Overview of role
The post holder will work as an integral member of the Nursing and Multidisciplinary team in the operating theatre suite / endoscopy suite involved in the provision of evidence based care to the patients who attend for surgery.
General Responsibilities
Practice according to the Code of Professional Conduct laid down by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland and Professional Clinical Guidelines.
Adhere to all time-related nursing board codes and hospital guidelines and ensure subordinate staff do likewise.
Work within scope of practice, continuously develop and maintain a high standard of professional behaviour.
Provide a caring, efficient and highly professional nursing service to all patients in care.
Respect and maintain privacy, dignity and confidentiality of patients at all times.
Assume responsibility for and coordinate ward area management in the absence of the CNM I/CNM II.
Act as mentor/buddy where requested and facilitate orientation and development of new staff.
Clinical Practice
Actively participate in anaesthetics, scrub, and circulating duties, PACU or endoscopy room duties as required.
Endoscopy
Prepare equipment and instruments per patient and consultant surgeon/gastroenterologist needs; update consultant preference cards.
Assist in smooth and effective running of the Endoscopy Unit.
Asses, plan, deliver and evaluate patient care in the endoscopic room.
Ensure effective teamwork by clear communication with all multidisciplinary team members to enable continuity of care and a safe environment, following local protocols and standards.
Be aware of effective management of resources within the department.
Participate in education, training and development of other staff.
Ensure all equipment checked prior to use and report faults to the line manager immediately.
Help control cross-infection by observing departmental theatre attire policy, maintaining a clean environment, and performing decontamination, sterilisation and asepsis procedures.
Prepare patients for endoscopy procedures under sedation or general anaesthesia.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge and skills within endoscopy and nursing profession.
Clinical – Anaesthetics
Demonstrate safe and skilled support for the Anaesthetist during all types of anaesthesia.
Prepare the anaesthetic area, including drugs preparation/administration, IV cannulation, IV fluids and invasive monitoring as required.
Ensure anaesthetic equipment is checked regularly per protocols and is fit for use (machines, vaporizers, laryngoscope handles, blades, consumables).
Maintain adequate stock levels and process non-stock requisition orders through the New Product Order procedure.
Integrate knowledge of hazards, pharmacology and surgery to contribute to patient safety during anaesthesia.
Assess, plan, implement and evaluate holistic patient care during preparation for surgery, induction, anaesthesia, recovery.
Adhere to hospital policies and procedures based on national guidance and evidence-based practice for medication administration.
Monitor recovery for early detection and treatment of complications and refer to relevant clinical team members.
Use evidence-based pain assessment tools (e.g., Numerical and FLAC) and support patient-controlled analgesia use.
Assess fitness for discharge from the recovery room back to ward.
Participate in ACLS/PALS training programmes.
Scrub / Circulating
Provide nursing care for patients undergoing surgery.
Assist consultant surgeons in all surgical procedures.
Maintain pre-operative and post-operative standards of nursing care.
Be aware of the multifaceted needs of theatre patients and provide holistic support for them and their families.
Prepare operating room for all elective scheduled procedures.
Maintain aseptic techniques for surgical scrub, instrument setup, gowning, gloving.
Keep controlled drug records as required by legal and professional practice.
Adhere to correct counting procedures throughout patient stay in operating room.
Supervise nursing practice of less experienced staff and participate in educational aspects.
Clinical Governance
Participate in innovation and change to patient care delivery and contribute to service planning.
Participate in setting professional standards and audit effectiveness of care.
Comply with clinical governance principles, risk management and health & safety responsibilities.
Accurately record and report incidents, near misses and complaints per hospital policy.
Participate in development of policies, procedures and guidelines to support best practice.
Access Q-Pulse policies and log incidents as required.
Administration
Prepare nursing handover for shift changes to maintain safe communication.
Observe all nursing and administrative policies and procedures.
Use Q-Pulse to report incidents and complaints.
Maintain ward/department in good order; ensure supplies and equipment are functional.
Exercise economy in consumable use; liaise with CNMII and delegates for effective communication.
Ensure admission, transfer and discharge follow hospital policy and involve patient families and next of kin.
Co-operate with all hospital disciplines for holistic care.
Maintain accurate written records and reports per hospital policy and legislation.
Education, Training & Development
Attend in-service training sessions and stay current with developments.
Report changes in best practice to staff/CNMII.
Ensure staff are familiar with fire regulations and attend fire lectures annually.
Take responsibility for own learning and development; contribute to team development.
Identify and contribute to training needs.
Provide education and information to patients or families as required.
Accreditation
Familiarise with policies, procedures and guidelines related to clinical care and area.
Assist in reviewing policies, procedures and guidelines under department leadership.
Personnel
Follow uniform policy reference.
General
Work in other hospital areas as required by line manager or nurse management.
Produce satisfactory documentary evidence of all training and experience.
Respect organisational values of the hospital.
Quality & Safety – Safe Culture
Actively participate in quality and safety programmes.
Plan, monitor, analyse and improve quality programmes with line manager.
Participate in development of performance indicators with department manager.
Initiate, participate in, and evaluate audits per JCI, hospital policy and Lean requirements.
Health & Safety
Take reasonable care to protect own safety, health and welfare and that of others.
Co-operate with UPMC to ensure safety and report dangerous conditions per incident policy.
Attend annual education sessions on Fire Health & Safety.
Information Governance
Maintain confidentiality of all patient and staff information.
Qualifications & Experience
Skills Essential to the Post
Plan, implement, evaluate and document nursing actions meeting patient needs.
Use risk assessments to identify risk, document on risk register and monitor.
Maintain safe custody of controlled drugs per policies and report discrepancies.
Provide a safe working environment for patients and staff.
Maintain open communication with relevant personnel across services.
Ensure relevant patient documentation is in order and international patient safety goals are adhered to.
Qualifications
Registered Nurse in the general division of the Register of Nurses maintained by the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
Basic Life Support Training.
Hold a Theatre Qualification (desirable).
Experience
Demonstrate evidence of Theatre Nursing experience.
Job Specific Competencies and Knowledge
Knowledge of Infection Control, Quality and Risk Management, Health & Safety within the hospital.
Personal Competencies
Attend mandatory education sessions in a timely manner.
Maintain a professional portfolio.
Reflect a professional and personal persona that positively represents nursing and UPMC.
Time management skills.
Act quickly to address urgent matters.
Salary
€37,****** - €54,****** per annum based on a 37 hour week.
Equal Opportunity Statement
UPMC is an equal opportunity employer.
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
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