Scrub Nurse Job Description Template

Scrub nurses, sometimes referred to as surgical or perioperative nurses, assist surgeons and nurse practitioners during surgeries and minor procedures. They work in a variety of settings and play a vital role in ensuring patient safety throughout the perioperative phase. These highly specialized nurses undergo years of education and on-the-job training, making them highly sought after and difficult to find.

Creating a high-quality scrub nurse job description is the first step to finding a competent and professional nurse for your open position. Below, we provide an example job description template to help you attract and retain nurses with the skills necessary for success.

Want more resources for your hiring process? Get updated salary data and ideas for your own job description by checking out some of the current postings on our job board. You can also take a look at our targeted scrub nurse interview questions to help as you assess your job candidates.

Scrub Nurse

Tips: It’s important to begin a job description by providing information on the position and patient population you serve. Some scrub nurse jobs require employees to join specific surgical teams and hire highly-specialized nurses with titles like “cardiac surgery scrub nurse” or “orthopedic scrub nurse.” Job descriptions should list the types of surgeries performed at your facility to help nurses understand the unique responsibilities of the position.

Outline your organization’s mission, vision, and values to help nurses get a feel for what it’s like to work at your facility. Highlighting certifications, honors, and awards can help nurses see the exceptional care your facility provides and get excited about joining your team.

Template:

Want to take your scrub nurse career to the next level? At [facility name], we’re looking to hire an experienced operating room (OR) scrub nurse to join our surgical team. A strong candidate will have the compassion and clinical expertise to provide high-quality care during a variety of adult and pediatric procedures.

Here at [facility name], we take patient safety seriously. All scrub nurses new to our organization undergo a rigorous, six-week, paid orientation period to ensure proficiency and team cohesion. We’re excited to offer this valuable training to both new graduates and experienced nurses, and hope to grow our organization’s dedicated and driven surgical team.

When you join our team at [facility name], you gain access to our incredible employee benefits package that will support you in achieving your personal and professional goals. Discover what it takes to be a scrub nurse at [facility name] and apply below to join our team.

Benefits

Tips: Now that you’ve introduced the position, dive right into perks and incentives that help your facility stand out. Some nurses may be looking for tuition assistance, while others may be more interested in better healthcare insurance or more paid time off. Be sure to provide a thorough list of all professional, financial, and lifestyle benefits in your scrub nurse job description to optimize your candidate pool.

Template:

• Competitive pay
• Health, dental, and vision benefits
• FSA/HSA options
• 401(k) matching
• Paid vacation/holiday/family leave
• Free continuing education (CE) courses
• Annual scrub and non-slip footwear stipend
• Tuition reimbursement of up to $5,000 per year
• Employee discount program for gym memberships, restaurant certificates, travel packages, and more

Duties and Responsibilities

Tips: Because scrub nurse responsibilities differ greatly among healthcare facilities, it’s important to outline the specific requirements of your position. Some hospitals require scrub nurses to prepare the patient for surgery or help them recover after their operation, while other facilities may only use scrub nurses to help with assistive tasks during the procedure.

It’s also important to differentiate scrub nurse responsibilities from other operating room nurses in “anesthesia” or “circulating nurse” roles. Helping nurse candidates understand expectations of the position makes it more likely that you’ll attract professionals who are qualified and a better fit for the job.

Template:

Scrub nurse duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assisting surgeons, interventional radiologists, and nurse practitioners during procedures
• Preparing the operating room table, tools, and equipment prior to surgery
• Ensuring sterility and safety is maintained before, during, and after the procedure
• Providing emotional support to patients and their family members throughout their hospitalization
• Collaborating with the circulating nurse in monitoring vitals, assessing skin integrity, and communicating with family members throughout the perioperative period
• Documenting surgical details in the patient’s electronic health record (EHR)
• Performing postoperative needle, sponge, and instrument counts

Compensation and Schedule

Tips: It takes years to fully learn surgeon preferences and nurses may struggle with the idea of starting over at a new facility. To help nurses decide if switching jobs is worth the effort, list your facility’s salary details, scheduling requirements, and on-call expectations in your OR scrub nurse job description.

Template:

• Our surgical nurse salary starts at $80,000, with adjustments subject to education level and relevant leadership experience
• Overtime, on-call, holiday, and incentive pay available
• 6-week paid orientation period
• Three scheduled 12-hour shifts (7a-7p) per week
• Weekend day/night on-call shifts required (two shifts per month required, with available opportunities for more at the employee’s request)
• Bi-weekly or weekly pay periods

Scrub Nurse Qualifications and Skills

Tips: Potential applicants often have questions about the licensure, certification, and education expectations of the position. List all facility scrub nurse requirements and qualifications here, and include any preferred qualifications and behavior traits that may set a candidate apart from the rest.

Template:

Required Qualifications:

• Active and unencumbered RN license
• BSN required, MSN preferred
• BLS, ACLS, PALS, and NRP certified
• 2 years of experience working in the perioperative setting (pre-operative department, post anesthesia care unit, operating room, interventional radiology, etc.)
• Familiar with electronic health record (EHR) documentation

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous scrub nurse experience at a Level I Trauma Center
• Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR) Certification
• Impeccable organization, time management, and critical-thinking skills
• Bilingual in English and Spanish

Call to Action

Tips: Crafting a well-written scrub nurse job description is the first step toward attracting the right employee for your open position. Conclude with a call-to-action button labeled “apply now” to guide nurses directly to the job application. Help them save time and effort by allowing resumes and cover letters to be uploaded directly to the job application.

Template:

Ready to continue your career as a scrub nurse with [facility name]? We make it quick and easy for you to submit your application online. Take the next step by clicking “apply now.” We look forward to hearing from you!

Hire the Perfect Scrub Nurse and Grow Your Surgical Team

Empty positions are costly and make it difficult for facilities to meet clinical goals. Creating an excellent scrub nurse job description is the first step in filling your vacancy. Partner with IntelyCare and let us help you find high-quality nursing professionals to optimize staff satisfaction and patient health outcomes.