Staff Nurse – Theatre (Perioperative, Orthopaedic experience)

Job Description

Charter Medical Private Hospital (CMPH) is a 77-bed surgical hospital located on the outskirts of Mullingar with four operating theatres and an endoscopy unit. We provide a wide range of surgical care across multiple specialties and offer 24/7 Stepdown, Minor Injuries, and Rapid Access services in collaboration with the HSE.

We are currently recruiting for a Staff Nurse – Theatre (Perioperative, Orthopaedic experience) to join our team.

Role Summary

The Staff Nurse – Theatre (Perioperative/Orthopaedic) is responsible for providing high-quality, safe, and effective nursing care to patients throughout all stages of the perioperative journey — including anaesthetic, intraoperative (scrub/circulating), and recovery phases. The role involves working as part of a multidisciplinary surgical team to ensure patient safety, dignity, and clinical excellence. The Staff Nurse contributes to maintaining professional standards, supporting theatre efficiency, and promoting best practices within the perioperative environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Clinical Practice:

• Deliver comprehensive, evidence-based nursing care to patients in all perioperative phases — anaesthetic, scrub, and recovery.
• Prepare and maintain the operating theatre, ensuring a safe and sterile environment.
• Assist the anaesthetist during induction, maintenance, and emergence from anaesthesia, ensuring safe patient positioning and airway management.
• Act as scrub nurse for surgical procedures, maintaining aseptic technique and ensuring correct surgical instrumentation and swab counts.
• Monitor patients in the Post-Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU), assessing airway, pain, and vital signs, and providing appropriate interventions.
• Safely administer prescribed medications and treatments in line with hospital policies and professional standards.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of all nursing care delivered.

2. Patient-Centred Care:

• Advocate for the patient’s safety, comfort, and dignity at every stage of the surgical process.
• Provide reassurance, education, and emotional support to patients and families before and after surgery.
• Ensure continuity of care by communicating effectively across perioperative teams and recovery staff.

3. Teamwork and Communication:

• Collaborate with surgeons, anaesthetists, operating department practitioners, and other members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Contribute to preoperative briefings, surgical safety checklists, and postoperative debriefings in line with WHO standards.
• Support colleagues, share knowledge, and assist in the orientation of new or junior staff.

4. Professional and Quality Standards:

• Comply with the NMBI Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics, hospital policies, and infection control guidelines.
• Participate in clinical audits, theatre efficiency projects, and accreditation activities (e.g., CHKS, JCI).
• Promote a culture of safety through adherence to standard precautions, incident reporting, and risk management practices.
• Ensure proper care, handling, and maintenance of surgical instruments and equipment.

5. Education and Professional Development:

• Engage in ongoing education and reflective practice to maintain perioperative competency.
• Participate in in-service education sessions, skills training, and performance development planning.
• Actively contribute to teaching and mentoring of student nurses or new staff members.

6. Health and Safety:

• Maintain a safe working environment for patients, staff, and visitors in accordance with health and safety policies.
• Recognise and respond appropriately to clinical emergencies, including perioperative complications.
• Report hazards, incidents, and equipment malfunctions promptly.

Essential Criteria

1. Statutory Registration, Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc

(i) Are registered in the relevant division of the Register of Nurses & Midwives maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann) or entitled to be so registered.

(ii) Have at least 3 years post registration full time experience (or an aggregate of 3 years post registration full time experience) of which 1 year post registration full time experience (or an aggregate of 1 year’s post registration full time experience) must be in the speciality or related area.

(iii) Have the clinical and administrative capacity to properly discharge the functions of the role.

(iv) Candidates must demonstrate evidence of Continuing Professional Development.

2. Annual registration

(i) On appointment, Practitioners must maintain live annual registration on the relevant division of the Register of Nurses and Midwives maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann).

(ii) Confirm annual registration with NMBI to the HSE by way of the annual Patient Safety Assurance Certificate (PSAC).

3. Health

Candidates for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

4. Character

Candidates for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

5. Post Specific Requirements

• Relevant perioperative nursing experience in scrub, anaesthetic, or recovery roles (or a combination).
• Experience in both elective and emergency surgery.
• Familiarity with electronic documentation and theatre management systems.
• Evidence of participation in quality improvement or patient safety initiatives.

Skills/ Competencies

1. Clinical Excellence and Accountability

• Demonstrates advanced clinical skills and knowledge in anaesthetic, scrub, and recovery nursing.
• Takes responsibility for maintaining high professional standards and safe patient outcomes.

2. Effective Communication

• Communicates clearly and respectfully with patients, families, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Ensures accurate transfer of clinical information across all perioperative phases.

3. Compassion and Empathy

• Provides reassurance and emotional support to patients before and after surgery.
• Upholds patient dignity and privacy at all times in the theatre environment.

4. Teamwork and Collaboration

• Works seamlessly within multidisciplinary surgical teams to optimise patient care and theatre flow.
• Supports colleagues through effective cooperation, mentoring, and mutual respect.

5. Time Management and Organisational Skills

• Manages workload effectively in a dynamic, high-pressure environment.
• Anticipates surgical needs and ensures readiness for all cases to minimise delays.

6. Adaptability and Initiative

• Demonstrates flexibility in working across multiple perioperative areas (scrub, anaesthetic, recovery).
• Responds confidently to changes in theatre schedules, patient needs, or emergencies.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• Sign on Bonus
• Full-time, permanent employment contract
• Continuous professional development and training opportunities
• Supportive, collaborative working environment
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Opportunities for career progression
• Free on-site parking

At Charter Medical Private Hospital, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and ensure equal opportunity in hiring and advancement. Apply for the above role by sending your CV to recruitment@cmph.ie including the job title in the subject.