Job Description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 6 Senior post anaesthetic care practitioner.



We are looking for a dynamic and motivated individual to work within our busy theatres complex. We are proud of our ethos of welcoming new practitioners and providing a supportive, team orientated environment.



Our site currently has 18 operating theatres covering all major specialities, including Urology, Breast and Endocrine, Renal Transplant, Upper GI, Colorectal, HPB Surgery, Liver, Ophthalmology and interventional radiology to name a few, and we are excited to welcome an experienced senior post anaesthetic care practitioner to our team.



You will be responsible for the safe admission of care and discharge of all patients from the variety of disciplines to destinations such as Theatre Admissions Unit, wards within the hospital and critical care.



Co-ordinating a busy recovery area, facilitating education and training, and providing experienced support and guidance to the team.



As we work very closely with Theatre Admissions Unit, staff may be expected to support the unit in times of staff shortage.



Theatre Recovery works on a 24/7 basis therefore applicants must be aware that there are a variety of shift patterns including out of hour services.



Applicants will be required to work in a flexible working pattern to meet the needs of the service.

Please note additional working pattern:

37.5 hours inclusive of weekends, nights and 1 x 21:30 finish per week.



An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 6 Senior post anaesthetic care practitioner.



You will have to be an enthusiastic, resilient and a professional who is looking to further your career, and seek a new challenge.



You will have to be flexible, adaptable and willing to maintain our pace and drive having excellent communication skills that enable you to be a team player.



As a senior post anaesthetic care practitioner you will be required to offer experienced support and guidance to junior staff, and you will have a broad knowledge and skills including communication and team working, to enable you to effectively contribute to the efficient running of a fast paced recovery area.



In order to provide the finest possible care we aim to attract, train and provide on-going support to the right people who can join our existing team of highly skilled professionals, all of whom are committed to making a positive difference to our patients.



The main duties are to plan deliver and evaluate all aspects of patient care for the immediate post operative patient who have undergone surgery or a procedure within the Trust and the external areas mentioned in the job overview.



Successful applicants would be expected to assist in the day to day running of the unit, ensuring effective communication with theatres and multidisciplinary teams.



Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital & Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients.

UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond.

For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.

Aintree University Hospital is the single receiving site for adult major trauma patients in Cheshire and Merseyside and hosts a number of regional services including an award-winning stroke facility. Broadgreen Hospital is home to elective surgical, diagnostic and treatment services, together with specialist patient rehabilitation. Liverpool Women's Hospital specialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK's largest single site maternity hospital each year. The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.

For roles at Liverpool Women's, visit their careers page.



Job Summary



The post holder will work as a member of the multidisciplinary team, deliver skilled practical care to all patients, and lead in the monitoring, planning and delivery of individualised patient care, providing advice to staff as appropriate.



To provide support and knowledge to patients within the speciality. Acts as a role model, demonstrating effective organisational, clinical and leadership skills.



To undertake recovery and anaesthetic duties, as required, meeting service delivery requirements.



Key responsibilities

Professional:

To maintain awareness of and comply with the code of professional conduct/standards of proficiency N.M.C, Trust policies, procedures and guidelines.



To demonstrate evidence of on-going specialist professional development via a personal professional portfolio and the NHS knowledge and skills frame work.



Works collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team.



Maintain professional standards and adhere to the Trust and departmental dress code policy.



The post will require the practitioner to be able to demonstrate the ability to work autonomously.



The practitioner is competent to deliver expert, skilled care to highly dependant patients in a specialised area.

COMMUNICATION:

Ensure communication at all levels and disciplines, information inclusive of that which is confidential and complex, within the Theatre and the Trust as appropriate.



Ensure all records and documentation are compiled and maintained accurately and in accordance with the N.M.C. standards for record keeping and Caldicott report.



Supports patients/families/staff effectively communicating sensitive, confidential information using a variety of communication skills such as empathy, negotiation, persuasion and reassurance.

CLINICAL MANAGEMENT:

Deliver skilled practical care to all patients and lead in the monitoring, planning and delivery of individualised patient care, providing advice to staff as appropriate.



Able to demonstrate the ability to assess situations that arise in the peri-operative environment.



To participate as required out of hours cover, inclusive of weekends and rotation onto night duty.



Liaise with Unit Manager/Team Leader to support appropriate stock management and promote efficient and effective use of resources by continually examining departmental procedures and products used.



Liaise with Unit Manager/ Team Leader and equipment lead to ensure all equipment and instruments are maintained in accordance with manufacturer's guidelines, document and report immediately any faults as they occur.



Participate in unit meetings/team feedback to staff as required.



Ensure effective communication with line manager in day to day running of the department acting on own initiative as appropriate.



Ensure rigorous adherence to infection control practices including hand hygiene and universal/standard precautions.



Post holder is required to prioritize and manage workload as an individual and part of the MDT and act up for team leader/Unit Manager in their absence.



Support/promote the implementation of Evidence Based Practice and participate in clinical audits as required.



Participate in setting and maintaining agreed standards of patient care ensuring that said practices are in accordance with departmental/hospital policy.



Input patient data onto the ORMIS system to ensure that accurate patient records/activity are recorded.



Uses judgment to critically assess situations that arise in the peri-operative environment showing the ability to recognise and deal with situations that may occur within their sphere of work.

Personal/Professional Development:

Identify personal and professional needs for career development of self and junior staff via the Trust appraisal programme and the NHS knowledge and skills framework. Take a lead role in the Personal Development Review for junior staff.



Actively support students and professional staff with the mentor/preceptorship role assessing their practical skills and knowledge with courses and clinical competencies as required.



In consultation with the Training Co-ordinator take a lead role in the training and development of other team members, newly appointed staff and students.

RECOVERY DUTIES :

Receive and identify patient's post-operatively along with all relevant documentation from anaesthetist and theatre practitioner, ensuring all information pertaining to the patient's peri-operative episode is correct, as per departmental guidance.



The practitioner is competent to deliver expert, skilled care in a specialised area.



Ensure patients receive appropriate pain and nausea management whilst in recovery, including the initiation of PCAs and other pain management infusions following Trust/departmental guidance.



The practitioner is competent in the management of I.V. lines/ PCA's, arterial lines, central lines, epidurals and medication administration as per Trust Guidance.



The practitioner is competent in airway management. This is inclusive of managing patients in the immediate post-operative phase.



The practitioner reports immediately, any adverse changes in the patient's condition or any other aspect of concern as identified in the NEWS score as appropriate. The practitioner is competent in the recognition of primary post-operative complications and understands the need to act and escalate in a timely manner.