Health Care Assistant – Theatre
Overall Purpose of Job: We will provide exceptional patient care in an environment where quality, respect, caring and compassion are at the centre of all we do. The Health Care Assistant – Theatre assists the nursing staff in the delivery of individualized patient care under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse. They assist in the smooth running of the department and the provision of quality patient care. Nursing staff will assign and oversee the work which will be undertaken by the Health Care Assistant.
Key Responsibilities
Adhere to Beacon Hospital guidelines and policies, and maintain a safe working environment as set out in the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Treat patients with respect and maintain strict confidentiality at all times.
Support nurses in their work with patients and be familiar with hospital policies, procedures, protocols and employee handbook.
Report all accidents and incidents involving self, patients, or visitors to the Clinical Nurse Manager or Deputy, and report any damaged equipment, clinical or other, to the Clinical Nurse Manager.
Assist with Emergency First Aid as directed.
Attend in‑service education as required for the role.
Arrive and leave the department as requested by the Nurse in Charge.
Respond to complaints of pain or distress expressed by patients, and report any accidents, incidents or unusual occurrences to nursing staff.
Answer telephones, take messages and refer queries in relation to patients to the Nurse in Charge.
Read, act and respond to all memos posted on the notice board and to your personal e‑mail.
Care of patients: receive patients to the clinical area/holding bay with courtesy, explain all procedures before performing them, and respect their privacy and dignity.
Complete selected stock sheets daily or bi‑weekly and inform Theatre Stock Controller of stocks as required; carry out other administrative duties as requested by the Manager.
Be aware of all health and safety policies.
Perform other duties appropriate to the post as may be assigned by the Theatre Manager and/or Director of Nursing. You may be transferred to other floors of the hospital as the need arises.
Daily routines: carry out all duties under the supervision of the CNM or Registered Nurse/ODP allocated to the Operating Room to which you are assigned for the day; check allocation on the board and go directly to the Theatre(s) assigned; under the direction of Nurse in charge, bring in and position any extra equipment; ensure equipment is available, clean and in good working order; check that all items in Scrub Room, Theatre and Anaesthetic Rooms are stocked according to levels posted on stock sheets.
Patient duties: assist Anaesthetist and Anaesthetic Nurse to transport patient into the theatre, lock table and position patient; place transporter in utility/sluice room; assist with holding limbs during cleaning and draping; after operation assist in returning patient to normal supine position and transfer to bed/trolley or Recovery Room; between cases wipe down positioning equipment, waste bags, suction liners, floor, and prepare Operating Table/Trolley for next case; tidy scrub room; clean and decontaminate all positioning equipment; store correctly; ensure heavy equipment is stored correctly; maintain emergency theatre readiness.
Outside HCA duties: prepare theatre tables/trolleys, collect patient's beds, return patients to ward from recovery, transport specimens to laboratory at scheduled times, wipe down and decontaminate used trolleys/table tops for next patient, keep holding bay clean and tidy, transport waste safely, clean delivery room and stock away.
Limb holding duties: position patient and apply tourniquet if necessary, hold/elevate limbs during surgery while following sterile technique, assist with suction and cautery, maintain safe handling of instruments, and resume routine duties after procedures.
Requirements of the Role
Work generally takes place in or around Operating Theatres; ability to perform the role in this environment is essential.
May be required to be on standby and work extended shifts from time to time; shift work and on‑call duties may be required.
Ability to lift and position heavy objects.
Vision, hearing, talking and sense of touch adequate for quick and accurate task performance; alertness and careful attention to detail required.
May be exposed to occupational hazards such as communicable diseases, radiation, chemotherapeutic agents and combative patients.
Mobile phones are prohibited within the operating theatre.
Qualifications
FETAC in Health Care Assistant/Support – QQI Award Level 5 (all eight modules) or equivalent nursing qualification.
Previous experience of patient care in a theatre environment is desirable.
Competencies and Knowledge
Work efficiently under direction from nursing and on own initiative.
Work effectively in a physically demanding environment where pushing, positioning and lifting heavy loads may be required.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a fast‑moving clinical environment.
Deliver quality service to patients and other users of the healthcare facilities.
Take direction from nursing and other senior stakeholders and follow instruction.
Communicate effectively with all stakeholders and team members.
Advocate for safe working practices within the area.
Be flexible and adaptable with a “can do” attitude.
Carry out other appropriate duties as required by the Theatre Manager.
This job description is intended to be an outline of the areas of responsibility and deliverables at the time of its writing. As the Hospital and the post holder develop, this job description may be subject to review in light of the changing needs of the Hospital.
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