Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To always practice within the appropriate Code of Professional Conduct.

Maintain own professional development in accordance with the NMC/HCPC.

To act as a role model to the Theatre team within the Operating Theatre Department. Promoting and demonstrating the standards of care and behaviour expected, promoting professional and courteous culture as determined by professional standards, best practice, and government initiatives.

To continually update and maintain personal levels of clinical skills and competencies, acting as a clinical role model.

Ensures due regard is given to the customs, values and spiritual beliefs of patients and colleagues and that equal opportunities are practised.

To ensure nursing care is evidence based and reflects best practice. Facilitate research into new areas and promote the use of research finding to influence a change as appropriate using a patient centred approach.

To take overall responsibility for ensuring safe custody of drugs and any discrepancies reported to Pharmacist/Matron as per Policy.

To be responsible for monitoring accurate nursing and other Theatre records and documentation.

To be actively involved in the management of the allocated budget in the clinical area, providing maximum standards of care within the resources allocated.

To ensure there is an effective and efficient usage of Theatre time within own sphere of responsibility.

To always ensure care provided to patients is delivered in a professional, courteous, and considerate manner by staff respecting the difference cultural backgrounds of clients, patients, and colleagues.

Is responsible for own professional development and is prepared to undertake additional training if required for the post. Agrees own personal, professional, and service objectives according to individual performance review with the Matron.

Assists retention of staff by promoting professional and personal growth of staff using individual performance review and clinical supervision and facilitate continuous update for all qualified staff in conjunction with the department Education Strategy.

To facilitate a conducive learning environment and provide learning health care professionals and non-clinical support staff to develop and maintain the quality of patient experience.

To provide guidance and support to the team, promote and enable effective change management. Undertake appropriate leadership training and strengthen leadership and clinical skills within the team.

Adhere to Trust and Directorate protocols, procedures, guidelines, and policies. Promote lifelong learning.  To facilitate audits as required by the Directorate.  Investigation of complaints.

To be aware of the responsibilities placed on them under the Trust Health and Safety Policies and Procedures and to ensure the safe working environment of the area under their control.

To lead and promote a positive approach to health education within the Speciality and manage sickness absence in line with the Trust Policy. 

To understand the role of clinical governance in the management of patients and the training and education of staff. Assesses the risks involved in the care of patients and develops practices and protocols to minimise those risks.  Reports incidents and near misses promptly and appropriately and takes effective action to minimise the risk in future.

To take lead role in the Retention, Recruitment and Selection of staff in accordance with the Trust’s Human Resource Policies.

To conduct and participate in the Appraisals.

Awareness of business planning procedure within the directorate. Is able to work with the Matron/Directorate Manager in the negotiation and planning of additional staff resources where necessary.

To monitor and assess the quality of nursing via audit, give regular feedback to the team and Directorate, and implement required action.

In conjunction with Matron and working with clinical teams, contribute to the development of clinical practices for the Operating Theatre Department to ensure continuity of care for patients.

To co-ordinate and adhere to the Theatre Operational Policy ensuring effective patient flows and theatre utilisation.

Manages a budget, anticipating staff shortages or budget deficits and acts accordingly. Understands the structure for funding health and social care and ensures that relevant procedures are followed, and documentation is completed.

Manage the planning of nursing care to patients paying due attention to staffing levels, skill mix, competence, experience, and training of the individual. Patient dependency activity management of a theatre area / client group to ensure all statutory standards and Trust procedures are implemented and always maintained thereby ensuring the safety of all aspects of the environment.

To manage to the planning of duty rota’s and organise annual leave in such a way as to ensure continuity of care and safety for patients and staff. To liaise with other disciplines/departments and voluntary agencies, to ensure a cohesive approach to patient care