Theatre Scrub Practitioner

Job summary
We are looking for a dynamic, highly motivated Scrub ODP or Nurse, to join our Day Surgery & Eyes Theatre Team. You must have sound clinical experience, excellent communication and negotiation skills and be able work flexibly and lead by example. You must be able to work in partnership with all members of the multi-disciplinary team and work closely with the theatre management team in order to provide safe quality care and an excellent patient and staff experience. Experience in Scrub is essential for this role as it is a 12 month fixed term contract, to cover Maternity Leave Ending in October 2027

We undertake a variety of elective day case procedures across our 4 Theatres. Our surgical specialties include General Surgery, Head and Neck, Urology, Breast, Plastics, Eyes and Hand Trauma. There will also be the opportunity for the successful candidate to work in other operating theatres across the Trust to support operational requirements.

Full time is preferable but part time hours will be considered.

Main duties of the job
Scrub ODPs/ Nurses will work closely with Theatre team to ensure that everything the surgeons require each day is ready and available. ODPs/Scrub nurses will then assist in Theatre and make sure the patient has everything they may need peri and post operatively.

You are expected to deliver safe quality care for patients during their peri-operative phase of care. You will be expected to take responsibility

As an ODP / Scrub Nurse you will play an important role in ensuring every operation is as safe and effective as possible. An expectation to commit to out of hours working.

The post holder will work as a member of the theatre team at Northampton General Hospital, supporting the organisation and delivery of theatre services across Main Theatres, Manfield Theatres, Gynae Theatres, Ophthalmology Theatre and Day Surgery. The post holder will participate in delivering a high standard of patient care and safety. They will be expected to demonstrate enthusiasm to help create a suitable patient and an effective learning environment.

About us
Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.

Our Excellence Values

• Compassion
• Accountability
• Respect
• Integrity
• Courage

We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.

The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.

We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.

We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds. This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.

Details
Date posted: 26 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year Per Annum / Pro Rata
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working
Reference number: 265-8113612-SUR
Job locations: University Hospitals of Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire, Northampton, NN1 5BD, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Supporting Clinical Excellence

• To provide a high standard of care as set out in Theatre Standards and trust guidelines
• Able to assist surgeons in simple to complex operations and willingness to learn
• To maintain accurate completion of theatre records, documentation and care plans.
• Assess the immediate and ongoing needs of the patient and when appropriate in discussion with the patient and or their significant others develop an individualised plan of care.
• Make decisions on the most appropriate method of care for the patients where a variety of options need to be considered as to the most suitable care plan going forward.
• Regular communicate with other team members, including Consultants, nursing staff and other specialties.
• Contribute to and participate in the development of a culture that is committed to innovation and quality improvement through the use of research and audit.
• To assist in the monitoring and maintenance of equipment used in the Units and report any faults that occur to the appropriate person.
• Assist in cleaning schedules, facilitating an agreed level of cleanliness for the units.
• Actively contribute to setting and maintaining high standards of quality care.
• Work collaboratively and co-operatively with others to meet the needs of patients and their families/ carers.
• Actively maintain and promote a safe theatre environment.
• Undertake nursing procedures and techniques in accordance with agreed Trust policies and guidelines.
• Plan, develop and implement approaches to promote health and wellbeing of patients and improve their health status.
• Maintain an awareness of the developments in the care and treatment of patients in order to be able to carry out duties competently and efficiently.
• Responsible for safe supply, storage, administration, checking and disposal of medications including controlled drugs in line with Trust Policy and Nursing Midwifery Council standards.
• Document the condition and progress of patients and report to medical staff and/or senior theatre staff any areas of concern.
• Maintain contemporary detailed theatre documentation.
• Assisting and contributing to the management and organisation of the theatre area.
• Once competent in team management skills, takes charge of the clinical area on a regular basis in the absence of the person who has continuing responsibility or his/her deputy.
• Comply with all Trust policies and risk assessments with particular regard to the policies and procedures carried out in the event of maintaining staff and patient safety.

Leadership

• Lead by example with drive and enthusiasm, responding appropriately to the needs of patients, families and carers.
• Responsible for assisting with the management and leadership of the theatre, maintaining an appropriate style that maintains good morale, a team approach to work and a culture which fosters innovation and change.
• Sets high standards of nursing care for the theatre, including theatre cleanliness, etc., are maintained so that the patients experience is excellent.
• Influence people and events through successful communication, negotiation and persuasion skills.
• Constructively challenge practices as necessary, which impact on patients care and/or staff wellbeing.
• Work in partnership with the senior team members to ensure the nursing strategy objectives are achieved.

Supporting Patient Excellence

• In the absence of the Theatre Team Leader act as a first contact point for patients, relatives and staff to address concerns and complaints.
• To be courteous and helpful to patients, families/carers, colleagues and all users to the trust. To act as a positive role model to the team.
• Responsible for the assessment of the care needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of patient care
• Work collaboratively and co-operatively with others to meet the needs of patients and their families/carers.
• Actively participate in the ward culture whereby patients, relatives and carers participate and understand treatment plans
• To monitor activity and patient dependency, escalating any concerns to the Theatre Team Leader both in and out of hours.
• Adopt an open learning culture from clinical incidents and patient/staff feedback.

People/Management Excellence

• Collaborate with all members of the clinical area to ensure efficient running of theatres.
• Assist the Theatre Team Leader in introducing new members of staff to their duties, act as a preceptor to newly qualified staff.
• Take all reasonable steps to ensure the safe keeping of patients property in accordance with Trust policy.
• Promote and maintain a suitable learning environment for staff and act as a facilitator/mentor/preceptor/coach in the supervision and teaching of less experienced staff, supporting and facilitating the development of competencies across all staff levels.
• Maintains competent computer skills and be able to access patient details and reports via the Trusts IT systems.
• Support a culture of teamwork within the clinical area.

Supporting Financial Excellence

• Use resources effectively in order to provide quality patient care whilst having an awareness of budgetary issues.
• Be aware and undertake effective and efficient use of clinical, physical and financial resources.

Professional Responsibilities

• To be responsible for your own professional development, maintain a professional portfolio and keep up to date on current nursing and health service issues.
• To take full responsibility for your own actions and to abide by the NMC Code of Conduct 2018 and or HCPC Code Conduct 2016.
• Maintain own knowledge and clinical skills demonstrating competence in delivering a high standard of care.
• To be conversant with all Nursing Policies and procedures
• Maintain a current knowledge of professional issues, ensuring continued professional development is maintained.
• Identify learning needs in self, negotiating a Personal Development Plan recognising own limitations.
• Actively undertake education, development and supervision of self
• Act as a clinical and professional role model, assessing and supporting students and learners on placement within the clinical area.

Quality Assurance and Monitoring

• Actively promote evidence-based practice within the clinical area.
• Contribute to audit initiatives.
• Participate in setting and reviewing standards for practice and evaluating outcomes as part of the clinical governance agenda.
• Report indecencies, using the Trust reporting system

Policy and Service Development Responsibilities

• Work within the confines of Trust policies, protocols and other relevant documentation, taking appropriate action where compliance is breached

Research, Development & Education Responsibilities

• Undertake the Trust Corporate and Directorate specific Induction and competency Programmes.
• Maintain and promote an awareness of evidence-based practice and participate in its implementation.
• Contribute to audit research and development programmes within the department.
• Will seek out Best Practice to generate new ideas and generate change.
• Undertake a recognised mentoring/ assessor course
• Participate in clinical supervision

Person Specification
Skills
Essential

• Evidence of teamwork and ability to work effectively within a team
• Demonstrate the ability to assess, plan, prioritise, deliver and evaluate patient care
• Demonstrate the ability to prioritise own workload and recognise, prioritise, and respond appropriately to urgent and emergency situations conversation
• Dexterity and accuracy in undertaking clinical skills and documentation
• Competent and capable of using medical equipment

Desirable

• Able to undertake students and guide them through surgeries

Knowledge and Experience
Essential

• Previous experience in Scrub
• Knowledge regarding various surgeries and preparing theatre for it.
• Demonstrate ability to effectively manage conflict and courage to deal with difficult conversation

Desirable

• Demonstrate evidence of publication/presentation of project findings
• Evidence of clinical effectiveness, research and audit

Education, Training & Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Nurse or Operating Department Practitioner NMC/HCPC
• Evidence of CPD and/ or revalidation as required
• Educated to Diploma/Degree Level

Desirable

• Evidence of leadership, Management, and specialty knowledge

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: Northampton General Hospital
Address: University Hospitals of Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire, Northampton, NN1 5BD, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk/Home.aspx

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Day Surgery Theatre Manager, Deborah Hill, deborah.hill27@nhs.net, 01604544151

Apply through our website.