Theatre Practitioner (Scrub/Recovery)

The Methodist Church in Britain; Runcorn; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Theatre Practitioner for the Nightingale and CSTM theatres. The role spans scrub, anaesthetic support and recovery across an eight-theatre suite, with weekday hours and potential nights/weekends in the future.

Newly qualified ODPs and RGNs, or students due to qualify soon, are welcomed and offered a preceptorship. Based at Warrington Hospital in an acute care setting with emphasis on patient safety and governance.

Qualifications

• NMC registration for RN (Adult) or HCPC registration as ODP.
• Diploma or degree in management of the patient in anaesthetic settings.
• Proven ability to teach in practice.

Responsibilities

• Scrub for a range of surgical specialties; ensure equipment is available and counts completed.
• Assist anaesthetists with airway management and perioperative care.
• Care for patients postoperatively, including observation and medications per policy.
• Work a dual role across two of anaesthetics, scrub and recovery.
• Support emergencies and out-of-hours work, including nights and on-call.

Skills

Anatomy & physiology knowledge

Evidence-based practice

Communication skills

Time management

Teamwork across directorates

Willingness to learn

Education

NMC RN (Adult) registration

HCPC ODP registration

Diploma/degree in anaesthetic patient management

Job description

This full-time Theatre Practitioner post sits within Halton Site Theatres at North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust, covering the Nightingale and CSTM theatre specialities. The role combines two of three areas: scrub, anaesthetic support and recovery, across an elective surgical department of eight theatres and two procedure rooms. Hours run weekdays from 08:00 to 19:00, with weekend and night work possible in future. Newly qualified ODPs and RGNs, and students due to qualify within six months, are welcome, with a preceptorship offered.

What the job involves

• Scrub for a range of surgical specialities, ensuring equipment is available and counting instrumentation and sundries
• Assist anaesthetists with airway management, anaesthetic preparation, preoperative checks and perioperative patient management
• Care for patients in the postoperative phase, including airway management, observation and giving medication in line with hospital policy
• Work a dual role across two of anaesthetics, scrub and recovery
• Where based at Warrington Hospital, support emergencies and the out-of-hours service, including nights and an on-call rota

What’s required

Qualifications

• Recognised nursing qualification for NMC registrants, or Operating Department Practice qualification for ODP registrants
• Diploma or degree in management of the patient in anaesthetic settings, for anaesthetic posts
• Evidence of ability to teach in practice

Registration & licences

• NMC registration (RN Adult) or HCPC registration as an ODP

Experience

• Recent experience in acute care settings
• Evidence of clinical supervision, and of workload prioritisation and task delegation

Skills & knowledge

• Comprehensive applied anatomy and physiology for the clinical area
• Knowledge of evidence-based practice, legal requirements for patients and staff, and the clinical governance agenda
• Effective written, verbal and non-verbal communication
• Effective organisation, time management and prioritisation
• Willingness to learn and professionally develop
• Ability to work across the directorate and sister sites

Other

• Use of computer and IT systems
• Manual handling of anaesthetised patients, assisting safe moving of loads, and standing for long periods
• Ability to concentrate for lengthy periods, and to support vulnerable or distressed patients and colleagues
• Exposure to COSHH substances, blood and bodily fluids, and exposure-prone procedures

Nice to have

• 12 months' experience at Band 5 in a related specialty
• Mentorship or clinical assessor course
• Leadership qualifications
• Additional scrub, circulating or anaesthetic course qualification
• Advanced Life Support and patient transfer courses
• Knowledge of surgical procedures
• Evidence of assuming management of a theatre or department
• Use of medical devices