Operating Department Support Workers

JOB SUMMARY

To undertake duties as an Operating Department Support Worker, assisting qualified staff to maintain high standards of care at all times.

To assist in making the most efficient and economical use of available resources.

To carry out assigned tasks involving patient care in the theatre complex in support of and supervised by a registered Practitioner

To assist with damp dusting, setting up theatre for operating lists and collecting instruments from stores as necessary.

To act as a role model, demonstrate own activities to new/less experienced employees and promote Company Vision and Values at all times.

To work within organisational policies, standard operating procedures and guidelines.

To comply with health, safety and security requirements of self and others

To monitor levels of medical gas supplies within the manifold room and exchange cylinders as required.  

The post holder will ensure they understand their responsibilities with regard to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POST

To deliver a high standard of basic care to a specified group of patients.

To ensure that all local and Company guidelines are followed so that the patient’s safety and wellbeing are not compromised whilst in theatres.

As part of the multidisciplinary team check and confirm patient, procedure and site prior to commencing surgery in accordance with WHO processes and documentation.

Monitor dressings, stores and equipment and report any deficiency to the Lead Scrub Practitioner/ Theatre Manager

Ensure all patients' records are filled in correctly including records in theatre, IT Systems and theatre registers.

Participate in multidisciplinary audit as appropriate.

At all times act as the patients advocate and provide reassurance.  Communicate any problems to the multidisciplinary team, being at all times aware of cultural, ethnic and individual needs, maintaining confidentially, privacy and dignity.

Deliver basic care to a high standard.

Ensure that asepsis is maintained at all times and act accordingly if asepsis is breached.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES – THEATRE AREAS

Chaperone patients in the anaesthetic room

Assist with safety checks in the anaesthetic room if required.

Assist the anaesthetist and the theatre practitioner in their duties

Following the instructions from the surgeon or trained staff, assist with the positioning of patients.

Act as a chaperone to patients undergoing local anaesthetic.

Assist in caring for patients, checking and collecting specimens and noting these in the register.

Assist trained staff in returning the unconscious patients to the recovery area.

Assist the qualified staff with the setting up of theatre and ensure that the appropriate instruments and consumables are available for the procedure (s).

Demonstrate safe handling of waste, instruments and any other equipment necessary in accordance with Company  policy.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES – RECEPTION AREAS

Check Patient details and collect patients from Ward areas.

Undertake a theatre safety check as per Company policies and procedures.

Escort the patient to theatre.

Safely handover the patient in the anaesthetic room to Registered Practitioner.

COMMUNICATION & RELATIONSHIP SKILLS

All communications to be within the confines of GDPR, Data Protection Act, Patient Confidentiality and Caldicott Principles.

Maintain good communication and relationships with other members of the multidisciplinary team.

KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING & EXPERIENCE

Be fully conversant with nursing staff guidelines/ procedures

Be aware of procedures to be followed in the event of cardiac arrest, fire, major incident

Report accidents involving patients or staff to the person in charge of the area

Report any deficits in equipment / instruments in the theatre to the person in charge of the area

Carry out basic computer skills when inputting information into the theatre computer system.

Carry out any other duties as necessary, which may be agreed.

ANALYTICAL & JUDGEMENT SKILLS

Able to prioritise workload.

To report any concerns relating to patient or environment to the Theatre Practitioner in charge.

PLANNING & ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS

Plan and organise activities some of which may be on-going

Organise and manage own time when required

PATIENT / CLIENT CARE

Deliver pre, peri and post-operative basic care.

Keep accurate and complete records, both written and electronic, of all activities, ensuring communication is consistent with legislation, policies and procedures

POLICY/SERVICE DEVELOPMENT

Ensure that Company policies and directives are adhered to at all times.

Support development in practice, consistent with local and national priorities.

Comply with any mandatory audit findings.

Ensure that you are aware of and able to locate all policies relating to good working practice within the clinical area.  Contribute to regular team meetings.

Support the Nursing Team in the application of Clinical Governance processes at team level ensuring that governance is an integral part of department activity.

Support the development and implementation of standards of cleanliness in line with the Health & Social Care Act 2008 (commonly referred to as the Hygiene Code).

Support the development and review of relevant, evidence based policies and procedures

Participate in clinical supervision and identify development needs as required.

FINANCIAL & PHYSICAL RESOURCES

Assist with the efficient and effective utilisation of available resources.

Order stock for theatres and ensure stock rotation.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Take responsibility for attendance at mandatory training sessions and ensure completion of online training modules as per Company protocol.

Ensure all training is completed within expected timeframes.

Always act in accordance with the Theatre Code of Conduct and adhere to Company policies and procedures at all times.

INFORMATION RESOURCES

Maintain patient records

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

To be aware of current research and the possible implications for the theatre department.

Assist qualified staff in audits, benchmarking, research and clinical trials.

FREEDOM TO ACT

Use initiative when acting as a circulating person in own area

PHYSICAL EFFORT

Standing for long periods of time.

Exerting moderate physical effort when positioning patients and equipment.

Manipulating trolleys and wheelchairs.

Manipulating heavy theatre equipment.

Cleaning trollies and equipment.

Ensuring all areas are adequately stocked with specimen containers.

Preparing equipment for repairs to Bio- Medical Engineering

Manipulating heavy Medical Gas Cylinders

MENTAL EFFORT

Frequent requirement for concentration, occasional requirement for prolonged periods of concentration.

Work pattern not always predictable within the theatre area.

Concentration required for carrying out certain procedures

The work environment can be stressful.

EMOTIONAL EFFORT

Frequent requirement for emotional support to patients and relatives. Provide comfort, reassurance and support and act as a patient advocate.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Frequent unpleasant working conditions dealing with bloods, smells and bodily fluids.

Frequent contact with bodily fluids.

Occasional working with and being exposed to infectious diseases.

You will be required to use hazardous substances under strict controls.

Standing for long periods of time

Working unsocial hours.

During your employment you will be required to work within a 24 / 7 work rota which may include earlies, lates, nights and weekends. Participate in the emergency on-call rota.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

• Patients
• Theatre Manager Manager / Lead Theatre Practitioners
• Clinical Services Manager / Ward Sisters/ Hospital Manager

 WORK SETTING AND REVIEW

The Team Leader will be responsible for reviewing the post holder’s performance, setting and reviewing work and for delegating and monitoring an annual PDR.  The HCA / support worker will be responsible for identifying their individual requirements both inside and outside of this process

INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The post holder will adhere to all Company policies and procedures and relevant legislation and be responsible for attending mandatory training as identified by the Company.

The post holder must adhere at all times to the Theatre Code of Conduct and any other relevant documents.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The post holder must maintain the confidentiality of information about patients, staff and Company business in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and Caldicott Principles.

INFECTION CONTROL

Each individual member of staff has a direct responsibility to minimise the risks of healthcare associated infections.  All staff must support the infection control programme by promoting and maintaining a clean, safe environment, assist with the development, implementation and monitoring of policies, following all the principles contained within the Health and Social Care Act 2008: Code of Practice for the prevention and control of healthcare associated infections.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

All staff have a general responsibility for ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of self and others, and to work within legislation and Company procedures on risk management, Health & Safety and COSHH.

RISK MANAGEMENT

Be aware of the systems and procedures regarding the Company’s risk management strategy including local management and resolution of complaints and concerns, management of untoward incidents / near misses, and compliance with risk management processes.

Carry out regular safety checks to comply with local and national policy and guidelines, reporting any discrepancies.

Do not use any equipment unless trained to do so.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The Company has adopted an equal opportunities policy and all employees must be aware of their obligations to abide by the spirit and nature of the policy to avoid direct and indirect discrimination

IMPROVING WORKING LIVES

The Company is committed to valuing the people who work for us.  Our greatest resource is our staff and we aim to create an environment where people want to work; where careers are sustained and developed and staff are encouraged to reach their full potential.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE ARRANGEMENTS

You will be expected to familiarise yourself with the Company’s Governance Strategy which outlines the management and committee structures and procedures for the governance of the Company’s activities. You will also have a duty to familiarise yourself with the following policies and procedures which must be complied with at all times.

• Health & Safety Policies
• Risk Management Policies
• Infection Control Policies

Data Protection and Confidentiality Policies

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND ADULTS

The Company has a duty to ensure that all employees understand their duties and responsibilities with regard to the safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults. The post holder will ensure that staff attend the appropriate level of training to develop the knowledge and skills required to identify and report concerns or suspicions of abuse or neglect.  The post holder will support staff to access safeguarding policies and procedures, and seek specialist advice when required from named professionals within the organisation.