RN Scrub Nurse /ODP

Newmedica; Crownhill; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

187.5 hours annual leave

Birthday annual leave

Company pension

Free eye tests

Discounted glasses

Blue Light Card

Learning & development support

Friendly multidisciplinary team

Modern working environment

Job summary

Newmedica in Plymouth is seeking a Scrub Nurse / RN to join our theatre team on a full- and part-time basis. You will prepare the theatre, support the surgeon during cataract surgery, and help maintain patient safety and hygiene standards.

Candidates must be fully qualified with current NMC or HCPC registration and have cataract experience; Vitreoretinal, Oculoplastic or MIGS exposure is welcome. The role with weekend rota offers varied shifts and development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified Registered Nurse or Operating Department Practitioner with current registration.
• Cataract experience is essential for this role.
• Experience in Vitreoretinal, Oculoplastic, and MIGS procedures is desirable.
• Ability to set up for vitrectomy surgery and understand Phaco instrumentation.
• Knowledge of Biometry, Lens bank and Implants.
• Experience in fast-paced, high-volume theatre environments.
• Excellent English language skills, both verbal and written.
• Team player with commitment to continuous professional development.

Responsibilities

• Provide competent scrub provision, supporting the surgeon during daily theatre lists.
• Set up theatre and ensure patient safety, hygiene and clinical compliance.
• Clean down theatre at end of day and manage clinical waste disposal.
• Maintain accurate patient records and audit duties.
• Support learning and development through coaching and training others.
• Demonstrate empathy and put patients at ease during surgery.

Skills

Registered Nurse or ODP

Cataract experience

Vitreoretinal exposure

Phaco instrumentation knowledge

Biometry/Lens implants knowledge

Strong English communication

Team player

Education

NMC or HCPC registration

Tools

Phaco instrumentation

Vitrectomy setup

Lens bank knowledge

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 UK’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 cleandown 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, 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.

Our employment offers are subject to receipt of satisfactory pre-employment checks. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK and a Disclosure and Barring Service check will be necessary in the event of a successful application which we will pay for.

At Newmedica, we actively promote diversity and equal opportunities, and we are committed to this in both the running of our services and how we recruit our staff. We actively encourage applications from everyone with the essential requirements of the job, regardless of any protected characteristics.

Newmedica is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all people, irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, race, language, religion, ethnic or social origin.