Band 5 Staff Nurse/ODP for Scrub

In the event of excessive applications being received this vacancy may close earlier than the stated closing date, you are encouraged to submit your application as soon as possible

IMPORTANT NOTE ON COMPLETION OF REFERENCE SECTION OF APPLICATION FORM

Where possible this should be from two separate employers. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.

PLEASE NOTE it is a requirement of this Trust that all successful applicants pay for their DBS certificate if a check is required for the post. This will be done through deduction from your monthly pay over a maximum of three months. It is also a requirement that all successful applicants register or are registered with the DBS update service where a DBS is required.

All new entrants to the NHS will be appointed on the minimum of the pay scale in line with Terms & Conditions.

Job overview

Under the direction of the team leader, the theatre practitioner is accountable for organizing and providing nursing care in the peri-operative setting. They will work to support the surgical team to develop and maintain excellence in perioperative practice.

• Employees should honour the Trusts Core values by demonstrating appropriate behaviours and encouraging this in others
• Adhere to the NMC/HCPC code at all times
• Employees should demonstrate commitment to quality patient care through effective team working

Main duties of the job

You’ll play an important part of the surgery team by:

• preparing all the necessary instruments and equipment for surgery, including microscopes, lasers and endoscopes
• providing the correct surgical instruments and materials to the surgeon
• being responsible for all surgical instruments, equipment and swabs during the operation
• acting as a link between the surgical team and other parts of the theatre and hospital
• anticipating the requirements of the surgical team and responding effectively
• Safe, effective, high Quality care and standards for all surgical patients.

Working for our organisation

Based in the North East of England we provide a range of hospital and community health services from our leading facilities, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Blaydon urgent care centre and Bensham Hospital, all within Gateshead.

Established in 2005, we were one of the first foundation trusts in the country and since then have consistently achieved the highest levels of care for patients.

We now employ around 4,800 staff and currently provide 444 hospital beds across the Gateshead region.

Our values should be the ‘golden thread’ which runs through everything we do – they are the core of who we are. Our five values can easily be remembered by the simple acronym ICORE; Innovation, Care, Openness, Respect, Engagement.

We have a number of staff networks including the BAME network, D-Ability network, LGBTQ+ Network and the Women’s Network, to challenge us and help us to constantly improve. Our armed forces network is one of our emerging networks.

The health and wellbeing of our staff is one of our highest priorities, and we offer a range of support and initiatives as part of our ‘Balance’ programme balancegateshead.com to cater for our diverse workforce, so that your individual needs can be supported, allowing you a happy and healthy working experience with us.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Essential:

• 1st level Registered Nurse /Operating Department Practitioner
• Basic Information Technology skills
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team
• High level of personal motivation towards patient care and continuous professional development
• Flexibility
• Aware of responsibilities in line with data protection

Desirable:

• Experience of audit projects
• PP126/127 or equivalent or willing to undertake

• Assess plan, implement and evaluate programmes of care in partnership with the patient, multidisciplinary team and family/carer where appropriate.
• Actively focus on health promotion with individual patients.
• Effectively manage your workload delegated by a senior nurse by prioritising care appropriately.
• Carry out a range of clinical duties - Undertake the role of scrubbing and circulating.
• Recognise and respond appropriately to urgent and emergency situations

• Practice in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct/HCPC Code with particular inference to acknowledging the limitation of competence of staff in order to safeguard the wellbeing of patients/clients.
• Contribute to the training of nurses, ODPs, support workers and students to maintain professional portfolio in line with the requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Council, or governing body. Provide learning and leadership support for students and health care assistants.

• Participate in a preceptorship programme and receive clinical supervision on a regular basis linked to individual needs.
• Participate in clinical supervision.
• With support from the Peri-operative Manager(s) identify your own development needs.
• Promotes evidence based practice and decision- making.

• Understand the Trust’s Clinical Governance Strategy and support colleagues to perform within this framework.
• Keep accurate records in line with the NMC /HCPC Guidelines for records and record keeping.
• Have an awareness of Health and Safety legislation. All employees have a duty to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their activities. The post holder will be expected to comply with all health and safety rules and safe systems of work and to inform their line manager of any work situation or practice which may be considered a danger to health and safety.
• Contribute to the quality standards and targets outlined in the Trust’s Risk Management Strategy and local operational policy.
• Keep up to date with developments in peri-operative practice.
• Contribute to new ideas and projects to develop practice.
• Participate in induction programmes for new members of staff and students
• Continually monitor standards of care and contribute to improvement through benchmarking, audit and research.
• Act as a learning resource within the team.

• Utilise resources effectively using evidence lined practice.
• Report the failure or mechanical problems of any items of equipment in line with the Medical Devices Policy.
• In line with the department regular system for supplies, order stock and non stock items including medicines.

• Complete patient records in accordance with the NMC / HCPC Standards of Documentation.

• Maintain one’s high professional standards and discuss opportunities to develop clinical practice with the line manager.

• All Trust staff have a duty to provide a safe environment by considering adherence to infection prevention and control as an integral part of their roles and responsibilities. The individual roles and responsibilities for staff are outlined in the trusts control of infection policy. There should be specific discussion of control of infection within the KSF/Appraisal process and as a minimum all staff must demonstrate good hand hygiene and practice and support the Clean Your Hands Campaign.

• The Trust is committed to ensuring that all current and potential staff ,patients and visitors are treated with dignity, fairness and respect regardless of gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, age, marital or civil partnership status, religion or belief or employment status. Staff will be supported to challenge discriminatory behaviour.
• Works collaboratively to maintain good working relationships with all members of the peri-operative team.

Communications & Relations

Internal External

Ward Team

Senior Nurses

Doctors Relatives & Carers

Allied Health Professionals

Matrons

Service Managers

Clinical Directors

PPF

SSD

Procurement

Effort & Government

Departmental work will be varied and incorporates both physical and mental effort e.g.

Required to stand at operating table, occasionally for long periods

Required to concentrate, occasionally required to concentrate for long periods of time.

Responsible for moving equipment safely within moving and handling policies.

Recognise situations that may be detrimental to health and well-being of self and others and take appropriate action.

Be aware of health and safety legislation relating to work environment.

Responsible for safe practice when exposed to bodily fluids, hazardous substances and sharps.

Responsible for ensuring all equipment is maintained in a safe, functioning manner and reporting any malfunction.

This job description is not intended as an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities of the post but reflects the key areas involved. It will be subject to review and amendment in consultation with the post holder.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Qualified Nurse/ODP

• Minimum of 1 year post registration experience in theatres

Skills

• Evidence of good written and verbal communication
• basic IT skills

Experience

• Minimum of 6 months post registration experience in theatres

Applicants who have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the closing date are to assume that their application has been unsuccessful.

Applications from job seekers who require Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications where the post is eligible. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Candidates who require sponsorship are strongly advised to visit the UK Border Agency website and familiarise themselves with what is required. There is a facility on this site to access the points based calculator and work through an example which should assist candidates in their understanding of the process.