Job summary
The Band 5 Scrub Practitioner delivers safe, high-quality, evidence-based perioperative care across the Trust's General operating theatres, assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating care while managing an allocated caseload. The role supports a diverse range of elective and emergency surgical activity, including robotic surgery, urology, breast surgery, gynaecology, gynaecological oncology, colorectal surgery and upper gastrointestinal surgery.

Main responsibilities include maintaining aseptic technique; preparing, checking and managing surgical instruments, implants, medical devices and specialist equipment; providing scrub assistance for procedures across these specialties; completing instrument, needle and swab counts and the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist; supporting safe patient positioning, transfer and theatre preparation; anticipating and responding to intraoperative needs; communicating effectively with patients, carers and the multidisciplinary team; safeguarding dignity and safety; maintaining accurate records; complying with professional, Trust, infection prevention, information governance and risk-management standards; reporting and supporting the investigation of incidents; contributing to audit, service improvement and research-based practice; undertaking mandatory training and continuing professional development; and supervising, teaching and supporting learners, new staff and less experienced colleagues while acting as a professional role model.

Main duties of the job
Clinical Responsibilities / Key Responsibilities

• Maintain aseptic technique and provide safe, effective scrub assistance for elective and emergency procedures across robotic surgery, urology, breast surgery, gynaecology, gynaecological oncology, colorectal surgery and upper gastrointestinal surgery, working within assessed competence.
• Prepare, check, manage and account for surgical instrumentation, implants, prostheses, medical devices and equipment appropriate to the procedure and specialty.
• Accurately perform and document instrument, needle and swab counts, and actively participate in all relevant stages of the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist and associated perioperative safety checks.
• Anticipate the needs of the surgical team, respond appropriately to intraoperative changes and escalate concerns promptly to maintain patient safety.
• Support safe patient positioning and transfer, and prepare, check and restore the theatre environment before and after surgery in accordance with local procedures and assessed competence.

About us
We take pride in placing people at the centre of everything we do, working together as a united team. Driven by a shared ambition to continually grow, develop, and learn, we recognise and value every contribution. By combining our experience and skills, we not only support our vibrant, diverse communities, but also support one another.

With a team of over 9,000 employees, we are proud to be the largest employer in Gloucestershire and rank among the top 10 largest Trusts in the South West region. By joining our Trust, you will benefit from an excellent package that includes exclusive benefits, flexible working opportunities and the chance to gain valuable experience in one or both of our innovative hospitals.

As well as generous annual leave allowance, you will have access to the excellent NHS pension scheme, competitive bank rates, discounts at local shops and restaurants, access to two on-site nurseries, discounted public transport, reward and recognition and a range of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Details
Date posted: 05 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year (pa pro rata if part-time)
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 318-26-T0714
Job locations: Cheltenham General Hospital, Sandford Road, Cheltenham, GL53 7AN, United Kingdom

Job description
Job responsibilities
Professional Development, Education and Training

• Be actively involved in and support departmental education programmes.
• To consolidate and learn new skills and competencies to provide holistic care. Develop clinical reasoning and treatment techniques through active participation in training and development. Consolidate knowledge and skills learned through this process with the direction of senior staff.
• To participate in the supervision, caseload monitoring and clinical education of student nurses and less experienced staff, with support from senior staff as required. Provide support, guidance and training, and assess and evaluate competence, to fulfil clinical governance requirements and retain a skilled workforce.
• Develop the skills to supervise, mentor, support and educate less experienced and non-registered staff in the clinical practice setting.
• Undertake all mandatory training.
• Demonstrate a commitment to research-based practice and clinical excellence and play an active part in the introduction of research-based changes to improve patient-centred care.

Management and Leadership

• Comply with Trust and departmental policies and procedures, for example The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, manual handling, clinical equipment competency, risk management, data protection legislation and patient confidentiality at all times. This includes demonstrating compliance with safeguarding policies and processes relevant to adults and children in the care of GHNHSFT and undertaking regular mandatory safeguarding training.
• In conjunction with their manager, identify personal training needs and participate in clinical audit and quality projects that contribute to the departmental education programme.
• Report near misses and untoward incidents, complaints, clinical emergencies, injury or medicine administration errors as detailed in departmental and Trust protocols. Assist lead staff in investigating incidents as required.
• Maintain and contribute to the development of standards of practice, conduct or decision-making in conjunction with lead staff.
• Ensure a smart, professional image that enhances public perception of the Trust and portrays the professionalism of its staff.

Professional Practice

• Ensure clinical practice is evidence based or peer-reviewed best practice.
• Develop and maintain the clinical skills and knowledge necessary to deliver an evidence-based service.
• With supervision and assistance, take on increased responsibility, recognising own limitations and seeking help appropriately.
• Be competent in the use of all relevant Trust IT systems, including the electronic patient record, email and EPR.
• Maintain regular use of email to keep abreast of information disseminated in the Trust.
• Adhere to the NMC or HCPC Code of Conduct at all times and operate within the NMC or HCPC scope of professional practice.
• Demonstrate awareness and understanding of accountability, responsibility and duty of care, and work towards providing support and education for less experienced and non-registered staff on the implications for practice.

Person Specification
Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience
Essential

• United Kingdom recognised qualification in Adult Nursing or Operating Department Practice.
• Active registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• Ability to use clinical reasoning skills and techniques to assess and plan care, deliver and evaluate care, and amend the treatment plan.

Desirable

• Previous scrub experience in an operating theatre environment, preferably within one or more of the general theatre specialties covered by the service.
• Ability to keep up to date with professional issues that influence practice relating to the clinical area, management, education and research.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details
Employer name: Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Cheltenham General Hospital, Sandford Road, Cheltenham, GL53 7AN, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/

For questions about the job, contact: ODP, Cathy Parry, cathy.parry@nhs.net, 03004223279

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.