Anyone a Theatre assistant?

[bex657]

I have only been a healthcare assistant for 3 months, my goal is to do theatre assistant and then eventually train as a ODP.

I have an interview for a theatre assistant next week any tips?

Also anything about the job I need to know?
I have some clinical knowledge from being a HCA which is helpful!

Not a TA but I run a number theatres

if you don’t say the word patient at least 3-4 times during the interview you’ve done yourself a disservice

Theatre assistants need to be proactive, good at taking on board instructions and very organised.

you need to sell yourself, people so often come to interviews and don’t. Explain you want to progress and you have a grounding now. Theatres are fast paced and you’re ready for a different challenge

Thank you @Wideeyedgrin that's some good things to know, as a hca patient care is my main goal, so will make sure I get that in too! That improving patient care is what I am trying to do currently and in future.

I was a scrub nurse for many years. You need to demonstrate you are forward thinking, self tasking but can also follow direction, team working and talk about positive patient outcomes etc…

Thank you @Bluelightbaby

Safety. Not doing things you aren’t trained to do. Asking if unsure. Maintaining dignity and confidentiality of the patient. Prepared to speak out as patient advocate if unhappy (of course when you are more experienced). Infection control is a big one.

Thank you @Katharineblum

Interview tomorrow, so nervous today any more tips?

Not a TA but Theatre Manager. Is the job in the hospital you work in? If so, do you have a chance for an informal chat with one of the team today?
Things that make a HCA candidate stand out for me
Knowing the type of surgery that takes place
Aware of the five steps to safer surgery/WHO checklist
Patient focused, privacy and dignity
Understand sterility
Importance of team work and good communication. Not one of us can do our job without the others
Not being afraid to say you don’t know something but would know who to ask/or escalate a problem to
Organised and can plan ahead
Am an ODP so any questions, please ask
It’s a great job!

I am not a medical professional but as a patient, when I had to have an operation under GA for the first time, a TA held my hand as I was being put under and told me it would all be OK. She will never know what it meant, but that small kindness made such a difference at a scary time.

I was convinced that this was about an interview for an assistant in a performing arts theatre and thought having to mention the word patient a lot was really interesting! What an insight! Then I read it again...😳

Me too! I have a musical theatre obsessed DC and came on to see what sort of career opportunities a theatre assistant might have 😃

Thank you @user1471556642 I want to do my ODP in a few years! I knew most of them, but off to double check who and 5 steps to safer surgery