Registered Nurse

Newmedica; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave 187.5 hours (FT)

Pension scheme

Free eye tests / glasses

Blue Light Card

Learning & development support

Job summary

Newmedica in Plymouth is seeking a qualified Scrub Nurse / RN to join our busy theatre team. The role offers full and part-time options with weekend rota coverage.

You will set up theatres, provide scrub support to the surgeon, and contribute to efficient cataract surgery with high patient safety and hygiene standards. The ideal candidate is a fully registered Nurse or ODP with cataract experience and familiarity with Phaco instrumentation, biometry, and lens implants.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified Registered Nurse or Operating Department Practitioner with current NMC/HCPC registration.
• Cataract experience is essential; Vitreoretinal and MIGS exposure desirable.
• Ability to set up for vitrectomy and understand Phaco instrumentation.

Responsibilities

• Provide competent scrub support, assisting the surgeon during theatre lists.
• Set up theatre equipment, maintain patient safety, and ensure hygiene standards.
• Manage medicine, maintain accurate patient records, and handle clinical waste.

Skills

Scrub nursing

Team player

Patient safety

Education

NMC/HCPC registered

Job description

Who are we?

Newmedica is one of the leading providers of NHS ophthalmology services in England, delivering outpatient appointments, diagnostic testing and eye surgery to change lives through better sight and eye health.

We’re proud to have been certified as a Great Place to Work for the third year running and listed among the U.K.’s top 30 Best Workplaces™ for 2026 —recognition that reflects how colleagues feel about working here.

Our Purpose is to change lives through better sight and eye health, and our Vision is to end

avoidable sight loss in every community we serve; we live our values every day—Commercial,

Courageous, Compassion, Collaborative and Curious.

Role overview

We are looking for a new Scrub Nurse /RN to join our Plymouth site. Full and part time applicants considered. This will include weekends on a rota basis when required.

Scrub Nurse / RN are an integral part of our theatre teams and will undertake a variety of duties. You’ll 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 you’ll thrive working in an efficient and fast paced environment.

You’ll 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, you’ll help clean down the theatre and in all you do you’ll 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.

What skills and experience do I need?

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

Cataract experience is essential for this role. Experience as a Scrub Nurse/Practitioner in Vitreoretinal, Oculoplastic, and MIGS procedures is desirable.

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/Implants.

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

What we’re offering

• A competitive salary, dependent on experience
• 187.5 hours annual leave, (full time contract) plus bank holidays
• 1 day birthday annual leave
• A company pension scheme.
• Access to a range of benefits including free eye tests, discounted or free glasses, a free 24/7 well-being/counselling/advice service
• Blue Light Card
• An environment where your learning and development is supported through a range of various learning tools and courses.
• Working with a friendly multi-disciplinary team passionate about improving the lives of our patients
• A bright, spacious and modern working environment, built to the highest standards
• Excellent transport links.