Summary of the role

The role of Senior Theatre Practitioner - Anaesthetics will involve maintaining developing and changing operating practice in line with current protocols. To be responsible for the maintenance of equipment and ordering of specialised stock within the budget The post holder will work with the Lead Practitioner and the multi-disciplinary team members in monitoring and maintaining policies, standards of care, completing risk assessments and staff development as part of the theatre team.

As an experienced practitioner the post holder will be responsible for the assessment of care needs and develop, implement and evaluate change as necessary.

As necessary he/she will provide specialist care and/or support and deputise for the Lead Practitioner/ Clinical Coordinator in the management of the clinical area. This will involve dealing with complex situations and having to take appropriate action in emergency and unforeseen situations.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Planning and evaluating patient care, ensuring safe passage through theatre.
• Acts as patient’s advocate and ensure patients’ wishes are taken into account in the decision making process as necessary.
• Conveys the departmental Philosophy of Care into practice.
• Use holistic patient assessment skills so that clinical decision making will lead to prompt and appropriate action in the best interests of the patient’s well being.
• Possess good knowledge about equipment and arrangement of loan kit when required.
• To be able to work collaboratively.
• Act as an effective role model, through the application of skills to patient care, acting as an advisor to the wider multi-disciplinary team.
• Ability to work under pressure, and supervise others while under pressure.
• To implement the planned programme of perioperative care working with the team as a whole.
• To undertake management of a theatre, monitoring and promoting a high standard of care, ensuring the KPI’s are met.
• To maintain a culture in which infection control is intrinsic to care delivery. To ensure that this is reflected in all staff’s PDP.
• To take charge of the unit in the absence of the Lead Practitioner.
• To maintain an environment that is conducive to a quick recovery, caring for the patient holistically.
• To apply high levels of concentration to tasks and where necessary switch tasks frequently.
• The post holder will be exposed to potentially hazardous substances on a daily basis.
• Adhering to the NMC/HPC Code of Professional Conduct and ensuring that other Theatre Practitioner do likewise.
• Maintaining own professional development in line with the requirements of PREP, identifying and acting on training needs and attending relevant lectures and courses as necessary to ensure best practice.
• Keeping up to date with current developments in patient care and evidence based practice.
• The post holder will be a front-line advocate for Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, helping people to make better use of the NHS locally, supporting clinicians to make the best use of their skills and to be an advocate for the modern NHS responding to modern lifestyles.

Person specification

• RN Part 1 or 2, ODP NVQ level 3 Diploma/Degree Or ODP Level III, evidence of CPD
• Post registration experience
• Orthopaedic Scrubbing
• Change Management
• Managing clinical area as delegated.
• Demonstrate evidence based practice
• Facilitation of learning environment.
• Risk Management
• Audit
• Clinical Governance

For more information please review the full  job description in the Additional Information section