Perform the non-scrubbed circulating role for perioperative procedures

​This standard covers the non-scrubbed circulating role, assisting perioperative teams during perioperative procedures.

This involves preparing and positioning clinical medical devices and equipment, providing these items to the surgical team and monitoring the items used. You will be working under the guidance of a registered practitioner. 

---

1. access and accurately interpret all relevant work instructions and information
2. work safely at all times and in accordance with all relevant legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols
3. deal promptly and effectively with any problems within your control and report those which cannot be solved
4. identify and minimise hazards and risk in the workplace
5. ensure that your position and movements do not compromise the sterile field
6. take appropriate action without delay if there is any breakdown of the sterile field
7. select and prepare the correct surgical instrumentation and supplementary items according to the clinical specialty, the anticipated requirements of the operative procedure, and the needs of the individual
8. obtain the correct items, check and maintain integrity of items, and make selected item available to the appropriate member of the team in the prescribed manner, manufacturers instruction and organisational policies and procedures
9. count and record instruments, needles, swabs and supplementary items in conjunction with a registered practitioner as the second authorised checker prior to commencement and on completion in accordance with organisational policies and procedures
10. handle and connect medical devices and equipment safely and correctly, in line with manufacturers' instructions and organisational policies
11. ensure waste is disposed of in accordance with organizational policies and procedures
12. handle and manage contaminated items in line with organisational policies
13. comply with organisational policies for replacing used items from stock and tracking and traceability requirements
14. complete and store all relevant documentation in accordance with organisational requirements

---

1. the current legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols which are relevant to your work practice and to which you must adhere
2. the scope and limitations of your own competence, responsibilities and accountability as it applies to your job role
3. how to access and interpret all relevant work instructions and information
4. specific procedures for reporting issues which are beyond your competence, responsibilities and accountability
5. the duty to report any acts or omissions that could be unsafe/detrimental to you or others
6. the hazards and risks which may arise during the execution of your work role and how you can minimise these
7. the correct use of any equipment and PPE to protect the health and safety of you and others
8. organisational management structures, roles, and responsibilities
9. the role of regulatory bodies in relation to medical and healthcare products and regulations relating to medical devices

10. the principles of asepsis in relation to:

    • the provision of medical devices to the surgical team
    • maintenance of sterile field
      

11. the potential consequences of poor practice in relation to the preparation, provision and monitoring of medical devices and equipment

12. the requirements for, suitability of, and types of surgical instrumentation for different procedures and clinical specialities
13. the action to take if problems are identified with medical devices which have been requested

14. equipment used for:

    • weighing swabs
    • counting instruments
      

15. ways in which the sterile field can be compromised by those working outside it, and how this can be avoided

16. the principles and techniques for counting and monitoring surgical items and swabs
17. the importance of correctly weighing swabs in the estimation of blood loss
18. the importance of checking and confirming that medical devices are in a suitable condition prior to use
19. safe moving and handling principles and techniques
20. the criteria and methods for checking and maintaining the sterility of medical devices used in clinical procedures
21. the circulating role and responsibility for maintaining the sterile field
22. the agreed lines of communication within clinical teams in relation to requesting and providing medical devices during clinical procedures
23. how to complete and safely store all relevant documentation in accordance with organisational requirements

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

---

2

---

2026

---

Current

---

Original

---

Skills for Health

---

SFHPCS24

---

Health and Social Care, Health and Social Services Officers, Health Associate Professionals, Health Professionals, Health, Public Services and Care, Healthcare and Related Personal Services

---

2259

---

Perioperative, care, non-scrubbed, circulating, procedures

---