Christa Ellis

• Being in a private hospital enabled me to strengthen my skill on being flexible as I am now able to scrub with confidence in other fields such as, General, plastics, cataract procedures, and urology.

• During the last 10.5 years in Berkshire Independent I have continued to strengthen all the skills I acquired in my previous job and kept abreast with latest developments in nursing practices, enhancing professional growth. This also included completing my surgical first assistance course on a Level 7 which allows me to assist in orthopaedics and laparoscopic cases.

Skills / Experience in Orthopaedics:

Hips and Knees

• Primary cemented cruciate retaining & sacrificing knee replacements.
• Primary total hip replacements
• Knee and Hip Arthroscopies
• Medial and recently lateral Uni Knee replacements

Shoulders

• Shoulder arthroscopies - simple ASD ACJ procedures to more complex rotator cuff repairs and stabilisations.

Spines

• Spinal decompression and discectomy
• Spinal Fusions (open and minimal invasive surgery)

Foot and Ankle

• Scarf/Akin osteotomy
• Chevron osteotomy
• First MTP Fusion
• Hallux deformity correction & tendon lengthening
• Arthroscopic and open fusions
• Hind foot / Mid-foot reconstructions

Hand

• Dupuytren's
• Carpal Tunnels
• Trapeziectomy
• Other minor procedures

General

• Laparoscopic and open hernias
• Laparoscopic cholecystectomy
• Laparoscopic gastric sleeves

Plastics

• Breast augmentation and reduction surgery
• Neck and face lift
• Abdominoplasty
• Other minor ops procedures ex: removal of lipomas and excision of BCCs etc.

Gynae

• Hysteroscopies
• Open Total Total abdominal hysterectomy
• Open myomectomy
• Vaginal hysterectomy

Urology

• Cystoscopies
• Circumcisions
• TURP
• Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate
• Recently been circulating and scrubbing for a few Robotic Aquablations

Ophthalmology

• Cataract surgery
• Blepharoplasties
• Chalazion surgery

• Band 5 Orthopaedic Scrub Nurse.
• Gained knowledge about operating theatres, surgical techniques in orthopaedics, equipment and best practices to provide reliable patient support.
• Patient care intra-operatively.
• Maintained patient safety during surgery.
• Maintained sterility.
• Tested equipment before and after each operation and report any faulty equipment through the appropriate route.
• Liaised with CSSD to make sure instrument sets are processed and sterilised on time: fill in appropriate forms to fast track any sets and report missing / damaged instruments appropriately.
• Created good working relationships based on trust as patient care needs to be provided as a team in the operating theatre.
• Worked autonomously and with others especially when there is a rapid change of events.
• Monitored and supervised students and new health care assistants to provide safe practice for both professionals and patient.
• Maintained ethical and professional response and work within the parameters of nursing guidelines, Nursing Code guidelines and trust policies.
• Gained awareness of the medico-legal aspects of nursing in line with the professional, regulating and legal guidance.