University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Theatre Nurse / ODP

The closing date is 16 February 2026

Job summary

This position is working in a busy Day Case Theatre within Tavistock Hospital, you will have the opportunity to develop new skills and work as part of a close knit, supportive, multi skilled team, more like a family! We work with different specialities every day of the week, so lots of variety! We have excellent patient feedback and we are able to give patients the support and care they need and deserve. Ideally we are looking for a professional with some scrub experience, but willing to training the right candidate. You will also rotate into other areas of theatre, so experience in a theatre environment is required. You need an excellent work ethic and a sense of fun. For the right candidate we can offer support, training and sense of belonging to a very special family.

***Preference will be given to internal Trust staff, as well as 'Priority' and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon who are able to display recent relevant experience as dictated by the Person Specification.***

Main duties of the job

The Theatre staff nurse/ODP responsibility for the safe preparation and organisation of the peri-operative pathway ward area and is able to participate in operating department roles and procedures relating to the peri- operative phases of patient care as directed by the Senior Theatre Sister.

Assess, plan, implement and evaluate the clinical care of patients without supervision and incorporate the standards and philosophy of the Theatre Suite. To continuously reassess the patients' needs and re-evaluate care and prioritising planned care appropriately.

Be competent in the use of equipment used to monitor and facilitate treatment and care of the patients.

You are required to provide safe, quality care for all patients in the Theatre Suite /outpatients.

You will work across different theatre specialities as required, including general surgery, ENT, Urology, Plastics, Colorectal and Gynaecology.

Recovery duties involve the admission recovery and discharge of patients following general anaesthetic, Local anaesthetic, sedation and blocks,

The role will also include pre assessing patients if required and assessing patients notes for suitability for admission to Tavistock Theatre.

Working within the outpatient department supporting the medical and surgical clinics may be required at times

About us

We are a people business - where every member of staff matters and can make a difference. Patients are at the heart of everything we do. Joining University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust means becoming part of a team of dedicated staff, who are committed to leading the way through innovation, clinical excellence and great customer care. The Trust has great opportunities for career development in a highly progressive working environment. We offer all of this in a vibrant, modern city with a historic reputation for adventure. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL COMMUNICATION WILL BE ELECTRONIC, PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT REGULARLY. If you have any issues with applying online and need additional support including reasonable adjustments with the application process please contact the recruitment team on 01752 432100. We recognise that work life balance is important for our colleagues and so we invite requests from applicants around less than full time/flexible working for our advertised roles. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss this prior to your application submission. We commit to giving this full consideration in each case. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, as diversity strengthens our teams. It is sometimes necessary to close vacancies before the closing date. If you have not heard from us within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been shortlisted.

Details

Date posted

02 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year £31,049 - £37,796 Per Annum Pro Rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

216-AM-DD7704474

Job locations

Tavistock Hospital Day Case Theatre

Spring Hill

Tavistock

PL19 8LD


Job description

Job responsibilities

START DATE FOR THIS ROLE WILL BE NO EARLIER THAN 06/04/2025

Provides high quality care to patients and their families during the perioperative period.

Reporting and documenting all relevant patient needs, communicating changes to other health professionals in the multidisciplinary team.

Act as Practitioner in charge, in the absence of the Team Leader ensuring efficient allocation of staff and resources.

Demonstrates a commitment to evidence-based practice and clinical excellence and play an active role in the introduction of this evidence to improve patient centred care.

To engage and interact with patients and their carers, explaining procedures and treatments to gain co-operation, understanding and allay apprehension.

Assist with projects to develop and enhance patient care. Participate in the evaluation of patient outcomes, including audit, risk management and infection control.

Assists in other clinical areas if the clinical situation and staffing levels demand.

Attend relevant meetings and deliver feedback.

For further details please see attached JD&PS.

Job description

Job responsibilities

START DATE FOR THIS ROLE WILL BE NO EARLIER THAN 06/04/2025

Provides high quality care to patients and their families during the perioperative period.

Reporting and documenting all relevant patient needs, communicating changes to other health professionals in the multidisciplinary team.

Act as Practitioner in charge, in the absence of the Team Leader ensuring efficient allocation of staff and resources.

Demonstrates a commitment to evidence-based practice and clinical excellence and play an active role in the introduction of this evidence to improve patient centred care.

To engage and interact with patients and their carers, explaining procedures and treatments to gain co-operation, understanding and allay apprehension.

Assist with projects to develop and enhance patient care. Participate in the evaluation of patient outcomes, including audit, risk management and infection control.

Assists in other clinical areas if the clinical situation and staffing levels demand.

Attend relevant meetings and deliver feedback.

For further details please see attached JD&PS.

Person Specification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrable experience and proven knowledge within a similar role
  • Proven evidence-based care

Desirable

  • Competent in anaesthetics, scrub and recovery
  • Multi-speciality demonstrable experience

Qualifications

Essential

  • NMC Registered Nurse OR HCPC Registered ODP

Desirable

  • Relevant theatre-based course e.g.: HEA 362
  • Educated to diploma or degree level

Aptitude & Abilities

Essential

  • Ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate clinical care and act accordingly
  • Proven knowledge of and ability to apply proven evidence-based practice

Desirable

  • Demonstrate awareness of financial constraints
Person Specification

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrable experience and proven knowledge within a similar role
  • Proven evidence-based care

Desirable

  • Competent in anaesthetics, scrub and recovery
  • Multi-speciality demonstrable experience

Qualifications

Essential

  • NMC Registered Nurse OR HCPC Registered ODP

Desirable

  • Relevant theatre-based course e.g.: HEA 362
  • Educated to diploma or degree level

Aptitude & Abilities

Essential

  • Ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate clinical care and act accordingly
  • Proven knowledge of and ability to apply proven evidence-based practice

Desirable

  • Demonstrate awareness of financial constraints

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 (Opens in a new tab).

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 (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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 (Opens in a new tab).

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 (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Tavistock Hospital Day Case Theatre

Spring Hill

Tavistock

PL19 8LD


Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Address

Tavistock Hospital Day Case Theatre

Spring Hill

Tavistock

PL19 8LD


Employer's website

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Manager Theatre and ambulatory care

Tracey Atkin

tracey.atkin@nhs.net

01752436125

Details

Date posted

02 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year £31,049 - £37,796 Per Annum Pro Rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

216-AM-DD7704474

Job locations

Tavistock Hospital Day Case Theatre

Spring Hill

Tavistock

PL19 8LD


Supporting documents

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