Operating Theatre Nurse – Scrub/Anaesthesia Nurse

This role requires complete and autonomous management of the technical and operational, patient care and organisational tasks of the Operating Theatre department.

BACKGROUND AND ORGANISATION OF WORK

The Operating Theatre Nurse supervises, teaches and works alongside the national staff colleagues carrying out the various nursing tasks and roles in the operating theatre (scrub nurse, running nurse) and in areas auxiliary to surgical activity (sterilisation services).
The Operating Theatre Nurse is responsible to the Head Nurse, who is in charge of the management and organisation of the project.

The main areas of work are:

• STERILISATION;

• OPERATING THEATRES: 2-3 operating theatres depending on the admission criteria of the Centre

The workload and rotation are variable, depending on the needs and organisational set-up of the hospital; there will usually be at least one day off a week, with on-call 24/7 in case of surgical emergency.
The Operating Theatre Nurse organises the work of the national staff in his/her area of responsibility, together with the Head Nurse of the project.

DUTIES AND REPONSIBILITIES

All EMERGENCY personnel are expected to know and follow the hospital admissions criteria, guidelines, protocols, and the diagnosis and treatment standards in use in the Centre, and to ensure the correct compilation of clinical records and statistics in both computer and paper formats.

The main duties and responsibilities of the international OT nurse – scrub are:

• management and supervision of sterilisation services;

• preparation of the theatre for operations and organisation of the work of the national team in theatre;

• direct participation in surgical procedures;

• assistance in clinical research and record keeping as required by the scientific programmes of the specialist sector of the Medical Division of EMERGENCY.

STERILISATION SERVICES

Each Centre is equipped to carry out the following procedures:

• steam sterilisation via autoclave, including very basic models;

• chemical sterilisation using formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, etc.;

• quality control of the sterilisation processes in use, via the appropriate tests (Bowie-Dick, biological and chemical tests).

MANAGEMENT AND ORDERS OF STOCKS AND SUPPLIES

The Operating Theatre nurse is responsible for checking that levels of supplies of materials and equipment are always adequate in terms of quantity and quality, and for informing the team leader (where present) or Medical Coordinator of any requirements.

MANAGEMENT AND TRAINING OF LOCAL PERSONNEL

Clinical activities and patient care are always carried out alongside and in collaboration with local personnel, who thus benefit from training in the field. There is also provision for more specific teaching activities, managed by the international specialists, in accordance with the individual needs of each hospital.

The technological level of the equipment present in the Centres is suited to the clinical and managerial protocols in use, and the level of professional autonomy of the national staff, with the aim of achieving – and sustaining – high standards of care. Diagnostic equipment, basic laboratory tests, technical and auxiliary services are always available.

SALAM CENTRE FOR CARDIAC SURGERY – Khartoum, Sudan

Since 2007 the Salam Centre has been the only completely free Cardiac Surgery centre in the region. The Centre forms the scientific and operational nucleus of a network of paediatric clinics situated in neighbouring countries which also carry out screening and follow-up for both adult and paediatric cardiac surgery patients.
The most common pathologies treated are valvular cardiopathy of rheumatic origin (RHD – Rheumatic Heart Disease), congenital heart disease suitable for surgical treatment, and ischaemic heart disease in the non-acute phase; over the past 15 years of activity (2008 – 2023) around 55% of patients admitted have been under 26 years of age.
Due to the advanced level of work carried out, the equipment available and technical, architectural and managerial innovations, the Salam Centre for Cardiac Surgery is considered a centre of excellence at an international level.

GODERICH SURGICAL CENTRE – Sierra Leone 

The Surgical Centre is the reference hospital for traumatology for the entire Sierra Leone: many patients are transferred to Goderich from hospitals in other provinces and sometimes also from neighbouring Countries.

Limited at first to urgent and war-related surgery, our admission criteria have progressively expanded. Today they cover traumatology, urgent surgery for treatment of pathologies such as hernias and intestinal perforations, and elective surgery.

The program for the treatment of oesophagus burns caused by accidental ingestion of caustic soda, a fairly common phenomenon in a Country where soap is manufactured at home, is the only one across the Country.

CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN PEDIATRIC SURGERY – Entebbe, UGANDA

The Centre offers free treatment of excellence in Paediatric Surgery; it is a reference point for Ugandan patients and children with surgical needs (up to 15 years of age) from all over Africa.

The hospital has 72 beds, 3 operating theatres, a 6-bed paediatric intensive care unit and all the diagnostic and auxiliary services necessary for its operation, such as laboratory, blood bank, pharmacy, canteen, laundry.

Initially, the admission criteria include General Paediatric Surgery and Paediatric Urology.

GUIDELINES, PROTOCOLS AND EQUIPMENT

Further information on the guidelines, protocols and clinical services relevant to the post along with details of the instruments and equipment available will be provided at interview and during the period of preparation for the mission.

The general requirements and conditions apply to all the international staff.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

• Nursing Degree (or equivalent Diploma) and current registration on the professional nursing register of your Country of residence;
• at least 3 years’ continuous professional experience in one or more of the following specialist theatre areas: Emergency Surgery, Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Cardiac Surgery (including Paediatric), Paediatric Surgery as a scrub or anaesthesia nurse.
•  good knowledge of the English language (at least B1, Europass)

REQUIRED AVAILABILITY

6 months’ overseas stay including a period of leave to be taken at the end of the mission in agreement with the coordinator.

 

HOW TO APPLY

For further information and inquiries (not for applications): fo.recruiting@emergency.it. To apply, please complete the on-line application form: applications sent to this e-mail account will not be considered.

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