Scrub nurse post in the trauma and orthopaedic theatres at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Woolwich, part of Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. The work centres on preparing sterile fields and checking instrument, implant and equipment sets for planned and emergency orthopaedic cases. What sets it apart is the requirement for experience in at least three orthopaedic sub-specialties, alongside weekend and night duty and rotation into other surgical specialties. Eligibility turns on NMC registration as a nurse or an ODP qualification, plus at least a year in emergency trauma theatres.
What the job involves
- Act as scrub practitioner for trauma and orthopaedic procedures
- Prepare and maintain a sterile surgical field with instruments, implants, consumables and equipment ready for planned procedures
- Check equipment, instrument sets, implants and loan kits before lists, escalating shortages or defects, and keep stock adequate for safe surgery
- Assess, plan, implement and evaluate perioperative care of patients
- Assist anaesthetists and surgeons with emergency and elective procedures across hospital departments as required
- Work under pressure in busy theatres and adapt to changes in allocation, case mix, staffing or clinical priorities
- Communicate with surgeons, anaesthetists, colleagues, operational teams, company representatives and the multidisciplinary team
- Administer medication in line with NMC and Trust policy
- Maintain clinical records to NMC standards and Trust policy
- Contribute to quality improvement, incident reporting, infection prevention and patient safety
- Take part in weekend, night and extended working arrangements
- Support the training and supervision of students, newly qualified staff and colleagues
Qualifications
- ODP qualification: City & Guilds 752 or NVQ3 in ODP practice
Registration & licences
- NMC registration as a Registered Nurse, or HCPC registration as an operating department practitioner
Experience
- Experience caring for surgical patients and ill patients in a variety of settings
- Experience as a scrub nurse in orthopaedic theatres
- At least 1 year in emergency trauma (orthopaedic) theatres
- Experience in at least three of: shoulder, hand, foot and ankle, knee and hip surgery
- Proven record in the perioperative area
Skills & knowledge
- Effective verbal and written communication
- Intermediate to advanced knowledge of trauma and orthopaedic instruments, implants and equipment
- Basic knowledge of Arthrex, Acumed, Smith+Neu & DePuy instrumentation and implants
- Evidence-based knowledge of essential methods of care
Other
- Ability to form good interpersonal relationships and be enthusiastic
- Professional conduct in public and private situations
- Initiative
- Enthusiasm for trauma and orthopaedic surgery
- Team player
Nice to have
- Perioperative course
- Relevant specialist course, for example AO Trauma course
- Willingness to develop teaching skills, formally and informally
- Confidence in speaking up
What’s offered
- Well-established, structured mentoring
- Staff development packages
- Four staff networks and a corporate EDI programme
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Contact Details:
The Methodist Church in Britain Recruitment Team
