Senior Theatre Practitioner | Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

An exciting opportunity has arisen at Liverpool University Hospital Foundation Trust (LUHFT) for either a Registered Nurse or Operating Department Practitioner to join the Theatre team on Anaesthetics. We are looking for an enthusiastic and dynamic individual to work within our busy theatres complex. We are proud of our ethos of welcoming new practitioners and providing a supportive, team orientated environment. We provide an in depth induction and an excellent preceptorship package for both newly qualified and experienced applicants.

The successful applicant will work as part of a combined theatres team consisting of 44 theatres across 3 sites in Liverpool. Specialties include Breast, Trauma and Orthopaedics, HPB, Vascular, Upper GI, Colorectal, Liver and endocrine surgery. There would be opportunity to rotate within the disciplines and this would be supported by the theatre team. The theatre team also support additional services within the trust such as ITU, Resus, and A and E and all applicants will be supported to train in these areas.

The successful applicant will be expected to participate in the 24 hour, 7 day service offered and be required to partake in a flexible work pattern to meet the needs of the service.

Deliver skilled practical care to all patients and participate in the monitoring, planning and delivery of individualised patient care. With guidance from senior staff, assess situations that arise in the peri-operative environment. Actively support the implementation of Evidence Based Practice and participate in clinical audits as required. To participate, as required, in out of hours cover, which may include on call cover and rotation onto night duty.

Have an awareness of stock control; support Team Leaders in appropriate stock management. Input data onto the Ormis system, in order that statistics/patient activity may be accurately compiled. Ensure all equipment and instruments are maintained in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines, document and report any faults immediately to senior staff. Attend/participate in unit/team meetings. Support staff under your supervision (theatre support workers, trainee operating department practitioners, student nurses) and act as an effective role model.

Ensure rigorous adherence to infection control practices including hand hygiene and universal/standard precautions. Ensure all theatre equipment and instruments required for the safe delivery of patient care are available and in working order prior to the commencement of an elective or emergency operating list. Assist in the preparation and cleaning of the theatre suite, as per standard operating procedures. Ensure all information pertaining to the patient’s identification and planned surgery is correct, as per departmental guidance.

Participate as a scrubbed member of the theatre team and carry out safety checks on swabs, instruments and needles in conjunction with a second person and reporting on the same to the surgeon, as per departmental policy. Act as a circulating member of the operating team. The post holder may be required to stand for long periods when assisting with surgical procedures and to have physical skill and dexterity when handling equipment. Assist with the safe disposal of instrumentation and clinical waste e.g. body fluids, tissue at the end of surgery, as per departmental, Trust guidance. Advise Unit Co-ordinator or person in charge of any proposed changes in the order of the operating list.