OPERATION SMILE PHILIPPINES FOUNDATION, INC.
Job Description
Center Nurse — Scrub Nurse (Operating Room)
Cebu Comprehensive Cleft Care Center of Excellence | Clinical Operations
Reports To: Center Head Nurse
Work Location: Cebu Comprehensive Cleft Care Center of Excellence (COE)
Employment Type: Regular Full-Time
Position Overview
The Center Nurse — Scrub Nurse is a specialized member of the surgical team at the OSP Cebu COE, responsible for maintaining the sterile field and providing direct intraoperative assistance to the surgeon. This role demands a strong surgical conscience, meticulous attention to detail, composure under pressure, and full mastery of surgical instruments, supplies, and safety protocols specific to cleft lip and palate procedures. The Scrub Nurse works as part of the sterile team alongside the surgeon and assistant surgeon, and in coordination with the circulating nurse throughout each case.
In OSP's surgical model, the OR Nurse functions as the circulating nurse (unsterile, responsible for coordination and patient support in the operating room). The Scrub Nurse is the sterile counterpart, maintaining the sterile environment throughout the procedure.
Key Responsibilities
Pre-Operative Preparation
- Perform surgical hand scrub, gown, and glove in accordance with OSP and COE sterile protocol.
- Set up the sterile field by distributing and organizing instruments, surgical supplies, and equipment specific to the planned procedure (cleft lip or palate repair).
- Verify the completeness and sterility of all instruments, supplies, and implants prior to patient entry to the OR.
- Assist with patient draping in coordination with the surgeon and assistant surgeon.
- Assist surgeons in gowning and gloving.
Intraoperative Responsibilities
- Maintain strict sterile technique and the integrity of the sterile field throughout the duration of each case.
- Anticipate and pass instruments, sutures, and supplies to the surgeon efficiently and accurately.
- Pass off suction tubing, electrosurgical (cautery) cords, and other equipment to the circulating nurse as needed.
- Hold full knowledge of all surgical instruments and equipment required for cleft surgeries, including safe use and handling of electrosurgical devices and suction.
- Perform sponge, sharps, and instrument counts with the circulating nurse at the start of the case and at prescribed intervals.
- Maintain awareness of the surgical field and provide active assistance to the surgeon throughout the procedure.
Post-Operative and Case Turnover
- Perform final sponge and sharps count with the circulating nurse upon case closure; document and reconcile any discrepancies immediately.
- Confirm that the throat pack has been removed and that a tongue stitch has been inserted for all palate patients, as required by OSP Global Standards.
- Communicate to the circulating nurse and anesthesia provider the total amount of local anesthetic used during the case.
- Assist with patient drape removal and wound cleaning as required.
- Safely dispose of sharps and biohazardous waste according to protocol.
- Collect, decontaminate, and prepare instruments for washing and sterilization following each case.
- Assist with case setup for subsequent cases when available.
Compliance and Safety
- Adhere to OSP Global Standards for safe surgery, including all required surgical safety checks and time-out procedures.
- Comply with infection control, aseptic technique, and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements at all times.
- Support the medical education activities of the COE by mentoring nursing students and trainees observing or rotating in the OR.
- Participate in quality improvement activities, instrument tracking, and post-case debriefs as required.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited institution.
- Current licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the Philippines (PRC license in good standing).
- Minimum of one (1) year operating room or surgical nursing experience.
- Training or experience as a scrub nurse in a hospital OR setting is required.
- Pediatric surgical experience is an advantage.
- Willingness to work flexible schedules and across surgical program days.
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Surgical Conscience and Sterile Technique Discipline
- Instrument and Equipment Mastery
- Composure and Focus Under Pressure
- Precision, Detail-Orientation, and Count Integrity
- Teamwork and Effective Intraoperative Communication
- Patient Safety Commitment and Accountability
- Alignment with Operation Smile's Mission and Values
