Theatre Scrub

Job overview

The post‑holder will play an essential role in delivering safe, effective, and compassionate perioperative care to patients undergoing surgical procedures. As a trained Scrub Nurse, they will contribute to maintaining a safe clinical environment and will competently undertake a broad range of scrub‑related duties to support the surgical team. The role requires a commitment to high professional standards, continuous learning, and the application of evidence‑based practice to ensure patient safety and high‑quality care throughout the perioperative journey

Requires NMC/HCPC

Main duties of the job

Work collaboratively within the nursing and wider multidisciplinary team to deliver evidence‑based, holistic care to patients throughout their perioperative journey, from admission to discharge.

Act as a safe, competent, and accountable practitioner, providing patients and their relatives with high‑quality perioperative care and ensuring their wellbeing, dignity, and safety at all times.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Deliver safe, effective, evidence‑based perioperative care in the scrub role, in line with NMC standards and Trust policies.
• Take responsibility for the perioperative management of an allocated group of patients, ensuring high‑quality, patient‑centred care throughout their surgical journey.
• Maintain patient dignity, privacy, and confidentiality at all times, involving relatives and carers appropriately in the care process.
• Prepare, check, and maintain theatre equipment, surgical instruments, and consumables, escalating faults promptly and ensuring safe operation.
• Provide skilled scrub assistance to the surgical team, ensuring aseptic technique and adherence to infection prevention and control standards.
• Monitor patient condition within the scrub role, recognising deviations from normal and escalating concerns promptly to senior staff.
• Participate in the safe positioning, transfer, and handling of patients in accordance with Trust policies and manual handling guidelines.
• Ensure accurate, contemporaneous documentation using electronic and written systems in line with Trust and legal requirements.
• Contribute to the smooth running of theatre lists, supporting efficient workflow and patient safety.
• Report adverse incidents, near misses, equipment failures, and safeguarding concerns in accordance with Trust procedures.
• Rotate to other clinical areas within the department as required or identified through appraisal and personal development planning.
• Participate in the departmental on‑call rota and work flexibly, including long shifts, weekends, and unsocial hours, to meet service needs.

EDUCATIONAL AND RESEARCH RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain up‑to‑date clinical knowledge and skills, engaging in continuous professional development and reflective practice.
• Maintain full compliance with mandatory training, including safe use of medical devices, ensuring personal and team competencies remain current and aligned with Trust and regulatory standards.
• Keep informed of current research, evidence‑based practice, and developments in perioperative care, applying relevant findings to clinical practice.
• Support the learning and development of students, new staff, and trainees through role modelling, supervision, and constructive feedback.
• Participate in teaching activities, simulation sessions, and departmental training programmes as required.
• Contribute to audit, research, and quality improvement initiatives that enhance patient care and service delivery.

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Adhere to the NMC Code of Conduct and all Trust policies, maintaining high professional standards and acting as an ambassador for the nursing profession.
• Uphold the values of the Trust, demonstrating professionalism, integrity, and accountability in all aspects of practice.
• Take responsibility for personal professional development, completing mandatory training, annual appraisal, and maintaining a portfolio that meets NMC revalidation requirements.
• Engage in reflective practice, identifying learning needs and working with an appraiser to develop and achieve a personal development plan.
• Maintain excellent communication with patients, colleagues, and the multidisciplinary team, contributing to team briefings, WHO checklists, and postoperative debriefs.

MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• Act as a positive role model, promoting a culture of safety, teamwork, and high‑quality care.
• Support the team leader or theatre coordinator by communicating significant changes, concerns, or operational issues in a timely manner.
• Contribute to effective theatre management by assisting with planning, prioritising, and coordinating daily activities.
• Participate in departmental meetings, service reviews, and discussions relating to service improvement and patient experience.
• Take reasonable steps to safeguard the health, safety, and wellbeing of patients, colleagues, and visitors within the clinical environment.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participate in rotation between Stanmore Main and Centenary Theatres as required to support service delivery.
• Engage in service developments, new ways of working, and Trust sustainability initiatives.
• Demonstrate flexibility in working patterns to meet the needs of the service, including long days, weekends, and on‑call commitments.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role and grade as required to support safe and effective theatre services.

Recognise that this job description outlines the general scope of the role and may be amended in consultation with the post holder to reflect evolving service requirements

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.