Theatre Practitioner / ODP (Scrub & recovery)

Job summary
The position is an initial scrub role with training in either recovery or anaesthetics as required.

As one of our theatre practitioners, you will work 37.5 hours a week, with no nights or weekends. The shifts are Monday-Friday over 4 days, full time, with flexibility needed as required to fit the service, which runs from 08:00 to 20:00.

Queens Theatres consists of two operating theatres and a three bay First Stage Recovery area, surgical specialities include: ENT Head and Neck major and rapid throughput diagnostic day cases; Maxillo Facial (elective and trauma), Adult Cleft and Plastics major and day cases.

Informal visits are welcome and if you have any other questions please contact: View email address on meeveem.com (theatre manager).

Main duties of the job
The post holder will work with the theatre manager and multidisciplinary team members in monitoring and maintaining policies, Standards of nursing/ HCPC care and staff development, as part of the perioperative team.

As a Band 5 nurse/ODP you should act as a role model, showing evidence of the specialist skills and knowledge that will enable you to deliver prescribed treatment and care for patients in an individual and sensitive manner.

In the absence of a senior member of staff you will act as a team leader in the clinical area. You should be able to liaise with the multidisciplinary team to ensure care is provided in a co-ordinated and collaborative manner. The nurse/ODP should maintain contact with the patient's relatives and friends and provide access to information and support.

Following the orientation period the post holder is expected to carry out all relevant forms of care without direct supervision and is required to demonstrate procedures, supervise unqualified staff whilst maintaining a safe working environment.

To be flexible in approach to the clinical area and provide cover for any area specified.

To lead the planning and co-ordination of effective timely transfer/safe discharge of patients to their next area of care.

About us
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone's throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we're meeting our pledge.

Details
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year pa, pro rata
Contract: Fixed term, 2 years
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 387-S3108-GB
Closing date: 02 November 2026

Job responsibilities

• In partnership with other professionals and disciplines, develop measurable patient care plans/goals. The process should include assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient care from admission to timely transfer of discharge.
• Take charge of the clinical needs of a group of defined patients on the ward / department prioritising workload according to changing clinical need over a 24 hour period.
• Work towards regularly taking charge of the defined patients on the ward / department prioritising workload according to changing clinical need over a 24 hour period.
• Delegate tasks and activities to a range of team members in relation to patient care (for example when taking charge or as link nurse).
• Ensure nursing documentation is maintained, accurate and timely in line with trust standards.
• To demonstrate awareness and compliance with trust policies, procedures, guidelines and standards. To work towards promoting this to others.
• Promote and maintain a safe environment for patients.
• Administer medicines in accordance with trust policies, procedures, guidelines and standards. To work towards promoting this to others.
• Administer medicines in accordance with trust policy.
• Promote a clean environment and the prevention of hospital acquired infection.
• Respond positively and act promptly to resolve problems / issues for patients / carers, utilising complaints procedures and PALs where appropriate.
• Identify record and report all incidents / complaints involving staff, patients and visitors in accordance with UHBW policies and assist in any investigations as required.
• Support the sister / charge nurse with effective use of resources e.g. staffing, supplies, stores.
• Work with senior nurses to develop management skills.
• Actively manage own annual leave in line with Trust and local Policy and Procedure.

Professional Development and Education Responsibilities

• Maintain, update and develop personal and professional knowledge and skills by participating in the trusts appraisal and review processes.
• Undertake training to extend current skills and to expand the scope of professional practice for the clinical care and patient care.
• Participate in staff education and development, including utilising appropriate learning opportunities and to act as a mentor and resource for student nurses/ODPs, adaptation and unqualified members of the theatre team.
• Participate with link roles as appropriate, e.g tissue viability, mental health, Infection control.
• Listen to learn work in line with trusts respecting everyone values.
• During the first year post registration, act as an associate mentor for student nurses/ODPs and other learners in the clinical environment, progressing to acting as a mentor / assessor one year post registration.
• Act as a preceptor to newly registered nurses/ODPs after one year, post registration.
• Demonstrate through an holistic approach to nursing care and day to day clinical issues an understanding of evidence based practice.

Person Specification
Knowledge, skills and abilities (Essential)

• Good basic level of English language demonstrated through effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to solve problems and use initiative
• Ability to develop own clinical skills and a willingness to participate in continuing professional development
• Competency in medication administration including IV drug administration or willingness to undergo training
• Basic IT skills (e.g. Microsoft packages)
• Ability to take the lead, initiate and ensure appropriate action in response to the deteriorating patient
• Willingness to develop teaching skills
• Able to prioritise and meet deadlines
• Able to manage difficult situations
• Awareness of audit and research
• Recognition of own limits
• Flexible working practices to support the service
• Resilient with an awareness that the role can be stressful and emotional at times.

Qualifications (Essential)

• Registered Nurse Level 8 or C or C+G 752 / NVQ level 3 Operating department practitioner / Dip HE in Operating Room Practice

Qualifications (Desirable)

• Training qualification or equivalent experience
• Relevant post registration course
• Anaesthetic Qualification

Experience (Essential)

• Experience of caring for sick adults in a variety of setting - this could be as a student

Experience (Desirable)

• Experience of working in the perioperative environment
• Experience of taking charge of an individual theatre

Personal qualities (Essential)

• Interpersonal skills
• Calm and Supportive
• Motivated and Professional
• Self-motivated
• A team player

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is an equal opportunities employer.

Employer details
Employer name: Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Bristol Royal Infirmary, Malborough Street, Bristol, BS2 8HW, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website

For questions about the job, contact:
Clinical Theatre Manager, Miles Clarke, View email address on meeveem.com, View phone number on meeveem.com