Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen in Theatres at Maidstone Hospital for dynamic, innovative and highly motivated individual to work within our new Kent and Medway Orthopaedic Centre as a Theatre Support Worker!
Over 200 new posts will support the new Centre, which is part of a national scheme to deliver more than 50 new surgical hubs across England. The new Centre will open in spring 2024 and treat patients from across the region, increasing the Trust’s capacity for planned surgical procedures.
The Centre will contain the latest novel open plan laminar flow theatres; open-plan surgical areas where up to three patients are treated in a dedicated space with a specialised air canopy over each station to prevent the spread of infection. The new facility will also include a 14-bed inpatient ward and a 10-bed day case ward, with recovery, x-ray and therapy space, all within a dedicated elective building.
The Centre will expand orthopaedic surgical capacity across Kent and Medway, playing an important part in elective recovery and the reduction of patient waiting times across the region.
The Kent and Medway Orthopaedic Centre will work alongside our existing services to provide care. Our amazing Maidstone Orthopaedic Centre (MOU) and Maidstone Short Stay Unit (MSSU) will all continue.
You will receive structured training to work in this specialist area whilst working as part of a multi-disciplinary team to provide a consistent and high standard of patient centred care.
Main duties of the job
1. Help to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of staff, patients and visitors, and to protect the patients Privacy & Dignity
2. Be aware of legislation and policies governing theatre practice, particularly in terms of universal precautions
3. Preparation of theatres for surgery
4. Cleaning of theatre and recovery areas before and after operating sessions, also adhering to the weekly cleaning schedule
5. Restocking of cupboards and stock containers against agreed stock levels.
6. Collect and escort the patient, and assist with transferring of the patient from trolley to table under supervision of trained staff.
7. Assist with safe positioning of patient on operating table.
8. Act as circulating person for the scrub team and within the scope of the role.
9. Assist with the care, labelling and transportation of specimens, and the collection of blood from the Blood Bank as required.
10. Keep and maintain appropriate records according to local policy, including use if the trusts IT systems
11. Dispose of soiled dressings, fluids and linen in accordance with local policy.
12. Maintain confidentiality; especially regarding information related to patients and their treatment.
13. Help to maintain effective communication between departments by acting as messenger when required.
14. Take a full part in the Clinical Governance agenda of the Trust and the
15. Attend departmental meetings as required.
16. Responsibility for collecting data required for the key performance Indicators. Health and Safety
Working for our organisation
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust is a large acute hospital Trust in the county of Kent.
The Trust provides a full range of general hospital services and some areas of specialist complex care to around 760,000 people living in the south part of West Kent and the north part of East Sussex.
The Trust’s core catchment areas are Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells and their surrounding boroughs. We work from two main clinical sites: Maidstone Hospital and Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury. Tunbridge Wells Hospital opened in 2011 and provides single rooms with en-suites for all in-patients – the first of its kind in the country.
We employ more than 7,000 full and part-time staff in a huge range of clinical and non-clinical roles across both of our hospital sites.
Would you like to work flexibly? In the NHS, we are reminded every day of how important life is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for us, for our patients and for you. Speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Once your pre-employment checks have been completed you will be contacted by Recruitment to arrange your start date which will be in line with one of our Corporate Inductions.
Following your Corporate Induction you will be expected to attend the Trust’s Clinical Induction Programme for Clinical Support Workers (which starts on the first day of employment). The programme is full-time (please contact the CSW Induction Programme Lead if this is going to be problematic: ), lasts for two weeks and will involve travelling to both Trust sites. The programme includes 2 supernumerary shifts in the clinical area (an early and a late shift), all of the other days are classroom-based and run from 9am to 5pm.
Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children).
At MTW, we seek to develop a culture where everyone can reach their full potential with opportunities to grow and develop their career. We recognise and value the unique contributions that each of our staff bring, delivering the best quality care and service to our patients. We are committed to being a diverse employer and strive to reflect everyone in our local communities. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences and celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that will make our Trust the best place to work.
This post forms part of the new Kent and Medway Orthopaedic Centre team at Maidstone Hospital. Over 200 new posts will support the new Centre, which is part of a national scheme to deliver more than 50 new surgical hubs across England. The new Centre will open in spring 2024 and treat patients from across the region, increasing the Trust’s capacity for planned surgical procedures.
The Centre will contain the latest novel open plan laminar flow theatres; open-plan surgical areas where up to three patients are treated in a dedicated space with a specialised air canopy over each station to prevent the spread of infection. The new facility will also include a 14-bed inpatient ward and a 10-bed day case ward, with recovery, x-ray and therapy space, all within a dedicated elective building.
The Centre will expand orthopaedic surgical capacity across Kent and Medway, playing an important part
Interview Date: To be confirmed.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
17. The Care Certificate.
18. Functional skills English and maths level 1 or GCSE English and maths grade G/1 or above.
19. NVQ/Diploma level 2 in Healthcare (competencies assessed in a healthcare environment) or equivalent healthcare qualification, e.g. successful completion of a level 2 Healthcare Support Worker apprenticeship.
Desirable criteria
20. Functional skills English and maths level 2 or GCSE English and maths grades A*/9 – C/4.
Experience
Essential criteria
21. Minimum 1 year full- time equivalent experience as a healthcare support worker or trainee in a care setting
Desirable criteria
22. NHS experience
Skills
Essential criteria
23. Ability to work within the multidisciplinary team
24. Demonstrates ability to use own initiative
25. Effective & concise communication skills demonstrated.
26. Reliability and flexibility
27. Good standard of literacy and an abilty to maintain records
Desirable criteria
28. Organisational skills
29. Experience to take delegated responsibility