Job Summary:

The Theatre General Nurse is a specialized registered nurse responsible for the nursing care of patients before, during, and after surgery. They ensure the operating room is sterile, safe, and efficiently managed, and they assist the surgical team as a scrub, circulating, or recovery nurse.

Key Responsibilities:

Pre-Operative: Verify patient identity, surgical site, and consent forms. Prepare the OR environment, ensure all sterile supplies and instruments are available and functional.

Intra-Operative (Scrub Role): Prepare the sterile field. Pass instruments, sponges, and sutures to the surgeon. Maintain strict count of all needles, instruments, and gauze to prevent retained items.

Intra-Operative (Circulating Role): Manage the OR environment (lighting, equipment). Connect suction/drains. Document the surgical procedure, administering additional medications as directed. Anticipate the needs of the surgeon and anesthesiologist.

Post-Operative: Assess patient condition upon arrival in recovery; monitor vitals, wound sites, and consciousness. Hand over to the recovery/PACU nurse.

Infection Control: Enforce strict aseptic techniques and sterilization protocols. Ensure proper disposal of sharps and biohazards.

Qualifications & Requirements:

Education: Diploma/Degree in Nursing.

Licensure: Valid Nursing License.

Certification: Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) required; CNOR certification preferred.

Experience: Minimum 2 years of experience in an operating theatre setting.

Skills: High attention to detail, manual dexterity, ability to stand for long periods, and composure under high-stress situations.

• Verify patient identity, surgical site, and consent forms.
• Prepare the OR environment, ensure all sterile supplies and instruments are available and functional.
• Prepare the sterile field.
• Pass instruments, sponges, and sutures to the surgeon.
• Maintain strict count of all needles, instruments, and gauze to prevent retained items.
• Manage the OR environment (lighting, equipment).
• Connect suction/drains.
• Document the surgical procedure, administering additional medications as directed.
• Anticipate the needs of the surgeon and anesthesiologist.
• Assess patient condition upon arrival in recovery; monitor vitals, wound sites, and consciousness.
• Hand over to the recovery/PACU nurse.
• Enforce strict aseptic techniques and sterilization protocols.
• Ensure proper disposal of sharps and biohazards.

• High attention to detail
• Manual dexterity
• Ability to stand for long periods
• Composure under high-stress situations

• Diploma/Degree in Nursing
• Valid Nursing License
• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• CNOR certification preferred