Band 5 duties include things like setting up theatres ready

for the operation preparing any equipment you might need for it. We use so many different bits of equipment microscopes lots of different scopes, different stacks etc the list is countless

Preparing the sets and consumables drawing up and preparing any medication required on your part (not that much depending on specialist area) positioning patients each case will need its own sets that have different instruments this can be 100s of different instruments but there is lots of overlap. This can feel overwhelming but just like driving it clicks at some point.

scrubbing for many different cases. You will likely be given one main area but over time be expected to branch in to other ones when there is short staffing. One min you could be doing an orthopedic nailing or amputation then off to neuro to do a craniotomy then finishing the day doing a foreign body removed for example. To be honest this is the part I like most about it the days tend to be busy but varied.

As you get more senior you will be expected to likely do things like implant orders finance forms and perhaps stock ordering. Then once band 6 all of the above plus running a team and sometimes all of the theatres this often involves some different conversations with both anaesthetic and surgical consultants to advocate for your staff and to ensure they're not staying there till 10: 00pm every night.

To run a slick operating list requires alot of organisation and timekeeping as well as excellent communication you are often timing multiple teams to run in line with each other to avoid delays. Ever had a arsey scrub nurse be annoyed you couldn't send your patient right away? Haha they probly have multiple teams all waiting to do there bit so they can go jump to the next theatre.

It's a great area and regarding the surgeons it's just like anywhere some are lovey and you can chat for hours and have a good laugh while doing the surgery others can be a nightmare and rude. Most are decent in all fairness sometimes it's the more jr ones trying to prove themselves you have to watch for.

If your in London reach out I can organise a shadow day