Main Duties & Responsibilities of the Post - The post holder, under supervision, will assist the multidisciplinary team in delivering individualised planned patient care in a safe and healthy environment which promotes equality for all individuals - Active participation in the preparation of theatres and assisting the scrub practitioner in the preparation of sterile surgical equipment - Ability to interact with people at all levels and work effectively as a team member. - To communicate effectively, especially where patient ability to do so is compromised and there are barriers to understanding e.g. hearing difficulties, using tact and re-assurance - To contribute to safe and timely patient transfer process - Under guidance, deliver safe patient care within a challenging and changing clinical environment, using equipment and resources safely and as appropriate - Take an active role in theatre decontamination in line with infection control policies - Discretion and understanding of confidentiality and data protection - Understand and adhere to Trust Policies and Procedures - Provide advice and guidance within own sphere of knowledge to students and other team members - To contribute to safe and timely patient transfer process within and out of theatres - To contribute to theatre efficiency through active engagement in the movement and delivery of equipment and stock as required - Active participation in any theatre cleaning between cases and at the end of the day as required - Ability to get on well with people at all levels and work effectively as a team member. Organise own day to day work tasks and activities - After suitable training be able to respond to change in the patients signs and condition, especially when on patient transfer duties - Ability to respond and adapt to changes within an emergency situation - Working within the multidisciplinary team supporting the delivery of assessed and evaluated programmes of care - To undertake additional, delegated clinical responsibilities as required - Occasionally the job holder may be exposed to distressing or emotional circumstances - Willingness to take on specialist link roles relevant to theatres - Willingness to be involved in the development and training of new starters once competent and confident in the role of a HCSW within a theatre team. Most Challenging Part of the Job - Ability to adapt to a challenging specialist environment - Ability to work effectively, working under pressure - Occasionally dealing with difficult people and situations Physical Effort and Working Conditions - Will be required to work within the recognised Manual Handling Guidelines - May be expected to frequently manoeuvre patients/objects over 15kg for short periods of time - Will have possible exposure to unpleasant working conditions and will be required to follow policies and procedures pertaining to bodily fluids, Infection Control and COSHH regulations - Ability to work where the work pattern may be unpredictable e.g. prioritising patient demands and unexpected changes to theatre operating lists - Will be required to work flexibly including weekends and evenings on a rostered basis