At MedicsPro, our experienced team of professional recruiters ensures that we match qualified theatre professionals with locum and permanent roles worldwide.

We Offer:

• A dedicated compliance officer
• A market-leading referral scheme
• Access to exclusive ultrasound vacancies
• Expert consultative service
• Opportunities across the UK, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
• Preferred supply status with numerous NHS and private healthcare providers
• Weekly payroll

What is a Scrub Nurse?

A scrub nurse, also referred to as a surgical nurse or operating room nurse, is a registered nurse who plays a crucial role in the operating theatre, providing essential surgical care and support to the surgical team. Scrub nurses are integral to the surgical process, contributing to the safety and success of procedures.

Responsibilities of Scrub Nurses

The duties of a scrub nurse encompass various critical tasks, including:

• Preparing the Operating Theatre: Ensuring the surgical environment is sterilised and ready for surgery, which involves checking the operating table, suction equipment, and lights.
• Preparing Equipment: Sterilising gloves, gowns, and materials, and ensuring that all necessary equipment is available for the procedure.
• Maintaining the Sterile Field: Keeping the operating room clean and preserving a sterile environment throughout the surgery.
• Assisting the Surgical Team: Supporting the surgical team by handling medical equipment, contributing to strategies, and advocating for the patient’s needs.
• Counting Instruments: Conducting initial counts of sponges, instruments, and needles, and communicating these counts to the surgical team.
• Getting the Patient Ready: Positioning the patient for surgery and preparing them for recovery.
• Documenting Care: Completing the patient care plan with details of the procedure and handing it over to recovery staff.

Scrub nurses must be patient-centred, able to thrive in high-pressure environments, and demonstrate flexibility and motivation.

Perioperative Practitioners: Roles and Environment

Perioperative practitioners, or theatre nurses, specialise in anaesthetics, surgery, or recovery to ensure patient safety. They work within a multidisciplinary team, including surgeons, anaesthetists, theatre coordinators, and support staff, to create a safe surgical environment. Responsibilities are coordinated to ensure that the surgical schedule runs smoothly, and that patient safety is upheld before, during, and after operations.

Jo-Racel Casanova Eviota, a perioperative practitioner at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in London, explains that the perioperative environment consists of three primary areas: anaesthetics, surgery, and recovery. A professional in this field can be a nurse or an operating department practitioner (ODP), with roles including theatre nurse, anaesthetic assistant, and recovery nurse.

The Role of a Scrub Nurse

• As a Scrub Nurse: The scrub nurse assists surgeons during operations, remaining part of the sterile field. This entails preparing for surgery by thoroughly washing hands aseptically, wearing a sterile gown and gloves, and maintaining sterility while passing instruments to the surgeons. Before the operation, the scrub nurse verifies that all necessary equipment and instruments are prepared. Throughout the procedure, the scrub nurse performs multiple surgical counts of instruments, swabs, needles, and other accountable items to prevent any unintended retention of instruments or swabs, which is considered a “never event.”
• As a Circulating Nurse: The circulating nurse performs safety checks with the patient and the surgical team upon the patient’s arrival in the theatre. This nurse assists the sterile team by providing required items such as needles, swabs, extra instruments, and gloves. The circulating nurse must avoid touching anything on the scrub nurse's table to maintain sterility and is also responsible for documenting counts of instruments and accountable items with the scrub nurse before closing the patient’s skin.

Patient Specialties and Challenges

Scrub nurses work with patients across various specialties, including paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, urology, general surgery, trauma, orthopaedics, plastic surgery, neurology, and cardiac care. Jo-Racel primarily works in paediatric and emergency theatres, where she handles complex cases requiring urgent surgical intervention, such as newborns needing surgery for underdeveloped abdominal muscles or those born without an oesophagus.

Skills and Qualifications

To excel as a perioperative practitioner, individuals must be:

• Highly organised and flexible
• Capable of effective prioritisation
• Possessing situational awareness and strong interpersonal skills
• Able to stand and focus for extended periods, as some surgeries can last several hours
• Team-oriented and responsive in emergencies

Career Path and Opportunities

Many NHS trusts offer training and preceptorship programs for newly registered nurses, as well as for experienced nurses transitioning into this specialty. Jo-Racel started as a support worker before becoming a band 5 nurse after passing her objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). She is now a theatre team leader at band 6, managing theatre lists and supporting new team members. Career progression can lead to band 8 roles, such as clinical lead or head of nursing.

Steps to Transition to a Scrub Nurse Role

For those interested in becoming a scrub nurse, it is advisable to:

• Connect with current nurses in this specialty to learn about their experiences.
• Explore available training and educational opportunities within your organisation.
• Assess transferable skills that may apply, such as communication, teamwork, and organisation.

The perioperative environment can be exciting and challenging, offering opportunities for individuals who thrive in dynamic, active roles. Investing in comfortable footwear is also essential, as the job requires significant time on one’s feet.

Salary Expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a scrub nurse in the United Kingdom is approximately £34,946 per year, with variations depending on experience, location, and employer.

Conclusion

Becoming a scrub nurse involves fulfilling a critical role in the surgical team, ensuring patient safety and comfort. If you are ready for a rewarding challenge and possess the required skills, a career as a scrub nurse could be the perfect fit for you.

This is the perfect time to work, with a strong demand for skilled professionals. By choosing MedicsPro, you'll have access to a wide range of opportunities and competitive pay rates.

Key Benefits:

• Access to a Wide Range of Opportunities: MedicsPro offers a broad selection of locum and permanent positions across various medical specialties.
• Competitive Pay Rates: The agency provides highly competitive pay rates to ensure you’re well-compensated for your skills and experience.
• Flexible Work Options: With locum and permanent roles available, you can choose work that suits your schedule and lifestyle, offering greater work-life balance.
• Dedicated Support: MedicsPro offers personalised support from a team of experienced recruitment consultants who are there to guide you through the job search process.
• Exclusive Roles: Many of the positions available through MedicsPro are exclusive, giving you access to roles that may not be advertised elsewhere.
• Ongoing Training and Development: The agency provides opportunities for continuing professional development, helping you stay current with industry standards and enhance your career prospects.
• Fast and Efficient Recruitment Process: MedicsPro ensures a smooth and streamlined recruitment process, minimising the time it takes for you to secure your next role.
• Nationwide and International Opportunities: Whether you're looking for work in the NHS, private sector, or overseas, MedicsPro offers positions across the UK and beyond.