Theatre Support Worker

Department: Theatres

Accountable/Responsible to: Theatre Manager

Location: The Regent Hospital - Liverpool

Job Summary

The Primary focus of the post is to ensure that all patients receive high quality, confidential and compassionate patient centred care, delivering private healthcare that reflects the needs of patients first.

• The Post Holder will support the surgical multidisciplinary team in providing efficient care throughout a patient's perioperative journey.
• The post holder will act as an advocate for all patients.
• The post holder is responsible to undertake their role in accordance with all procedures, protocols , policies and guidelines to support the theatre department.
• You will work autonomously or as part of a team.
• The post Holder will act as an exemplary role model maintaining a positive culture which includes behaviours,values and standards.

Key Responsibilities

1. Preparation of operating theatres to include cleaning and damp dusting of theatre and all equipment required, pre and post procedures.

2. Cleaning and maintenance of all other clinical and non clinical areas adhering to infection control policies at all times.

3. Preparation of surgical equipment to include setting up surgical trays and sundries and consumables ahead of surgery and positioning of equipment in appropriate places.

4. Assisting with patient care pre surgery, preparing patients for theatre, completing pre theatre checklist, getting patients dressed, taking basic clinical observations working under the direction of registered nurses/practitioners.

5. Assist with collecting patients from the ward and escorting patients to and from theatre and recovery.

6. Support patients whilst undergoing anaesthesia, local anaesthetic or general anaesthetic providing support and reassurance.

7. Ensure rotation of stock and stock replenishment of all hospital stock,consumables and sundries.

8. Circulate for operations effectively and efficiently, to include opening of sterile instruments and consumables/sundries. Counting and monitoring of accountable items and surgical instrumentation in collaboration with the registered scrub practitioner.

9. Handle and prepare specimens and ensure correct labelling and packaging for transportation to the laboratory.

10. Safely dispose of clinical waste and sharps in accordance with waste management policies.

11. Participate in all surgical safety checklists and surgical safety briefs ensuring full engagement at all times.

12. Ensure comprehensive and accurate documentation at all times, including inputting of patient data on to the electronic medical record system and IT systems in line with hospital policies.

13. Assist in the manual handling of patients, patient positioning and transferring of patients between beds,trolleys and operating tables.

14. To communicate effectively with the theatre team escalating any concerns as appropriate, and reporting any untoward incidents via the incident management reporting system.

15. Be aware of a safe environment, reporting any hazards which may endanger both patients, staff and visitors and where suitable take appropriate action.

The above duties and responsibilities are intended to represent current priorities and are not intended to be a conclusive list. The post holder may from time to time be asked to undertake other reasonable duties. Any changes will be made in discussion with the post holder considering the service needs.

Training and Development

• Be proactive in identifying your own educational needs and maintain compliance with all mandatory training requirements.
• Complete Theatre competencies.
• Participate in annual PDR (personnel development reviews)
• Help maintain a suitable learning environment for staff and act as a mentor/buddy in the supervision and teaching of new theatre support workers and students

Risk and Governance

• Participate in audit process for monitoring and reviewing operating department quality assurance
• Report clinical incidents including near misses within the theatre department to ensure effective learning and patient safety.
• Escalate any safeguarding concerns in line with hospital policies and ensure safeguarding of all patients at all times.
• Ensure full adherence to hospital policies and procedures ensuring knowledge is kept up to date.

Health and Safety

• All staff must act in line with relevant health and safety hospital policies and in line with the health and safety at work act (1974) to ensure a safe environment for patients, visitors and staff.

Equality and Diversity

• The hospital values diversity and actively works towards promoting equality both in terms of its healthcare provision and within its current and potential workforce.