Detailed job description and main responsibilities

COMMUNICATION
1. To promote and participate in an effective communication dialogue with colleagues and other members of the multi-disciplinary team within Theatres and across the Trust.
2. To care for patients where there are barriers to understanding including those who do not speak English as their first language, those who are anxious , those with sensory impairments (including those who are blind, deaf or mute), those with mental health impairments and issues, and those at various stages of the age spectrum (e,g. infants through to the elderly).
3. To receiving and relate complex clinical information (in conjunction with senior theatre staff and medical staff) to patients based on their diagnosis, treatment and care.
4. To demonstrate empathy and provide reassurance to patients undergoing a wide range of surgical procedures and treatments.
5. To support patients (in conjunction with medical staff and senior colleagues) after distressing news/prognosis has been imparted.
6. To exercise judgement, planning and analysis as a means of participating in the decision making process within Theatres, the Surgical Directorate and the Trust.

7. To attend and actively contribute to relevant units within theatres, Directorate and across the Trust.

CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES
1. To be a skilled member of the Operating Theatre Team working in a Recovery/PACU role.

2. To provide monitoring for a variety of patient's in the immediate post-operative period.

3. Symptom control (including administration of medications), wound management and other patient care activities. 

4. To inform Senior Practitioners of any untoward incidents or problems affecting patients or staff and participate in the related investigations.
5. To ensure all equipment is in good, safe working order and ready for 
immediate use. Any defective equipment must be reported immediately to  Senior Practitioners and using Trust guidelines.
6. To participate in the evaluation of stock levels and ordering/unpacking 
supplies. Inadequate supplies or provisions and possible improvements must be discussed with Senior Practitioners.
7. To act at all times, as the patient’s advocate, to ensure their safety, well-being and dignity.
8. To assess the patient’s level of anxiety or discomfort and to provide advice, re-assurance or any other actions as necessary.
9. To participate in a variety of Patient Safety initiatives as directed by the 
Theatre Services Operational Manager and Senior Practitioners.
10. To uphold patient confidentiality for patients and relatives at all times and in all situations.
11. To provide accurate and timely patient information onto the Theatre 
Management System to ensure theatre activity data.

MANAGERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
1. To manage allocated patients during the course of the shift.
2. To provide supervision, mentorship and support to a variety of staff and students working in the department. This will include appropriate delegation and offering guidance, training, support and feedback.
3. To participate in planning the duty rota maintaining a flexible approach to ensure department cover.
4. To liaise with Senior Practitioners to ensure that all working activities comply with professional, ethical, Trust and locally adapted theatre guidelines. 

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
1. To attend mandatory annual update of Manual Handling, Fire, Basic Life Support and other aspects of the Statutory Training programme provided by the Trust.
2. To be proactive in taking part in the Trust’s Individual Performance Review (IPR) system, contributing to setting a Personal Development Plan (PDP) with the appraiser in compliance with the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF).
3. The post-holder will undertake further additional in-service training as 
required, in order to comply with the Trust’s protocols and procedures, and locally adapted theatre guidelines. He/she will also bring relevant information back to the department for discussion and implementation where appropriate.
4. Skills, knowledge and ability will be maintained by participating in team 
rotations and the completion of competencies relating to the Band 5 role.
5. The post-holder will participate in the training of all learners allocated to the department during clinical placements. This will include practical 
demonstrations of work that is normally carried out and teaching sessions as part of the post-holders range of duties. 

PROFESSIONAL AND LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES
1. To be one of the members of the multi-disciplinary team caring for patients in the Theatre Suite. The post-holder will demonstrate a holistic approach to care that is current, effective and evidence-based in accordance with department, Trust and national guidelines, and in collaboration with other 
disciplines.
2. To comply with Trust Protocols and Policies, and locally adapted theatre 
guidelines.
3. The post-holder will ensure, under the direction of senior theatre and medical staff, that patients’, and where appropriate their carers, receive the support and information relevant to the patient’s condition..
4. The post-holder will also implement agreed policies to promote parents and guardians accompanying their children to the operating theatre at all 
reasonable times.
5. The post-holder is responsible for ensuring a calm, courteous and efficient manner at all times.
6. To report all accidents, incidents and complaints in accordance with agreed policies and assist in the investigations of these as required.
7. The post-holder will ensure they are aware of, and comply with, all legislation retaining to patient information. This includes the Data Protection Act.
8. To uphold the principles of the NMC and HPC codes of professional conduct, and meet their standards of CPD and registration.
NB. The role involves the manual handling of heavy loads, for which training will be given. If there is any reason why you should not do this, it is your responsibility to inform your manager immediately.

PERSON SPEC

QUALIFICATIONS: 

RGN / or ODP with City & Guilds 752, NVQ (ODP) Level 3, or 
Diploma in Higher Education in Operating department 
Practice.
NMC or HPCP registration

EXPERIENCE

Established experience in Recovery or experience working in related area- Surgical/Critical Care or  A&E areas.
Registered staff from other areas may be considered 
depending on experience. Ability to communicate with staff at all levels 
within and outside the Trust.
Ability to communicate with patients (and their 
relatives or carers) who may have some a range 
of complex health care issues, and a variety of 
sensory/communication/physical/mental 
health/language needs .

 Evidence of excellent inter-personal needs
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
 Complaints procedure training 

KNOWLEDGE

 Sound knowledge of recovery, theatre practice and 
perioperative issues
Working knowledge of the NHS and 
structures/procedures.
Working and practical knowledge of theatre 
specific and monitoring equipment. 

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Professional
Friendly
 Committed
Enthusiasm and flexibility
Ability to motivate self and others in team
The ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team

SKILLS

IT skills
Time Management
Ability to meet deadline
Planning and organisation skills