Theatre Nurse

Professional 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 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. 

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 anaesthesia.
• Maintain up to date knowledge and skills within endoscopy and the profession of nursing.

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.