QHC Medical Centre - Operating Theatre Nurse

QHC Medical Centre - Operating Theatre Nurse

Required Top Duties and Competency for Operating Room Nurses in QHC:

1. Operating Theatre Nurses work in surgical settings and assist other medical professionals before, during, and after surgery. They should be highly skilled in sterilization, organization, responding to changes in situations, and implementing specific nursing care plans for surgical patients.
2. Preparing patients for surgery by cleaning and disinfecting areas to be operated on. Assisting surgeons during surgical procedures. Applying sterile techniques in handling medical instruments and equipment pre-, during, and post-surgery.

Operating Theatre Nursing Skills and Competency Required:

1. A core competency of nursing is the ability to practice nursing that meets the needs of patients cared for using critical thinking and accurate nursing skills.
2. The nursing competency structure consists of the ability to understand patients’ needs, provide care, and collaborate and communicate effectively with the operating theatre team.
3. Identify the patient using two identifications that require an active response - e.g. “What is your name, date of birth, or identity card number?”
4. Checks the surgeon's preference and medical records of patient needs and requests before surgery.
5. An OT Nurse's duties and responsibilities are focused on giving timely care to their patients.
6. Nurse awareness in IPSG # 4: (International Patient Safety Goals # 4 – Ensure correct-site, correct-procedure, and correct patient surgery before surgery).
7. The operation verification process is done with the surgical team and patient.
8. A time-out that is held immediately before the start of the procedure.
9. Ensure that all relevant documents, images, and blood tests are properly labelled and available in OT before surgery.
10. Completion of an anaesthesia safety check is done. Documentation of allergies and previous surgery or any medical history that needs attention.
11. The Operating Room Nurse is responsible for keeping patients safe during surgery by providing care before, during, and after surgeries.
12. They are tasked with ensuring operating rooms are clean and sterile while preparing for and following any procedures.
13. Pain management and discomfort alleviation for the patient during their care.
14. Preventing postoperative complications. Assisting the surgical team when there is post-op bleeding.
15. Assist doctors during procedures and monitor patient vital signs to ensure they are able to handle different types of treatment e.g. code blue in an emergency.
16. Assess the patient's condition before surgery and update the surgical team when required.
17. Ensure that the Operating Room is prepared with necessary supplies, surgical consumables, instruments, and equipment are in working order.
18. Keep the operating room sterilized. All surgical items are checked for expiry date before using equipment or instruments for surgery.
19. Ensure that a proper and regular supply of oxygen and suction is maintained at all times – Ensure the working of centralized oxygen piping.
20. Patient pre-op checklist is carried out before the patient is taken to the Operating Theatre. The informed consent form for the operation is signed by the patient and witnessed by the Anesthetist.
21. Informed Consent form for O&G – Patient agreement to investigation or treatment is signed before surgery. Routine form used for O&G cases in QHC.
22. Position the patient on the operating table with safety measures – to prevent patient falls in the operating room.
23. Maintain hygiene and sterility throughout the surgery procedure.
24. Be attentive to the patient’s safety while on the operating table. Ensure one team member is always with the patient at all times.
25. Arrange a mayo trolley with the necessary instruments required for surgery. Adhere to the operating room policies and procedures.
26. Read up on policy requirements regarding surgical needles, blades, instruments, count, and sponges.
27. Performs surgical hand scrub, dons’ sterile gown, and gloves.
28. Prepares OT before surgery arranges sterile instruments, and other sterile supplies, and completes sterile draping.
29. Performs pre-surgical and post-surgical counts with a circulating Nurse.
30. Anticipates the procedure steps in accordance with the surgery.
31. Expert knowledge of emergency medicine and special nursing care.
32. Able to observe patient needs and perform emergency procedures.
33. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment under pressure where there is a limitation of manpower. May be called in after working hours to assist in emergency cases.
34. Good written and verbal communication skills among the medical team and patients and their families.
35. Exceptional multitasking skills and time management skills.
36. Effective documentation and ability to write patient’s report post-operatively.
37. An OT Nurse's duties and responsibilities are focused on giving timely care to their patients.
38. Assisting surgeons during surgical procedures and ability to work closely with teams and patients.
39. Must have good knowledge of infectious diseases and management of isolation and Infection Prevention Control.
40. Reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections. Notification of infectious diseases, knowledge of Clinical Waste Disposal, etc.
41. Assist in administering IV medication as instructed by the surgeon and anaesthetist in OT.
42. Assist in setting Branula to start intravenous lines and carry out all surgeon and anaesthetist orders.
43. Good interpersonal skills and a good rapport with patients, their families, and OT Team, and all healthcare members in the hospital.
44. Help transfer post-op patients to the ward for post-surgery monitoring and observation.
45. Knowledge of Management of needle/sharp injury, how to handle needle stick injuries, and raise incident reports for any abnormal incidents.
46. OT Nurses need an extensive set of hard skills, soft skills, and qualifications, including knowledge of emergency medication.
47. Nurses assist and communicate with patients about their treatment plan and give health education after a procedure to discuss the recovery process.
48. Promoting adequate discharge planning and health teaching before discharge.
49. Willingness to continually learn the latest advancements in OT.