Orthopaedic Theatre Healthcare Assistant

Blackrock Health Group; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 30,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic in Lucan, Co. Dublin, is looking for an Orthopaedic Theatre Healthcare Assistant.

The role is permanent and full-time, based in the Theatre department, and involves assisting in orthopaedic surgical procedures, maintaining perioperative care, and supporting the surgical team under supervision of RGNs and consultants. Key duties include greeting patients, preparing equipment, ensuring infection prevention, and contributing to efficient patient flow and safe,

Qualifications

• Experience in a fast-paced theatre environment.
• Knowledge of infection prevention and patient safety is essential.
• Experience supporting arthroplasty procedures is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Receive patients to the clinical area/holding bay with courtesy.
• Explain all procedures carried out to patients prior to performing the procedure.
• Assist in preparing theatre tables/trolleys and required equipment.
• Transport specimens to the laboratory as needed.
• Maintain clean and safe theatre environment and assist with perioperative flow.
• Support consultant-led theatre lists and assist in orthopaedic procedures.

Skills

Hospital experience

Orthopaedic setting

Education

Leaving Certificate or equivalent

Job description

Orthopaedic Theatre Healthcare Assistant

Blackrock Health

Location: On site / Lucan, Co. Dublin, Ireland
job type: Permanent / Full-time
Sector and subsector: Medical & Healthcare | Healthcare Assistants
Salary: Negotiable salary

Job Title: Healthcare Assistant- Orthopaedic Theatre

Department: Theatre

Job Type: Permanent, Full time

Location: Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic

Job Purpose

The role is responsible for the provision of quality service in line with standards of Theatre nursing

practice. As a key member of the frontline team, the Healthcare Assistant in Theatre assist in the

delivery of individualised patient care under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse. The

role assists in the smooth running of the department and the provision of quality patient care. The

position requires a collaborative and supportive approach to the development of services and

structures, embracing continuous quality improvement and the implementation of changes

necessary to achieve organisational objectives. The Orthopaedic Theatre Healthcare Assistant

(Case Assistant) is responsible for supporting the delivery of safe, high-quality, patient-centred care

within the Orthopaedic Theatre Department. Working under the direction and supervision of

Registered General Nurses (RGNs), Clinical Nurse Managers, and Consultant Surgeons, the post

holder will assist in the preparation, delivery, and completion of orthopaedic surgical procedures,

with a particular focus on arthroplasty and major joint replacement surgery.

The post holder will contribute to the smooth running of the Orthopaedic Theatre Service while

promoting patient safety, dignity, quality improvement, and best practice.

Job Background/Context

The Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic is a private hospital providing a full range of medical and

surgical care across a broad spectrum of specialities. The Theatre provides a range of surgical

services, and this role is important in making a significant contribution, developing and maintaining

best practice in Theatre services. The Orthopaedic Theatre Service is a recognised centre of

excellence delivering elective and complex orthopaedic procedures including:

including:

• Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA)
• Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA)
• Shoulder Arthroplasty
• Sports Orthopaedic Procedures
• Trauma and Reconstructive Orthopaedic Surgery

The Orthopaedic Theatre Healthcare Assistant / Case Assistant plays a key role in supporting

consultant-led surgical services and maintaining efficient patient flow throughout the perioperative

pathway.

Operations

• Receive patients to the clinical area/holding bay with courtesy.
• Explain all procedures carried out to patients prior to performing the procedure.
• Always respect the privacy and dignity of patients.
• After reporting on duty in the morning, check allocation on the board and go directly to the Theatre(s) to which you are assigned.
• Under the direction of CNM/Registered Nurse, bring in and position any extra equipment which is required. (Ensure that the equipment is clean and dust free before placing it in the theatre.) Plug in and switch on.
• Ensure that positioning equipment necessary for the list is available, clean and in good working order.
• Check that the required items in all Scrub Room, Theatre & Anaesthetic Rooms and are stocked according to levels posted on stock sheets.
• Prepare theatre tables / trolleys for expected patients - Sheets / pillow / blanket / step
• Collect patient’s beds from wards as directed by registered nurse in holding bay.
• Return patients to ward from recovery as directed (Co-ordinate activities where possible so that beds can be collected when returning a patient, vice versa).
• Transport any specimens to the laboratory.
• Wipe down and decontaminate all used trolleys / tabletops and prepare for the next patient.
• Keep always holding bay clean and tidy. Wipe down chairs and patient surroundings.
• Place dirty linen safely in correct and appropriate bags.
• Stock – clean delivery room and put stock away and do not over stock the theatre press.
• Support the delivery of safe, patient-centred care throughout the perioperative pathway.
• Act as a dedicated Orthopaedic Case Assistant for consultant-led theatre lists.
• Assist as a scrubbed Case Assistant for allocated orthopaedic procedures following competency-based training.
• Support hip, knee and shoulder arthroplasty procedures, revision surgery and other complex orthopaedic cases.
• Prepare and manage specialist orthopaedic instrumentation and equipment.
• Contribute to efficient theatre turnaround and theatre stock management.
• Maintain the highest standards of infection prevention, patient safety and quality care.

Learning and Education

• Take personal responsibility for own professional development and keep up to date with evidence-based practice and research.
• Attend and participate in staff development programmes on an ongoing basis.
• Assist with the orientation and induction of new staff and be available to provide orientation as deemed necessary, helping them to integrate as members of the Unit team.
• Attend all mandatory training days and ensure that all mandatary training is in date.
• Comply with all HR system and policy requirements.

Quality Improvement and Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all relevant Hermitage Medical Clinic guidelines, policies, procedures and relevant legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in the continuous review and evaluation of policies, guidelines and existing practices.
• Assist in promoting a culture of continuous quality improvement across the department.
• Be aware of the core objectives, standards and key performance indicators for the service and contribute to the monitoring of performance against these standards.
• Participate in the requirements of the hospital’s accreditation process.
• Participate in the requirements of the hospital’s risk management programme.
• Promote the delivery of a high standard of care to all patients.
• Work with members of the Multidisciplinary team in devising Standard Operating Procedures for the development of the Unit.

The Health Care Assistant will perform other duties appropriate to the post as may be assigned to him/her from time to time by the Clinical Nurse Manager. A more specific functional specification will be available at a Theatre to reflect day to day operations of the role in that area

• Leaving Certificate or equivalent
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced theatre environment.
• Previous hospital experience.
• Orthopaedic or Theatre experience.
• Experience supporting arthroplasty procedures.
• Knowledge of orthopaedic instrumentation and implants.