University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Senior Theatre Practitoner

The closing date is 08 October 2025

Job summary

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route however sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds (£25000), and any role-specific criteria.

The Day Surgery Unit at St. Richards Hospital is looking for a dynamic and enthusiastic band 6 senior practitioner to join our busy theatre department. We cover many specialities including Ophthalmology, paediatric day surgery, gynaecology, maternity, urology and orthopaedics. As part of the SRH theatre team you may, on occasion be allocated to work in Main Theatres.

If you have experience as an ophthalmic scrub nurse, with anaesthetic, recovery and/or other speciality theatre experience then please apply.

We welcome applications from those who currently hold a UK NMC registration. If you currently hold an overseas nursing qualification and require sponsorship we are not currently direct hiring Internationally Qualified Nurses.

Main duties of the job

The Senior Theatre Practitioner will undertake the management of an ophthalmic theatre on a day-to-day basis in conjunction with the Lead Theatre Practitioner and to have continuing responsibility for the effective management of their allocated theatre on a day-to-day basis. In addition, the post holder will provide clinical and professional leadership within this area, ensuring an effective support of colleagues to plan, monitor and evaluate skills in the delivery of appropriate care for perioperative patients. Provide a quality service with responsibility for patient safety and standards of care, ensuring the provision of evidence based care by being a role model, providing specialist knowledge within theatre/recovery practice. The Senior Theatre Practitioner will work as part of a team supporting and developing colleagues by mentoring, assessing their skills, and being a preceptor to newly qualified staff as appropriate. The post holder will be required to work as part of a team committed to delivering and improving a high standard of perioperative care within University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

About us

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.

Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/

Details

Date posted

26 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

279-7464709-SEP25

Job locations

Day Surgery Unit, St. Richards Hospital

Spitalfield Lane

Chichester

PO19 6SE


Job description

Job responsibilities

Act as an expert practitioner demonstrating specialist knowledge, skills and expertise within the area of work (Main theatre, Recovery or DSU) and within the context of changing health care provision

Work clinically developing/implementing evidence based practice within the designated clinical area of expertise in conjunction with Lead Practitioners, Theatre Manager and Matron.

Ensure a multi professional focus, have the ability to facilitate, initiate, manage and evaluate change in practice to improve quality of care

In conjunction with Lead Practitioners, ensure that a supportive teaching and learning environment is in place within their area on a day-to-day basis

In conjunction with Lead Practitioners, ensure that all staff work to their required level of clinical and professional competence whilst adhering to their NMC/HCPC professional codes of conduct.

Ensure all staff are developed to attain competence as highlighted at appraisal

Act as a role model and ensure effective staff supervision within clinical practice, working with staff and patients in an advisory, teaching and support capacity, maintaining professional competence, authority and credibility

Work in clinical practice, supporting the Lead Practitioners leading a team of Theatre Practitioners co-ordinating the shift, ensuring that all appropriate care is given to all patients. Provide specialist advice within the clinical area and expert advice within the speciality team

Work collaboratively with clinical experts including Lead Practitioners, Theatre Managers, Theatre Matron, Head of Nursing, Surgeons, Anaesthetists, Consultant Nurses, Nurse Specialists and Practice Development Nurses in the development of expert, patient centred practice

Ensure that the privacy and dignity of patients is key in the provision of all care and clinical practice within the Operating Theatre, Recovery and Day Surgery environment

Work without supervision within the perioperative setting in the absence of the Lead Theatre Practitioners

Be able to prioritise work load under the supervision of the shift leader and be adaptable to pressures in demands for perioperative patient interventions

Ensure that any Safeguarding issues are raised appropriately to enable investigation in relation to vulnerable adults and children

Ensure that the needs of older people are kept central to practice and service

Please see Job Description and Person Specification for full details.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Act as an expert practitioner demonstrating specialist knowledge, skills and expertise within the area of work (Main theatre, Recovery or DSU) and within the context of changing health care provision

Work clinically developing/implementing evidence based practice within the designated clinical area of expertise in conjunction with Lead Practitioners, Theatre Manager and Matron.

Ensure a multi professional focus, have the ability to facilitate, initiate, manage and evaluate change in practice to improve quality of care

In conjunction with Lead Practitioners, ensure that a supportive teaching and learning environment is in place within their area on a day-to-day basis

In conjunction with Lead Practitioners, ensure that all staff work to their required level of clinical and professional competence whilst adhering to their NMC/HCPC professional codes of conduct.

Ensure all staff are developed to attain competence as highlighted at appraisal

Act as a role model and ensure effective staff supervision within clinical practice, working with staff and patients in an advisory, teaching and support capacity, maintaining professional competence, authority and credibility

Work in clinical practice, supporting the Lead Practitioners leading a team of Theatre Practitioners co-ordinating the shift, ensuring that all appropriate care is given to all patients. Provide specialist advice within the clinical area and expert advice within the speciality team

Work collaboratively with clinical experts including Lead Practitioners, Theatre Managers, Theatre Matron, Head of Nursing, Surgeons, Anaesthetists, Consultant Nurses, Nurse Specialists and Practice Development Nurses in the development of expert, patient centred practice

Ensure that the privacy and dignity of patients is key in the provision of all care and clinical practice within the Operating Theatre, Recovery and Day Surgery environment

Work without supervision within the perioperative setting in the absence of the Lead Theatre Practitioners

Be able to prioritise work load under the supervision of the shift leader and be adaptable to pressures in demands for perioperative patient interventions

Ensure that any Safeguarding issues are raised appropriately to enable investigation in relation to vulnerable adults and children

Ensure that the needs of older people are kept central to practice and service

Please see Job Description and Person Specification for full details.

Person Specification

Skills

Essential

  • Extensive time working in a Theatre environment
  • Significant experience post registration experience in a hospital setting
  • To have significant experience in two or more of the following areas of practice in a variety of specialities; Scrub practitioner Anaesthetic practitioner Recovery practitioner DSU - including day surgery pre assessment
  • A knowledge of current national developments within the NHS
  • Able to demonstrate up to date continuing professional development.
  • Able to perform patient and equipment manual handling tasks
  • Ability to lead a team Excellent communication skills
  • Ability to deputise for Lead Theatre/Recovery/DSU Practitioner
  • Critical analysis skills and ability to make judgements in response to changing clinical situations
  • Computer skills (word, Excel, e-mail and internet)

Desirable

  • Experience in Ophthalmology Scrub
  • Experience with Day Surgery cases

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered with the NMC/HCPC
  • Educated to Diploma/Degree level or equivalent
  • Mentorship/PSPA qualification

Desirable

  • Leadership course
  • Previous Band 6 experience
  • Mentorship/PSPA or equivalent

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential

  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Person Specification

Skills

Essential

  • Extensive time working in a Theatre environment
  • Significant experience post registration experience in a hospital setting
  • To have significant experience in two or more of the following areas of practice in a variety of specialities; Scrub practitioner Anaesthetic practitioner Recovery practitioner DSU - including day surgery pre assessment
  • A knowledge of current national developments within the NHS
  • Able to demonstrate up to date continuing professional development.
  • Able to perform patient and equipment manual handling tasks
  • Ability to lead a team Excellent communication skills
  • Ability to deputise for Lead Theatre/Recovery/DSU Practitioner
  • Critical analysis skills and ability to make judgements in response to changing clinical situations
  • Computer skills (word, Excel, e-mail and internet)

Desirable

  • Experience in Ophthalmology Scrub
  • Experience with Day Surgery cases

Qualifications

Essential

  • Registered with the NMC/HCPC
  • Educated to Diploma/Degree level or equivalent
  • Mentorship/PSPA qualification

Desirable

  • Leadership course
  • Previous Band 6 experience
  • Mentorship/PSPA or equivalent

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential

  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues

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.

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.

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 Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Day Surgery Unit, St. Richards Hospital

Spitalfield Lane

Chichester

PO19 6SE


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Day Surgery Unit, St. Richards Hospital

Spitalfield Lane

Chichester

PO19 6SE


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Lead Theatre Practitioner Day Surgery

Anna Fernandez

anna.fernandez@nhs.net

78812235525

Details

Date posted

26 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

279-7464709-SEP25

Job locations

Day Surgery Unit, St. Richards Hospital

Spitalfield Lane

Chichester

PO19 6SE


Supporting documents

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