Trainee / Advanced Scrub Practitioner

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization is looking for a Trainee / Advanced Scrub Practitioner to join their Orthopaedic theatre team in Sunderland. This role involves providing perioperative patient care, assisting surgeons under supervision, and participating in the personal and career development of the practitioner. Applicants should have a Nursing degree and NMC registration. The position offers a salary ranging between £38,682 and £46,580, with initial employment on Band 5 until qualifications are met for Band 6.

Benefits

Access to training and career progression

Flexible working opportunities

Health and wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Evidence of continuous professional development.
• Knowledge of current professional and Clinical Governance issues.
• Specialist knowledge across a range of Orthopaedic procedures.
• Minimum 2 years experience in operating theatres.

Responsibilities

• Provide assistance to Orthopaedic Surgeons under supervision.
• Ensure smooth operation of the theatre lists.
• Provide a service reflecting the clinical governance framework.

Skills

Ability to prioritise tasks

Effective communication

Empathy and reassurance

Flexibility and adaptability

Motivated and enthusiastic

Education

Degree in Nursing or working towards

NMC / HCPC Registration / Diploma

Advanced Scrub Practitioner course

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust – Trainee / Advanced Scrub Practitioner

The closing date is 01 January 2026

We are seeking a trainee or experienced Orthopaedic advanced scrub practitioner to be part of our Orthopaedic theatre team based within the hospital to uphold the highest level of perioperative patient care.

Passionate about putting our patients first, you will have considerable experience of working in and across Orthopaedic theatres as a perioperative practitioner. This is your opportunity to become an advanced scrub practitioner in perioperative practice. Committed to sharing best practice with colleagues to enhance service and standards, you will be trained on a wide range of equipment and medical devices.

You will be responsible for maintaining a high standard of professional expertise and ensure that the highest standard of care is given during the perioperative stage for Trauma and Orthopaedics surgery. Our pledge is to support your personal and career development, with exposure to a wide range of Orthopaedic procedures and a variety of learning opportunities/experiences.

As a trainee advanced scrub practitioner you will be employed on Band 5 pay scale until you are fully qualified, experienced and meet all the required post qualifications for appointment to Band 6 pay scale.

Main duties of the job

If not already qualified in the advanced scrub practitioner role this is your chance to take on a trainee role within our operating theatres. Determined to drive excellence, you will act as an advanced scrub practitioner while supporting the management and organisation of care within the operating theatre. Your hands on responsibilities will include providing skilled assistance under the direct supervision of the lead operating surgeon, using suction equipment and assisting with the placement and cutting of sutures and ligatures. You will act as a role model of perioperative practice, supporting colleagues to develop their knowledge and skills.

About us

Please add your telephone number to your application form so we can contact you quickly if required.

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under-represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements. If you use AI, and it poses a risk to the integrity of your individual recruitment process, we may withdraw your application at any stage of the process.

Job responsibilities

PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED JOB DESCRIPTION FOR FULL DUTIES OF THE ROLE.

• Toprovide assistance and support to the Orthopaedic Surgeons, Registrars underdirect guidance and/or supervision of the primary operative surgeon assistingin the perioperative care of the patient in both adult and paediatricelective/trauma orthopaedic surgical procedures.
• To work closely with the Orthopaedic/TheatreTeam both Medical and Nursing to ensure the smooth running of the operatinglist.
• Toprovide a continuously improving service reflecting the Directorate clinicalgovernance framework and identified patient journeys.
• Toassist with co ordination of future operating lists.

Person Specification

Skills

• Ability to prioritise tasks.
• Ability to communicate health related information in an understandable way to patients and colleagues, adapting communication style to meet the needs of the recipient.
• Ability to communicate messages and instructions accurately to colleagues, both verbally and in writing.
• Basic skills of empathy and reassurance.
• Ability to cope with the occasional exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances.
• Committed to pursuing patient concerns.
• Flexible and adaptable to change duties in accordance. with patient needs, and react to instructions from more senior members of the team.
• Motivated and enthusiastic.
• Committed to behaving in a professional manner to present a caring image to patients.
• Willing to undertake in-house development programmes and vocational studies.

Other

• The post holder will be expected to attend their place of work at all times including Public Holidays.

Qualifications

• NMC /HCPC Registration / Diploma.
• IT Skills.
• Teaching Certificate / Mentorship.
• Thorough understanding of contemporary nursing issues.
• Evidence of continuous professional development.
• Knowledge of how to facilitate learning.
• Knowledge of current professional and Clinical Governance issues.
• Knowledge and participation of research and/or clinical audit.
• Evidence of competency in relation to nursing care practices appropriate to the post.
• Specialist knowledge across a range of Orthopaedic procedures.
• Degree in Nursing or working towards.
• Advanced Scrub Practitioner course.

Experience

• Must have a minimum 2 years experience of working in operating theatres.
• Knowledge of CHS policies and procedures, and management structure.
• Health and safety issues.

Personal Qualities

• Effective communicator with patients relatives and all members of the multi-disciplinary healthcare team involved in primary and secondary care.
• Ability to work in a calm and efficient manner.
• Self-motivator.
• Able to maintain confidentiality.
• Able to work on own initiative.
• Ability to set objectives and prioritise.
• Competent in the use of Microsoft office packages.
• Able to meet Trust attendance management standards.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

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.

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

£38,682 to £46,580 a year may commence on band 5 (£31,049-£37,796)