Clinical Lead ODP
The closing date is 07 April 2026
The Clinical Lead Operating Department Practitioner (CLODP) will work closely with senior staff and multidisciplinary team members, leading the team, monitoring and maintaining excellent standards of clinical practice, promoting staff development and working collaboratively with other team members. The CLODP acts as a role model, demonstrating excellent professional behaviour.
As a member of the anaesthetic and recovery team, the post holder will work autonomously and competently to perform the role of Anaesthetic Practitioner, following all checks and procedures outlined in HCPC guidelines, code of conduct, and AAGBI guidelines.
Main duties of the job
The Clinical Lead Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) provides professional and clinical leadership for ODP practice across anaesthetics, scrub, recovery services and cath labs. The post holder is responsible for promoting safe, evidence‑based peri‑operative care and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
The role provides clinical oversight, supports governance and risk‑management processes, leads audit and quality‑improvement initiatives, and ensures staff maintain required competencies. The Clinical Lead ODP acts as a senior role model, supporting complex decision‑making, workforce development, education and succession planning.
Working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and senior management, the post holder contributes to operational efficiency, service development and strategic planning, while advocating for the ODP profession and promoting a positive, safety‑focused culture within peri‑operative services.
About us
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is officially one of the best places to work in the UK. The Trust was recently named by the Sunday Times as one of the 75 Best Places to Work in the Public Sector, ranked in the top 50 and was the overall winner of the Communicating Patient Safety category of the Patient Safety Awards 2010, beating over 350 entries from across the UK. Trust has also received a Gold award from Investors in People (IIP) for being a good employer and improving its standards for staff.
Job responsibilities
Manage sickness / absence and initiate return from sickness interviews in line with Trust policy. Manage performance of staff in line with Trust policy. Ensure the Individual Development Review process is implemented and effective for all staff within the service area in compliance with Trust and Government policy. Overall responsibility for the economic use of all resources, holding delegated budget and controlling budgets as required, providing the Directorate Manager and Deputy Directorate Manager with relevant specialist information regarding budgets.
Authorized signatory for staff overtime payments and specialist budget. Continue responsibility for control and management of the theatre service, maintaining clinical excellence within the specialties. In partnership with other professionals, provide excellent patient care. This includes assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of patient care in accordance with Trust policies, implementing a care plan for an individual patient conducive to the operative procedure, and communicating complex information to patients, medical and surgical leads and multidisciplinary team members.
Prepare central lines for insertion by Cardiac Anaesthetists, knowledge and preparation of complex cardiac output system, interpretation of results, extensive knowledge and understanding of airway management. Assist Anaesthetists as per AAGBI guidelines in the immediate peri‑operative area, CITU, catheter labs and the cardiac building. Facilitate and manage specific airway devices for Cardiothoracic surgery (one lung ventilation, standard ventilation, critical care). Provide advanced airway equipment for video laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy.
Responsible for the organisation and acquisition of blood components, transfusion and reconstitution of fractionated products. Ensure theatre documentation is maintained to Trust standard (including electronic records). Participate in clinical audit, research and development to achieve agreed standards. Contribute to developing and maintaining a department ethos and a standard approach to the delivery of excellent patient care.
Provide a holistic approach to patient care, using research and evidence‑based practice to improve and maintain high clinical standards. Under guidance from senior sister / charge nurse / Clinical Lead ODP, contribute to setting goals and benchmarking standards of care. Collaborate with other members of the theatre team to ensure patients’ needs are met to a consistently high standard.
Promote awareness and compliance amongst colleagues regarding Trust policies, procedures, guidelines and standards. Actively participate in the Trust’s framework of clinical governance within the department. Provide a suitable and safe environment for the physical, psychological and spiritual wellbeing for staff, patients, clients and their relatives/carers. Identify and report clinical risks and incidents/complaints involving staff, patients and visitors in accordance with Trust policies and assist in any investigations as required.
Regularly take charge of the clinical area, utilising resources effectively, ensuring safe staffing levels are maintained. Delegate tasks and activities to the multidisciplinary team members in relation to patient care. Frequently take part in out‑of‑hours theatre on‑call rota and manage own and others workload. The SODP will facilitate smooth running of the department, acting as Theatre Co‑ordinator or Team Lead, ensuring that the theatre lists run smoothly and on time whilst liaising with medical staff, directorate management and critical care areas.
Manage and maintain levels of all pharmaceutical and disposable stock used by the anaesthetic department, troubleshoot supply issues, and find alternatives at short notice. Use information and networking systems within the department and be competent in each (Gemweb, ORMIS, MAXIMS, HISS, Healthroster, ESR, etc.). As an autonomous practitioner, provide all aspects of relevant patient care without direct supervision, demonstrate procedures, supervise qualified and/or unqualified staff, and maintain a safe working environment for themselves, patients and other colleagues.
Ensure optimal use of theatres in relation to booked operating sessions and meeting demands of elective and emergency work. Manage repair, maintenance and service of all anaesthetic equipment and machinery, liaising directly with company representatives and engineers. Contribute positively towards the delivery of a cost‑effective service. Adjust staffing levels via the rota to meet demand, while balancing resources to assist clinical and management teams and keep within agreed budgets. Attend weekly departmental theatre scheduling meeting, update clinical skills and professional practice on a regular basis, with training and time provided to maintain equipment update competencies.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* Registered HCPC Operating Department Practitioner
* Registered Nurse with Anaesthetic qualification
* Willingness to complete teaching and assessing qualification
* Willingness to complete specialist qualification
Experience
* Evidence of continued professional development
* Minimum of 3 years post registration, including Cardiothoracic Theatre experience
* Experience of team management
* Post registration course relevant to Cardiothoracic Theatres
Knowledge
* Ability to apply evidence‑based practice
* Knowledge of professional policies and procedures
* Knowledge of clinical governance
* Knowledge of Professional Code of Conduct
* Good understanding of current Trust and NHS issues
* Degree in relevant subject
Skills
* Team Player & Team commitment
* Assertiveness without aggression
* Demonstrates commitment to speciality
* Good time management
* First on‑call
* Problem solver
* Basic Life Support
* Compassion and excellent patient care
* Ability to prioritise and meet deadlines effectively
* Good management of own and others time
* Initiative and decision‑making
* Recovery experience
* CALS Certificate
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
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