Theatre Scrub Practitioner

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS trust in London seeks a Theatre Scrub Practitioner dedicated to providing high-quality patient care. You will work collaboratively in a multi-disciplinary team to support surgical procedures and ensure the operational efficiency of the theatre. Ideal candidates will be Registered Nurses or ODPs with experience in theatre settings, excellent communication skills, and a passion for patient care. This position offers a salary between £37,259 and £45,356 per annum, promoting flexible working and professional development.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with relevant qualifications and experience in operating theatres.
• Experience working under pressure and as part of teams.
• Strong communication skills in various formats.

Responsibilities

• Support patients undergoing surgery and prepare necessary equipment.
• Supervise junior staff and ensure high standards of care.
• Manage the assigned operating theatre in the absence of senior staff.

Skills

Interpersonal and communication skills

Ability to work under pressure

Team collaboration

Education

Registered Nurse or ODP qualification

Relevant Teaching course

Job description

Theatre Scrub Practitioner

The closing date is 22 January 2026

As a Theatre Practitioner you must have a sound knowledge and experience in operating theatre with an excellent understanding of the perioperative needs of patients, and a wide knowledge of peri‑operative nursing practices and procedures.

You must be organised, have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, be motivated and enthusiastic with a passion for high quality patient care, and the ability to work well under pressure and flexibly as part of a multi‑disciplinary team.

Working as a Theatre Practitioner you will be required to function effectively as a member of the peri‑operative team to ensure the provision of an efficient and high quality surgical service.

Ensure a welcoming, caring and safe environment, as well as promoting, maintaining and monitoring standards in accordance with the guidelines of the NMC, HCPC and CQC.

Main duties of the job

As a theatre practitioner, you will be responsible for helping and offering support for patients undergoing surgery. You will support the team to prepare a wide range of specialist equipment and other medical devices required during surgery.

You will also be responsible for planning, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care with support and supervision, and expected to supervise junior colleagues and unqualified members of our team staff ensuring that all staff are able to provide the highest standard of care.

In the absence of the Senior Theatre Practitioner you will have continuing responsibility for the management of the assigned operating theatre, ensuring that the operating list runs smoothly.

You will devise, implement and assess individualised care plans for a wide and diverse patient group, and promote best evidence‑based practice.

About us

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top‑quality patient care, excellent education, and world‑class research.

We provide first‑class acute and specialist services across eight sites:

• University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
• National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
• Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospital
• University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
• Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
• University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
• The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
• University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street

We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women’s health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.

We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.

Job responsibilities

For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.

Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff. UCLH is the top trust to work at in England – in the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England for the third year in a row. UCLH recognises the benefits of flexible working for staff. To find out more, visit: Flexible working. To discover more about what makes UCLH a great place to work, visit: Why Choose UCLH?

Person Specification

Knowledge & Qualifications

• Registered Nurse Part 1, 2 or relevant section of the register
• Registered ODP with Dip HE, NVQ3, or C&G 752
• Relevant Teaching course (FO)

Experience

• Registered Nurses one year’s post‑registration experience in operating theatre environment

Communication

• Communicates effectively verbally, in writing and in electronic formats

Personal and People Development

• Demonstrates evidence of professional development in line with KSF, maintains an updated Portfolio
• Demonstrates an awareness of the role of facilitator
• Demonstrates evidence of ability to educate others
• Reflective in Practice

Quality

• Demonstrates understanding of principles of Clinical Governance, e.g. Risk Management, audit & quality

Provision of care to meet health and wellbeing needs

• Articulates reasons for desire to work in this clinical area

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 (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

£37,259 to £45,356 a year per annum inclusive of HCAS