Scrub Practitioner - Bowcliffe Hall in Wetherby

As part of a multi-disciplinary team, ensure a comprehensive level of care provision to all ophthalmic patients, their relatives, or carers, across clinical and non-clinical care pathways, with an emphasis on quality patient care. You will provide excellent care to all patients, with specific responsibility for providing skilled clinical and technical assistance as a member of the operating theatre team, including peri-operative and post-operative care in the surgical and refractive suite, and assisting with surgical procedures. You will deliver highly skilled patient-centred care to all ophthalmic patients within the hospital and assist in maintaining an out-of-hours emergency patient service in line with clinical governance and CQC requirements.

Patient Care

• Carry out a full range of registered healthcare professional duties, including assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of the patient's condition and care.
• Maintain the privacy and dignity of all patients at all times.
• Anticipate the needs of the surgical team by provision of appropriate surgical instrumentation and equipment.
• Take responsibility to ensure all surgical equipment is disposed of correctly, including appropriate decontamination and sterilisation of reusable equipment.
• Ensure all documentation for traceability is effectively completed.
• Maintain awareness of patient-specific requirements for each case, including lenses or other bespoke items.
• Use clinical judgement and analytical skills to proactively identify potential problems with regard to surgical instrumentation and turnaround times for decontamination and sterilisation.
• Administer drugs and treatments as prescribed in line with Medicines Management Policy.
• Help to control and minimise the risk of cross infection by following the Uniform Policy, AFPP guidelines, and all procedures for the maintenance of a clean working environment.
• Work with Consultants/Surgeons and trainee doctors, supporting them and delivering excellent care throughout the patient pathway.
• Provide effective handover of key information to recovery staff to facilitate safe and effective patient discharge.
• Provide clinical advice for staff, patients and carers within level of competency.

Professional & Administrative

• Adhere to the Uniform Policy and participate in perioperative projects enhancing standards of care.
• Assist with the organisation of notes and hospital lists to ensure safe and smooth running of schedules.
• Ensure all clinical documentation is completed legibly and comprehensively to agreed organisational and NMC/HPC standards.
• Observe patient confidentiality at all times in accordance with the Data Protection Act and Caldicott principles.
• Follow correct procedures for documenting and reporting any accident or incident.

Training & Development

• Undertake all mandatory training as required and complete key competencies within the first 1–3 months.
• Act as mentor/preceptor for trained and untrained staff once appropriate training has been given.
• Participate in clinical supervision, staff training and departmental meetings as required.
• Be prepared to extend knowledge and skills by rotation to other areas in consultation with the Specialist Clinical Leader.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Experience – Essential

• Registered Nurse with 1st level NMC registration, or ODP Level 3 NVQ in Operating Department Practice, or ODA City and Guilds 752.
• Previous experience in Theatres, General Surgery, or Outpatients.

Qualifications & Experience – Desirable

• Experience in Ophthalmology.
• Experience in scrub and circulating roles, preferably Ophthalmic.

Knowledge & Skills

• Aware of responsibilities in relation to NMC/HCPC standards and CQC key lines of enquiry.
• Aware of AFPP guidelines.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Personal Qualities

• Passionate about patient care and delivering the best patient experience.
• Able to build and maintain exceptional relationships with colleagues and customers.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Consistent professional attitude; personable, confident and articulate at all times.
• Excellent time management skills.