Contract Scrub Nurse / Operating Department Practitioner (RGN/ODP) Royal Wootton Bassett

Offering a unique and highly personal service can be hugely rewarding, changing people's lives for the better every single day. Cotswold Surgical Partners offers quality health care that is locally delivered. We have a clear set of core values that we are passionate about when it comes to the quality of care we provide to our patients, and our staff are at the heart of this. We are a small, inclusive and friendly employer which offers a range of flexible working arrangements and a competitive package of pay and benefits that include a comprehensive employee assistance programme and private healthcare.

We're looking for an experienced Scrub Nurse (RGN/ODP) to join our skin plastic surgery team at our main premises in Royal Wootton Bassett and do sessional work at our rented facility in Melksham. We're a small, friendly and caring team providing a range of NHS funded and private procedures. We have two day-case operating theatres where we complete mainly skin cancer excisions under local anaesthetic alongside a range of outpatient dermatology procedures.

Main duties of the job

As a member of a small surgical theatre team, you will perform all the tasks of a Registered General Theatre Nurse/Registered Operating Department Practitioner following local policies and procedures and national guidelines. The post holder will work autonomously and will need good decision-making skills. You will facilitate the smooth and efficient running of the theatre list. The post holder will oversee the theatre assistants in the admitting and discharging of patients attending for surgery.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform comprehensive assessment of pre-operative patient care needs
• Plan, implement and evaluate care according to changing health care needs
• Collect, collate, evaluate and report information, maintaining accurate patient records and theatre documentation including use of SystmOne
• Work collaboratively with other members of staff to ensure patient care needs are met
• Establish and maintain effective communication with patients, carers/relatives and other departments
• Treat all information regarding patients as confidential
• Organise and co‑ordinate the daily workload of the Theatre Assistants
• Ensure patients' journey through Surgical Department is completed in a timely and efficient manner
• Oversee the Theatre Assistants in admitting patients to the department, following agreed procedures and protocols
• Carry out surgical scrubbing, gowning and gloving procedures aseptically and in accordance with AfPP recommendations and departmental policy
• Prepare equipment, instruments and items for surgical procedure, with an awareness to avoid cost inefficiencies
• Maintain asepsis and the sterile field
• Provide guidance in positioning the patient for surgical procedures
• Ensure comprehensive completion of WHO Surgical Safety checklist for each patient
• Assist in skin preparation and draping of the surgical field
• Work alongside the surgeon, safely passing the correct surgical instruments and materials within the sterile field
• Anticipate the needs of the surgeon and respond effectively
• Observe the patient for signs of discomfort and notify surgeon
• Ensure all instrumentation is correct and accounted for at all stages of the procedure
• Safely handle, record and dispatch specimens and used instruments in line with Practice protocol
• Participate in local decontamination and sterilisation procedures as per Practice policy
• Recognise and respond appropriately to urgent and emergency situations within the Practice
• Ensure patient records and theatre documentation are maintained and that documentation reflects care provided
• Ensure safe storage of drugs, maintaining cold chain where appropriate
• Maintain effective communication throughout the Practice Environment
• Support clinical area is prepared as appropriate to individual patient needs
• Maintain the work environment in line with the Practice Infection Prevention and Control and Health and Safety Policies
• Identify potential risk issues and report to the Clinical Lead and/or the General Manager
• Participate in all efforts to recycle surgical waste and dispose of in appropriate waste stream

Professional

• Be aware of how to access Practice Policies and Procedures and comply with those relevant to role and clinical area
• Act at all times in a manner which illustrates respect for privacy, dignity and confidentiality
• Exhibit professional behaviour and attitude at all times
• Respect and value all people equally whatever their background or beliefs
• Act within limits of own competence, ensuring actions support care, protection and wellbeing of others
• Maintain responsibility for the identification of own continuing educational and development needs, including participation in audits of work practice
• Ensure all mandatory training is undertaken in line with Practice policy
• Participate, when requested, with investigations relating to incidents involving patients and staff
• Participate in team meetings
• Maintain Active Status on the NMC/HPC Register
• Act always in accordance with NMC/HPC Code of Conduct
• Maintain up to date skills and knowledge
• To participate in an annual individual performance review
• Responsible for maintaining own Continuing Professional Development in line with NMC/HPA requirement

Administration

• Use of IT systems e.g. SystmOne
• Complete PSIRF form in the event of an incident involving patients
• Report and document accidents involving staff, patients or visitors according to established procedures and in compliance with the Health & Safety at Work Act
• Participate in the induction and orientation of newly appointed staff and other visitors to the Practice

Health & Safety Risk

• Be aware of Health & Safety regulations affecting the Practice
• Report defects in equipment and the general fabric of the unit to your line manager
• Have full knowledge of fire precautions and regulations

Infection Prevention & Control

• To observe best practice guidance in order to maintain high standards of Infection Prevention & Control
• Adhere to all Practice Policies and Procedures relating to IP&C
• Adhere to the procedures and protocols for Waste Management

Conditions of Employment

• Eligible to join the NEST Pension Scheme
• Uniform provided, full induction and training programme
• 33 days pro rata holiday (inclusive of bank holidays)
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Option to join our Private Health Care scheme from your first anniversary (Vitality)

Flexibility

In addition to the duties and responsibilities listed, the jobholder may be required to perform other duties assigned by their line manager from time to time. No job description can give a complete account of all aspects of a post and from time to time adjustments in working practices may be required. No such adjustments to the job description may be made without the agreement of the partnership in consultation with the post-holder.

Person Specification

Qualifications Essential

For this position you need to be an RGN or ODP with Scrub experience, ideally in a plastics environment.

Desirable

Experience in plastics would be beneficial.

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. Applicants must have current UK professional registration.