Lead Theatre Practitioner (Ophthalmology) role requires a clinical background in Ophthalmology with extensive ophthalmic scrub experience to manage theatre operations and lead a team.
The company is a leading provider of NHS-funded ophthalmology services in England, aiming to make a positive difference to people's lives through better sight and eye health.
Key Responsibilities
* Coordinate theatre set up and operational management, ensuring efficient processes and patient safety.
* Liaise with consultant partners, procurement, and clinical assurance teams to ensure theatre readiness.
* Implement and maintain infection prevention, resuscitation, and medication management protocols.
* Provide leadership and management for a mixed skillset theatre team, ensuring safe staffing levels and effective communication.
* Coordinate theatre operations, including equipment management and staff deployment.
* Communicate effectively with clinical and senior management teams to foster a patient-centered environment.
* Support the Operations Director with clinical oversight and governance processes.
* Ensure adherence to clinical governance, including clinical auditing and patient safety incident response.
* Maintain continuous professional development and source opportunities for team members.
* Participate in local meetings and host team meetings to ensure relevant information is cascaded.
* Adhere to IPC measures, including decontamination and sterilization procedures, and asepsis.
* Ensure stock management procedures are undertaken, and identify clinical risks for appropriate action.
* Maintain safe custody and handling of medications, and contribute to the investigation of complaints and incidents.
* Collect, collate, and report information, maintaining accurate patient records.
* Disseminate medical alerts and compile protocols and guidelines for theatre practitioners.
* Have a good understanding of CQC statutory requirements.
Staff Leadership and Recruitment
* Support recruitment, induction, and training of new theatre practitioners.
* Document competencies and develop best practice guidelines for the service.
* Aid management in effective deployment of staff to different surgical procedures.
* Provide advice on staff support and reviews or appraisals for theatre practitioners.
Education & Training
* Ensure clinical staff receive effective orientation and induction, and receive supervision as required.
* Provide support, mentorship, and supervision for new starters and learners within the service.
* Provide advice on all types of queries from staff.
* Support registered nurses with revalidation requirements.
Personal Development
* Receive clinical supervision as part of own professional development.
* Maintain up-to-date skills and knowledge, and maintain awareness of professional issues.
* Maintain a professional portfolio.
* Take responsibility for personal revalidation processes.
Research, Audit & Governance
* Lead and participate in departmental audits.
* Participate in and advise on governance processes within the service.
* Evaluate service delivery, identify areas for improvement, and initiate change.
* Participate in regular service reviews and produce an annual report.
Requirements
* Hold a current Nursing or Operating Department Practice degree or diploma.
* Hold current NMC or HCPC registration.
* Previous extensive ophthalmic scrub experience.
* Previous experience as an ophthalmic theatre manager or lead.
* Comfortable with Microsoft Office products and computerized systems.
* Remains calm in pressurized environments.
* Ability to work with a range of individuals.
* Organized with a high attention to detail.
* Team player willing to support the effective running of the service.