Operating Department Practitioner

Job summary

We have exciting opportunities for full time/part time Anaesthetic Practitioners to join our team on a permanent basis at Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust which is part of the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire NHS Group.

Theatres within the Trust comprise of 18 Operating Theatres across 6 unique complexes, and cover a wide variety of specialities including innovative Robotic Surgery, General, Vascular, ENT, Maxillofacial, Orthopaedic, Urology, Gynaecology, Obstetric, and Ophthalmic Surgery.

We pride ourselves in forward thinking and encouraging our staff to develop by extending the role of the Anaesthetic Practitioner within our operating theatres. We always strive to improve quality, safety, and patient experience through collaborative working in partnership with each theatre complex and affiliated Directorates.

We have a strong commitment to education, training, and staff development. The Theatre Practice Educational team as well as the Theatre management teams will guide you through preceptorship programmes and continued professional development and support you in your role within the Trust.

Main duties of the job

ODPs/Anaesthetic Nurses are key to the smooth running of each theatre. Anaesthetic Practitioners will work closely with Scrub practitioners to ensure that everything the Surgeons and Anaesthetists need each day is ready and available. ODPs/Anaesthetic nurses will then assist in Theatre and make sure the patient and MDT have everything they may need peri-operatively.

As an Anaesthetic Practitioner you will play an important role in ensuring every operation is as safe and effective as possible. You are expected to deliver safe quality care for patients during their peri-operative phase of care. You will be expected to take responsibility for you own professional performance and development. In some of the theatre complexes there is an expectation to commit to out of hours working.

The post holder will work as a member of the theatre team at Northampton General Hospital, supporting the organisation and delivery of theatre services across Main Theatres, Manfield Theatres, Gynae Theatres, Obstetric Theatres and our purpose built Day surgery unit. The post holder will participate in delivering a high standard of patient care and safety. They will be expected to demonstrate enthusiasm to help create a suitable patient and an effective learning environment.

About us

Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.

Our Excellence Values

Compassion

Accountability

Respect

Integrity

Courage

We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.

The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.

We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.

We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Supporting Clinical Excellence

To provide a high standard of care as set out in Theatre Standards and trust guidelines

To maintain accurate completion of theatre records, documentation and care plans.

Assess the immediate and ongoing needs of the patient and when appropriate in discussion with the patient and or their significant others develop an individualised plan of care.

Make decisions on the most appropriate method of care for the patients where a variety of options need to be considered as to the most suitable care plan going forward.

Regular communicate with other team members, including Consultants, nursing staff and other specialties.

Contribute to and participate in the development of a culture that is committed to innovation and quality improvement through the use of research and audit.

To assist in the monitoring and maintenance of equipment used in the Units and report any faults that occur to the appropriate person.

Assist in cleaning schedules, facilitating an agreed level of cleanliness for the units.

Actively contribute to setting and maintaining high standards of quality care.

Work collaboratively and co-operatively with others to meet the needs of patients and their families/ carers.

Actively maintain and promote a safe theatre environment.

Undertake nursing procedures and techniques in accordance with agreed Trust policies and guidelines.

Plan, develop and implement approaches to promote health and wellbeing of patients and improve their health status.

Maintain an awareness of the developments in the care and treatment of patients in order to be able to carry out duties competently and efficiently.

Responsible for safe supply, storage, administration, checking and disposal of medications including controlled drugs in line with Trust Policy and Nursing Midwifery Council standards.

Document the condition and progress of patients and report to medical staff and/or senior theatre staff any areas of concern.

Maintain contemporary detailed theatre documentation.

Assisting and contributing to the management and organisation of the theatre area.

Once competent in team management skills, takes charge of the clinical area on a regular basis in the absence of the person who has continuing responsibility or his/her deputy.

Comply with all Trust policies and risk assessments with particular regard to the policies and procedures carried out in the event of maintaining staff and patient safety.

Leadership

Lead by example with drive and enthusiasm, responding appropriately to the needs of patients, families and carers.

Responsible for assisting with the management and leadership of the theatre, maintaining an appropriate style that maintains good morale, a team approach to work and a culture which fosters innovation and change.

Sets high standards of nursing care for the theatre, including theatre cleanliness, etc., are maintained so that the patients experience is excellent.

Influence people and events through successful communication, negotiation and persuasion skills.

Constructively challenge practices as necessary, which impact on patients care and/or staff wellbeing.

Work in partnership with the senior team members to ensure the nursing strategy objectives are achieved.

Supporting Patient Excellence

In the absence of the Theatre Team Leader act as a first contact point for patients, relatives and staff to address concerns and complaints.

To be courteous and helpful to patients, families/carers, colleagues and all users to the trust. To act as a positive role model to the team.

Responsible for the assessment of the care needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of patient care

Work collaboratively and co-operatively with others to meet the needs of patients and their families/carers.

Actively participate in the ward culture whereby patients, relatives and carers participate and understand treatment plans

To monitor activity and patient dependency, escalating any concerns to the Theatre Team Leader both in and out of hours.

Adopt an open learning culture from clinical incidents and patient/staff feedback.

People/Management Excellence

Collaborate with all members of the clinical area to ensure efficient running of theatres.

Assist the Theatre Team Leader in introducing new members of staff to their duties, act as a preceptor to newly qualified staff.

Take all reasonable steps to ensure the safe keeping of patients property in accordance with Trust policy.

Promote and maintain a suitable learning environment for staff and act as a facilitator/mentor/preceptor/coach in the supervision and teaching of less experienced staff, supporting and facilitating the development of competencies across all staff levels.

Maintains competent computer skills and be able to access patient details and reports via the Trusts IT systems.

Support a culture of teamwork within the clinical area.

Supporting Financial Excellence

Use resources effectively in order to provide quality patient care whist having an awareness of budgetary issues.

Be aware and undertake effective and efficient use of clinical, physical and financial resources.

Professional Responsibilities

To be responsible for your own professional development, maintain a professional portfolio and keep up to date on current nursing and health service issues.

To take full responsibility for your own actions and to abide by the NMC Code of Conduct 2018 and or HCPC Code Conduct 2016.

Maintain own knowledge and clinical skills demonstrating competence in delivering a high standard of care.

To be conversant with all Nursing Policies and procedures

Maintain a current knowledge of professional issues, ensuring continued professional development is maintained.

Identify learning needs in self, negotiating a Personal Development Plan recognising own limitations.

Actively undertake education, development and supervision of self

Act as a clinical and professional role model, assessing and supporting students and learners on placement within the clinical area.

Quality Assurance and Monitoring

Actively promote evidence-based practice within the clinical area.

Contribute to audit initiatives.

Participate in setting and reviewing standards for practice and evaluating outcomes as part of the clinical governance agenda.

Report indecencies, using the Trust reporting system Policy and Service Development Responsibilities

Work within the confines of Trust policies, protocols and other relevant documentation, taking appropriate action where compliance is breached

Research, Development & Education Responsibilities

Undertake the Trust Corporate and Directorate specific Induction and competency Programmes.

Maintain and promote an awareness of evidence-based practice and participate in its implementation.

Contribute to audit research and development programmes within the department.

Will seek out Best Practice to generate new ideas and generate change.

Undertake a recognised mentoring/ assessor course

Participate in clinical supervision

Corporate Responsibilities

Act as a role model in customer service towards visitors to the hospital.

Facilitate any measures to help achieve directorate/divisional and Trust targets and agendas.

Share best practice through meetings and forums.

Person Specification

Education, Traing & Qualifications

Essential

Registered Nurse or Operating Department Practitioner Must have recognized anaesthetic qualification

Desirable

Degree level education. Teaching/Assessor qualification Specialist theatre qualification Knowledge and Experience Specialist theatre qualification

Key Competencies/Personal Qualities and Attributes

Essential

Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust vision and values Flexible and resilient

Desirable

Proven ability to communicate effectively with staff, patients, families and carers from a diverse background Ability to work under pressure and seek help when required Must be able to demonstrate understanding of, and behaviours consistent with the NMC Code (October 2018) / HCPC Code of Conduct 2016 Able to demonstrate reflective practice Act as a role model to others An ability to remain positive during service changes and challenges

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

Previous experience in Anaesthetics

Desirable

Previous experience in scrub and recovery Demonstrate evidence of publication/presentation of project findings Evidence of clinical effectiveness, research and audit

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