Trauma & Orthopaedic Scrub Nurse / Operating Department Practitioner (ODP)

Trauma & Orthopaedic Scrub Nurse / Operating Department Practitioner (ODP)

To provide safe, effective, and high-quality perioperative care as a Scrub Practitioner within the Trauma & Orthopaedic (T&O) theatre service. The post holder will competently scrub for a wide range of elective and trauma orthopaedic procedures, ensuring patient safety, adherence to infection control standards, and effective support to the surgical and multidisciplinary team.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Responsibilities

• Act as Scrub Practitioner for a wide range of trauma and orthopaedic procedures, including:
• Trauma cases (fractures, fixation, emergency surgery)
• Elective orthopaedic surgery (e.g. joint replacements, arthroscopy)
• Upper and lower limb procedures
• Prepare operating theatres, instruments, implants, and equipment according to specialty requirements
• Maintain a sterile field and adhere strictly to aseptic technique and infection prevention standards
• Anticipate the needs of surgeons and respond promptly during procedures
• Perform accurate instrument, swab, and needle counts in line with policy
• Safely handle orthopaedic instrumentation, power tools, and implants
• Support safe patient positioning, pressure area care, and skin preparation
• Participate in the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist and other patient safety initiatives

Patient Care

• Deliver patient-centred care, maintaining dignity, privacy, and respect at all times
• Act as a patient advocate throughout the perioperative journey
• Communicate effectively with patients, relatives, and the multidisciplinary team

Professional Practice

• Practice in accordance with the NMC Code (Scrub Nurse) or HCPC standards (ODP)
• Maintain professional registration and complete mandatory and role-specific training
• Contribute to service development, audit, and quality improvement initiatives
• Support and mentor students, junior staff, and new starters where appropriate

Governance and Safety

• Adhere to all Trust/organisation policies, procedures, and clinical governance frameworks
• Report incidents, near misses, and equipment faults in line with governance procedures
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation

Person Specification

Essential

• Registered Nurse (Adult) with NMC registration or ODP with HCPC registration
• Proven experience as a Scrub Practitioner in Trauma & Orthopaedics
• Competence in scrubbing for trauma and elective orthopaedic procedures
• Knowledge of orthopaedic instrumentation, implants, and power tools
• Strong understanding of infection control and perioperative safety standards
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team
• Excellent communication and organisational skills

Desirable

• Experience across a broad range of orthopaedic subspecialties
• Experience in trauma lists and emergency orthopaedic surgery
• Mentorship or practice assessor qualification
• Experience in private healthcare or high-volume elective orthopaedic services

Working Conditions

• Theatre-based role involving prolonged standing and manual handling
• Participation in on-call, weekend, or extended-hours rotas as required