Job summary
Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust is looking to recruit qualified Health Care Assistants to join our fantastic Operating Department Team at Dewsbury and District Hospital.
The operating department boasts 6 operating theatres. It is a varied and thriving environment for anyone new to the operating theatre, team working is essential here and some days can be extremely busy.
Main duties of the job
Working as part of our theatre team, you will be providing invaluable support to our patients and registered practitioners. This will include direct contact with patients during the perioperative phase of treatment, transporting patients to the department.
You will also be assisting the team, ensuring equipment and instruments are prepared and ready before procedures, opening sterile packs and being a part of the 5 Steps to Safer Surgery process. You will also ensure that the theatre is cleaned and well maintained before during and after operating lists.
We offer career progression within theatres for all our staff, there is opportunity to train as a Band 3 Advanced Health Care Assistant and being able to scrub for minor and intermediate procedures. As well as assistance in becoming an Operating Department Practitioner through our Apprenticeship Scheme with Huddersfield University.
About us
We provide care and support to over a million people in Wakefield and Kirklees in their homes, community settings and across our three hospital sites at Pontefract, Dewsbury and Pinderfields (Wakefield).
Always striving for excellence, we are at the forefront of innovation and research, and we invest in teaching and the development of our workforce.
We live by our values of caring, improving, being respectful and maintaining high standards. We listen and learn because we aim to make Mid Yorkshire the best place to work and receive care.
We value diversity and welcome talent and enthusiasm irrespective of age, disability, neurodivergence, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances including providing unpaid carers support to someone with a health and care need. As ethnic minority groups, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and people with a disability/neurodivergence are currently under-represented across the organisation, we encourage applications from members of these groups. We have policies and procedures to ensure all applicants are treated fairly and consistently.
We are proud of our staff networks – who offer valuable guidance and feedback from those with lived experience.
We have a clear vision and you could be part of this! If you share our values and you want to make a difference to the lives of our patients and their families and carers, we would love to hear from you.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Core
- Promotes a professional, welcoming, caring environment.
- Uses initiative in planning daily and weekly routines.
- Works under the supervision of the Registered Theatre Practitioners.
- Ensures that informed consent is obtained before the commencement of any treatment.
- Is responsible for maintaining accurate, timely and complete records whilst ensuring the safety and confidentiality of the information.
- Escorts and supports patients during the perioperative period.
- Supports patients undergoing local anaesthetic procedures.
- Meets the patients hygiene needs where appropriate/ as required.
- Ensure the cleanliness and hygiene of the theatre and department is maintained, adhering to infection prevention and control policies and procedures.
Care of the Environment
- Assist in the maintenance of a clean and tidy environment within the operating department, including the cleaning of assorted equipment, before during and after the operating lists.
- Preparation of all aspects of the environment to include equipment and sets etc; ensuring that safety checks are carried out as required under the direction of the registered practitioner.
- To contribute to and work within a safe working environment in accordance with Trust Governance and Health and Safety Policies.
- Report accidents/ incident/ near misses as per Trust Policy to the Theatre Coordinator/ Team Leader.
Clinical
- To perform as a safe, competent clinical member of the theatre team and provide care for the perioperative patient under direction and supervision of a registered practitioner.
- To prepare the operating theatre prior to and following operative procedures ensuring correct equipment available and in working order, notifying the registered practitioner if any problems are identified.
- To assist the scrub practitioner in the preparation and replenishment of sterile trollies using aseptic technique.
- To participate in the WHO 5 Steps to Safer Surgery in accordance with the departmental Policy and procedure.
- To participate in the swab, needle and instrument counts under direction of the scrub practitioner and in accordance to departmental procedure.
- To participate in the safe moving and handling of patients, and equipment in accordance with Health and Safety Regulations and Trust and departmental policy and procedure.
- To transport patients and goods between wards and departments.
- To assist the registered practitioner in providing direct and indirect patient care i.e. application and removal of the diathermy plate and anti-embolism garments.
- Position the operating light to the surgeons requirement.
- To safely process any specimens from procedures requiring investigation under the supervision of a registered practitioner and in accordance with Trust policy and departmental procedure.
- To maintain clear and accurate documentation under the supervision of the registered practitioner.
- To comply with existing IT systems (Theatreman) for accurate collation under the supervision of the registered practitioner.
- Communicate effectively and appropriately with all members of the multidisciplinary team as appropriate.
- Always maintain respect, and patient confidentiality and dignity.
- To participate in the operating department out of hours and on call rota as required.
- At all times appropriately use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) available for personal use.
- Be aware of the procedure to be followed in the event of Fire, Cardiac Arrest or other emergency including the Major Incident Policy.
- To perform other duties as reasonably required to assist in the smooth running of the operating department.
- Dispose of clinical waste into correct receptacles.
- To be responsible for your self development of skills and competencies through participation in training, eLearning and development activities.
- To develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues.
- To develop and maintain a broad understanding of the operating department and Trust as a whole, and actively contribute your ideas for the improvement of the service provision.
The list of duties is not intended to be exhaustive, but indicates the main areas of work and may be subject to change after consultation with the postholder to meet the changing needs of the service.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ or City & Guilds Level 2 in Health and Social Care
- Level 1 Functional Skills/Keys Skills in Numeracy and English
- For existing Mid Yorkshire staff, evidence of equivalent experience, including SIPP2 and Core Competencies, will be acceptable for the above.
Desirable
- Experience of working in an operating theatre
Experience
Essential
- Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
- An ability to demonstrate an understanding of role and responsibilities.
- Previous experience in the health care setting
Desirable
- Previous experience of working in an operating Theatre
Knowledge and Awareness
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge of Data protection
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge of Health & safety issues
Desirable
- Awareness of patient care
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Customer Care
- Maintain competencies
- Basic computer literacy.
Desirable
- To continue personal/professional development
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.
Closing Date: 29 May 2023
