Job overview
Are you a theatre practitioner looking for a new role? Will only the best do for you and your patients? Do you want to be part of a dynamic team?
We seek driven, organised, highly motivated registered practitioners to join our operating theatre departments.
If you're a registered nurse, Operating Department practitioner, or paediatric nurse looking to broaden your experience in complex and specialist surgery and anaesthetics, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity.
This role will be an excellent opportunity to progress in your career.
Main duties of the job
Assist in the delivery of patient care
Promote and deliver best evidence-based practice within your own scope of practice
Coordinate the use of supplies and equipment, ensuring that it is used in an appropriate and safe manner
Assist the anaesthetic team throughout the perioperative phase of care
Communicate appropriately with the multidisciplinary team involved in the care of the patient
Take part in all appropriate safety checks including WHO and complete all necessary documentation as required
Working for our organisation
Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.
We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.
Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.
Looking for flexible working?
We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it’s adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.
to hear what our staff say.
Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:
1. At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
2. Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
3. Blue Light card eligibility
4. And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Once your pre-employment checks have been completed you will be contacted by Recruitment to arrange your start date which will be in line with one of our Corporate Inductions.
Following your Corporate Induction you will be expected to attend the Trust’s Induction Programme for RNs, NAs, RMs, ODPs and Paramedics. The programme is full-time (please email if this is problematic) and will involve travel to both Trust sites. The programme includes supernumerary shifts in the clinical area, classroom-based sessions and e-learning.
Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure & Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children). If a role involves regulated activity and requires a DBS check with a barred list check, you cannot apply if you are on the barred list.
Please note that the Fordcombe Site is located in a rural area with limited access via public transport. You will need to ensure you are available to attend the time during the day and evenings. Access to a vehicle is advantageous.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
5. Registered Nurse Part 1 and 2 /Registered ODP
6. Registered with Nursing & Midwifery Council/HCPC
Desirable criteria
7. Relevant specialist Course Theatre/Anaesthetic
8. Surgical First assistance course
9. Prep for mentors or equivalent
Skills
Essential criteria
10. Specialist clinical skills
11. Assesses patients & their care needs
12. Ability to work within the multidisciplinary team
13. Demonstrates ability to use own initiative
14. Effective & concise communication skills demonstrated.
15. Communication of sensitive information which will need reassurance and empathic communication skills
16. Demonstrate & understanding /use of constructive analysis to improve team performance. To act as mentor for pre and post registration students & other leaner’s
17. To mentor pre and post-registration students & other learners.
Desirable criteria
18. Organisational skills
19. Experience to take delegated responsibility
Attributes
Essential criteria
20. Ability to deal with distressing circumstances
21. Ability to solve problems & recognise when to seek advice
22. Enthusiastic & personally motivated with the ability to motivate others
23. Good interpersonal skills
Experience/Knowledge
Essential criteria
24. Demonstrates understanding of clinical issues within the Theatre Department
25. Current NHS Issues
Desirable criteria
26. Experience in two or more areas, i.e. recovery/scrub/anaesthetics