LANCASHIRE TEACHING HOSPITAL NHS TRUST

HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTORATE

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE:Physician’s Assistant (Anaesthesia)

DIRECTORATE:Anaesthetics

REPORTS TO:Associate Clinical Director Theatres

ACCOUNTABLE TO:Consultant Anaesthetist

KEY RELATIONSHIPS:

DIRECT REPORTS:

HOURS:28.5 pro rata

LOCATION:Anaesthetic Directorate

BAND:7

NB: The Postholder may be required to work across the Trust sites.

KSF Dimension Levels for Role

Communication / Personal & People development / Health, Safety & Security / Service
Improvement / Quality / Equality &
Diversity
4 / 4 / 3 / 3 / 3 / 2

Role Summary

To provide anaesthetic services to patients requiring anaesthesia, respiratory care, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and/or other emergency, life sustaining services within anaesthesia, the wider theatre and critical care environments.

To assist other staff and students to support them in reaching their full potential.

To support the productive operation of the theatre environment by undertaking a range of activities which contribute to the maintenance of a safe and clean environment.

To act at all times in a manner that upholds the Trust’s values and Professional Framework goals, working as part of a team to ensure that patients and relatives receive excellent care with compassion.

PA(A) Job description 2014

Our Values

Being Caring and Compassionate♥

Being caring and compassionate is at the heart of everything we do, it is about understanding what each person needs and striving to make apositive

difference in whatever way we can

Recognising Individuality■

Appreciating differences, making staff and patients feel respected and valued

Seeking to Involve ●

Actively gets involved and encourages others to contribute and share their ideas, information, knowledge and skills in order to provide a joined up service

Building Team Spirit▲

Working together as one team with shared goals, doing what it takes to ensure we provide the best possible service

Taking Personal Responsibility♦

Individuals are accountable for achieving improvements to obtain the highest standards of care in the most professional way, resulting in a service we can all be proud of.

Link to Values
ROLE DUTIES / MEASURABLE OUTCOMES / ♥ / ■ / ● / ▲ / ♦
The post holder will assist with anaesthesia, monitor and maintain condition of patients and under supervision conduct the induction and emergence from Anaesthesia.
To prepare, equip and maintain environment for anaesthesia.
To prescribe intra-operative fluids, post operative analgesia and anti-emetics under the direction of Consultant Anaesthetist. /
  • Works competently, under appropriate supervision, within their code of professional practice
  • Works within boundaries of the role, referring patients to other healthcare professionals as appropriate
  • Implements the anaesthesia care plan under supervision of the Consultant Anaesthetist.
  • Involves patients in decisions about their care and their consent to treatment is obtained.
  • Prepares theatres appropriately for the planned surgery.
  • Administers and/or participates in the planned administration of general anaesthetic for a variety of surgical and medically related procedures.
  • Uses a broad variety of techniques, anaesthesia agents, drugs and equipment in providing anaesthesia care.
  • Interprets and utilises data obtained from the effective use of current monitoring equipment.
  • Recognises and takes appropriate actions with reference to complications occurring during anaesthesia management.
  • Correctly assesses patient responses for readiness to move to the next level of care in relation to common postoperative problems.
/ √ / √ / √ / √ / √
To be responsible for timely, accurate and complete records both manually and electronically ensuring safety and confidentiality of information and any hospital and statutory requirements are met. /
  • Records written patient information in a timely, accurate, complete and legible manner.
  • Ensuresintervention/treatment is recorded accurately
  • Maintains accurate information on the EPR system as required.
  • Acts in accordance with Trust IT procedures.
/ √ / √
Undertake pre operative assessment and post operative assessment of patients and assess patients in the anaesthetic pre-assessment clinics including assistance with CPEX clinics. /
  • Performs / participates in the preoperative interviewing and physiological and psychological assessment under supervision of the consultant anaesthetist.
  • Evaluates and/or collects patient information from the patient’s history, physical examination, laboratory, radiographic and other diagnostic data and identify relevant problems.
  • Assesses complex individual patient care needs and helpsdevelop an effective care plan.
  • Works in partnership with the patient, their relatives and the multi-disciplinary team in the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of seamless care.
  • Utilises care risk assessments e.g. Medley, MUST, EWS, children and vulnerable adults.
  • Involves other practitioners and agencies to meet complex needs.
  • Co-ordinates and monitors the implementation and delivery of care plans.
/ √ / √ / √
Undertake enhanced roles through local training and assessment of competencies, with particular regard to the primary importance of patient safety. For example cell salvage. /
  • Contributesto self development and service improvement through training within the boundaries set in the role of Physicians assistant ( anaesthesia).
/ √ / √ / √ / √
To be involved in teaching and training of Theatre Practitioners/recovery staff and Trainee. /
  • Contributes to the development of others enabling them to make realistic self-assessments and apply their knowledge and skills in practice.
  • Actively promotes the workplace as a learning environment.
  • Encourages everyone to learn from each other and from external good practice.
  • Delegates and supervises duties carried out by junior staff, ensuring work is realistic, achievable and takes into account team members’ abilities and development needs.
  • Provides advice and support as required.
  • Gives feedback in a manner likely to maintain and improve performance.
  • Acts as a coach and mentor to junior staff supporting their development.
  • Takes part ininduction and monitoring of new junior staff.
  • Challenges and reports complacency, poor care and performance.
/ √ / √ / √ / √ / √
To work and communicate within their code of professional practice, being aware of boundaries of the role and referring patients to other healthcare professionals as appropriate. /
  • Actively promotes multidisciplinary team work.
  • Works within own and others limits.
  • Fosters public confidence through the promotion of a professional, positive image.
  • Demonstrates a professional and approachable, helpful style of care.
  • Anticipates barriers to effective communication and takes action to improve.
  • Communicates effectively and professionally with colleagues.
  • Communicates with people in a manner consistent with their level of understanding, culture, background and preferred way.
  • Explains clearly, to patients/carers, the benefits and risks of different interventions including alternative approaches available, thus contributing to decision making.
  • Reports any changes in a patient to an appropriate member of the team.
  • Answers the telephone according to Directorate Policy and take messages, as required.
  • Keeps accurate and complete records of all activities and communication consistently with legislation, policies and procedures.
  • Maintain confidentiality at all times, as required by legislation and Trust Policy.
/ √ / √ / √ / √ / √
Actively try to resolve issues and complaints at local level and then report the outcome to line manager. /
  • Reports any issues and complaints to the appropriate person.
  • Resolves potential conflicts as per conflict resolution guidance and the promotion of zero tolerance
  • Reports incidents of violence or aggression immediately in order to seek help and support
  • Ensures clear and concise advice is given to people on the procedures in place for complaints eg PALS.
/ √ / √
To adhere to quality objectives, hospital policies and codes of practice. /
  • Organises, and adjusts own workload in a manner that maintains and promotes quality.
  • Ensures moving and handling is carried out in line with correct procedures.
  • Undertakes work activities, which are consistent with legislation, policies and procedures.
  • Manages risk assessment and takes appropriate action to minimise risks, in relation to legislation, policies and procedures.
  • Maintains and monitors ANTT and hand hygiene as per Trust Policy.
  • Monitors, maintains and takes action regarding cleanliness of the theatre/department area.
  • Reports all accidents and incidents and near misses as per Trust Policy.
  • Partakes in investigation and or root cause analysis for accidents, incidents and near misses as per trust policy.
  • Conforms to health safety and security legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines.
  • Supports others to manage risks effectively.
  • Participates in networking, professional updates and benchmarking to reduce hospital-acquired infections.
  • Complies fully with Trust Uniform Policy.
/ √ / √ / √
To actively participate in all relevant meetings. /
  • Attends Team Meetings and audits.
/ √ / √ / √
To ensure own actions support equality, diversity and rights. /
  • Treats everyone with dignity and respect.
  • Respects patients’ dignity, wishes and beliefs.
  • Promotes equality in care and practice by recognising, respecting and meeting the needs and choices of individuals.
  • Acts in accordance with current legislation, policies, procedures and good practice.
  • Takes account of own behaviour and it’s impact or effect on others.
  • Takes action to address behaviour that undermines equality and diversity.
/ √ / √ / √ / √
To take part in personal development planning.
Maintain CPD as recommended minimum of 25 points per year.
To maintain a professional portfolio and logbook. /
  • Actively participates in the PDPR process
  • Generates and use appropriate learning opportunities.
  • Applies own learning to the future development of practice.
  • Alerts managers to resource issues which affect learning, development and performance.
  • CPD undertaken as recommended by professional body
/ √ / √
To undertake annual job plan review. /
  • Ensures annual job plan meeting takes place
  • Ensures changes to own work occurs within mutually agreed timescales.
/ √ / √
To undertake annual appraisal. /
  • Ensures annual appraisal occurs.
/ √ / √
To undertake annual Mandatory Training as per Trust Policy. /
  • Ensures attendance at trust mandatory training appropriate for Band as identified in the trust risk management TNA.
/ √ / √ / √
To assist in Service development /
  • Makes constructive suggestions as to how the service can be improved.
  • Aids identification and evaluation of areas for potential service improvement.
  • Enables and encourages others to offer suggestions, ideas and views for improving services.
  • Involves others in developing services.
  • Participates and encourages others in auditing the care delivered.
  • Creates a climate where ideas for improvement and innovation are welcomed from others and are acted upon.
  • Works in partnership with patients, professionals and organisations as part of a care network that delivers national improvement programmes
  • Creates a climate where excellence in practice flourishes and respect and value individuals for their role and contribution.
  • Assists in the development of clinical guidelines and policies for own specialist area.
/ √ / √ / √ / √

PA(A) Job description 2014

Governance

The post holder will operate at all times to high standards of probity. This will include compliance with:

  • Health and safety regulations
  • All policies and procedures approved by the Trust
  • Trust Standing Financial Instructions
  • Working within the Data Protection act 1984, Health & Safety at work Act 1974, Maintain confidentiality at all times, as required by legislation and Trust Policy
  • Working to defined policies and procedures, actively implementing the development of the electronic solution
  • Work within the limitations of the role
  • Professional codes of conduct including the NHS Managers Code of Conduct (where these apply)
  • All policies and procedures related to infection prevention and control as relevant to their post
  • To raise any concerns as soon as possible, as per whistle blowing policy, relating to any:-
  • Healthcare matters, e.g. suspected negligence, mistreatment or abuse of patients;

the quality of care provided

  • Concerns about the professional or clinical practice or competence of staff
  • The treatment of other staff, including suspected harassment, discrimination or

victimisation

  • Health, safety and environment issues
  • Suspicion or knowledge of theft, fraud, corruption, bribery allegations or other

financial malpractice

  • Employment standards and/or working practices
  • Criminal offences or miscarriages of justice
  • Failure to comply with any other legal obligation
  • Deliberate concealment of any of the above

Information Governance

  • To be fully aware of and committed to all Policies, Procedures and Initiatives relating to Information Governance - this will include, but not limited to, Data Quality improvements, Confidentiality and Information Security
  • To take personal responsibility for safeguarding and ensuring the quality of information.

Behaviour

The post holder will be expected to:

  • Support the aims and vision of the Trust
  • Act with honesty and integrity at all times
  • Be a positive ambassador for the Trust
  • Demonstrate high standards of personal conduct
  • Value and respect colleagues, other members of staff and patients
  • Work with others to develop and improve our services
  • Uphold the Trust’s commitment to equality and diversity
  • Take personal responsibility for their words, deed and actions and the quality of the service they deliver

PA(A) Job description 2014