Staff Nurse Theatre - UPMC Whitfield Hospital
Location: Ireland
Job type: Permanent
Overview of role:
To work as a member of a team of nurses in the UPMC Whitfield Hospital theatre department providing high quality, patient centred care for patients and their families. To develop and maintain good relationships with all members of the multi-disciplinary team and to work closely with nursing colleagues developing innovative practice within the unit delivering evidence-based care. The theatre nurse will be expected to assist in a wide range of specialities e.g. orthopaedic, general, ophthalmology, gynae, ENT, pain management, urology, vascular. Assistance may also be provided to anaesthetic and PACU. To develop specialist knowledge of nursing practice relating to his/her clinical area.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
* Nurses are expected to practice according to the Code of Professional Conduct as laid down by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland and Professional Clinical Guidelines
* Adhere at all times to the Nursing Board code for nurses and ensure that subordinate staff do likewise.
* Adhere to UPMC Hospital Guidelines / Policies / Protocols.
* Work within their scope of practice and take measures to continuously develop and maintain a high standard of professional behaviour and be accountable for their practice.
* Provide and maintain a caring, efficient and highly professional nursing service to all patients in his / her care.
Be aware of ethical policies and procedures which pertain to their area of practice.
* Respect and maintain the privacy, dignity and confidentiality of the patient at all times.
* Assume responsibility for and coordinate the management of the ward area in the absence of the CNM I/CNM II.
* To undertake the role of mentor/buddy where requested and to facilitate the orientation and development of new staff.
Clinical Practice:
* Actively participate in anaesthetics, scrub, and circulating, PACU or endoscopy room duties as is required
Endoscopy:
* Prepare equipment and instruments according to the individual needs of the patient and Consultant Surgeon/Gastroenterologist, as well as involvement with the updating of consultant preference cards.
* Assist in the smooth and effective running of the Endoscopy Unit
* Assessing, planning, delivering and evaluation of patient care in the endoscopic room
* Ensure effective teamwork by good communication with all members of the multidisciplinary team to enable continuity of care and a safe environment for patients and staff, following local protocols and standards
* Awareness of the effective management of resources within the department
* Participate in education, training and development of other staff
* Ensure all equipment is checked prior to use and any faults reported to the line manger immediately
* Help to control cross infection by observing departmental policy regarding theatre attire, the maintenance of a clean working environment, decontamination and sterilisation procedures and asepsis
* Prepare patients for endoscopy procedures under sedation or general anesthesia
* Maintain up to date knowledge and skills within endoscopy and the profession of nursing
Clinical - Anaesthetics.
* Demonstrate safe and skilled support for the Anaesthetist during all types of anaesthesia.
* Prepare the anaesthetic area within the operating suite being aware of the individual patient needs and specific Anaesthetist requirements i.e. drugs preparation/administration, IV cannulation, IV fluids and preparation and insertion of invasive monitoring as required.
* Ensure that anaesthetic equipment is checked on a regular basis as per protocols and is fit and available for use, to include: Anaesthetic machines, Vaporisers, Laryngoscope handles and blades, specific anaesthetic paediatric and adult consumables trolleys.
* Ensure adequate stock levels are maintained in the anaesthetic areas at all times and that non-stock requisition orders are dealt with appropriately through the process for New Product Order.
* Integrate knowledge of hazards, pharmacology and surgery to contribute effectively to a patient's safe recovery from anaesthesia.
* Assess, plan, implement and evaluate individualised and holistic care of patient, during preparation for surgery, induction of anaesthetic, while anaesthetised and while recovering from anaesthetic.
* Adhere to hospital policies and procedures based on National Guidance and Evidence Based practice for administration of medicines when working with drugs and anaesthetic agents during induction, maintenance reversal and post-operative phases of patient care.
* Monitor patient recovery to ensure early detection and treatment of any complication and/or deterioration in their condition and initiate treatment/referral to relevant members of the clinical team.
* Utilise evidence based pain assessment tools to ensure effective pain monitoring and Control-Numerical and FLAC
* Educate and support those patients who are using patient-controlled analgesia, to ensure effective pain control.
* Assess fitness for discharge from the recovery room back to the ward.
* Participate in ACLS/PALS training programmes as undertaken in the Organisation.
* Promote and maintain a safe environment for staff, patient, relatives and visitors at all times.
* Provide a commitment to expanding existing skills, assisting in the planning and implementation of the Anaesthetic and peri-operative assessment nursing role.
* Ensure safe transfer to the PACU with all relevant documentation.
* Liaise with Assistant Director of Clinical Services (Theatres) to organise and agree training for nurse teams on equipment utilised in the recovery area e.g. patient warmers, fluid warmers, Haemacue etc. as necessary.
Scrub / Circulating:
* Provide nursing care for patients undergoing surgery
* Assist consultant surgeons in all surgical procedures
* Maintain standards of nursing care in pre-operative and post-operative planning, implementation and patient care
* Be aware of the multifaceted needs of theatre patients and provide a holistic support service for them and their families
* Prepare the operating room for all elective scheduled procedures
* Maintain the principles of aseptic techniques in performing surgical scrub, setting instruments, gowning, gloving as needed for each surgical procedure
* Ensure that controlled drug records are kept in accordance with standard recognised legal and professional practice.
* Ensure the correct counting procedures are adhered to throughout the patient stay in the operating room
* Supervise the nursing practice of less experienced staff members of the nursing team and participate in the educational aspects of that practice
Qualifications & Experience:
* Be registered in the General Division of the Register of Nurses kept by NMBI or be entitled to be so registered.
* Basic Life Support Training.
* 2 years Theatre Nursing experience.
* A relevant Theatre qualification is advantageous.
Equal
Opportunity Statement and Benefits
UPMC is an equal opportunity employer.
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment
for all employees.
At UPMC we provide a total rewards program
that is not only market competitive, but fair and provides growth opportunities
for all our colleagues.
Compensation – Competitive pay for the work employees do – base pay, performance related pay
and premium pay where applicable.
Benefits –
Fully paid maternity and paternity leave for new parents. Competitive Pension
Plan, company funded Death in Service Benefit x 3 times. Critical Illness cover
for all employees up to the age of 66.
Performance and Recognition – Rewards for performance that supports the goals and mission of
UPMC through our annual ACES programme.
Work-Life Balance – Enhanced annual leave up to a maximum of 27 days. Flexible
working opportunities to support you to work around external family
commitments.
Development
and Career Opportunities – Opportunities for each employee to reach
their career goals through continued learning and/or advancement.
About
UPMC
UPMC is a renowned multinational academic medical
centre committed to delivering people-focused care that's close to home.
Headquartered in Pittsburgh and affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh
Schools of the Health Sciences, UPMC shapes the future of health through
clinical and technological innovation, research and education.
UPMC expands its expertise globally, bringing world-class care across
continents through its UPMC International division — an owned and operated
network of hospitals and ambulatory care centres in Italy, Ireland and
Croatia. UPMC International brings new access to the signature specialty
services of UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre, UPMC Sports Medicine and others to
more people in more places around the world.
In Ireland UPMC has provided high-quality healthcare in the South East since
2006. UPMC's operations in Ireland now include UPMC Whitfield Hospital in
Waterford, UPMC Sports Surgery Clinic in Dublin, UPMC Kildare Hospital in
Clane, and UPMC Aut Even Hospital in Kilkenny. Outpatient care is available at
the UPMC Carlow Outreach Centre, UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre radiotherapy
locations in Waterford and Cork, UPMC The 4th Practice in Mallow, and across
UPMC Sports Medicine Clinics in Dublin, Waterford, Limerick, Tipperary, Cork, and
Mayo. UPMC has also established a nationwide Concussion Network. UPMC's
Global Technology Operation Centre is based in Kilkenny.