POSTION: NURSING OT INCHARGE

Qualification

- B.Sc. Nursing / Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing preferred.
- GNM may also be considered, depending on hospital policy.
- Valid registration with the State Nursing Council.
- Certificate/training in Operation Theatre Nursing is desirable.
- Basic knowledge of BLS/ACLS is an advantage.
- Knowledge of infection control, sterilization, biomedical waste management, and surgical safety protocols.

Experience

- Minimum 912 years of total nursing experience.
- Preferably 7-8 years of experience in Operation Theatre.
- At least 5 years in a senior/supervisory OT role is desirable.
- Experience in handling elective and emergency surgeries.
- Experience with major surgical specialties
- Experience in OT staff allocation, inventory management, instrument management, CSSD coordination, and OT documentation.
- Previous experience in a 50–100 bedded hospital is preferred but not mandatory.

OT In-Charge Nursing Job Responsibilities:

Main responsibilities

- Plan and coordinate the OT schedule with surgeons and anesthetists.
- Assign OT nurses and other staff to different surgeries.
- Ensure the OT is prepared before each operation.
- Check sterility, aseptic technique, and infection-control practices.
- Ensure surgical instruments, sets, implants, medicines, and consumables are available.
- Supervise scrub nurse and circulating nurse duties.
- Check emergency equipment such as oxygen, suction, defibrillator, and emergency drugs.
- Maintain OT registers, records, checklists, and documentation.
- Ensure proper counting of instruments, needles, and swabs before and after surgery.
- Coordinate with CSSD, anesthesia, laboratory, blood bank, and other departments.
- Monitor staff performance, discipline, and attendance.
- Handle OT emergencies and report problems to nursing/hospital management.
- Ensure safe transfer of patients to and from the OT.
- Monitor cleaning, disinfection, and OT readiness between cases.

1. OT Administration & Coordination

- Manage the day-to-day functioning of the Operation Theatre.
- Coordinate the daily and emergency OT schedule.
- Ensure timely preparation of OT rooms for scheduled procedures.
- Coordinate with surgeons, anesthetists, nursing supervisors, and other departments.
- Allocate OT rooms and nursing staff according to the type and complexity of surgery.
- Ensure smooth coordination between elective and emergency surgeries.
- Monitor delays, cancellations, and changes in the OT schedule.

2. Staff Management

- Prepare duty rosters and staff assignments.
- Allocate scrub nurses, circulating nurses, and other OT personnel.
- Supervise the performance of OT nursing staff.
- Conduct staff briefings and handovers.




- Orient and train new staff members.
- Identify training needs and arrange appropriate education.
- Monitor attendance, punctuality, discipline, and professional conduct.
- Handle staff-related issues and report serious concerns to nursing management.

3. Patient Safety & Nursing Care

- Ensure correct patient identification before surgery.
- Verify the patient's consent, investigations, and pre-operative requirements.
- Ensure correct surgical site and procedure verification.
- Monitor compliance with the surgical safety checklist.
- Ensure safe positioning of patients during surgery.
- Prevent pressure injuries, nerve injuries, falls, and other positioning-related complications.
- Ensure proper transfer of patients to and from the OT.
- Maintain patient privacy, dignity, and confidentiality.

4. Infection Prevention & Sterilization

- Ensure strict adherence to aseptic and sterile techniques.
- Monitor OT cleaning and disinfection procedures.
- Coordinate with CSSD for sterilization and availability of instruments.
- Check sterilization indicators and sterile-pack integrity.
- Monitor OT traffic and appropriate use of protective attire.
- Ensure proper segregation and disposal of biomedical waste.
- Monitor infection-control practices and report breaches immediately.

5. Instruments & Equipment

- Ensure availability of surgical instruments and equipment before procedures.
- Check the functionality of OT equipment.
- Ensure proper maintenance of anesthesia machines, cautery units, suction machines, operating tables, lights, and other equipment.
- Report defective equipment for repair or replacement.
- Maintain records of equipment servicing and preventive maintenance.
- Ensure emergency equipment is checked and readily available.

6. Surgical Supplies & Inventory

- Maintain adequate stock of surgical consumables, sutures, dressings, implants, and other supplies.
- Monitor stock levels and expiry dates.
- Prepare requisitions for required materials.
- Maintain proper storage of medicines and consumables.
- Minimize wastage and prevent stock shortages.
- Maintain records of high-value items and implants where applicable.

7. Intraoperative Responsibilities

- Ensure the scrub and circulating nurses follow correct surgical procedures.
- Supervise instrument, swab,



and needle counts.
- Ensure proper documentation of counts before, during, and after surgery.
- Assist in maintaining a safe and sterile surgical environment.
- Ensure specimens are correctly labelled, documented, and sent to the appropriate department.
- Coordinate with anesthesia staff during induction and recovery.
- Ensure proper handling and documentation of surgical specimens.

8. Emergency & Critical Situations

- Ensure the OT is prepared for emergency surgeries.
- Coordinate emergency cases with surgeons, anesthetists, blood bank, laboratory, and other departments.
- Ensure availability of emergency drugs and equipment.
- Support the team during cardiac arrest and other emergencies.
- Ensure emergency OT supplies are replenished after use.
- Report and document incidents, adverse events, and near misses.

9. Documentation & Records

- Maintain OT registers and surgical records.
- Ensure accurate documentation of procedures, staff, equipment, consumables, and implants.
- Maintain sterilization and cleaning records.
- Maintain instrument and swab-count documentation.
- Review nursing documentation for completeness and accuracy.
- Prepare daily/monthly OT reports when required.
- Maintain records related to incidents, complaints, and quality indicators.

10. Quality & Safety Management

- Implement hospital policies, SOPs, and OT protocols.
- Participate in clinical audits and quality-improvement activities.
- Monitor compliance with patient-safety standards.
- Identify risks and take corrective/preventive action.
- Participate in accreditation-related activities such as NABH requirements where applicable.
- Monitor OT performance indicators such as cancellations, delays, infections, and turnover time.

11. Communication & Teamwork

- Maintain effective communication with surgeons, anesthetists, nurses, technicians, and hospital administration.
- Conduct regular staff meetings when required.
- Communicate key instructions and policy changes to OT staff.
- Address patient and relative concerns appropriately.
- Escalate significant clinical, operational, or staffing issues to the Nursing Supervisor/Matron/Nursing Superintendent.

12. Leadership Responsibilities

- Lead the OT nursing team effectively.
- Maintain discipline and professional standards.
- Encourage teamwork and good communication.
- Mentor junior nurses.
- Evaluate staff performance.
- Promote continuous professional development.
- Ensure adequate staffing and appropriate utilization of manpower.

Important skills:

Leadership + OT clinical knowledge + infection control + communication + emergency management + documentation.

📌 Nursing Incharge (New Delhi)
🏢 Apollo Hospitals
📍 New Delhi