Theatre Practitioner - Orthopaedic Scrub

Job description

Job responsibilities

WHO ARE WE?

We are Circle Health Group.

We are the number one independent provider of hospital services in this country, with more than 50 hospitals, 6000 specialists and 2 million patient visits each year.

We offer high quality, safe, accessible and affordable healthcare.

We want to be the most innovative and patient focused healthcare organisation.

WHO ARE YOU?

You make sure that standards of patient care are consistently applied and maintained.

You maintain and enhance customer service and satisfaction.

You promote and safeguard the wellbeing and interests of all patients, employees and visitors.

WHAT DO YOU DO?

Clinical Care Scrub / Anaesthetics / Recovery:

• Scrub Role: Assist the surgical team by preparing instruments, maintaining a sterile field, anticipating surgeon needs, and ensuring all surgical equipment is checked, counted, and handled safely.
• Anaesthetics Role: Support the Anaesthetist in preparing equipment and monitoring patients pre-, peri-, and post-induction of anaesthesia. Assist in airway management and patient positioning.
• Recovery Role: Monitor patients post-operatively, managing pain, nausea, airway, and vital signs. Provide reassurance and post-operative care until patients are ready for discharge to the ward or home.

Safety and Infection Control:

• Adhere to infection prevention and control policies and procedures at all times.
• Ensure all instruments and equipment are cleaned, sterilised, and maintained correctly.
• Comply with manual handling, health and safety, and moving and positioning guidelines.

Equipment and Theatre Preparation:

• Set up operating theatres according to surgery type and specific patient requirements.
• Check all surgical and anaesthetic equipment prior to use and report faults immediately.
• Maintain appropriate stock levels of consumables and surgical supplies.

Patient-Centred Communication:

• Communicate effectively with patients, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals to support safety and care continuity.
• Provide reassurance, information, and emotional support to patients pre- and post-surgery.
• Accurately document perioperative care in line with professional standards and local policy.

Multidisciplinary Teamwork:

• Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team to achieve safe and efficient surgical lists.
• Participate in team briefings, WHO checklists, and post-op debriefs.
• Support and contribute to a positive, respectful, and efficient theatre environment.

Learning and Development:

• Maintain clinical competencies through ongoing professional development.
• Participate in training sessions, mandatory updates, and reflective practice.
• Support and mentor junior staff and students as required.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE?

Essential:

• Registered Nurse (NMC) or Operating Department Practitioner (HCPC).
• Experience or training in a theatre environment in at least one area (scrub, anaesthetics, or recovery).
• Understanding of infection control, manual handling, and patient safety principles.
• Ability to work under pressure, problem-solve, and respond quickly to changes in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Attention to detail, accuracy, and commitment to safe surgical practice.

Desirable:

• Dual-role capability (e.g., scrub and recovery, anaesthetics and scrub).
• Experience in specialist surgical areas (e.g., orthopaedics, ENT, general surgery, gynae).
• ILS or ALS certification (or willingness to undertake).
• Mentorship or practice assessor qualification.
• Familiarity with theatre scheduling and electronic patient record systems.

WHAT SORT OF PERSON ARE YOU?

You are a great communicator with different people at different levels.

You are an excellent judge and decision maker.

You are a highly effective problem solver.

You are proactive and driven to succeed.

You are punctual, committed and reliable.

You are flexible and adaptable.

You are committed to lifelong learning

WHAT ELSE?

This is intended as an outline of the general areas of activity. This is not exhaustive and may change due to future changes and developments.

You have to maintain your knowledge and conduct your duties responsibly with the guidance of the Health & Safety at Work Act.

You treat all patient information as confidential and would only breach confidence if you felt that a patient or member of staff was at risk of harm.

Health & Safety / Confidentiality

You must maintain knowledge of Health and Safety at Work Act. Ensuring appropriate measures are taken in respect of Health and Safety for staff, visitors and contractors

In the course of their duties employees will have access to confidential material about patients, members of staff and Circle Health Group. On no account must information relating to identifiable patients be divulged to anyone other than authorised persons, for example, medical, nursing or other professional staff, as appropriate, who are concerned directly with the care, diagnosis and/or treatment of the patient. Similarly, no information of a personal or confidential nature concerning individual members of staff should be divulged to anyone without the proper authority. Failure to observe these rules will be regarded as serious misconduct, which could result in disciplinary action being taken including dismissal.

This job description is intended as an outline of the general areas of activity. This job description is not an exhaustive document and may be subject to alteration in the light of future changes and developments.

Opportunities with Circle Health Group

Circle Health Group is committed to creating a diverse workforce offering inclusive opportunities for all our colleagues. Our definition of diversity goes beyond the established characteristics protected by the Equality Act, as we strive to attract candidates with diverse experiences, backgrounds, identities or expressions, skills, work stylesand more.

Were passionate about creating an environment where our people can thrive, grow and develop professionally and personally. Our principles and values guide our colleagues to be selfless, compassionate, committed, collaborative, brave, agile, tenacious and creative and are at the core of our purpose and culture.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Registered Nurse (NMC) or Operating Department Practitioner (HCPC).
• Experience or training in a theatre environment specialising in scrub, anaesthetics, or recovery.
• Understanding of infection control, manual handling, and patient safety principles.
• Ability to work under pressure, problem-solve, and respond quickly to changes in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Attention to detail, accuracy, and commitment to safe surgical practice.

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

Circle Health Group

Address

Circle Reading Hospital

100 Drake Way

Reading

RG2 0NE

Employer's website

https://www.circlehealth.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)