Theatre Nurse at International Rescue Committee

Job Purpose/Objective:

Providing high standards of Peri-operative care in line with the hospital’s policies and procedures to deliver safe surgical outcomes and achieve patient safety goals.

• Correctly book patients for surgical procedures 
• Ensure surgeon / anesthetist are informed of bookings or changes in time
• Checks completeness of theatre checklist and act appropriately
• Carry out a Pre-Operative Assessment.
• Appropriately explain the nature of the procedure / operation to the patient
• Ensure all X-rays, Scans, Investigations and Bloods are available
• Obtains correct consent for operations and general anaesthesia for day cases
• Prepares and avails patient in time for operation with all reports for day cases
• Accounting for all the pieces of equipment, especially after the operation. 
• Getting and opening the required packs.
• Ensures that the packs remain sterile and that the operating room environment is contamination free.
• Accurately assesses patient after operation, documents clinical observations & findings.
• Consults and advises surgeon / anesthetist immediately if abnormalities are noted
• Effectively hands over the patient to recovery / ward nurse
• Ensure all required drugs/supplies are available.
• Ensure all treatment sheets have patients’ biodata including information on drug allergies.
• Submit all new drug orders to pharmacy promptly and STAT doses given within 30 minutes.
• Ensure all the items used by patients are billed accurately 
• Ensures crash carts and emergency equipment are checked as required by the hospital standards
• Ensures that the Operating Room is well stocked with the required surgical instruments
• Keep regular inventory of equipment
• Keep all necessary packs and instruments organized for easy use during each procedure.
• Ensure proper disposal of medical waste
• Ensure medical equipment are disinfected before next use.
• Ensure proper disinfectants are used
• Maintain and enforce infection control standards per the hospital manual
• Record all sentinel incidents/events and report within 24 hours using the provided tools.
• Ensure patients safety following the 6 International Patient Safety Goals (IPSGs) 
• Ensure all the relevant consultants have explained procedures and have obtained consent
• Complete official checklists for all patients prior to procedures (theatre, radiology, renal)
• Ensure patient privacy and confidentiality is always maintained, as per policy.
• Participate in emergency response
• Ensure client satisfaction through optimal quality of care, effective communication, timely feedback and escalation of unresolved issues to the incharge and demonstrate follow-up and improvement.
• Any other duty as assigned by your immediate supervisor in line with the job description

Required Qualifications:

• A diploma in Nursing/Bachelor of Science in Nursing 
• Higher Diploma in Perioperative Nursing  
• A valid nursing council of Kenya license
• Up to date BLS, ACLS/ATLS certificate
• 2 years’ experience in nursing.