Job overview
We are looking to welcome three new Theatre Support workers to our diverse expanding neurosurgery theatre team.
We have recently relocated to the brand new operating suite situated on level 5 of The Louisa Martindale Building, the unit is made up of 3 operating theatres, neuro angiogram and a dedicated recovery unit. To provide a flexible approach and support the peri-operative service.
The successful candidates will be expected to work as part of the peri-operative team to undertake patient care.
You will be responsible for maintaining a clean and safe environment for the patient.
Main duties of the job
1. Prepare own work space including equipment required on a daily basis and plan their own day.
2. Report any accidents or near misses to the appropriate manager and complete the appropriate incident/accident report forms.
3. Appropriately raises concerns about compliance and competence of other staff members and students.
4. Escort of pre and post-operative patients on foot, by wheelchair, trolley, bed, or any other means necessary in a safe and appropriate manner to and from theatre.
5. Assists other theatre staff with the individual care needs within the clinical area via the implementation and evaluation of planned care.
6. After appropriate training and assessment undertake a range of basic observations and personal care detailed in individual skills inventory, under the supervision and direction of the supervising theatre staff.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.
As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
7. Records basic observations and reports those observations to the supervising theatre staff.
8. Articulates concerns about the welfare/well-being of any patient to a registered practitioner immediately.
9. Awareness of emergency procedures and how to activate them when needed.
10. Maintains the privacy and dignity of carers.
11. Assists in the transfer and positioning of anaesthetised patients e.g. trolley to table, according to local policy.
12. The collection, delivery, disposal and when necessary the positioning of furniture, air/foam mattresses, linen, patient notes, pharmacy boxes, controlled drugs, specimens, blood products, post, clinical, anatomical waste and non-clinical waste, medical equipment and supplies, food and any other items, using appropriate methods of work as directed (this is not an exhaustive list).
13. Collection and delivery of deceased patients to the mortuary in a dignified manner using an appropriate means of transport.
14. Use the designated biometric blood tracking system ensuring the blood products are transported in the correct manner e.g. use of cool box for 2 units or more.
15. The identification, movement and storage of medical gases as necessary ensuring adherence to strict regulations governing the handling of medical gases.
16. Change medical gas cylinders within the Department using appropriate methods of work, following appropriate training e.g. laparoscopic stacks
17. Ensure beds, wheelchairs and trolleys are kept clean and ensure safe practice to minimise the risks of infection to patients and staff in accordance with national and Trust policy, in particular to be aware of their responsibilities as listed in the Infection Control Policy.
18. Use a blood analyser machine, print out and deliver the results to the Anaesthetist or Anaesthetic Practitioner in the theatre room.
19. Disposal of theatre scrub suits from the changing rooms.
20. Cleaning theatre and assisting with general cleaning within the department, emptying hatchways to SSD as necessary.
21. Lifting, moving and positioning patients on or between beds, trolleys and special tables under qualified supervision in theatres.
22. Participation in the correct disposal of clinical/non-clinical waste in accordance with Trust policy.
23. To act as a member of the theatre team by undertaking the circulating person role.
24. To act as a nominated Fire Warden for the Department and undertake the duties annexed to the role after appropriate training.
25. Be a role model and demonstrate the Trust’s Values and Behaviours within the workplace.
26. Actively participate and engage with Patient First Improvement System and the WHO 5 Steps to Safer Surgery.
27. Participates in collection and entry of statistical information e.g the Theatre Management System.
28. Responds to phone calls and refers as appropriate.
29. Inputs data using computerised record system.
30. Be aware of policies and comment on these if they feel it is necessary, commenting on changes in working practices.
31. Ensure that sufficient stock levels are maintained of theatre equipment, this includes ordering and rotation of stock.
32. After appropriate training, assists in the daily checking of resuscitation equipment, glucometer and haemocue, reporting any malfunction to a senior practitioner in charge of the department.
Communication
33. Exchanges routine information with and offers support and reassurance to patients in a sensitive and appropriate manner, recognising that there may be barriers to understanding and communication.
34. Liaise and communicate with the Facilities and Estates Helpdesk maintaining professionalism at all times.
35. Takes appropriate action and reports immediately to your Manager and/or other appropriate person any faults or effects to Trust equipment or premises, especially those which could be dangerous, cause harm or possess a risk to colleagues, visitors or patients.
36. Ensure confidentiality, privacy and dignity is maintained at all times in accordance with the Data Protection Act and in line with Trust policy, where appropriate.
37. To give assistance and wherever possible to help with any queries raised by patients, visitors and staff.
38. Pre-operatively, report to the ward nursing staff if a patient needs help or attention. Post-holder may be expected to provide reassurance to patients in transit to Theatres giving basic explanations prior to them being anaesthetised. Post–holder may be expected to empathise with patients to provide reassurance needed remembering that English may not be the patient’s first language. There is an expectation to report back status change in patient to appropriate staff member.
39. Maintain a clean, neat and tidy appearance, complying with Trust Uniform Policy.
Service Delivery and Improvement
40. To have a flexible approach to working with new innovations and technologies to aid and enhance service delivery.
41. Participate as required, in regular team meetings, performance reviews, audits, surveys, job chats, return to work discussions and training.
42. To carry out delegate audits that are commensurate with the grade and role.
People Management and Development
43. Contributing to good relations, communication and team work with all discipline within the department, and to assist in the orientation of new staff.
44. To support the training and induction of new staff.
Learning and Development
45. Attend mandatory training updates as required.
46. Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development process.
47. Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.
48. Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager
49. Participate in the Trust’s appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service.
This job description is an outline of the role and responsibilities. From time to time due to the needs of the service, we may ask you to flexibly undertake other duties that are consistent with your role and banding, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.
The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the department and the organisation.
Mission and values
The mission of University Hospitals Sussex – what we are striving to achieve – is to provide:
‘ excellent care every time’
All our efforts to do this put the interests of our patients first and foremost, and are underpinned by our values:
50. Compassion
51. Communication
52. Teamwork
53. Respect
54. Professionalism
55. Inclusion
These values were selected by our staff, patients and public when we were talking about the merger and the sort of organisation we want University Hospitals Sussex to be.
Our mission and values are extremely important to us and we expect everyone who works at University Hospitals Sussex in any capacity to share and uphold them.
Patient First
56. Patient First is our Trust-wide approach to improving the quality of care for patients and to build and embed a culture where staff can be confident that their views matter and will be heard.
57. The aim is to empower all staff to lead change, raise issues, concerns, identify and implement areas for improvement within the workplace and find solutions collectively as part of a team.
58. Staff will be equipped with skills to identify improvement opportunities and supported to see those through
59. It encourages all staff to be innovative and drive forward quality improvement and positive changes in their areas.
60. The philosophy behind this is centred on:
61. Standardisation, system redesign and the improvement of patient pathways to eliminate error and waste and improve quality
62. The patient being at the heart of every element of change
63. Embedding cultural change across the organisation, where everyone is passionate about delivering exceptional quality every time and “where better never stops”.
64. Continuous improvement of our services through small steps of change
65. Constantly testing the patient pathway to see how we can develop
66. Encouraging frontline staff to lead the redesign processes
67. Equal voices for all
68. Engagement of staff is a big factor in job performance.
69. Good engagement leads to improved quality, mortality and safety measures
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
The Trust is committed to supporting Inclusion as can be seen by our Patient First Triangle with a clear value being Inclusion. We all have a responsibility to treat our colleagues, patients and service users with respect and dignity irrespective of; age, race, disability, gender reassignment/identity, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.
We are a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and part of the Stonewall Workplace Equality Champions programme.
All staff have a duty to report any behaviours which contravene this to their managers.
Person specification
Experience
Essential criteria
70. Hospital/Healthcare Experience
71. Experience working with the general public
Desirable criteria
72. Theatre Experience
Qualifications
Desirable criteria
73. Care Certificate
74. Level 2 qualifications or equivalent
Communication
Essential criteria
75. Good communication skills, interpersonal and oral/written skills
76. Able to empathise with patients pre and post surgery
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
77. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
78. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
Important information for applicants
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for those that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker.
Closing adverts early: Please apply as early as you're able for this role. In the event of exceptional interest we may close adverts earlier than specified.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications