Job overview
Applicant will be appointed to either Band 5/Band 6 dependent upon skills/experience (please read both Job descriptions attached to the vacancy)
This is an exciting opportunity for any experienced registered practitioner, either from a nursing, operating department, or other allied health professional background who wishes to develop their clinical skills in a structured, supportive and innovative direction. We are looking for enthusiastic and dynamic staff to join our Orthopaedic team.
Main duties of the job
The practitioner will be required to assist during surgery performing a variety of surgical / nursing skills.
Ability to take direction, recognise limitations and work on instruction.
Ability to be flexible and draws upon transferable skills and knowledge across a range of sub-specialities.
The practitioner will also provide assistance and support to other staff whilst improving clinical practice, enhancing service provision and streamlining patient focused care.
Act as a senior member of the surgical team always promoting and advocating patient safety.Participate in the preparation of surgical instruments, medical devices and implants.
Liaise with nursing and medical teams to ensure necessary equipment is available.
Prepare patients preoperatively for their surgical procedure.
Utilise enhanced clinical intra-operative skills to assist during surgical procedures under the direct supervision of the medical team.
Working for our organisation
We support the 'Making Every Contact Count' approach to behaviour change in the promotion of health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust offers leadership and improvement training to all new staff. This training programme has been designed to support our leaders in developing their understanding of leadership and management skills. You will be expected to attend the following training sessions:
·Your Leadership Impact
·Leading your Team to Success
·Leading Into the Future
·Service Improvement for Beginners
·Developing your Service Improvement Skills
·Lean Practitioner
The leadership and improvement programme aims to:
·Explore leadership within the NHS
·Promote Trust values and behaviours
·Develop your leadership effectiveness and skills
·Equip staff with the necessary knowledge and skills to lead and complete service improvements within the scope of your role.
After you complete these six and a half days of training you will be able to explore further leadership and improvement training opportunities. We also offer a range of additional in-house and externally provided courses and bitesize programmes through our Leadership and Improvement Team.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the full job description and person specification document(s) attached for main responsibilities of the role.
Person specification
Qualifications & Training (Band 5)
Essential criteria
1. Currently working as a RN or ODP with professional registration with either the NMC or HCPC.
2. Has an excellent understanding of surgical intraoperative process.
3. Degree/diploma in Nursing / Operating Department Practitioner
Qualifications & Training (Band 6)
Essential criteria
4. Currently working as a RN or ODP with professional registration with either the NMC or HCPC
5. Degree/diploma in Nursing / Operating Department Practitioner
6. Has completed a recognised Surgical First Assistant course
Experience (Both)
Essential criteria
7. Substantial perioperative experience.
Knowledge & Skills (Both)
Essential criteria
8. Has an excellent understanding of surgical intraoperative process
Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS)
It is the policy of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who are new to the Trust who require DBS clearance for the post they have been offered, are required to pay the cost of their DBS. The method of payment for this is via salary deduction from your first month's pay.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Everything we do is shaped by our values: Respect, Support, and Collaborate.
At University Hospitals Tees we want our workspaces to be places where everyone feels welcome, valued and safe. We treat people with respect, and we celebrate the differences that make each of us unique.
We welcome applications from everyone, no matter your age, background, race, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family circumstances or beliefs.
We are here to support you throughout your application and at every stage of your career with us. We believe we work best when we collaborate, learn from each other and build teams that reflect the communities we serve.
Supporting disabled people and people with longterm conditions
We are a Disability Confident committed employer aspiring to become a lead employer in 2026.
This means we give fair and full consideration to applicants and will offer reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. If you need help with your application, or need the information in a different format, please contact our recruitment team and we will support you.
If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at or call us on 01642 854610
Right to Work in the UK
The Trust welcomes applications from all candidates who meet the criteria for the role. Please note that from January 2021, to work in the UK all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship here Work in the UK - (.
Please provide full and accurate details of your current immigration status on the application form. Your current immigration status will not be considered as part of the shortlisting or interview process.
Please note that not everyone needs a Skilled Worker visa. If you are applying for a vacancy in health or adult social care, you may be eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead.
We are able to offer sponsorship for a Health and Care Worker or Skilled Worker visa, subject to candidate and position eligibility. Please review the job eligibility guidance for skilled workers here: Skilled Worker visa: Your job - ( and for the Health and Care Worker visa here: Skilled Worker visa: eligible healthcare and education jobs - (
Please note: if the job you are applying for does not meet the eligibility criteria above, we will be unable to offer you sponsorship and you will need to explore whether you may be eligible to apply for an alternative immigration route which will secure your right to work in the UK before you apply. If you are in the UK already on a visa, please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post.
The Trust encourages and supports all applicants to be fully vaccinated against both COVID19 and influenza.
Please be aware, there are occasions where some vacancies may close prior to the closing date advertised. This will only happen where sufficient applications are received AND will be made evident on the job advert.
Please note if you are successfully shortlisted, we will contact you via the email address that you have applied from so please ensure you check your emails regularly.
Existing employees of South Tees NHS Foundation Trust currently on the Redeployment Register, who meet the essential criteria for this post, will be shortlisted and interviewed prior to all other applicants.