Job Description

This position will be offered as a training post, under Annex 21 Terms & Conditions



The role of the advanced practitioner is a multi-disciplinary inter-professional role and whilst there may be some variations in responsibility and clinical roles this job description outlines the key areas of responsibility for this post holder whilst working within the trust.



The post holder will be a registered practitioner expected to provide evidence/research based skilled assistance to surgical teams on an individual, risk assessed basis.



Please note, this vacancy may close early, should a sufficient number of applications be received.



An Enhanced DBS with barred lists for both Adults & Children is required for the post.



To assess, plan, implement and evaluate specialist treatment and care to patients; promoting independence and autonomy; working within a multi-disciplinary team.



To provide highly specialised surgical assistance in all aspects of general surgery to Consultant Surgeons and junior medical staff in the operating theatres



To understand advanced surgical techniques and make professional and clinical decisions for which the surgical first assistant is accountable



To have an advanced knowledge of anatomy and physiology



To have an advanced knowledge of current elective and emergency surgical techniques and equipment required to achieve the optimal outcomes in surgery



To understand the principles of surgical technique required for Laparoscopic and open surgery



Assist with the co-ordination and smooth running of the operating sessions by liaising with theatre and other personnel as appropriate



To assist in the development of new equipment for surgery and the maintenance of such equipment in conjunction with theatre personnel



To ensure patients are aware of your involvement in their care by visiting them pre and post operatively



Advance own clinical knowledge, skill and competence based on current evidence through advanced educational programmes

Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust serves a population of over 600,000 with a workforce of over 10,500 dedicated and skilled staff across 21 sites.



We strongly believe that the communities we serve should all have access to Five Star Patient Care.

Our services:

Acute Care



Providing emergency and maternity services at Whiston, Southport and Ormskirk hospitals, and medical and surgical specialties across all our sites.



Primary Care



Providing primary care services at Marshalls Cross Medical Centre situated in St Helens Hospital.



Community Services



Providing adult community services for St Helens and a wheelchair service in Chorley, South Ribble, and West Lancashire. Our inpatient unit at Newton Community Hospital is where patients needing acute hospital beds can continue rehabilitation. We also provide urgent care at our Urgent Treatment Centre located in St Helens town centre.



Specialist Regional Services



We provide the Mersey Regional Burns & Plastic Surgery Unit at Whiston Hospital and the Spinal Injuries Unit at Southport Hospital to more than 4 million people across the whole of Merseyside, West Lancashire, Cheshire, Isle of Man and North Wales.

Achievements:

Rated Outstanding by CQC Inspection August 2018

Top 100 places to work in the NHS (NHS Employers & Health Service Journal)

National Preceptorship Accreditation (2023) for Nursing & AHP Preceptorship Programme



KEY DUTIES



To assess, plan, implement and evaluate specialist treatment and care to patients; promoting independence and autonomy; working within a multi-disciplinary team.



To provide highly specialised surgical assistance in all aspects of general surgery to Consultant Surgeons and junior medical staff in the operating theatres



To understand advanced surgical techniques and make professional and clinical decisions for which the surgical first assistant is accountableTo have an advanced knowledge of anatomy and physiology



To have an advanced knowledge of current elective and emergency surgical techniques and equipment required to achieve the optimal outcomes in surgery



To understand the principles of surgical technique required for Laparoscopic and open surgery



Assist with the co-ordination and smooth running of the operating sessions by liaising with theatre and other personnel as appropriate



To assist in the development of new equipment for surgery and the maintenance of such equipment in conjunction with theatre personnel



To ensure patients are aware of your involvement in their care by visiting them pre and post operatively



Advance own clinical knowledge, skill and competence based on current evidence through advanced educational programmes



Provide highly specialist advice to others regarding the management and care of patients/service users



To demonstrate clinical effectiveness by use of evidence-based practice and outcome measures.



Recognise, assess and manage risk across the immediate and wider working environment and make appropriate decision autonomously ensuring statutory requirements are met.



Attend and actively participate in team meetings.



CLINICAL & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES



Under supervision, the SFA will competently and safely carry out skilled procedures within the role when assisting the Surgeon in the operating department. The post holder is expected to have successfully completed a recognised SFA course and will have the following responsibilities:



Enhance the communication link between theatre, patient and ward including pre-operative assessment and post-operative evaluation.



Assist with the patients' positioning, including tissue viability assessment.



Assist with skin preparation and draping prior to surgery.



Assist with skin and tissue retraction.



Handling of tissue and manipulation of organs for exposure of access.



Undertake male/female catheterisation.



Cut sutures and ties.



Assisting with haemostasis in order to secure and maintain a clear operating field including indirect use of electrocautery under supervision and use of suction.



Camera holding for minimal invasive assess surgery.



Assist with wound closure and application of dressings



Transfer of patient to recovery



Knot tying



Superficial wound closure - Suture/Skin Glue/Skin Clips



Securing Drains



Direct Diathermisation



Wound Infiltration with Local Anaesthetic when prescribed



Ensure that clinical practice and the development of clinical guidelines adhere to the guidelines produced by regulatory bodies.



Ensure the dissemination of national and local policy and strategy for nursing and theatre practitioners.



Facilitate the local nursing strategy, skills and practice in line with national and local policy.



Report issues regarding poor practice and address poor performance of colleagues in partnership with the lead nurse.



Report clinical incidents and provide specialist advice to the lead nurse during investigation of clinical incidents.



To ensure the privacy and dignity of patients is paramount and not compromised.



To ensure the security and confidentiality of patient information according to Caldicott Guardian guidelines and data protection.



To ensure that all records are managed in accordance with good record keeping guidelines (NMC/HPC).



Contribute to professional regulation of nurses and theatre practitioners by monitoring practice and facilitating the achievement of personal development plans in liaison with the MDT.



Identify and act appropriately regarding incidents of poor practice through clinical supervision, clinical incident reporting, audit and research.



Develop strong clinical relationships with core professionals to ensure the appropriate development of clinical practice, such as consultants, theatre practitioners and general practitioners.



Maintain and advance their own clinical skills as appropriate, identified through clinical supervision and personal development plan.



Undertake annual appraisal of the role and function with the lead nurse and clinical director to ensure the role remains dynamic and sensitive to the needs of service users.



Responsible for the safe and effective use of resources.



Develop the skills to manage self and others to ensure that the service is covered including provision made for sickness, absence and annual leave.



Work as part of the multidisciplinary team in specified surgery contributing to team working and harmonious working relationships.



ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES



Recording of operating notes to include surgery performed post-operative instructions and follow up referral requests including clinics.



LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES



Co-ordinate and liaise with theatre staff and other disciplines on patient care and theatre preparation for each procedure



Promote effective communication methods and ensure good communication throughout the surgical team and with theatre staff



Help create and maintain positive working relationships with surgical team colleagues and all members of the multi-disciplinary team



Effectively utilise time management skills to address service needs



Utilise/develop change management skills to promote efficient/effective change/developments within the service



Ensure Trust policies and Directorate and Theatre protocols are adhered to



Ensure safety for patients, staff and self in accordance with Health & Safety at Work Act and COSHH Regulations and accurately record and report any accidents or incidents



To be aware of the Date Protection Act and maintain patient confidentiality as well as maintaining the patients privacy and dignity, whilst ensuring at all times that record keeping is of the highest standard



TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSIBILITIES



Participate in clinical audit and research as required.



Participate in the training and education of students of nursing, medicine and theatre practitioners.



Ensure that clinical practice is supported by the NMC/HPC codes of professional conduct.



Represent the trust at professional and academic forum on their specialist area.



Ensure appropriate responses to national and local guidelines such as NICE.



Completion of patient documentation for clinical and audit purposes.



Attending audit meetings as appropriate.



Assist in research projects within General Surgery as appropriate.



To maintain and increase surgical knowledge and techniques by attending appropriate training courses and meetings



Teach other health professionals in the theatre regarding laparoscopic surgery



Ensure personal and professional development through commitment to lifelong learning



FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY



Be aware of budgetary implications when ordering and using stores/equipment



RESEARCH & AUDIT



Demonstrate a commitment to the values of research within the clinical practice



Undertake clinical audit as required to demonstrate the impact of the advanced practitioner role



Record audit information in a timely, reliable and accurate manner



Utilise audit and audit results to identify areas for improvement and initiate change



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