Cardiac Scrub Practitioner

NHS; Southampton; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Southampton is looking for a Cardiac Scrub Practitioner to join their team. The role requires theatre scrub experience and involves providing skilled assistance in patient care, participating in various shifts, and acting as a patient advocate. Ideal candidates will hold a relevant nursing or ODP qualification and possess a commitment to evidence-based practice and staff support. The position offers valuable educational opportunities and is essential for delivering safe patient care within a busy cardiac theatre environment.

Benefits

In-house theatre courses

Leadership development courses

Career advancement opportunities

Qualifications

• Registered nurse or ODP on the relevant part of the register.
• Demonstrated knowledge of skills required to support learners.
• Experience working within a relevant care setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide skilled specialist assistance in patient care.
• Participate in the theatre scrub team covering various shifts.
• Act as patient advocate, maintaining high standards of care.

Skills

Theatre scrub experience

Ability to support learners

Patient advocacy

Awareness of evidence-based practice

Education

Registered nurse or ODP qualification

Degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Cardiac Scrub Practitioner

Closing date: 07 January 2026

Main duties of the job

We are seeking Registered Nurses and/or Operating Department Practitioners to join our Cardiac theatre team. Theatre scrub experience is essential. Our elective program runs from Monday to Friday and we work shifts on a 24/7 basis to provide emergency cover out of hours. Four theatres are dedicated to cardiac surgery and include three adult and one congenital adult and paediatric theatre. The successful applicant will practice in a complex and demanding speciality, offering unique experience of congenital heart conditions, multiple valve, and complex aortic surgery. They will benefit from access to leading educational programmes and opportunities for career advancement, including:

• In‑house theatre and anaesthetic courses
• Leadership development courses
• University post‑qualifying modules

About us

University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations. Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs, and Jurassic Coast.

At UHS we’re committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your well‑being with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.

We proudly champion individuality, recognising that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We are committed to creating an anti‑racist, anti‑discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.

Job responsibilities

The successful post holder will:

• Provide skilled specialist assistance in the delivery of direct and indirect patient care throughout the Operating Department.
• Participate as an integral member of the theatre scrub team, covering a full range of shifts, including early, late, night and weekends.
• Act as the patient advocate and maintain high standards of patient care, in line with the NMC or HCPC code of conduct.
• Support and mentor students and new staff as appropriate.

We are looking for a full‑time position of 37.5 hours over four days per week with a commitment to night and weekend work. Theatre scrub experience is essential; cardiac scrub experience is desirable. We seek an enthusiastic and focused individual to be part of our multicultural and diverse cardiac theatre team committed to delivering compassionate and professional care to our patients.

To arrange an informal visit please contact Senior sister Veronika Read ([e-mail]) or Fausta Beretta ([e-mail]).

Qualifications, knowledge and experience

• Registered nurse or ODP on the relevant part of the register.
• Degree or equivalent experience.
• Ability to assist in carrying out the transfer of a patient through the intraoperative phase of perioperative care, giving concise, accurate handover.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the skills required to support learners in practice and to create a positive learning environment.
• Practice and promotion of evidence‑based practice.
• Knowledge of current issues within acute health service.
• Understanding of personal accountability.
• Appropriate aptitude for caring for anaesthetised and/or acutely unwell patients.
• Experience of teaching and supporting learners in practice.
• Experience of working within a relevant care setting.
• Specialist theatre work‑based learning course, mentorship course, or post‑qualification training.
• Interest in research to promote good practice.

Trust Values

• Working Together
• Always Improving

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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust

£31,049 to £37,796 a year (pro‑rate)