Enhanced Skills Guidance
As part of the 3rd year of the BSc Operating Department Practice, the students are required to demonstrate competence in the specific areas listed below. Students will receive theoretical and practical education in the university to prepare them to undertake these skills. They will be required to complete a portfolio and as part of this process they will write a 500 word reflective account about each of these enhanced skills. As with all other clinical skills, the mentor may gather evidence from other experienced registered practitioners that the student has performed the required skill competently.
Additional explanation / Where taught / How practised / How assessed- Male and female urinary catheterisation
This skill will be covered exclusively in the University and students will not be permitted to undertake male catheterisation in clinical practice. / In University / In University / In University
Female catheterisation
This has always been part of the curriculum and will continue to be so. As part of year 3 of the BSc all students will now be required to complete this as a distinct learning outcome. Students may undertake female catheterisation in year 2. / In University / In clinical practice / Signed off by mentor
- Skin preparation and draping
This skill will be covered exclusively in the University.
Students will undergo specific education at university regarding the implications of prepping and draping relating to correct site surgery. They will be required to explore this issue in their reflective account to ensure they understand the implications of initiating prepping and draping. / In University / In University / In University
Draping
This has always been part of the curriculum and will continue to be so. As part of year 3 of the BSc all students will now be required to complete this as a distinct learning outcome.
It is acknowledged that it is not appropriate for students to drape for every type of surgical procedure, especially where draping is complex but they should be able to undertake this skill for a range of procedures. / In University / In clinical practice / Signed off by mentor
- Receives and handles surgical instruments (e.g camera holding)
All students will complete this in the University and they may not undertake this skill in clinical practice. / In University / Camera holding will be practised in the simulated operating theatre / Camera holding will be assessed in the simulated operating theatre University
Examples of skills which the student may perform to meet this competency:
- Applying an artery forcep to a sling or stay suture
- Prepares and passes a mounted tie
- Use and maintenance of specialised surgical equipment
- Mixing of bone cement
- Preparing a camera system and insufflators for use, including white balancing
- Preparing and adjusting a microscope for use
- Drape a microscope
- Assemble and check power tools
- Preparing a harmonic scalpel
- Preparation of haemostatic agents (Floseal™, Tisseel™)
- Skin and tissue retraction
Students may not retract tissue in the peritoneal cavity.
Students must not undertake this skill whilst simultaneously acting as the scrub practitioner.
The student should demonstrate this on at least 5 occasions. / In University / In clinical practice / Signed off by mentor
- Cutting sutures and ties
Students must not undertake this skill whilst simultaneously acting as the scrub practitioner.
The student should demonstrate this on at least 5 occasions. / In University / In clinical practice / Signed off by mentor
- Use of suction and assist with haemostasis
Haemostasis means indirect application of diathermy under the explicit direction of the surgeon during open surgery only.
They will be required to explore this issue in their reflective account to ensure they understand the potential dangers of indirect application of diathermy.
The student should demonstrate this on at least 5 occasions. / In University / In clinical practice / Signed off by mentor
- Assistance with wound closure and application of dressing
It is not suturing. / In University / In clinical practice / Signed off by mentor
- Intravenous cannulation
Students will demonstrate their achievement of this skill by completing the Record of Achievement of Competence in Intravenous Cannulation, which forms part of the NHS GG&C process for preparing practitioners to undertake this skill.
NHS Forth Valley
Students will demonstrate their achievement of this skill by completing the NHS Forth Valley Competencies in Intravenous Cannulation, which forms part of the NHS Forth Valley process for preparing practitioners to undertake this skill.
NHS Lanarkshire
Students will demonstrate their achievement of this skill by completing the NHS Lanarkshire cannulation competencies which forms part of the NHS Lanarkshire process for preparing practitioners to undertake this skill.
NHS Lothian
Students will demonstrate their achievement of this skill by completing the NHS Lothian Peripheral IV Cannulation (Adult) Initial Competency process which forms part of the NHS Lothian processfor preparing practitioners to undertake this skill.
Golden Jubilee National Hospital
Students will demonstrate their achievement of this skill by completing the GJNH Cannulation - Competency and Record of Supervision process which forms part of the GJNH process for preparing practitioners to undertake this skill. / In University / In clinical practice / Signed off by mentor
Immediate Life Support / In University / In University / In University