Scrub Practitioner Review

My job is basically to pass instruments to surgeons during operations. I have to learn each tray and procedure and anticipate what the surgeon will require. When I'm not scrubbed I circulate, helping the team and ensuring the operating theatre runs in a smooth efficient manner. I must also ensure all equipment is available for the on the day and in the days coming up.

I have learned and enhanced many skills, including communication (both verbal and non-verbal), my skills whilst scrubbed (working safely, memorising instruments and cases) and learning about the human anatomy, diseases, and how the procedures that we do can help a patient improve and eventually recover from their experience. I have also learned to develop my time management skills which is vital in a theatre environment.

I definitely enjoyed the academic side of the course, doing coursework and assignments, interacting with my colleagues and tutors. However once COVID-19 arrived it became very very difficult to do these things as everything was online and on teams, which obviously didn't help. However I am proud of the way I adapted and was happy with my grades. I really did enjoy the programme overall.

Initially I felt it was. However once COVID-19 arrived whilst I can definitely appreciate it was difficult and unprecedented, the support we received dropped dramatically. Emails went unanswered for days, no replies to messages and then they changed one of our tutors 4 months before the course ended which definitely didn't help. So I would sadly say it wasn't very well structured

From two management members I have received alot of support. From others I have received no feedback or support sadly. No-one seemed to know what I was doing, no-one knew when I was finishing and no-one asked about assignements etc. It's a shame but I understand things have been difficult over the past two years and maybe it wasn't a priority.

I guess the tutors were amazing at the start, always available to help face-to-face or over emails. Once Covid 19 started as stated above the help almost dissapeared. Emails were either not replied to or took three or four days to come back. This had a massive affect when trying to complete assignments.

It has helped alot, especially learning the anatomy and about different diseases and how they can impact a patient. Because I work in theatres it's almost a manual job passing instruments so the assignments have helped me learn about the body and things I wouldn't have learned simply working in theatres.

To be honest not really. We do have social events such as meeting up for a drink or retirement do's, but not really any company events or activities. In my spare time I like to go and watch my local football team, read books and articles and spend time with my family.

Yes

I clicked yes purely from a theatre point of view. This is because I know how professional it is in theatre, how safe it is and how we always work in a patient centered way. I strongly believe in my colleagues and our way of working and would always speak highly of our department.

I would advise people that we are a friendly team who will always support each other. I would say to never hesitate to ask questions, to ask for advice and to never worry about being isolated. We are a close team and will always help new starters when they come to work with us.