Careers

Location: North Bristol Private Hospital, Bristol
Reports to: Theatre Manager / Senior Scrub Practitioner & Hospital Director
Hours: Bank (as required)
Salary: £22.30ph plus 12.07% holiday allowance = £24.99 ph

About Us

Founded in 2022, North Bristol Private Hospital is a centre for surgical excellence, attracting leading consultant surgeons to our state-of-the-art theatres in Bristol. Our small, friendly 3-bed hospital offers a supportive and caring working environment, valuing every team member as an individual. We are committed to delivering exceptional patient care in modern, spacious facilities.

Purpose of the Role

To provide skilled perioperative scrub assistance during surgical procedures, ensuring the highest standards of patient safety, infection control, and surgical efficiency, in compliance with CQC standards and the NMC Code.
The post holder will prepare, manage, and maintain the sterile field, anticipate the surgical team’s requirements, and act as an advocate for the patient throughout the perioperative journey.

Key Responsibilities

Clinical Care

• Prepare the operating theatre, instruments, consumables, and equipment in accordance with the surgical list and hospital protocols.
• Act as scrub nurse for surgical procedures across a range of specialities, maintaining sterility and aseptic technique at all times.
• Anticipate the needs of the surgical team, ensuring safe, timely provision of instruments and consumables.
• Conduct instrument, swab, needle, and sharp counts in accordance with hospital policy.
• Participate in WHO Surgical Safety Checklist (sign in, time out, sign out) and escalate concerns immediately.
• Assist in positioning and preparation of the patient, ensuring dignity, comfort, and safety.
• Safely handle and label specimens for laboratory transfer.
• Support in emergency situations, including surgical complications, cardiac arrest, or unplanned conversions.

Infection Prevention & Control

• Comply with hospital infection prevention and control policy and AfPP standards.
• Ensure all instruments and equipment are decontaminated and sterilised per policy.
• Monitor the sterile field for breaches and act immediately if contamination occurs.

Equipment Management

• Check functionality of surgical instruments and equipment pre- and post-procedure.
• Report faults immediately and remove defective equipment from service.

Documentation

• Maintain accurate and contemporaneous theatre records, including care plans, intraoperative documentation, and incident forms.
• Record all instrument and swab counts clearly in the patient’s perioperative record.

Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain active NMC registration and professional indemnity.
• Work within the NMC Code and Scope of Professional Practice.
• Maintain competence in core scrub skills and undertake annual competency assessments.
• Engage in reflective practice and participate in clinical supervision.

Governance & Compliance

• Adhere to the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.
• Comply with CQC Fundamental Standards (Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive, Well-Led).
• Participate in audits (infection control, surgical counts, record keeping).
  Follow the Duty of Candour in event of an error or incident.

Education & Training

• Complete and maintain mandatory training, including:
  – Basic/Intermediate Life Support (BLS/ILS)
  – Manual Handling
  – Infection Control
  – Safeguarding Adults & Children (Level 2/3 as appropriate)
  – Fire Safety
  – WHO Checklist and Surgical Safety Training
• Attend specialist courses relevant to theatre practice and surgical scrub role.

Teamwork & Communication

• Communicate effectively with surgeons, anaesthetists, ODPs, recovery staff, and ward staff.
• Participate in team briefings and debriefings.
• Support colleagues in theatre preparation and turnaround.

Person Specification

Criteria Essential:

Qualifications – RGN with valid NMC registration
Experience – Minimum 2 years scrub experience in an acute setting
Knowledge – Aseptic technique, infection control, WHO checklist
Skills – Instrument handling, swab/sharp counts, theatre documentation
Attributes – Calm under pressure, detail-oriented, good communicator

Criteria Essential:

Qualifications – AfPP membership
Experience – Experience in multiple surgical specialities
Skills – Preceptorship/mentoring experience
Attributes – Leadership skills

Equality & Diversity

The post holder must act in accordance with the Equality Act 2010 and hospital equality policy, ensuring no discrimination based on protected characteristics and promoting inclusive patient care.

Physical & Working Conditions

Exposure to theatre environment with controlled temperature, artificial lighting, and potential exposure to bodily fluids.
Requires standing for prolonged periods and manual handling of instruments/equipment.

Safeguarding Statement

All staff have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of patients, particularly vulnerable adults and children, and must complete safeguarding training commensurate with their role.

About Us

North Bristol Private Hospital is a modern, CQC-regulated facility offering surgical excellence in Bristol. Founded in 2022, we are proud to attract leading consultant surgeons who deliver high-quality care in our state-of-the-art theatres. Our hospital provides a unique working environment: a supportive, patient-focused culture where staff are valued as individuals. With one operating theatre, one minor operations suite, and three inpatient beds, we are able to deliver truly personalised care.

Main Purpose of the Job

• To work as a Registered Nurse or Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) with scrub and surgical first assistant (SFA) competencies, providing safe, effective, and high-quality perioperative care.
• To support consultants across a range of surgical procedures, predominantly cosmetic surgery, ensuring excellent standards of patient safety and care at all times.
• To work collaboratively within the theatre team, supporting theatre preparation, stock management, and patient recovery.
• To maintain compliance with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, CQC fundamental standards, and hospital policies.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist in theatre as a Scrub Practitioner and Surgical First Assistant, ensuring compliance with the Association for Perioperative Practice (AfPP) Standards and national SFA guidance.
• Provide expert scrub support for consultants and contribute to safe intraoperative care.
• Support patients throughout the perioperative pathway, including pre-operative preparation, intraoperative monitoring, and recovery.
• Actively participate in the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist and escalate concerns where appropriate.
• Assist in stock management, ordering, and replenishment to ensure adequate theatre supplies.
• Accurately document care provided in patient records and theatre registers.
• Report and escalate incidents, near misses, or equipment faults in line with hospital governance procedures.
• Support audit, quality improvement, and infection prevention initiatives within the theatre environment.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Adhere to the hospital’s Safeguarding Adults and Children Policy.
• Recognise and act upon any safeguarding concerns in line with statutory guidance.
• Escalate safeguarding issues immediately to the Safeguarding Lead or Line Manager.
• Maintain up-to-date safeguarding training and knowledge in accordance with role requirements.
• Always act in the best interests of patients and service users, in line with the Care Act 2014, Children Act 1989/2004, and CQC safeguarding requirements.

Infection Prevention and Control

• Follow all hospital infection control policies and procedures.
• Undertake infection prevention audits and contribute to compliance with national and CQC guidance.
• Ensure effective cleaning and decontamination practices are followed in theatre and recovery areas.

Other Duties

• Maintain professional registration with the NMC or HCPC.
• Adhere to the hospital’s Code of Conduct and professional regulatory standards.
• Maintain accurate and timely patient records in line with hospital and statutory requirements.
• Report hazards, damaged equipment, or faulty appliances to the Theatre Manager or Registered Manager.
• Participate in mandatory training, annual appraisal, and continuing professional development.
  Undertake other reasonable duties as requested by the Theatre Manager.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Current registration with the NMC (RGN) or HCPC (ODP).
• Minimum 2 years’ scrub/SFA experience in cosmetic or related surgical practice.
• Strong knowledge of infection prevention and theatre safety standards.
• Ability to work effectively within a small, multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills.

Desirable:

• Formal Surgical First Assistant qualification or AfPP-accredited course.
• Previous experience in private healthcare.
• Experience contributing to audits, quality improvement, or service development.

What We Offer

Job Type: Bank
Rate: £26.77ph plus 12.07% holiday allowance = £30.00ph.
Hours: Flexible, bank shifts
Parking: Free on-site parking

Note: This role specification may be subject to amendment in response to service needs. Any changes will be discussed with the post-holder and confirmed in writing.

Reports to: Theatre Manager
Location: North Bristol Private Hospital
Job Type: Bank
Wage: £26.77ph + 12.07% holiday allowance = £30.00ph

About Us

North Bristol Private Hospital is a CQC-regulated facility providing world-class surgical and patient care. Our purpose-built hospital features a fully equipped operating theatre, minor operations suite, outpatient facilities, and a three-bed inpatient ward. We pride ourselves on providing exceptional, patient-centred care in a supportive and professional environment.

Main Purpose of the Job

• To provide safe, effective, and high-quality care to patients throughout the anaesthetic and recovery phases of the perioperative journey.
• To work collaboratively with anaesthetists, surgeons, and the wider multidisciplinary team to ensure safe practice and optimal patient outcomes.
• To maintain compliance with CQC fundamental standards, hospital policies, and professional codes of conduct.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Anaesthetic Duties

• Provide skilled assistance to the anaesthetist during the administration of anaesthesia.
• Prepare, check, and maintain anaesthetic equipment, drugs, and monitoring devices in line with hospital and national safety standards.
• Support patients throughout the anaesthetic process, offering reassurance and maintaining dignity.
• Monitor and record patients’ vital signs during induction, maintenance, and emergence from anaesthesia.

Recovery Duties

• Provide safe and effective post-anaesthetic care in the recovery area.
• Monitor patients’ airway, breathing, circulation, level of consciousness, pain, and wound sites.
• Recognise and respond to clinical emergencies, escalating concerns to senior staff or the anaesthetist immediately.
• Ensure patients are safely transferred and handed over to ward staff or discharged in line with policy.

General Responsibilities

• Participate in the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist and raise concerns where necessary.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and legible clinical documentation.
• Ensure stock of anaesthetic and recovery equipment is maintained, reporting shortages or faults promptly.
• Report incidents, near misses, or concerns in line with hospital governance procedures.
• Support infection prevention and control measures in anaesthetic and recovery areas.
• Participate in audits, training, and service improvement initiatives.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Adhere to the hospital’s Safeguarding Adults and Children Policy.
• Recognise and report safeguarding concerns in line with statutory and hospital guidance.
• Attend safeguarding training and maintain up-to-date knowledge.
• Act in the best interests of patients and service users in accordance with the Care Act 2014 and Children Act 1989/2004.

Infection Prevention and Control

• Follow all infection prevention and control policies.
• Ensure effective decontamination and cleaning of anaesthetic and recovery areas.
• Comply with CQC standards and national guidance relating to infection control.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Current NMC registration (RGN) or HCPC registration (ODP).
• Post-registration experience in anaesthetics and/or recovery.
• Knowledge of anaesthetic equipment, airway management, and recovery protocols.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.

Desirable:

• Experience in cosmetic or private healthcare settings.
• Immediate Life Support (ILS) or Advanced Life Support (ALS) certification.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development.

What We Offer

Job Type: Bank
Rate: Dependant on experience
Hours: Flexible, bank shifts
Parking: Free on-site parking

Note: This job description may be amended in line with service needs and CQC requirements. Any changes will be discussed and confirmed in writing.