Theatre Scrub Practitioner

Job overview

The duties will include include scrubbing for orthopaedic surgeries across subspecialties such as:

• hip and knee arthroplasty
• sports injuries
• spinal procedures, upper limb, foot and ankle
• tumour operations
• paediatric orthopaedics and
• spinal injuries urology

The post holder will be responsible for the Theatre Scrub Team when Band 6 or Band 7 staff are unavailable.

We have no access to OSCE support course, and nurses pending registration are welcome to apply but must be able to evidence in their application that they have satisfied the NMC Objective Structed Clinical Examination Test of Competence.

Main duties of the job

To ensure safe quality care is provided for patients within the Unit as Trust and Unit policy.

Manage the team as a team leader, participating as an active member of the scrub and circulating team in a designated highly specialist area without supervision as appropriate using all forms of knowledge, skills and experience required in order to be able to undertake the duties competently such as check the instruments and implants for the list and any other equipment that is necessary.

To demonstrate a high level of communication and relationship skills promoting and maintaining effective liaison throughout the Unit team and with the wider multidisciplinary team.

Support the Coordinator in the effective and efficient management of the unit to include liaising with Recovery about amendments or changes to list (this will affect availability of instruments), informing all relevant members of the team and the Coordinator of the above.

To organise the multidisciplinary staff allocated to your control on a daily basis.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To be aware of personal and professional development. To attend courses and conferences as agreed and recommended and approved by the Theatre Practice Development Team.

Frequently you may be required to move orthopaedic trays (up to 30lbs per tray) from our Sterile Services Unit to stack onto working trolleys.

Manual handling training must be up to date as you may also be required to move large equipment about the department i.e. Arthroscopy stacks, and moving patient from trolley to bed after their operation.

You will be required to know what is on each instrument tray and ensure trays are checked and instruments inspected before the case and prior to closing.

No operation is routine and problems like sudden bleeding can occur at any time. During any operation problems often occur due to the complexity of the surgery, such as Surgeons changing their minds on kit they wish to use or extra instruments are needed during the case. You will need to have a good knowledge of orthopaedic specialist surgery and very good communication skills.

You will be required to concentrate regularly throughout the day especially when complicated issues arise where alertness, initiative and assertiveness is required.

You may be exposed to emotionally demanding situations on a daily basis.

You will be working in a high risk area, where you have exposure to body fluids and other substances hazardous to health.