Scrub Nurse

Optegra UK Ltd; England; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

33 days annual leave

Private healthcare

Free laser eye

Job summary

Optegra UK Ltd is seeking an experienced scrub nurse to join our ophthalmic theatre team. You will provide skilled clinical and technical assistance, participate in peri-operative care, and support minor operations within a high‑quality surgical pathway.

The role requires current nursing registration (RGN/ODP), ophthalmology or perioperative care qualification, and recent theatre experience. A comprehensive benefits package and funded development programs are included.

Qualifications

• Registered nurse or ODP with current registration.
• 12 months recent theatre scrub and circulating experience.
• Experience in ophthalmology theatre preferred.
• Qualification in ophthalmology or perioperative care desirable.

Responsibilities

• Assemble, check and prepare ophthalmic surgical equipment and consumables.
• Coordinate equipment use during a list to ensure safety.
• Act as scrub practitioner, performing role professionally.
• Anticipate surgical team needs and provide instrumentation.
• Ensure decontamination and sterilisation of reusable equipment.
• Monitor consumables and reordering as appropriate.
• Complete documentation for traceability.
• Maintain cleanliness and reduce cross-infection per policies.
• Provide clinical advice to staff, patients and carers.
• Deliver initial emergency care within competency and training.

Skills

Nurse registration

Theatre scrub experience

Ophthalmic perioperative care

Ophthalmology theatre experience

Clinical judgement in surgery

Education

Registered General Nurse (RGN) or ODP

NMC/ODP registration

Qualification in Ophthalmology or perioperative care

12 months theatre/day surgery experience

Job description

Optegra has an exciting new job opportunity for an experienced scrub nurse to join our amazing and dedicated team. This is a great opportunity to join a forward-thinking business and benefit from our fantastic comprehensive benefits package, along with fully funded training and development programs.

Main duties of the job

The job holder will be responsible for participating in all aspects of the Ophthalmic Surgical pathway at Optegra. They will provide excellent care to all patients, with specific responsibility for providing skilled clinical and technical assistance as a member of the operating theatre team, and also may include peri-operative and post-operative care in the surgical and refractive suite of the hospital, and assisting with minor operations.

About us

Optegra Eye Healthcare has been proudly recognised as one of 115 Best Big Places to Work 2025 as awarded by the Sunday Times. We are committed to creating an exceptional working environment where our people thrive. Join us and be part of a team that values your growth, wellbeing, and contribution every step of the way.

Job responsibilities

Assemble, check and prepare theappropriate surgical equipment and consumables for procedures.

Coordinate the use of the suppliesand equipment during a list ensuring the equipment is used in an appropriateand safe manner.

Act in the role of the scrubpractitioner, undertaking all activities within that role in a professional andproficient manner.

Anticipate the needs of the surgicalteam, providing appropriate surgical instrumentation and equipment.

Take responsibility to ensure allsurgical equipment is disposed of correctly including ensuring appropriately decontamination and sterilisation of reusable equipment is carried out and canbe evidenced.

Monitor consumables, replenishing asrequired and confirming reordering requirements as appropriate.

Ensure all documentation fortraceability is effectively completed.

Help to control and minimise the risk of crossinfection by following the organisations Uniform Policy, and AFPP guidelines2011, all procedures, policies and guidelines for the maintenance ofa clean working environment, including decontamination and sterilisation ofequipment.

Use clinical judgement and analyticalskills to pro-actively identify potential problems, with special regard forsurgical instrumentation, turn around times for decontamination andsterilisation of reusable items.

Have an awareness of the patientspecific requirements for each case including lenses or other bespoke items andensure the Theatre Team Lead and or Head of Clinical Services is aware of anyissues.

Work with Consultant supporting themand delivering excellent care to patients during their clinical pathway.

Provide effective hand over of keyinformation to recovery staff to facilitate safe and effective discharge of thepatient.

Provide effective communication topatients as part of the clinical competency framework and holistic care ofpatients.

Provide clinical advice for staff,patients and their carers, within level of competency.

Administer drugs and treatments asprescribed according to the NMC guidelines for the Standards for MedicinesManagement 2008.

Maintain an awareness of the need todeliver care in a manner which demonstrates dignity and respect, this includesthe provision of an appropriate level of privacy at all times.

Provide initial emergency care asrequired within level of competency and training.

Ensure that all clinical documentation iscompleted legibly and comprehensively to agreed organisational and NMC / HPCstandards and guidelines.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Be a Registered General Nurse or Operating Department Practitioner
• Have a current NMC/ODP registration with no restrictions
• A qualification in Ophthalmology or Peri operative care
• General Theatre and/or Day Surgery - scrub & circulating - minimum 12 months (recent)
• Previous experience in an Ophthalmology Theatre
• A qualification in Ophthalmology or Peri operative care

Experience

• General Theatre and/or Day Surgery - scrub & circulating - minimum 12 months (recent)
• Previous experience in Ophthalmology Theatre

£36,225 to £46,575 a yearPension, 33 Days Annual Leave, Private Healthcare, Free laser eye