Anaesthetic Practitioner / ODP

Job overview

We currently have an exciting opportunity for forward thinking, proactive and highly motivated Anaesthetic Practitioners (Registered Nurses or Operating Department Practitioners (ODP’s) to join our theatre team at Ashford and St Peters NHS Foundation Trust.

We are looking for candidates with excellent communication skills, a desire to learn and passion to develop and improve. Previous theatre experience is welcome, along with experience from other specialities or those just starting on their ODP career.

As a team member, you will have a range of learning opportunities available. Starting with a rotation throughout the departments, you will develop your competencies within each speciality.

Informal visits to the unit are welcome so you can come and meet us and see the way that care is delivered.

Please contact St Peter’s site Matron Alexandra Dumitrescu, or Team Leader Janet Wright, or Clinical Practice Educator Joi Kaunde-Smith.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will work in a variety of settings as part of a team to provide a safe, cost effective, efficient care for patients and ensuring the safety and well-being of the patient throughout in the perioperative period. Your main role will be to provide expertise assistance to the anaesthetist in the perioperative environment and out of department such as A & E, MRI, and inter hospital transfers. This will involve ensuring that all the equipment and drugs required are checked and available.

You will also be expected to function clinically within the Operating Department as part of the team together with the surgical team in roles such as preparing the operating room, transfer and safe positioning of patients.

Effective communication skills is vital for this role both written and verbal with all levels of staff including the multidisciplinary team, patients and relatives, considering impairments, levels of consciousness and language barriers.

You will be required to adhere to local policies, guidelines and SOP’s in order to maintain a high standard of good quality care within the department.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• Provide specialist support and knowledge to patients within clinical areas in the operating department and surrounding areas.
• Act as a role model and create an environment that promotes excellence in Theatre Practice and empowers staff to develop high levels of clinical skills and autonomy.
• Deliver skilled practical care to all patients and lead in the monitoring, planning and delivery of individualised patient care, providing specialist advice to junior staff in areas of practice.
• Be prepared to extend knowledge and skills by rotation to other specialties.
• Participate in emergency cover for the department including out of hours shifts, on-call cover and rotation onto night duty for the Operating Department and other areas where applicable.
• Be competent in current emergency resuscitation techniques, both in theory and practice.
• Report any complaints, accidents, untoward incidents or unusual occurrences to the Clinical Manager and ensure that where possible remedial action is taken to prevent the occurrence/reoccurrence of such incidents. Ensure incident forms are completed with statements where appropriate.
• Demonstrate a personal duty of care in keeping yourself and other staff up to date in the use of new equipment and procedures in the relevant areas of care.
• Actively participate in current research and clinical audit promoting changes in practice as required.
• Ensure rigorous adherence to infection control practices including hand hygiene and universal precautions.