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Role Summary

The Staff Nurse – Theatre (Perioperative/Orthopaedic) is responsible for delivering high-quality, safe, and effective nursing care throughout all stages of the perioperative patient journey, including anaesthetic, intraoperative (scrub/circulating), and recovery phases.

The role involves working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary surgical team to ensure patient safety, dignity, and clinical excellence at all times. The successful candidate will contribute to maintaining professional standards, supporting theatre efficiency, and promoting best practice within the perioperative environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Clinical Practice

• Deliver evidence-based nursing care across all perioperative phases, including anaesthetic, scrub, and recovery care.

• Prepare and maintain operating theatres to ensure a safe, clean, and sterile environment.

• Assist the anaesthetist during induction, maintenance, and emergence from anaesthesia, including patient positioning and airway support.

• Act as scrub nurse during surgical procedures, maintaining aseptic technique and ensuring accurate instrument and swab counts.

• Monitor patients within the Post-Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU), assessing airway, pain management, and vital signs while responding appropriately to patient needs.

• Safely administer medications and treatments in line with professional guidelines and organisational policies.

• Maintain accurate and timely patient documentation.

2. Patient-Centred Care

• Advocate for patient safety, dignity, comfort, and privacy throughout the surgical pathway.

• Provide reassurance, education, and emotional support to patients and their families before and after procedures.

• Ensure continuity of care through effective communication across perioperative and recovery teams.

3. Teamwork and Communication

• Work closely with surgeons, anaesthetists, theatre staff, and the wider multidisciplinary team.

• Participate in preoperative briefings, surgical safety checklists, and postoperative debriefings in line with WHO standards.

• Support colleagues and contribute to the orientation and development of junior or newly appointed staff.

4. Professional and Quality Standards

• Adhere to the NMBI Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics, infection prevention protocols, and organisational policies.

• Participate in audits, quality improvement initiatives, and accreditation activities.

• Promote a culture of patient safety through incident reporting, risk management, and compliance with standard precautions.

• Ensure appropriate handling, care, and maintenance of surgical instruments and equipment.

5. Education and Professional Development

• Engage in continuous professional development and reflective practice to maintain perioperative competencies.

• Participate in training sessions, in-service education, and performance development programmes.

• Support the teaching and mentoring of student nurses and new staff members.

6. Health and Safety

• Maintain a safe working environment for patients, colleagues, and visitors.

• Recognise and respond appropriately to clinical emergencies and perioperative complications.

• Report hazards, incidents, and equipment faults promptly.

Essential Criteria

1. Registration, Qualifications & Experience

• Registered in the relevant division of the Register of Nurses and Midwives maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), or eligible for registration.

• Minimum of 3 years’ post-registration experience, including at least 1 year within perioperative nursing or a related specialty area.

• Demonstrated clinical and administrative capability to fulfil the responsibilities of the role.

• Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

2. Annual Registration

• Maintain active annual registration with NMBI.

• Provide annual confirmation of registration through the Patient Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC).

3. Health

• Candidates must be fully capable of carrying out the duties of the role and able to provide regular and effective service.

4. Character

• Candidates must demonstrate good professional character and conduct.

5. Post-Specific Requirements

• Relevant experience in scrub, anaesthetic, and/or recovery nursing.

• Experience within both elective and emergency surgical settings.

• Familiarity with electronic documentation systems and theatre management systems.

• Participation in quality improvement or patient safety initiatives is desirable.

Skills & Competencies

Clinical Excellence and Accountability

• Strong clinical knowledge and perioperative nursing skills across anaesthetic, scrub, and recovery care.

• Commitment to delivering safe, high-quality patient outcomes.

Communication Skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with patients, families, and multidisciplinary teams.

• Ability to accurately communicate and transfer clinical information.

Compassion and Empathy

• Ability to provide reassurance and emotional support to patients throughout the perioperative journey.

• Maintains patient dignity and confidentiality at all times.

Teamwork and Collaboration

• Works effectively within multidisciplinary surgical teams.

• Supports colleagues through collaboration, mentoring, and shared best practice.

Time Management and Organisation

• Ability to prioritise workload effectively in a fast-paced theatre environment.

• Ensures preparedness and efficiency across all surgical cases.

Adaptability and Initiative

• Flexible in working across scrub, anaesthetic, and recovery areas as required.

• Responds confidently to changing priorities, theatre schedules, and emergencies.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary

• Sign-on bonus

• Full-time permanent contract

• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities

• Supportive and collaborative working environment

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Career progression opportunities

• Free on-site parking

To know more contact Sonal Tikariha