Ophthalmology Lead - The Cherwell Hospital, Banbury, Oxfordshire

Salary depending on experience

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Job Purpose

To assist the Theatre Manager in the responsibility of the delivery, standards and management of patient care within the Theatre. To provide guidance, support and clinical scrub expertise and leadership to the Theatre team within Ophthalmology, while working closely with the senior team to ensure effective use of Theatre resources.

Reporting to the Theatre Manager, the main duties and responsibilities of the job are to:

1.    Objectives of the Post

•    Assist with organising and managing the activities of the Theatre ensuring an efficient and effective service to all users whilst maintaining high standards of clinical care and safety which will be research/evidence based.  Standards will be set, monitored and evaluated.
•    Provide clinical expertise in specialist area and act as a resource to proactively enhance the service to our clients
•    Lead the theatre team providing clinical and professional advice and support. 
•    Provide skilled assistance to the surgeons.
•    Ensure that the theatre is prepared for use on a daily basis in line with quality standards.
•    Ensure equipment is maintained/serviced in line with manufacturer’s instructions.
•    Liaise with relevant departments to ensure prompt start to operating lists and notify of changes to ensure smooth running.
•    Support the clinical governance agenda and care management processes within the department and assist Theatre Manager to provide an efficient and effective service
•    Assist in managing departmental budgeting effectively and efficiently.
•    Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, providing high quality pre and post-operative patient care
•    Maintain effective communication with patients, team members, Consultants and other hospital department
•    Senior Theatre practitioners who are experienced scrub practitioners may also be expected to act as Surgical First Assistants if they have successfully completed appropriate training. 

2.    Patient Care 

•    Ensure that a high standard of individualised patient care is delivered in all areas 
•    Ensure best practice in care delivery and monitor this using current standards; for example patient safety, safeguarding concerns or poor practice. 
•    Ensure electronic record keeping and paper records are maintained in line with Ramsay Healthcare Governance policies, clinical record keeping and professional regulatory requirements. 
•    Assist in safety checks to ensure the correct patient has the correct procedure as laid down in the WHO (World Health Organisation) Safety Checklist.
•    To maintain, review and improve standards and practices based on evidence based findings.

3.    Management
•    Adopt a proactive approach when organising staffing levels on daily and rotational basis
•    Liaise with Theatre Manager on a daily basis to review staffing levels, workload and other organisational issues.
•    Ensure that all required documentation (legal, quality or other) is maintained
•    Supporting the Operational management of patient bookings, considering correct scheduling and staffing levels
•    Ensure that staff read and adhere to hospital and departmental policies
•    To be responsible for ensuring maintenance of equipment, reporting any defects and involving the Theatre Manager.
•    To be responsible for coordinating and maintaining adequate stock levels of drugs, stores and implants liaising with the Theatre / Stores Manager.
•    To ensure that medicines administration and management is carried out in accordance with policies and procedures
•    Ensure staff maintain high standards of infection control in their practice
•    Ensure that the Policy for the Health and Safety at Work Act is adhered to and the implementation of COSHH.

4.    Education and Training 

•    Supervise staff to maintain a safe environment for patients and treatment centre users
•    To ensure that staff are trained and competent to carry out delegated duties.
•    Demonstrate and encourage critical care awareness
•    To work alongside staff to improve their skills and to disseminate best practice, particularly with students and newly qualified staff acting as a preceptor
•    Assist with the assessments and education of staff within the theatre, acting as mentor and facilitator as required
•    To teach students, trainees and junior staff informally in the theatre environment and to take part in wider education schemes as required.
•    Assist in the planning and implementation of new ideas and innovations to improve patient care.

5.    Professional

•    To assist in ensuring all nursing staff work in accordance with NMC Code of Professional Conduct or HCPC Code of Conduct plus maintain own professional registration.
•    Maintain clinical competence and update competence as required by Ramsay and individuals regulatory bodies.
•    To ensure awareness of theatre and Ramsay wide policies and procedures and work within their remit.

Qualifications / Key Selection Criteria:

•    Registered with the NMC or HCPC
•    Excellent time management
•    Supervisory experience and/or demonstrated ability to manage a team demonstrating strong clinical skills.
•    Effective communication skills and proven ability to work effectively in a team environment and independently as required.
•    Sound written and verbal communication skills
•    Planning and organisation skills
•    Good computer skills 
•    Flexibility and adaptability
•    Immediate (or Advanced) Life Support
•    ENB 998 or equivalent
•    Diploma/Degree in a health related subject
•    Strong clinical background as a Scrub Practitioner
•    Significant exposure in a senior role to external stakeholders such as Consultants, Physicians, Allied Health professionals, patients and suppliers
•    A proactive approach to problem solving