Job summary
We are seeking a motivated Anaesthetic Practitioner to become a vital part of our Main Theatre team. With a total of ten operating areas, we cover a diverse range of specialities, from general and vascular surgery to complex emergency theatre, robotic and paediatric cases. Our primary goal is to deliver the highest standard of perioperative care, ensuring excellent patient outcomes and satisfaction.
We provide a strong framework for professional growth, including preceptorship and ongoing development programs led by our dedicated Practice Education team. Whether you are an experienced professional or a newly qualified practitioner, this is a fantastic opportunity to advance your career in a supportive and multi-specialty environment.
Main duties of the job
Join the dynamic theatres team at Main Theatre, Northampton General Hospitalas an Anaesthetic Practitioner. You will provide a high standard of patient care and safety across multiple areas within the trust. This role requires enthusiasm, teamwork, and a commitment to creating an effective learning environment.
Deliver exceptional perioperative care by assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating care programs for surgical patients.
As an Anaesthetic practitioner during surgical procedures, assisting the surgical team anticipating their needs.
Ensure the operating theatre is clean, tidy, and fully stocked with all necessary instruments, equipment, and consumables for each surgical list.
Uphold and enforce hospital protocols for sterility, infection control, and patient safety throughout the perioperative journey.
Advocate for the patient throughout their surgical journey, ensuring their dignity and well-being are maintained.
Work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team, communicating clearly with surgeons, anaesthetists, and other healthcare professionals.
Commitment to work flexible as per operational needs and will be expected work Nights, Weekends and On-Call.
About us
Northampton General Hospital is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All of our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered into a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.
Our Excellence Values
Compassion
Accountability
Respect
Integrity
Courage
We want to recruit the best people to deliver our services across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire and help to unleash everyone's full potential. As an organisation, we value how we communicate and promote our vacancies to all communities.
The Hospital Group encourages applications from people who identify from all protected groups, especially those from BAME, Disabled and LGBTQ+ backgrounds as these are underrepresented in our hospitals.
We understand that we need to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and make sure the environment they work in is inclusive and collaborative.
We have active Networks that promote and support colleagues from all backgrounds.This ensures everyone feels supported and has a sense of belonging working for Kettering and Northampton General Hospitals.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide a high standard of evidence-based perioperative care for patients undergoing anaesthesia in the main theatre department and peripheral areas. The post holder will be an autonomous practitioner, responsible for the holistic assessment, planning, delivery, and evaluation of patient care during their time in theatres. The role involves working closely with the multidisciplinary team to ensure patient safety, dignity, and a high-quality experience.
Supporting Clinical Excellence
- Assess the immediate and ongoing needs of the patient and develop individualised care plans in collaboration with the patient and their significant others.
- Work collaboratively with anaesthetists, surgeons, scrub staff and the wider multidisciplinary team to ensure the best possible patient outcomes and anticipating their needs.
- Organise and prepare the anaesthetic room and equipment for a wide variety of surgical specialties.
- Provide skilled assistance to the anaesthetist during the administration of anaesthesia, including induction, maintenance, and reversal.
- Ensure the safe supply, storage, administration, checking, and disposal of medications, including controlled drugs, in line with Trust and professional body policies.
- Maintain accurate and detailed theatre records, documentation, and care plans.
- Participate in all elements of care throughout the patient's pathway through theatres, from admission to discharge.
- Respond effectively to emergency situations, such as cardiac arrests, and be an active member of the resuscitation team.
- Demonstrate awareness of current developments in patient care and treatment to carry out duties competently and efficiently.
- Willing to work and support other theatre complexes and participate in clinical rotation to other theatres.
- Advocate for the patient throughout their surgical journey, ensuring their dignity and well-being are maintained.
- Commitment to work flexible as per operational needs and will be expected work Nights, Weekends and On-Call.
Quality and safety
- Actively contribute to setting and maintaining high standards of quality care in accordance with Trust guidelines and theatre standards.
- Promote evidence-based practice and participate in audit initiatives to support clinical governance.
- Assist with the monitoring and maintenance of equipment, reporting any faults to the appropriate person.
- Actively maintain and promote a safe theatre environment, ensuring adherence to infection control policies.
- Comply with all Trust policies, risk assessments, and procedures, with particular regard to safeguarding patients and staff.
- Assisting and contributing to the management and organisation of the theatre area.
- Uphold and enforce hospital protocols for sterility, infection control, and patient safety throughout the perioperative journey.
- Take all reasonable steps to ensure the safe keeping of patients property in accordance with Trust policy.
- Report indicants, using the Trust reporting system.
- Deliver exceptional perioperative care by assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating care programs for surgical patients.
- Ensure the operating theatre is clean, tidy, and fully stocked with all necessary instruments, equipment, and consumables for each surgical list.
Communication
- Recognise and maintain confidentiality of all patient and Trust information.
- Ensure clarity in all communications with patients, relatives, carers, and other team members.
- Document the condition and progress of patients and report any concerns to senior staff or the theatre coordinator.
- Demonstrate a caring and professional approach and possess good verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
- Answer telephone enquiries in a clear, friendly, and professional manner, taking accurate messages as necessary.
Leadership and Management
- Assist the theatre management team with the efficient management and organisation of the theatre area.
- Once competent, regularly take charge of the clinical area in the absence of a senior practitioner.
- Act as a preceptor/mentor to newly qualified staff, students, and less experienced staff, promoting a suitable learning environment and support complete their competencies.
- Assist in introducing new members of staff to their duties.
- Lead by example with enthusiasm and professionalism, fostering a positive team culture.
- Collaborate with all members of the clinical area to ensure efficient running of theatres.
- Constructively challenge practices as necessary, which impact on patients care and/or staff wellbeing.
- Manage his/her time effectively and perform allocated tasks within a reasonable time frame, knowing when to seek support, assistance and advice from other team members.
Professional responsibilities
- Adhere to the NMC/HCPC Code of Conduct at all times, taking full responsibility for your actions and to abide by the NMC Code of Conduct 2018 and or HCPC Code Conduct 2016.
- Maintain your own knowledge and clinical skills and actively engage in continuing professional development.
- Act as a professional role model, upholding the Trust's values and promoting a positive image.
- Identify your own learning needs and negotiate a personal development plan.
- To be responsible for your own professional development, maintain a professional portfolio and keep up to date on current nursing and health service issues.
- Maintain a current knowledge of professional issues, ensuring continued professional development is maintained.
- Identify learning needs in self, negotiating a Personal Development Plan recognising own limitations.
- Actively undertake education, development and supervision of self.
- Act as a clinical and professional role model, assessing and supporting students and learners on placement within the clinical area.
- The postholder will be expected to undertake training, including mandatory and role specific training, relevant to their role and ensure it is renewed as required and complete their appraisal on time.
Corporate Responsibilities
Act as a role model in customer service towards visitors to the hospital.
Facilitate any measures to help achieve directorate/divisional and Trust targets and agendas.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To provide a high standard of evidence-based perioperative care for patients undergoing anaesthesia in the main theatre department and peripheral areas. The post holder will be an autonomous practitioner, responsible for the holistic assessment, planning, delivery, and evaluation of patient care during their time in theatres. The role involves working closely with the multidisciplinary team to ensure patient safety, dignity, and a high-quality experience.
Supporting Clinical Excellence
- Assess the immediate and ongoing needs of the patient and develop individualised care plans in collaboration with the patient and their significant others.
- Work collaboratively with anaesthetists, surgeons, scrub staff and the wider multidisciplinary team to ensure the best possible patient outcomes and anticipating their needs.
- Organise and prepare the anaesthetic room and equipment for a wide variety of surgical specialties.
- Provide skilled assistance to the anaesthetist during the administration of anaesthesia, including induction, maintenance, and reversal.
- Ensure the safe supply, storage, administration, checking, and disposal of medications, including controlled drugs, in line with Trust and professional body policies.
- Maintain accurate and detailed theatre records, documentation, and care plans.
- Participate in all elements of care throughout the patient's pathway through theatres, from admission to discharge.
- Respond effectively to emergency situations, such as cardiac arrests, and be an active member of the resuscitation team.
- Demonstrate awareness of current developments in patient care and treatment to carry out duties competently and efficiently.
- Willing to work and support other theatre complexes and participate in clinical rotation to other theatres.
- Advocate for the patient throughout their surgical journey, ensuring their dignity and well-being are maintained.
- Commitment to work flexible as per operational needs and will be expected work Nights, Weekends and On-Call.
Quality and safety
- Actively contribute to setting and maintaining high standards of quality care in accordance with Trust guidelines and theatre standards.
- Promote evidence-based practice and participate in audit initiatives to support clinical governance.
- Assist with the monitoring and maintenance of equipment, reporting any faults to the appropriate person.
- Actively maintain and promote a safe theatre environment, ensuring adherence to infection control policies.
- Comply with all Trust policies, risk assessments, and procedures, with particular regard to safeguarding patients and staff.
- Assisting and contributing to the management and organisation of the theatre area.
- Uphold and enforce hospital protocols for sterility, infection control, and patient safety throughout the perioperative journey.
- Take all reasonable steps to ensure the safe keeping of patients property in accordance with Trust policy.
- Report indicants, using the Trust reporting system.
- Deliver exceptional perioperative care by assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating care programs for surgical patients.
- Ensure the operating theatre is clean, tidy, and fully stocked with all necessary instruments, equipment, and consumables for each surgical list.
Communication
- Recognise and maintain confidentiality of all patient and Trust information.
- Ensure clarity in all communications with patients, relatives, carers, and other team members.
- Document the condition and progress of patients and report any concerns to senior staff or the theatre coordinator.
- Demonstrate a caring and professional approach and possess good verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
- Answer telephone enquiries in a clear, friendly, and professional manner, taking accurate messages as necessary.
Leadership and Management
- Assist the theatre management team with the efficient management and organisation of the theatre area.
- Once competent, regularly take charge of the clinical area in the absence of a senior practitioner.
- Act as a preceptor/mentor to newly qualified staff, students, and less experienced staff, promoting a suitable learning environment and support complete their competencies.
- Assist in introducing new members of staff to their duties.
- Lead by example with enthusiasm and professionalism, fostering a positive team culture.
- Collaborate with all members of the clinical area to ensure efficient running of theatres.
- Constructively challenge practices as necessary, which impact on patients care and/or staff wellbeing.
- Manage his/her time effectively and perform allocated tasks within a reasonable time frame, knowing when to seek support, assistance and advice from other team members.
Professional responsibilities
- Adhere to the NMC/HCPC Code of Conduct at all times, taking full responsibility for your actions and to abide by the NMC Code of Conduct 2018 and or HCPC Code Conduct 2016.
- Maintain your own knowledge and clinical skills and actively engage in continuing professional development.
- Act as a professional role model, upholding the Trust's values and promoting a positive image.
- Identify your own learning needs and negotiate a personal development plan.
- To be responsible for your own professional development, maintain a professional portfolio and keep up to date on current nursing and health service issues.
- Maintain a current knowledge of professional issues, ensuring continued professional development is maintained.
- Identify learning needs in self, negotiating a Personal Development Plan recognising own limitations.
- Actively undertake education, development and supervision of self.
- Act as a clinical and professional role model, assessing and supporting students and learners on placement within the clinical area.
- The postholder will be expected to undertake training, including mandatory and role specific training, relevant to their role and ensure it is renewed as required and complete their appraisal on time.
Corporate Responsibilities
Act as a role model in customer service towards visitors to the hospital.
Facilitate any measures to help achieve directorate/divisional and Trust targets and agendas.
Person Specification
Education, Traing & Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Anaesthesia Nurse or Operating Department Practitioner NMC / HCPC
- Education of Diploma / Degree level
- Specialist theatre qualification
Desirable
- Teaching/Assessor qualification
- Evidence of leadership, Management, and specialty knowledge
Key Competencies/Personal Qualities and Attributes
Essential
- Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust vision and values
- Flexible and resilient
Desirable
- Proven ability to communicate effectively with staff, patients, families and carers from a diverse background
- Ability to work under pressure and seek help when required
- Must be able to demonstrate understanding of, and behaviours consistent with the NMC Code (October 2018) / HCPC Code of Conduct 2016
- Able to demonstrate reflective practice
- Act as a role model to others
- An ability to remain positive during service changes and challenges
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Previous experience in Anaesthetics
Desirable
- Previous experience in scrub and recovery
- Demonstrate evidence of publication/presentation of project findings
- Evidence of clinical effectiveness, research and audit
Skills
Essential
- Demonstration of team working and ability to work effectively within a team
- Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills
Desirable
- Demonstrate an ability to assess, plan, prioritise, deliver, and evaluate patient care
- Demonstrate an ability to prioritise own workload and recognise, prioritise and respond appropriately to urgent and emergency situations
- Dexterity and accuracy in undertaking clinical skills and documentation
- Competent and capable of using medical equipment
- Able to undertake patient manual handling manoeuvres and non-patient manual handling manoeuvres
- Demonstrate a knowledge of current issues related to the NHS
- Counselling and/or coaching skills/qualification
Person Specification
Education, Traing & Qualifications
Essential
- Registered Anaesthesia Nurse or Operating Department Practitioner NMC / HCPC
- Education of Diploma / Degree level
- Specialist theatre qualification
Desirable
- Teaching/Assessor qualification
- Evidence of leadership, Management, and specialty knowledge
Key Competencies/Personal Qualities and Attributes
Essential
- Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust vision and values
- Flexible and resilient
Desirable
- Proven ability to communicate effectively with staff, patients, families and carers from a diverse background
- Ability to work under pressure and seek help when required
- Must be able to demonstrate understanding of, and behaviours consistent with the NMC Code (October 2018) / HCPC Code of Conduct 2016
- Able to demonstrate reflective practice
- Act as a role model to others
- An ability to remain positive during service changes and challenges
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Previous experience in Anaesthetics
Desirable
- Previous experience in scrub and recovery
- Demonstrate evidence of publication/presentation of project findings
- Evidence of clinical effectiveness, research and audit
Skills
Essential
- Demonstration of team working and ability to work effectively within a team
- Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills
Desirable
- Demonstrate an ability to assess, plan, prioritise, deliver, and evaluate patient care
- Demonstrate an ability to prioritise own workload and recognise, prioritise and respond appropriately to urgent and emergency situations
- Dexterity and accuracy in undertaking clinical skills and documentation
- Competent and capable of using medical equipment
- Able to undertake patient manual handling manoeuvres and non-patient manual handling manoeuvres
- Demonstrate a knowledge of current issues related to the NHS
- Counselling and/or coaching skills/qualification
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.
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.
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).
