Staff Nurse- Neurosurgical Theatre

Location: On site / Lucan, Co. Dublin, Ireland
job type: Permanent / Full-time
Sector and subsector: Medical & Healthcare Nursing & Midwifery
Salary: Negotiable salary

Job Title: Staff Nurse, Enhanced Nurse

Department: Theatre- Neurosurgery

Job Type: Permanent, Full time

Location: Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic

Job Purpose

The role is responsible for the provision of quality service in line with standards of Theatre nursing practice. As a key member of the frontline team, the Neurosurgical Theatre Staff Nurse will upholdthe NMBI Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics ensuring respect dignity and person-centred care. The neurosurgical theatre nurse will advocate for patient safety and autonomy, especially in the high-risk neurosurgical environment . The position requires a collaborative and supportive approach to the development of services and structures, embracing continuous quality improvement and the implementation of changes necessary to achieve organisational objectives.

Job Background/Context

The Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic (BHHC) is a private hospital providing a full range of medical and surgical care across a broad spectrum of specialities. The Theatre provides a range of surgical services, and this role is important in making a significant contribution, developing and maintaining best practice in the Neurosurgical Theatre services. The neurosurgical OR nurse is a specialist perioperative nurse responsible for delivering high-acuity surgical care to patients undergoing cranial and spinal procedures. This role requires advanced clinical judgement, precise technical skill, and the ability to anticipate the needs of neurosurgeons during complex high-risk surgeries

Operations

• Work as a member of the nursing team on day duty and perform duties as allocated by the Clinical Nurse Manager 1/2.
• Apply advanced knowledge of neuroanatomy, intracranial pressure dynamics, spinal stabilisation principles and perioperative neurosurgical care.
• Deliver evidenced based practice consistent with NMBI's Scope of Practice Framework
• Demonstrate competence in sterile technique, neurosurgical instrumentation and neurosurgical technologies.
• Have in depth knowledge of neurosurgical implants, positioning requirements, and specialized neurosurgical equipment (Mayfield Headrest, ultrasonic aspirators, neuro-navigation systems, microscopes)
• Prepare operating theatres, equipment, instruments, and consumables to meet the requirements of specific neurosurgical procedures.
• Maintain strict aseptic technique and infection prevention and control standards throughout the perioperative period.
• Assist surgeons and multidisciplinary team members during surgical procedures, anticipating clinical needs and ensuring the availability of appropriate instruments and equipment.
• Perform surgical counts of instruments, needles, swabs, and consumables in accordance with local policy to ensure patient safety.
• Monitor patients throughout the perioperative period, recognising and responding appropriately to signs of clinical deterioration and escalating concerns promptly.
• Deliver safe post-anaesthetic care, monitoring airway, breathing, circulation, pain, and recovery from anaesthesia and sedation.
• Coordinate safe transfer to PACU, ICU or neuro-specialty units providing a detailed ISBAR handover focusing on neurological status, drains, implants and positioning.
• Ensure the safe handling, storage, and administration of medications in accordance with hospital policy and NMBI guidelines.
• Maintain accurate and timely perioperative documentation, including patient records, theatre registers, implants, specimens and traceability documentation.
• Support and supervise students, newly qualified nurses, and less experienced staff members within the theatre environment.
• Participate in emergency procedures, including trauma, cardiac arrest, and major haemorrhage responses as required.
• Ensure the safe use, maintenance, and reporting of theatre equipment and medical devices.
• Communicate effectively with neurosurgeons, anaesthetists, neuromonitoring staff and the wider multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality patient-centred care.
• Contribute to quality improvement initiatives, clinical audits, incident reporting, and ongoing professional development.
• Supervise the nursing practice of less experienced staff members of the nursing team and participate in the educational aspects of that practice.
• Keep accurate, comprehensive, up-dated records and written reports as required and guided by NMBI recommendations.
• Ensure correct and economical use of Unit stocks and material and the safe and correct use of all equipment.
• Be willing to be deployed to other areas of the hospital if requested to do so.
• Document and report to the CNM, in a timely and comprehensive manner, any incidents, accidents, near misses or complaints and participate in any subsequent investigation as requested.
• Participate in staff meetings, team meetings and committees as required.
• Promote a patient centred culture of openness and responsiveness to positive and constructive patient feedback and ensuring patient dignity, respect and choice is maintained in their care.

Learning and Education

• Registered General Nurse with active registration on the NMBI register. Have undertaken or be willing to take postgraduate education in neurosurgical and/or operating theatre nursing.
• Take personal responsibility for own professional development and keep up to date with evidence-based practice and research.
• Attend and participate in staff development programmes on an ongoing basis and sharing knowledge with other staff members.
• Assist with the orientation and induction of new staff and be available to provide orientation as deemed necessary, helping them to integrate as members of the Unit team.
• Assist in the training of nursing support staff.
• Identify and inform the Learning and Education Team of any training and professional development requirements.
• Attend all mandatory training days and ensure that all mandatary training is in date.
• Comply with all HR system and policy requirements.

Quality Improvement and Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with all relevant BHHC, policies, procedures and relevant legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in the continuous review and evaluation of policies, guidelines and existing practices through regular audit programmes and review engaging with the multi-disciplinary team where required.
• Assist in promoting a culture of continuous quality improvement across the department.
• Be aware of the core objectives, standards and key performance indicators for the service and contribute to the monitoring of performance against these standards.
• Participate in the requirements of the hospital's accreditation process.
• Participate in the requirements of the hospital's risk management programme.
• Promote the delivery of a high standard of care to all patients.Encourage evidence-based practice and assist in the dissemination and implementation of research findings.
• Work with members of the Multidisciplinary team in devising Standard Operating Procedures for the development of the Unit.
• Assist in ensuring a culture of safety, promoting positive reporting of incidents and near misses; investigate and take remedial action on incidents or near misses involving patients and staff according to hospital policies, protocols and guidelines.
• Be registered in the general division of the Register of Nurses maintained by NMBI
• Minimum of 2-3 years perioperative nursing experience; neurosurgery experience strongly preferred.

Skills/ Competencies as per the BHHC Competency Framework

• Clinical Skills
• Quality focus
• Clinical audit
• Teamwork
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• A recognised post-registration nursing course - Higher Diploma or Post Grad course in Peri-operative nursing or be in pursuit of same.
• Scrub and circulating experience
• Recovery/PACU experience and anaesthetic experience
• Orthopaedic, General, ENT, Gynaecology, Urology, Ophthalmology, Vascular, or Trauma theatre experience (whichever applies)
• Management of deteriorating patients
• WHO Surgical Safety Checklist participation
• Implant and traceability documentation
• Knowledge of HIQA, NMBI, and infection prevention standards

Why Work at Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic

At Hermitage Clinic, we are committed to the development and well-being of our staff. Benefits include:

Opportunities for Career Development & Progression

Access to a Pension Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic is an Equal Opportunities Employer and values diversity and inclusion across our organisation. If you require any accommodations during the recruitment process, please contact: