Job summary
We are growing our Theatre teams! Are you an experienced and motivated Theatre Scrub Nurse ready to take the next step in your career?

We are seeking a dynamic and dedicated Theatre Scrub Nurse to provide specialist care within our busy operating theatres.

The post holder will perform and assist in all aspects of surgical procedures to an expert level in line with personal competencies. The post holder will work with the surgical team in delivering and maintaining a high standard of surgical care before, during and after surgery.

We undertake a multiplicity of surgical procedures which include - but are not limited to- general surgery, Orthopaedic, gynaecology, urology, ENT and colorectal patients.

The Theatre Scrub Nurse is clinical responsible to the Theatre Sister working under direction and supervision as a member of the surgical team.

Part Time - 30 Hours Per Week. Other part time hours will be considered. Hours are worked across a 7 day working rota. Please specify your preference on the application form). Currently most theatre work is scheduled during evenings and weekends. Start times in evenings 17.00 to finish. Weekend work 8 am start to finish (flexibility is essential with finish times).

We offer enhancements for Saturdays and any work between 8pm and 7.30am on weekdays at time +30% of your basic salary rate. For Sundays and Bank Holidays at time + 60% of your basic salary rate.

Interview Date - TBC

Main duties of the job
To aid in the delivery of direct and indirect patient care throughout the operating department. Working within policies and procedures implement and evaluate pathways of care for the patient within the perioperative setting. Under the direction of the senior staff, liaise with medical, nursing, ancillary staff and other departments to ensure the timely delivery of patient care.

The post holder will perform and assist in all aspects of surgical procedures to a level in line with personal competencies. They will be a point of knowledge for junior team members and act as a mentor to health professionals who wish to gain competencies within the field of surgery. The post holder will work with the theatre teams in delivering and maintaining a high standard of surgical care before, during and after surgery.

Spencer Private Hospitals undertake a multiplicity of surgical procedures which include but are not limited to general surgery, orthopaedics gynaecology, urology, ENT and colorectal patients.

Please note we are not offering sponsorship for this role.

About us
We are building upon our strategy for growth and expansion and are looking to expand our nursing teams.

We provide a variety of services across East Kent, which include in patient, Day case, outpatients, Diagnostics, lifestyle and wellbeing services including options via the choose and book option in their care pathway.

Our principle sites are in Margate and Ashford with an outpatient provision in Canterbury.

I hope Spencer Private Hospitals will appeal to those of you whose purpose is to provide the best of care in an appreciated and respected environment with ambition to improve their knowledge and skillset whilst caring for a multiplicity of patients in a considerate environment with opportunity for further growth and development.

Thank you for considering a position a position with us. We look forward to welcoming you into Spencer Private Hospitals should you be successful at interview.

Job responsibilities
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Clinical

• To contribute to the maintenance of patient care standards and to assist with the implementation of changes to care delivery systems, methods and practice in order to bring about improvements in the quality of care
• To contribute to the development and implementation of personal professional standards which reflect customer requirements and best practice
• Carry out planned care for a group of patients as part of the surgical team providing individualised patient care working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team
• Maintain accurate and contemporaneous patient records in line with professional standards
• Have responsibility for the administration and custody of medicines in line with SPH policy and professional standards
• Adhere to professional standards, highlighting to the line manager when standards are not seen to be met
• Undertake practice assessments competently
• Maintain accurate clinical observations of the patient and act accordingly on findings
• Act as the patient advocate
• Be clinically competent in all areas of clinical practice relevant to the post and banding
• Ensure own professional knowledge is continuously updated
• Work with the teams to attain and maintain a CQC rating of Good or Outstanding
• You will play an important role in ensuring the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred care and maintaining professional standards within the theatre setting. This is an exciting opportunity for a compassionate, forward-thinking clinician who is ready to be part of a skilled team, with a family atmosphere.

Key recommendations to ensure safe surgical practice

• The role of the theatre scrub/recovery/anaesthetic practitioner should be undertaken by someone who has successfully completed a validated university programme of study that meets the nationally recognised standards underpinning the knowledge and skills required for the role
• Theatre Scrub/Recovery/Anaesthetic Practitioners must ensure that they have appropriate indemnity cover
• The Theatre Scrub/Recovery/Anaesthetic Practitioner scope of practice may be extended in line with service need
• The Theatre Scrub/Recovery/Anaesthetic Practitioner s name and designation must be recorded within the perioperative documentation.
• The practitioner acting as Scrub Practitioner must be focused upon the management of the intraoperative care required by the patient and therefore must not assume the additional duties such as that of the SFA.
• In the event, that an employer considers that a dual role is required in minor surgery, then this must only be undertaken by a registered practitioner and the decision should be endorsed by a policy that fully supports this practice and should also be based on a risk assessment of each situation to ensure patient safety.
• The policy and risk assessment should identify the skills, knowledge and competencies required and the category of surgery and situations for which the employing organisation determines the dual role as acceptable. If this is not in place, as part of an effective clinical governance framework, then scrub practitioners must NOT undertake SFA duties in a dual role.

Personal/Professional Development

• To take every reasonable opportunity to maintain and improve your professional knowledge and competence
• To participate in personal objective setting and review, including the creation of a personal development plan and the Trusts appraisal process.

Financial

• Monitoring and maintaining stock levels. Report any deficiency to the Theatre Manager as appropriate.
• Participates in effective resource management eg. staffing rotas, maintaining stock levels

Business Development

• To assist in the implementation of new ideas and procedures.
• To implement research-based nursing care, adhering to Spencer Private Hospitals Policies and Procedures

Quality

• Assess patient care needs by planning, implementing and evaluating programmes of care within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Completes the Perioperative Care Plan
• Adheres to pharmaceutical codes of practice to include preparation, custody, ordering and documentation relating to controlled and prescribed drugs, as professionally qualified to do so
• To adhere to professional codes of practice and to maintain active status on the relevant professional register
• Carry out daily preparation and maintenance of relevant medical equipment e.g. anaesthetic, life support, surgical items and complete the appropriate documentation. Identify and report faults to senior staff
• Participate, provide support and resuscitation skills as a member of the resuscitation team. Organise and deliver patient care and equipment during inter-department and inter-hospital patient transfers
• To liaise with colleagues, medical staff and other agencies to ensure the timely delivery of prescribed patient care
• Provide emergency theatre cover during major incidents when either on duty or called in from home
• Facilitate the delivery of surgical procedures, including positioning of patients for surgery. Ensure the correct labelling and recording of specimens. Act as the circulating person in the support of the surgical team. Perform patient and environmental safety checks
• Act as the scrub person in the surgical team with responsibility for providing the required range of sterile instruments and implants. Conduct safety checks of swabs/needles/instruments, in accordance with clinical guidelines. Complete the appropriate documentation
• Participates in the delivery of the Governance agenda. Reports actual and near miss incidents promptly and appropriately. Takes effective action to minimize risk
• To monitor patient condition for any adverse reactions and act upon appropriately under the supervision of senior members of the surgical team
• Take all necessary precautions to protect self and others from contamination from body fluids, infectious materials and toxic substances encountered during daily practice and a working knowledge of infection control
• To recognise and report abnormal clinical situations and report them to the Theatre Manager
• To keep his or her knowledge updated about the procedures to be adopted in the event of fire, untoward incidents, major incidents, accidents and faulty equipment
• To actively demonstrate an up to date knowledge of current clinical practice

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Nurse or Operating Department Practitioner
• NMC/HCPC Registered

Experience
Essential

• Ability to assess, plan and evaluate patient care
• Knowledge of research and evidence-based practice
• Knowledge of CQC
• Orthopaedic, general, gynae, urology, ENT surgeries or a desire to upskill to attain these
• Minimally invasive procedures
• Laser applications

Desirable

• Multiskilling - demonstrate competency in recovery and
• Endoscopy

Skills
Essential

• Good working knowledge of Word/Excel/Outlook
• Effective oral and written skills
• Ability to work as member of a teamt

Desirable

• Dealing with emergency situations within operating theatre department

Personal Attributes
Essential

• Remain alert and focused for long periods of time
• Long periods of peri-operative concentration
• Occasional demands and interruptions

Other
Essential

• Manual handling of patients and manoeuvring heavy instrumentation and equipment
• Frequent unpleasant working conditions; contact with body fluids, foul linen daily
• Daily contact with substances hazardous to health

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).

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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.