• BTEC Course Programme

• The Full Theatre Skills Award programme

The comprehensive two-day programme was designed to meet the needs of all members of the health care industry, whether new entrant or experienced at working in operating theatres. Delegates, employers and theatre managers tell us that this is an essential introductory training for everyone entering the industry.

For new people, the full programme provides a comprehensive overview of all aspects of theatre work so that they gain a full understanding of their working environment and of the needs and expectations of their customers.

For the experienced industry member, the full programme provides a vital refresher, reflecting established practices and recent changes, so that working habits can be reviewed in the light of best practice.

The full programme enables our team of lecturers and tutors to take delegates through all aspects of the peri-operative environment, both theoretical and practical, so that their presence in the theatre does not compromise the safety of the patient or those involved in their treatment.

Duration: 2 days, residential.

Outline Timetable:

• Examination only programme

Candidates with in-depth knowledge and experience of working in the operating theatre environment may be nominated for the examination-only option, lasting one day.

Candidates will be unlikely successful in the examination without a prior knowledge of the following:

• Principles of safe practice in the operating theatre
• Professional roles and responsibilities in the operating theatre
• Operating theatre etiquette
• The Patient
• Infection control
• Aseptic technique
• Decontamination
• Principles of sterilisation
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations (COSHH)
• Hazard Analysis and Risk Management
• Legal implications of the Product Specialist's role
• Medical Physics
• Radiation safety
• Laser safety

The competence assessment phase, which takes place in our operating theatre, requires delegates to demonstrate competence in:

• Preparing to enter theatres (changing and washing)
• Scrubbing-up, gowning and gloving
• Entering theatre and bringing equipment into theatre
• Working in theatre
• Leaving theatre and removing equipment from theatre

• The Advanced Theatre Skills Award

Certain groups of Product Specialists work in theatres which have particular demands. Those working in orthopaedic surgery, for example, must appreciate the particular structures and working practices of the orthopaedic theatre. Similarly, cardiac and peripheral catheterisation procedures have their own working environment and practices, which must be appreciated by those working in that sector.

Advanced Awards consist of the standard Theatre Skills Award, augmented by a specialist module which addresses the particular speciality and its needs. The first two Advanced Awards are:

• Orthopaedic Specialist
• Cardiac and peripheral catheterisation specialist

For details of these and other planned Advanced Awards, please contact us.