Operating Suite

The Northern Hospital Operating Suite is continually changing and evolving, keeping in line with the latest technological advances and surgical techniques. On average, this busy department performs 10,000 operations per year with 6 operating suites.  It is a 24 hour service with both elective and emergency procedures being attended. Rotation through the Operating Suite incorporates learning the roles of Anaesthetic Nurse, Circulating and Scrub Nurse roles, and the role of the Recovery Nurse.

Of the many surgical specialties offered, you will gain exposure to Orthopaedics, Plastics, Vascular, Thoracics, General Surgery and Paediatrics.

The Graduate Nurse is supernumerary for the duration of the rotation through Operating Suite, and with the assistance of the Clinical Nurse Educator and Clinical Nurse Specialists, you will gain skills in airway management, an understanding of anaesthetic drugs, aseptic technique, acute pain management and a consolidation of the surgical patient’s experience.

If interested in furthering your knowledge and skills in this area, the Northern Hospital offers a Postgraduate Certificate in Peri-Operative Practice in conjunction with Latrobe University over a 12 month period to suitable applicants.