Care Group 2 / Division 6

JOB TITLE: Assistant Clinical Lead Anaesthetics

LOCATION: Basildon & Orsett Hospital
DIRECTORATE: Care Group 2 / Division 6
DEPARTMENT: Main Theatre.
GRADE: Band 6
RESPONSIBLE TO: Clinical Lead for Anaesthetics
ACCOUNTABLE TO: Theatre Manager & Theatre Matron

JOB SUMMARY

This position requires the post holder to support the Clinical Leads and Theatre
Manager/Matron in the general management at unit level and the management of the
anaesthetic in-patient and day- case service operative in all theatre areas, ensuring the
team is dedicated to delivering excellent anaesthetic care, throughout the patient’s journey.
The post holder needs to be visionary and dynamic to assist the clinical leads and Theatre
Manager/Matron in driving the team forward in a rapidly changing environment - To assist
the clinical leads and Theatre manager/matron in developing and managing junior member
of the team – The post holder will ensure they keep up to date with the Trusts and
Departments financial situation and contribute through best buys and cost improvement
programmes, to ensure the department remains within budget.
Assist the clinical leads and Theatre Manager/Matron in the assessment, development,
implementation and evaluation of care, in conjunction with the unit’s core values. Assist the
clinical leads and Theatre Manager/Matron in developing high standards of care, whilst
planning and implementing unit based and directorate teaching programmes, assessing the
training needs of Theatre staff in conjunction with the Practice and Education Facilitators.
Undertake departmental representation at relevant clinical meetings (in the absence of or at
the request of the Clinical leads and Theatre Manager/Matron) ensuring relevant information
is disseminated.
To be flexible in the approach to the clinical area and provide additional support when
required for any other specified area within Theatres.
Promote and develop the concept of one department, sharing the workload through
teamwork.

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MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direction & supervision of the Clinical Lead the post holder will have a clearly
designated responsibility for:

1. Ensuring a high standard of patient care supported by evidence-based practice

2. Quality and timeliness of service provided by the Anaesthetic & Recovery speciality
teams
3. Taking the lead for ensuring that the clinical needs of the theatre service, including all
outreach areas are being met
4. Work with the Theatre Manager/Matron to ensure effective utilisation of all theatre
staff
5. Deputise for the Clinical Leads.
6. To Support the Departmental Education & Practice facilitators in ensuring surgeons
and staff receive appropriate training prior to the introduction of new
procedures/equipment.
7. To ensure junior team members have annual appraisals and Personal Development
Plan agreed and are assessed on their ability/competence in line with the KSF.
8. To formulate and participate in on call rotas as deemed necessary.
9. Ensure that the IT e.g.: ORMIS and HealthRoster systems are maintained
10. Ensure Best Value and LEAN principles are applied to all aspects of the service.

1. Communication

1. Develop all staff to communicate effectively with members of the multidisciplinary

team, patients and families.
2. Communicate with all unit staff and the Directorate office as needed to meet the
needs of the service.
3. Ensure all staff are aware of written documentation needs and action
recommendations of record keeping audits.
4. Ensure that shift handover is effective, so that staff are kept informed of the
changing needs of individual patients and the unit.
5. Ensure due regard is given to the customs, values and spiritual beliefs of patients
and colleagues.
6. Ensure there is effective communication between the unit staff, and other
Healthcare Professionals

2. Analytical and Planning

1. Ensure staffing levels & skill mix is based on the needs of the service taking into
account the requirements of the theatre service as a whole.

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2. Ensure all staff has an understanding of their role and responsibilities and are
able to provide a safe, efficient and cost-effective service.
3. Under the supervision of the Clinical Leads collate and analyse information within
the specialist field as requested by the Theatre Manager and, if required, present
these findings at working groups/professional advisory committees.
4. Deputise for the Clinical Leads in their absence if required by the Theatre
Manager/Matron.
5. Advise the Clinical Leads & the Theatre Manager/Matron where changes in
practice adversely affect service delivery or fail to optimise the best use of
resources.
6. At the request of the Clinical Leads attend meetings relevant to the speciality
ensuring the Clinical Lead receives feedback from these forums.
7. Ensure optimum use of theatre time, identifying any constraints and taking action
where appropriate keeping the Clinical Lead and the Theatre Manager informed
at all times.
8. Provide a visible and accessible role model for all service users

3. Clinical Duties

1. Ensure a holistic approach to care that is current, effective and research based is
afforded to every patient, in accordance with Trust and Theatre Policies and
Procedures, and in collaboration with all other disciplines.
2. Assist the Clinical Leads and Theatre Manager/Matron in creating an environment
in which clinical practice is developed and disseminated in conjunction with the
Education and Practice Development Team.
3. The post holder will be expected to support the Clinical Leads in the assessment
of care needs, the development, implementation and evaluation of programs of
care.
4. Demonstrate advanced specialist skills/knowledge and expertise in clinical
practice within Anaesthetics.
5. Assist the Clinical leads and Theatre Manager/Matron in setting standards of
patient care within the department, promoting and participating in the audit
process for continued best practice.
6. Assist the Clinical Leads with setting, monitoring and maintaining quality of Junior
ODP activities and achieve the prescribed standards of ODP care set for the
department.
7. Ensure policy is adhered to with regard to all drug administration and in
accordance with legal and Trust/Directorate procedures and to be responsible for
the safe custody, storage and control of all drugs within the theatres.
8. Actively participate in clinical Theatre practices and participate in monitoring and
evaluating clinical activity

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9. Liaise with all other Theatre users to ensure that the patient receives the
appropriate treatment and consideration during their peri- operative journey,
acting as their advocate at all times.

4. Policy and Service Development

1. With a specialist focus on this speciality promote the safety and well-being of
services users through the development and implementation of policies and
protocols.
2. Under the direction of the Theatre Manager/Matron assist Clinical Leads in
reviewing clinical incident forms relevant to the speciality and action
accordingly.
3. Ensure there is compliance with the risk management strategy in liaison with
the Theatres Governance Lead, Theatre Manager/Matron and the Clinical
Leads

4. In collaboration with the Theatre Manager/Matron, the post holder will work
with the Clinical Leads in the development and improvement of patient care

5. Services within the department will reflect evidence based best practice, the
Trust’s strategic direction and national initiatives.

2. Financial and Physical Resources

1. Provide information and act where appropriate to meet budgetary targets

2. In conjunction with the theatre manager/Matron be responsible for unit stock and
non-stock purchases, including raising of appropriate requisitions
3. To be able to put a business case to the manager/Matron for changes in
procedures, changes in nursing skills needed or new equipment.
4. Develop skills of the appropriate staff for managing the unit budget.
5. Ensure that all staff are aware of stock costs and that they use stock in a cost-
effective manner.
6. Assist in predicting and forecasting future requirements in relation to service
developments.

3. Staff Management

1. Assist in the day-to-day co-ordination/management of the theatre suite, to be a

point of contact for all unit staff as necessary. This will be achieved by
undertaking the role of session manager.
2. Be fully conversant with the Trust Major Incident Plan and ensure that all Theatre
personnel understand their role.
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 3. In collaboration with clinicians and colleagues contribute to the development of
relevant integrated care pathways.
4. Ensure the health and safety of staff, patients and relatives, in accordance with
the Trusts Health and Safety Policy.
5. Assist the Clinical leads in planning duty rotas to ensure the most effective
utilisation of theatre staff, managing the skill mix to be within the staffing budget.
Co-ordinate annual leave entitlement as and when required.
6. Counsel staff as necessary, monitoring all staff at Band 5 level and below within
the Anaesthetic Team
7. Assist the Clinical Leads to develop staff by identifying their training needs, in
conjunction with the Practice Development Team participate in competency-
based staff appraisals and develop personal KSF outlines for each member of
staff.
8. Ensure that all staff are properly trained in the use of relevant equipment that they
use on a daily basis.
9. Report and investigate accidents/incidents timely as per Trust Policy and
investigate complaints and write reports as required.
10. Assist in the collection of necessary data using the theatre IT system.

4. Information Resources

1. With a specialist focus on this speciality promote the safety and well-being of
services users through the development and implementation of policies and
protocols.
2. Ensure there is compliance with the risk management strategy in liaison with the
departments Governance Lead, Theatre Manager/Matron and the Clinical Leads
3. Under the direction of the Clinical Leads and Governance Lead review clinical
incident forms relevant to the speciality and action accordingly, keeping the
Clinical Lead & the Theatre Manager/Matron appraised at all times.

5. Effort, Skills and Working

Physical Skills Keyboard skills, use of IT equipment. Minimum of 5 Years continuous Theatre
Scrub experience T&O Surgery at a supervisory level.

Physical Effort High energy and personal motivation

Mental Effort Problem solver. Effective coping skills and demonstrable ability to achieve
demanding objectives against deadlines

Emotional Effort Frequently imparting sensitive information which is of a sensitive nature

Working Must be able to adapt to the ever-changing needs of a clinical unit

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Conditions Able to work in a fast-paced changing environment which caters for individual
patient needs

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Theatre Manager
Theatre Matron
Governance Lead
Education & Practice Facilitators
Surgeons
Anaesthetists
Operational Managers
All theatre speciality Assistant & Clinical Leaders
Theatres & Anaesthetics General Manager
Theatres & Anaesthetics Head of Nursing
Theatres & Anaesthetics Deputy Director of Nursing
Wards and department including ED

GENERAL STATEMENTS

COMPETENCY BASED APPRAISAL

The post holder will be appraised on an annual basis and the process will include a review
of the past year’s performance, setting of aims and objectives for the coming year and
identification of educational needs.

TRAINING

All staff will undertake such training as is necessary to perform the duties allocated.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSEFT) is fully committed to promoting
inclusion, equality, diversity and human rights in employment and delivery of its
services. The Trust is committed to providing an environment where all employees,
patients, carers and visitors experience equality of opportunity by means of understanding
and appreciating the value of diversity.

The Trust works to eliminate all forms of discrimination in line with the Equality Act 2010,
and recognises that this requires, not only a commitment to remove discrimination, but also
action through positive policies to redress inequalities.

The Trust actively encourages its employees to challenge discrimination and promote
equality of opportunity for all.

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Employees of the Trust are required to comply with its policies and values around equality,
diversity, inclusion, and human rights.

NO SMOKING POLICY

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust (MSE) operates a non-smoking policy. The
restrictions will apply to patients, staff and visitors alike. While the Trust will not discriminate
against employing smokers, all prospective employees should be aware of this policy. If
you would like help to give up smoking you should contact your GP or call the NHS Stop
Smoking Help Line on 08001690169 to find details of your local stop smoking service.

DATA PROTECTION ACT 2018

All employees are required:

 To ensure compliance with all Trust’s policies, and those procedures relevant to the
area of work.
 To maintain high levels of confidentiality and information security at all times,
complying with the relevant legislation such as the Data Protection Act and the
Computer Misuse Act.
 To ensure that the data is of good quality, accurate and relevant for purpose, where
any processing of information takes place (paper records or electronically).

CODE OF CONDUCT – For Managers

As an NHS Manager, you are expected to follow the Code of Conduct or NHS Managers
(October 2002), observing the following principles:

 Making the care and safety of patients you first concern and act to protect them from
risk.
 Respecting the public, patients, relatives, carers, NHS staff and partners in other
agencies.
 Being honest and acting with integrity.
 Accept responsibility for your own work and the proper performance of the people
you manage.
 Showing your commitment to working as a team member by working with your
colleagues in the NHS and wider community.
 Taking responsibility for your own learning and development.

INFORMATION GOVERNANCE

 All staff must be familiar with and comply with the contents of the Information
Governance Handbook, a personal copy will be provided at Induction to all staff.
 All staff are required to maintain confidentiality of patient and Trust’s information as
set out in the Trust’s Confidentiality Policy.
 All staff are required to read and comply with all policies that are issued relating to
the electronic security of Trust’s information.
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  All staff who create, access, transfer, modify sensitive Trust’s records have a
responsibility to be both accurate and timely and ensure that all the information that
they record either on paper or electronically is complete.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Your attention is drawn to the confidential nature of information collected and used
throughout the NHS. The unauthorised use or disclosure of patient, staff or other personal
information is a dismissible offence. The unauthorised disclosure of information could also
result in a prosecution for an offence, or action for civil damaged, under the Data Protection
Act.

All matters relating to patients’ diagnosis and treatment, staff or the Financial or contractual
position of the Trust are strictly confidential and under no circumstances is such information
to be divulged or passed to any unauthorised person(s) under penalty of summary
dismissal.

All staff should take particular care relating to the electronic storage and transfer of
confidential information. This should only be done in accordance with the Trust’s Information
Security Policy.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

All employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed upon them under the Health &
Safety at Work Act (1974) to ensure that the agreed safety procedures are carried out to
provide a safe environment for employees and visitors.

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

The Trust embraces quality as the overarching principle for the organisation and aims to
nurture a learning culture that gives all our colleagues and service users an opportunity to
develop, innovate and improve. Quality Improvement is a core competence for Trust staff,
and the post-holder will attend quality improvement training and support improvement
initiatives in their area of work, as well as empowering and enabling others in their efforts to
improve service and care quality.

INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL

All employees are required to:

 Make themselves aware of their responsibilities for Infection Prevention and Control.
 Co-operate with the employer in ensuring that all infection prevention and control
policies and procedures are complied with.
 Maintaining a high standard of infection control practice.

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN

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All employees of the Trust, regardless of the work they do, have a statutory duty to
safeguard and promote the welfare of children. When children and/or their carers use our
services, it is essential that all child protection concerns are both recognised and acted on
appropriately. You have a responsibility to ensure you are familiar with and follow the child
protection procedures and the Trust’s supplementary child protection guidance which is
accessed electronically on the Trust’s Intranet sites. To ensure you are equipped to carry
out your duties effectively, you must also attend child protection training and updates at the
competency level appropriate to the work you do and in accordance with the Trust’s child
protection training guidance.

SAFEGUARDING ADULTS

All employees of the Trust, regardless of the work they do, have a duty to safeguard and
promote the welfare of vulnerable adults. When patients and/or their carers use our
services, it is essential that all protection concerns are both recognised and acted on
appropriately. You have a responsibility to ensure you are familiar with and follow Trust
policies in relation to safeguarding vulnerable adults. To ensure you are equipped to carry
out your duties effectively, you must also attend vulnerable adult protection training and
updates at the competency level appropriate to the work you do and in accordance with the
Trust’s vulnerable adult protection training guidance.

LOCATION

You will be based at Care Group (1, 2, 3 or 4) which is located in Basildon, Southend,
Britannia Park or Broomfield). You will generally be expected to undertake your normal
duties at the principal place of work, however, in the course of your duties you may also be
required to work at any of the sites within the Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
areas as well as other NHS sites as part of the delivery of the service.

NOTE

These guidelines are provided to assist in the performance of the contract but are not a
condition of the contract.

This job description is a reflection of the present requirements of the post and the content
may be subject to review and amendment in light of changes and developments.

All Staff will also be expected to abide by the relevant code of professional practice relating
to their discipline.

Review date - Yearly

Signed …………………………….. Dated ……………………………………

Employee

Signed …………………………….. Dated ……………………………………

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Manager

PERSON SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE: Assistant Clinical Lead Anaesthetics

LOCATION: Basildon & Orsett Hospital
DIRECTORATE: Care Group 2 / Division 6
DEPARTMENT: Main Theatre
GRADE: Band 6
RESPONSIBLE TO: Clinical Lead for Anaesthetics
ACCOUNTABLE TO: Theatre Manager

REQUIREMENTS ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE HOW

TESTED*

Qualifications 1st level registration-RN or Master’s degree or A

Diploma/Degree in Operating working towards
I
Department Practice with a minimum Management
of 3 years Post Registration diploma or
experience equivalent C
“Live” recognised teaching ALS
Qualification i.e. mentorship in public
service or C&G730

Job related Anaesthetic Practice of working within Currently working A

experience an operating theatre with experience in a theatre setting
I
of at least 3 years at a Band 5 level or
equivalent C
Evidence of further professional
Development e.g. clinical skills
update

Able to undertake inter hospital

transfers

Advanced knowledge in at least one

speciality

Skills in emergency, vascular and

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 Obstetric specialty’s

Job related and Professional manner Leadership course A

Communication or equivalent
Ability to demonstrate managerial and I
Skills
communication skills

Ability to delegate competently and

safely

A reflective approach to own work

Ability to lead an operating list.

Able to manage time effectively and

prioritise

Skills to deal with conflict resolution 

Ability to develop good working
relationships

Clinical supervision skills

Effective mediation and negotiation

skills

Positive in outlook and adaptable to

various situations

Able to demonstrate interest in

researchbased nursing

Ability to develop good working

relationships

Knowledge of research and audit

Understands the principles of quality

control and assurance

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Personal skills Professional demeanour. A

Information technology skills at an I

intermediate level

Excellent communication skills

Reliable, punctual, motivated

To partake in the departmental on-

call rota

Able to work a variety of shifts over a

24 hour period .

Nights included.

Committed to self-development

Physical Ability to assist in maintaining own

Requirements and others health, safety and security

Other Occupational Health Clearance

*Assessment will take place with reference to the following information:-

A=Application form I=Interview C=Certificate

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