As a Registered General Nurse (RGN) specializing as a scrub nurse, you play a vital role in the operating theater. You are the surgeon’s right hand during surgical procedures. Your primary responsibility is to maintain a sterile environment to ensure patient safety and prevent infections.
Before an operation begins, you prepare the operating room. You gather, check, and arrange all the necessary surgical instruments and equipment. You must know the exact tools required for each specific surgery. Next, you perform a strict surgical scrub of your hands and arms. You then don your sterile gown and gloves.
Once the patient is in position, you assist the surgical team. You help the surgeon dress in sterile attire and carefully drape the patient’s body. Your attention must remain entirely on the sterile field throughout the procedure.
During the surgery, you must think one step ahead. You anticipate the surgeon’s needs by watching the procedure closely. You hand instruments, swabs, and other items to the surgeon quickly and accurately. This requires deep focus and a calm under-pressure mindset.
Communication and teamwork are essential in your daily work. You work closely with the circulating nurse to request extra supplies. One of your most critical tasks is conducting strict counts. Together with the circulating nurse, you count all instruments, needles, and sponges before, during, and after the surgery. This ensures nothing is left inside the patient.
After the surgery, you prepare the instruments for sterilization. You also assist in dressing the patient’s wounds and ensuring their safe transfer to the recovery room.
Your expertise keeps surgeries running smoothly. By protecting the sterile field and managing surgical tools, you directly save lives and ensure high-quality patient care every day.
Essential
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Desirable
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