Senior Healthcare Assistant - Theatres

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King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1.7 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across 5 main sites in South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local hospital services across its different sites, and specialist services from King's College Hospital (KCH) sites at Denmark Hill in Camberwell and at the Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) site in the London Borough of Bromley.

Job overview

Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH) Main Theatres is seeking a dedicated Senior Healthcare Assistant to join our team and help in delivering outstanding care to patients across various specialties, including general surgery, laparoscopic procedures, gynaecology, bariatrics, urology and orthopaedics and trauma, CEPOD (emergency cases), and maternity elective and emergency care.

The role includes transferring patients to and from the wards, transfer of patients to the operating theatre table, positioning of patients for surgery, checking sterile sets into and out of the department, maintaining stock levels, ensuring necessary equipment is available and ready for use in specific surgery, knowledge of how equipment is used and for which speciality. The successful candidate will also be responsible for cleaning and re-stocking of theatres pre, intra and post operatively.

In addition, the Senior Healthcare Assistant will be responsible for ensuring all relevant equipment necessary for the surgical procedure is at hand. Assist with surgical positioning and assist the registered nurse with the various roles involved when circulating for different surgical procedures.

In your application, please demonstrate your interest for working in the perioperative (theatre) environment. Previous Healthcare Assistant / Theatre Support Worker experience in an Operating Theatre setting is essential.

Main duties of the job

• Provide expert, holistic care of a high standard to both perioperative patients and their relatives within the King's College Hospital.
• To take direct managerial responsibility for the clinical area in the absence of or as delegated by the senior Nurse/ Coordinator of the day.
• To assist in the leadership and development of an identified group of practitioners within the Department.
• Act as a clinical resource within the Department and across the Care Group as necessary.
• Act as a positive role model to junior members of staff.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• To assist with the transporting of patients and equipment between locations within Main Theatres/ DSU (Day Surgery Unit) as well as to other departments on the PRUH site.
• To chaperone patients in the Main Theatres as directed by a registered practitioner.
• Collect/ Transport and stock, clean CSSD trays and instruments in designated places.
• Prepare and set up theatre - instrument trays, equipment, consumables, table attachments, and irrigation fluids prior to the start of each theatre list.
• To assist registered practitioners with the checking of equipment at the start of the list.
• To maintain the health and safety of the department by reporting all hazards to the team leader / clinical co-ordinator/ theatre technicians immediately on discovery.
• To provide safe assistance with the transfer of a patient from the trolley to the operating table depending on their level of ambulation.
• To provide safe assistance with the positioning of the patient for the surgical procedure under the direct supervision of a registered practitioner.
• General circulating duties as instructed/requested by qualified practitioners.
• Maintain the cleanliness of the department and equipment at all times.
• To ensure all used equipment and linen is removed and disposed of in line with local and trust infection control policy.
• To check and assist in the maintenance of stock levels within the department as delegated by the team leader daily.
• To assist with all aspects of patient hygiene needs as directed by a registered practitioner.
• To ensure that the patient's property is handled in accordance with the Trust procedures.
• Be respectful when protecting the patient privacy and their choice is maintained where possible, having special regard to issues of confidentiality.
• Assist with bed / trolley preparation, to ensure that the patient is clean and comfortable.
• Assist qualified practitioners in pressure area care, using relieving practices and devices as per local policy.
• To demonstrate the correct measurement and size selection for anti-embolism stockings (TEDs), as indicated by the RN's VTE assessment.
• To assist in the maintenance of up to date, comprehensive and accurate records in accordance with current legal requirements both written and digital.
• Handle, attach and store medical gas cylinders as instructed by a qualified practitioner.
• To demonstrate an awareness and be respectful of the different cultural, ethnic and religious needs.
• To actively ensure the safety and security of Main Theatres.
• To monitor and record patient's clinical observations, escalating appropriately to a registered nurse as required.
• To actively participate in the collection and return of Blood from the Blood Bank.
• To participate in maintaining standards of hygiene, cleanliness and infection control, reporting problems as appropriate.
• To assist in the maintenance and safekeeping of patients property in line with Trust policy.
• To ensure that equipment is clean at all times, stored safely when not in use and report faults as appropriate.
• To assist theatre staff with general collection/delivery of items necessary to ensure effective operational management of ward/department.
• To assist in performing the last offices as requested.
• To demonstrate an awareness of the different cultural, ethnic and religious needs.
• To participate effectively in multidisciplinary team WHO Surgical Safety Team Briefs.
• To maintain confidentiality at all times, in and out of the hospital environment.

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

• Functional Skills Level 2 in Numeracy and Literacy or GCSEs Maths and English Grades A-C
• Level 3 or equivalent in Health & Social Care or ENIC/ Naric comparable to the level 3 in Health & Social Care
• Care Certificate or a clear commitment to complete within 3 months of joining the organization

Knowledge and Experience

• Previous Healthcare Assistant / Theatre Support Worker experience in an Operating Theatre setting.
• Evidence of being able to work well with other members of the team including communicating effectively, being kind and considerate, reliable and enthusiastic.