Job Summary
Role overview

We are looking for a new Scrub Nurse / Practitioner to join our Plymouth Newmedica site. This will be 28.125 hours over 4 days per week including ad hoc weekends on a rota basis.

Scrub Nurses /Practitioners are an integral part of our theatre teams and will undertake a variety of duties. Youll be setting the theatre up ready to accommodate patients. We can typically see 18-22 patients a day in our high-volume cataract surgery provision, so youll thrive working in an efficient and fast paced environment.

Youll provide a competent scrub provision, supporting the surgeon through the daily theatre list, anticipating any potential problems and resolving these. At the end of the day, youll help clean down the theatre and in all you do youll ensure the highest standards are met in terms of patient safety, clinical compliance and hygiene levels.

Aside from providing Scrub services in the theatre you'll also undertake medicine management and audit duties as well as maintaining accurate patient records. You'll manage clinical waste and ensure the correct disposal procedures are implemented.

The thought of eye surgery can be a daunting prospect for patients to deal with, so our Scrub Nurses need to be empathetic and friendly and able to put patients at ease and help them feel comfortable during their time in surgery.

Main Duties of the Job
You need to be a fully qualified Registered Nurse or Operating Department Practitioner and need a current registration with the NMC or HCPC.

In an ideal world you will already have ophthalmic experience in a theatre setting. If not in most cases we can teach this, as long as you already have extensive theatre scrub experience.

The ideal candidate will have the ability to set up for vitrectomy surgery, have a full understanding of Phaco Instrumentation and have a working knowledge of Biometry ,Lens bank.

Alongside the mandatory qualifications the following things will be advantageous:

• Previous hospital eye service or private eye clinic experience
• Knowledge of clinical practice and aware of current developments in Optometry
• Capable of working in a fast paced, high-volume theatre setting
• Experience of supporting the surgeon during theatre problem solving and issue resolution
• The training and coaching of others
• The desire for and commitment to continuous professional development
• A competent user of computer systems and programmes
• An excellent grasp of the English language both verbally and in written format
• A good team player happy to jump in and support others when required

About Us
At Newmedica, we actively promote diversity and equal opportunities, and we are committed to this in both the running of our services and how we recruit our staff. We actively encourage applications from everyone with the essential requirements of the job, regardless of any protected characteristics.

Newmedica is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all people, irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, race, language, religion, ethnic or social origin.

Job Responsibilities

• Up to date proficient Scrub skills for high volume cataract surgery.
• Ability to set up for vitrectomy surgery
• Full understanding of Phaco Machines-Instrumentation and set up
• Full knowledge of the eye and understanding of Biometry-Lens bank
• Ability to support the surgeon anticipating any potential problems in theatre and resolve them
• Working as part of a theatre team

Administrative Duties

• To keep accurate patient health records, updating electronic patient records or completing handwritten clinical notes.

Professional Duties

• To work within the requirements of the code of practice and standard of the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
• To be responsible for and demonstrate commitment to Continuing Professional Development and Clinical Governance.
• To participate in training and development of clinical and other groups of staff.
• To participate in clinical audit and research projects, as required.

The Individual
Education & Qualification

• Nursing degree or equivalent qualification essential.

Experience & Knowledge

• Theatre training /substantive experience required.
• Current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council essential.
• Hospital eye service experience desirable
• Knowledge of clinical practice and demonstrable knowledge of developments in Optometry required.
• Experience of and commitment to medical audit.
• Comfortable with Microsoft Office products and using computerised systems for data input-output and review.

Skills & Personal Attributes

• Enjoys the routine and rhythm of a process driven environment.
• Ability to work in different theatre environments adapting to different surgeons
• Able to balance working independently with appropriate escalation and delegation.
• Committed to deliver consistently high standards of care to patients.
• Seeks continuous professional development.
• Self-motivated to provide an excellent level of communication and individual care for patients.
• Comfortable making a significant contribution, including teaching and training, in a small multi-disciplinary team.

Supplemental Information
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Actively promote and market Newmedica and present a positive image of the Company and its activities both within and outside the Healthcare environment.
• Ensure the quality standards and performance measures applying to the work of the section are met and facilitate continuous improvements in all aspects of the post.
• Undergo any self-development and training as necessary for success in the role and provide support and development for others where appropriate.
• Carry out any duties at all times in accordance with the Companys policies including Equality and Diversity and Health and Safety.
• Promote by positive example both internally and externally, the purpose and vision of Newmedica.
• Undertake all responsibilities in adherence with Newmedica Policies and Protocols for Infection, Prevention and Control.
• Undertake any other responsibilities commensurate with the grade of the post, which the Principal or their senior management representative may from time to time require.

This job description is a guide to the work that you will initially be required to undertake. It may be changed from time to time, in consultation with you, to meet changing circumstances. It does not form part of your contract of employment.

Person Specification
Experience - Essential

• Experience of working within a Nursing team in theatre and clinic.
• Experience of dealing with vulnerable patients

Experience - Desirable

• Experience of working in secondary care

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).