Neurology Research Nurse

Job overview

Band 6 Scrub Team Leader- Mixed Specialities

For UK based applicants only with NMC registration. We will not be considering overseas applicants who are currently applying for NMC registration. 

We are currently seeking experienced Team Leaders with a variety of scrub experience in multiple specialties to join our forward thinking Theatre team.

You may be an experienced Band 5 who has rotated through different specialties or you may be an experienced Team Leader wishing to locate to our Luton & Dunstable Hospital site, which is part of Bedfordshire University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. 

We provide care for patients undergoing surgery in a number of specialties including: Robotics, General Surgery, Upper GI and Colorectal, Bariatrics, Urology, Breast, Pain, Paediatrics, Gynaecology, ENT, Max-Fax, Ophthalmology, Trauma and Orthopaedics and Emergency Surgery. 

It is imperative that you are an effective communicator with highly developed interpersonal skills capable of leading a team and able to provide evidence of both professional development and leadership skills. IT skills are also essential for the role. 

​​​​​​​The flexibility to work as the situation and service requires would be an essential aspect of this post.

We are here to help you with your career pathway in a variety of ways, and we are very much looking forward to working closely with you in your new career.

Main duties of the job

1. To lead the Theatre team in a number of specialties including Elective Surgery, Emergency and Trauma.

 2. To deputise and support Senior Practitioners in Theatre in all aspects of continuing operational management of the service and the 24 hours management of the theatre complex.
3. To function as a highly skilled practitioner in Theatres, assisting the Surgeon preoperatively, intra-operatively and in the immediate post-operative period.
4. To lead in the provision of a safe environment and to ensure the highest standards of care is received by patients during the Perioperative journey.
5. To act as a clinical and professional role model for all levels of staff and students working in the Department.

6. Work collaboratively with midwives, anaesthetists and other members of the MDT.

Working for our organisation

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career.

We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.

Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Roles and Responsibilities.

1. Act as a professional member of the operating theatres team in accordance with NMC/HPC Code of conduct. This will include the carrying out of the highest standard of individualised patient care and ensuring that all documentation is accurate and comprehensive.
2. To ensure that the Operating Theatre is set up for use and assist in the
organisation of the theatre.
3. To liaise with all members of the theatre team and ensure changes are
communicated quickly and accurately to all team members.
4. To work with other Trust departments and wards to facilitate maximum use of operating sessions and ensure optimum flow of patients between the wards and theatre.
5. Assist in the development and maintenance of patient care packages and
review their effectiveness by means of audit.
6. Working with the Theatre Services Operational Manager and Senior
Practitioners to develop and implement clinical audit and effective programmes for all staff working in the department.

7. To lead in the facilitation of the WHO Safer Surgery Checklist in Theatres, ensuring it’s smooth running and supporting staff in its use.
8. To take charge regularly in the absence of the Senior Theatre Practitioner in regard to staffing, equipment and resource issues..
9. Assist in the deployment of staff making use of available resources and
identifying skill mix to meet the needs of the service.
10. To provide supervision, mentorship and support to learners and other junior staff working within the department.
11. To participate in planning the duty rota maintaining a flexible approach to ensure adequate staffing levels over a 24 hour period.
12. To be flexible in supporting the on-call service in cases of sickness or other absence.
13. To help ensure the maintenance of records of sickness and annual leave and implement Trust policies and policies/procedures where appropriate relating to this.
14. To take part in interviewing and selection of staff for Band 5 and below,
15. To appraise Theatre staff from band 5 and below, within the remit of Trust policy and the Agenda for Change KSF framework
16. To co-ordinate operational procedures within theatres as appropriate.
17. To monitor stock levels of pharmacy items and disposables and maintain
agreed levels.
18. To ensure that the custody and registration of controlled drugs is carried out in accordance with Trust policy. This also includes reporting any discrepancies in the handling of controlled drugs immediately and instigating any necessary investigation.
19. To assist the Theatre Services Operational Manager in department budgeting and to be economic in the use of stock and clinical requisitions, avoiding waste whenever possible.

20. Assist in leading the department team by an appropriate management style that maintains good moral and team approach to work.
21. To assist in establishing appropriate systems within the department for the monitoring of quality standards, facilitate audit of services, risk assessment, investigation of complaints and act on them accordingly
22. To participate in the selection and interviewing of staff at Band 5 and below.
23. To be actively involved in promoting good communication styles and systems across the multi-disciplinary team.

24. To be conversant with and lead in ensuring compliance to Trust policies and procedures amongst the multi-disciplinary team.
25. To contribute to the department learning environment through teaching and by example
26. To act as mentor to learners with particular attention to monitoring and
continuous assessment of students and in conjunction with the Practice &
Development Practitioner, helping to create an atmosphere conductive to learning for all staff.
27. To ensure accurate input of data into IT systems.
28. To undertake appropriate activities to update clinical knowledge and skills in conjunction with an annual appraisal, and the Knowledge and Skills Framework.
29. To assist the Theatres Equipment Manager for the servicing and safe use of equipment in the clinical area. This includes assisting with the maintenance and utilisation of equipment (in accordance with manufacturer’s instruction), training other
staff in its use, and reporting any defects as per Trust policy.
30. In conjunction with the Theatres Equipment Manager, to participate in
equipment procurement programmes. This includes ensuring all relevant mechanical and electrical equipment used within the department is documented.
31. Attend and actively contribute to relevant meetings and working groups. 

32. To be conversant with policies and procedures relating to Fire and Health &Safety.
33. To report all accidents and complaints in accordance with agreed policies and assist in investigations of complaints and accidents as required.
34. To uphold the principles of the NMC/HPC Code of Professional Conduct & Ethics, standards for CPD and maintaining registration.

This is an of the outline job description designed to given an overview of the responsibilities of the current post. This post-holder will also be expected to be flexible to respond to change and organisational need, The post-holder will also be expected to contribute to the wide corporate and organisational needs of the Trust, in consultation with the post-holder, as appropriate.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Registered Nurse/ODP with current NMC/HPC
registration.
Evidence of recent continual professional development
MSPP (Mentoring and Assessing) course or Practice Assessor/Supervisor updates.

Experience

Extensive recent experience in the Theatre environment in an Obstetrics environment
Some recent Band 5 scrub experience in other Clinical specialties 

Skills

High standards of clinical performance

Ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team

Be a strong patient advocate
Evidence of good management skills
Proven leadership ability and experience
Organisation and management of change
Motivation
IT skills
Ability to meet work well under pressure and meet competing demands deadlines
Time management. Evidence of excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Good written skills
Ability to teach and mentor students, new team members and junior members of staff/support staff

Personal characteristics

Professional at all times
Good role model
Friendly
Enthusiasm
Able to work independently and part of the team.
Maturity

Person specification

RGN or ODP

Essential criteria

NMC or HCPC registration Management/leadership skills/qualification recent CPD activity

Desirable criteria

Understanding and knowledge of perioperative issues

Scrub experience and related skills

Essential criteria

extensive experience working in variety of Surgical specialties recent Theatre experience (within last 12 months) working in other Theatre specialities IT skills- and familiarity with a range of IT applications

Desirable criteria

team leading experience able to make decisions and problem solving skills good communication and inter-personal skills

Teaching and Assessing qual

Essential criteria

MSPP course or equivalent (Practice Assessor/Supervisor training)

Desirable criteria

Teaching and Assessing experience

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

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