Senior Scrub Technician

Job Purpose:

The Senior Scrub Technician Arthroplasty is an experienced perioperative professional responsible for supporting arthroplasty surgeries (hip and knee replacements) by preparing instrumentation, implant systems, and ensuring sterile field integrity. This role maintains high standards of clinical excellence, leads scrub teams, and ensures compliance with patient safety and infection prevention protocols.

Key Responsibilities:

Surgical Support

• Prepare operating theatre according to arthroplasty procedure requirements.

• Assemble and prepare specialised orthopaedic and implant instrumentation.

• Maintain sterile field and ensure availability of all necessary implants, trays, and disposables.

• Assist surgeons during arthroplasty cases with instrument passing and implant handling.

• Anticipate surgical needs during procedures to enhance efficiency and safety.

Team Leadership

• Lead and mentor junior scrub technicians and theatre assistants.

• Coordinate scrub team duties, ensuring smooth workflows.

• Assist with clinical training and competence development for new and existing staff.

Patient Safety & Quality

• Adhere to infection prevention and control standards (sterilisation, aseptic techniques).

• Participate in time-outs and safety checks.

• Report equipment or instrument malfunctions promptly.

• Conduct daily and weekly theatre and equipment safety checks.

Inventory & Equipment

• Oversee arthroplasty implant inventory, ensuring stock levels are maintained.

• Coordinate ordering, receiving, and storage of implants and consumables.

• Ensure all instruments and implants are cleaned, inspected, and sterilised per protocol.

Documentation & Compliance

• Complete perioperative documentation accurately and in a timely manner.

• Comply with hospital policies, regulatory standards, and surgical protocols.

• Support audits and quality improvement initiatives.

Qualifications & Experience

Minimum Qualifications

• Diploma or Certificate in Theatre Technology / Scrub Practice or related Allied Health qualification.

• BLS / ACLS certification (preferred).

Experience

• Minimum 8+ years scrub technician experience.

• At least 35 years specialised experience in arthroplasty/orthopaedics.

• Proven experience leading scrub teams or supervising theatre technicians.

Skills

• Mastery of sterile technique and surgical instrumentation.

• Thorough knowledge of arthroplasty implant systems and procedures.

• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.

• Ability to work effectively under pressure and in fast-paced environments.

Key Competencies

• Clinical excellence and strong commitment to patient safety.

• Problem-solving and proactive thinking.

• High attention to detail.

• Effective team collaboration.

• Strong documentation and record-keeping skills.