and English
• Previous experience of undertaking an assistant theatre practitioner role

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Harrogate District Hospital

Lancaster Park Rd

Harrogate

HG2 7SX

Employer's website

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