Theatre Coordinator

Job responsibilities

Role Summary:

As the Theatre Coordinator at King Edward VII's Hospital, your primary objectives are to ensure the delivery of a safe, efficient, and effective perioperative service to patients and Consultant users. This pivotal role involves providing strong leadership and direction to the operating theatre team.

Key responsibilities encompass clinical practice, human resource management (including staffing and performance management), and financial oversight.

You will act as the first assistant to the surgeon as needed (if applicable), demonstrating expertise and ensuring seamless surgical procedures.

Your role is critical in maintaining high standards of patient care and operational efficiency within the perioperative environment. This includes collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams, implementing best practices, and adhering to regulatory standards to uphold the hospital's commitment to excellence in healthcare delivery.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure professional and national standards are met, serving as a role model for junior team members.
• Manage staffing levels and skills to meet patient needs in the perioperative environment.
• Coordinate clinical activities for maximum efficiency. Provide clinical leadership to theatre staff and communicate effectively with team members and other departments.
• Act as Theatre Manager in their absence and help achieve performance targets.
• Serve as a clinical expert, demonstrating specialist knowledge and skills. Ensure staff meet clinical and professional competence requirements.
• Collaborate with team leaders to organize theatre activities and support clinical areas.
• Contribute to departmental objectives and service development.
• Develop, implement, and update patient management policies and guidelines.
• Lead the Theatre team, providing high-quality care and expertise.
• Maintain accurate documentation and ensure a clean and well-maintained theatre environment.
• Oversee equipment maintenance and repair.
• Participate in the on-call rota and flexible shift patterns.
• Ensure health and safety for patients, relatives, visitors, and colleagues.
• Improve clinical standards through audits and implementing best practices
• Cooperate with wards, other departments, and hospital personnel.
• Attend daily handovers and monthly meetings.

Role Specific Duties:

• Maintain a visible presence in the clinical area to oversee operations and address any immediate concerns.
• Identify and resolve staffing and skill mix discrepancies that may impact patient flow and theatre efficiency.
• Collaborate with the Theatre Manager to implement and evaluate cost improvement initiatives.
• Escalate unresolved issues promptly to the Theatre Manager for resolution.
• Coordinate with the admissions office to schedule theatre cases and lists efficiently.
• Proactively anticipate and plan for upcoming Theatre Operating Lists, ensuring necessary equipment and resources are prepared.
• Communicate changes in list order promptly to relevant departments such as Radiography, Wards, Recovery, ITU, and Matron's office.
• Ensure theatre lists start and finish on time, notifying relevant consultants and departments of any delays or resource concerns.
• Facilitate compliance with "Five Steps to Safer Surgery" and WHO Surgical Safety checklists during all procedures.
• Always uphold patient privacy and dignity in the theatre environment.
• Raise safeguarding concerns promptly regarding vulnerable adults and children.
• Actively participate in revenue capture by ensuring timely and accurate completion of verification processes by the theatre team.
• Update Surgeons' Preference cards annually or as required.
• Ensure appropriate staffing and skill mix allocation for surgical and anaesthetic assistance across all procedures. Theatre Manager 2024
• Provide expert clinical advice and care for patients undergoing interventional procedures outside of the Theatre department.
• Assist in the leadership and development of a designated group of practitioners.
• Support the Theatre Manager in staff performance management through the appraisal process.
• Maintain a professional profile by identifying and pursuing role and skill development opportunities.
• Participate in the selection, recruitment, induction, and orientation of new staff members.
• Ensure comprehensive departmental induction for all new contracted, bank, or agency staff.
• Manage theatre resources effectively and economically, both human and material.
• Oversee the safe handling, storage, security, and administration of drugs within the perioperative care setting.
• Participate actively in incident reporting and cooperate with ensuing investigations, escalating serious problems promptly.
• Address patient and visitor enquiries, concerns, and complaints courteously and promptly, informing the Theatre Manager of actions taken.
• Assist in investigating complaints, providing written reports with recommendations for corrective actions as necessary.
• Develop and implement local protocols to enhance departmental efficiency and patient care.
• Contribute to theatre planning, including identifying requirements for new equipment and resources.
• Assess the impact of practice changes on equipment and consumables, reporting findings to the Theatre Manager.
• Conduct regular checks and maintenance of equipment to ensure safe operation, promptly reporting any faults.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness throughout the department to ensure a safe and hygienic environment.

Experience

Essential

• 1. Proven ability to manage
• staffing levels, allocate
• resources effectively, and
• optimise theatre schedules to
• meet patient needs.
• 2. Experience in financial
• management within a
• healthcare setting, including
• budget monitoring and cost
• improvement initiatives.
• 3. Experience in participating in
• clinical audits, quality
• improvement initiatives, or
• research projects related to
• perioperative care.
• 4. Experience in mentoring,
• coaching, or training junior
• staff members and supporting
• their professional
• development.
• 5. Ability to foster a
• collaborative and inclusive
• team environment, promoting

Desirable

• 1. Postgraduate qualification or
• additional training in
• perioperative management,
• leadership, or healthcare
• administration.
• 2. Accredited Teaching
• Certificate or equivalent
• experience
• 3. Surgical First Assistant (SFA)
• Certification

Qualifications

Essential

• - Registered Nurse (RN) or Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) with current registration and significant perioperative care experience.
• - Proven leadership in a similar role within a theatre setting, demonstrating strong managerial and organisational skills.

Desirable

• - Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to motivate and engage a diverse team.
• - Commitment to continuous professional development and maintaining clinical standards of excellence.
• - Experience in budget management, resource allocation, and implementing cost-effective practices.
• - Knowledge of regulatory requirements, infection control, and health and safety standards in theatre environments.
• - SFA (Surgical First Assistant) certification is desirable.

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).