Perioperative (Theatre) Nurse at Luton Hospital

Reporting Supervisor: Chief Nursing Officer

JOB PURPOSE

The overall purpose Perioperative (Theatre) Nurse at Luton Hospital is to provide quality nursing services and patient care to patients in the assigned hospital unit (Theatre) in line with established protocols and quality management standards.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Ensures complete pre-op assessment including the surgical checklist, nursing documentation and Physician’s assessment
Receives the patient prior to surgery, gets report from the accompanying nurse and performs pre-op checklist.
Serves as the communication liaison to family and members of the operating team.
Familiar with procedures in operating room and PACU routines and area specific assignments.
Circulate and assist as needed for surgical procedures.
Scrub for surgical procedures in the operating room independently.
Prepare operating room for patient/procedure.
Ensure effective recovery of patients post any form of anesthesia.
Assists with intubation and extubation of patient in the recovery room (RR) and in the operating room (OR).
Communicates with anesthetists and primary teams regarding patient issues and shifting plans.
Facilitates safe transfer of patient to alternate level of care as appropriate.
Promptly reports both clinical and non-clinical unusual findings/incidences to the Chief Nursing Officer or Nurse In-charge.
Identify patient and family learning needs and initiate appropriate teaching.
Ensures safety checks are performed to ensure correct patient and correct procedure is performed.
Perform pain assessment and initiate analgesia as required.
Records all care information concisely, accurately and completely, in a timely manner, in the appropriate format and on the appropriate forms.
Coordinates theater list with concerned OR coordinator.
Ensure all specimens are properly labeled and delivered to the lab in a timely manner.
Provide safe environment for patients through adherence to infection control practices and other safety policies.
Be able to recognize a patient in a pre- arrest or arrest states, and initiate Basic Life Support.
Dispose of clinical and non-clinical waste safely in accordance with Luton Hospital Guidelines on waste management.
Administer medication safely, monitor patient responses to medication and promptly report adverse reactions.
Be accountable for judicious and efficient use of resources i.e. accurate and timely billing of equipment and consumables.
Care for equipment through cleaning, storage, per shift check of the inventory and timely reporting and follow up of nonfunctional equipment to the Chief Nursing Officer or Nurse In-charge.
Participates in continuing education, quality improvement (QI) projects, audits, spot checks and skill checks.
Can be assigned to assist in medical surgical unit.
Perform any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Qualifications

Diploma in Nursing or Bachelor of Science in Nursing from a recognized institution.
Additional training as Perioperative Nurse a MUST.
Must be registered with the Nursing Council of Kenya with a valid practicing license.

Experience

Minimum of 3 or more years of nursing experience and one MUST be as perioperative.

Technical skills/Leadership competencies

In-depth knowledge of surgical operation procedures
Highly skilled at assessing patients prior to surgery and providing them with perioperative care
Extensive knowledge of aseptic and sterile techniques
Ability to collaborate with surgeons and other healthcare professionals
Solid understanding of patient health and safety standards
Excellent organizational skills