HC Deb 23 March 1978 vol 946 cc711-3W
Mr. Patrick Jenkin

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consultations he had with bodies representative of NHS scientists before he agreed to change the designation "medical laboratory technician" to "medical laboratory scientific officer".

Mr. Ennals

The agreement to change the NHS Whitley Council designation of medical laboratory technicians was negotiated by the appropriate Whitley Council. I understand the Management Side of that Council is aware of the views of many interested bodies including those representative of NHS scientists.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will define the role, qualifications and responsibilities of someone designated as an "operating department assistant".

Mr. Ennals

The role of the operating department assistant is to provide skilled assistance in the operating department and act as a member of the theatre team. Minimum qualifications are a relevant certificate of the City and Guilds of London Institute for new entrants or a certificate issued by the NHS Ancillary Staffs Whitley Council under assessment arrangements for existing staff when the grade was established. Responsibilities are defined in the job description published in the Whitley Council's Hand-book—

  1. (i) Performing operating department work in accordance with agreed operational policies.
  2. (ii) Participating as a scrubbed member of the theatre team in surgical procedures and carrying out safety checks of swabs, instruments and needles in conjunction with a second person and reporting on the same to the surgeon.
  3. (iii) Providing assistance as a circulating member of the theatre team including:
    1. (a) Positioning and any preparation of a patient on the operating table as required by the surgeon and anaesthetist.
    2. (b) Assisting the anaesthetist and surgeons as required, including assistance with blood transfusions and intra-vascular procedures.
    3. (c) Assisting, with other members of the team, in the preparation and clearing of operating theatres, e.g., moving apparatus and lights and cleaning up during and after an operation.
    4. (d) Preparing splints and plasters in the operating department.
  4. (iv) Assisting in movement of patients in the operating department.
  5. (v) Acting as a member of the resuscitation team.
  6. (vi) Cleaning, preparation and minor maintenance of instruments where appropriate.
  7. (vii) Maintaining in an effective condition anaesthetic, inhalation and resuscitation equipment in accordance with local policies.
  8. (viii) Cleaning, care and day-to-day maintenance of all equipment in general use in the operating department.
  9. (ix) Operating autoclaves within the operating department where appropiate.
  10. (x) Assisting in the care, labelling and despatch of specimens for laboratory examination.
  11. (xi) Assisting in compiling the operations register in co-operation with other staff.
  12. (xii) Maintaining appropriate stock levels if delegated this task within the suite or department.
  13. (xiii) Reporting to Charge Nurse or Senior Operating Department Assistant, as appropriate, accidents, complaints, defects in drugs, supplies or equipment.
  14. (xiv) Participating in clinical trials of new equipment and supplies and the evaluation of existing equipment in collaboration with medical and nursing staff.
  15. (xv) Assisting as required in research procedures.
  16. (xvi) Reporting to Charge Nurse 6 and/or Senior Operating Department Assistant on the state of fabric maintenance and any 713 deviation from accepted standards of operating department cleaning.
  17. (xvii) Proposing new ideas and procedures for discussion with Senior Operating Department Assistant or Charge Nurse Grade 6.
  18. (xviii) Such other duties as may be determined by the Operating Department Superintendent and the Operating Department Committee.

Liaison and Communication (xix) Attending departmental staff meetings. (xx) Ensuring the maintenance of good relationships, communications, and teamwork with all disciplines within the department and other departments in the hospital concerned with operating department work.

Education (xxi) Participating in in-service training programmes.

Personnel (xxii) Assisting with the orientation of new staff.

Safety (xxiii) Ensuring that safety procedures agreed by the Operating Department Committee are carried out in relation to swab, instrument and needle counts and in relation to hazards from ionising radiation, static electricity/explosion, and fire.

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