Job summary
Band 6 Team Leader RN / ODP Anaesthetics and Recovery
Are you an experienced Anaesthetics and Recovery practitioner looking to step into a leadership role? We are seeking a dedicated Team Leader to join our Anaesthetics and Recovery team at Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. This role offers an exciting opportunity to ensure the delivery of high-quality patient care while leading a team of registered practitioners and support staff.
As a Band 6 Team Leader, you will oversee the daily running of anaesthetic and recovery services, ensuring safe and efficient care delivery. Youll be involved in managing resources, coordinating staff, and promoting best practices in patient safety, infection control, and effective service delivery. You will also play a vital role in mentoring and supporting staff development, while helping to maintain a positive and inclusive team culture that reflects the Trusts core values.
Main duties of the job
Lead and support a team of Anaesthetics and Recovery practitioners to deliver high-quality, evidence-based patient care across a range of surgical specialties.
Coordinate anaesthetic and recovery activities, including planning, preparation, and resource allocation, to ensure efficient and safe service delivery.
Maintain and promote high standards of infection control, patient safety, and adherence to clinical guidelines.
Mentor, coach, and support junior staff and students, fostering a culture of continuous professional development and reflective practice.
Contribute to service improvements, quality initiatives, and the implementation of best practices within the Anaesthetics and Recovery environment.
About us
Our purpose is simple - Putting Patients First. We are looking for exceptional colleagues who can help us achieve this.
Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.
The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch, and Worcester.
Our workforce is over 7,000 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care. You could be one of them.
We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us to achieve our Vision - working in partnership to provide the best healthcare for our communities. Our values are: Being open and honest, ensuring people feel cared for, and showing respect to everyone. These values underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.
Our objectives are simple:
Better never stops, and our Clinical Services Strategy provides a clear future vision for our Trust, our hospitals, our services, and our role in the wider health and care system.
We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.
Job description
Job responsibilities
WORCESTERSHIRE ACUTE HOSPITALS NHS TRUST JOB DESCRIPTION
Post Title: Team Leader - RN / ODP Anaesthetics and Recovery Pay Band: Band 6 Hours: Full time Contract: Permanent Location / Department: Countywide Theatres Accountable to: Theatre Matron Reports to: Senior Team Leader Ref: 2025
Key Working Relationships:
- Internal: Patients, anaesthetists, surgical teams, theatre personnel
- External: Visitors to theatres, relatives, ward personnel, housekeeping, portering, and estates teams
- Liaises with: Anaesthetists, theatre practitioners, other theatre team leaders, recovery nurses
Risk Assessment:
This post involves manual handling activities and a risk of exposure to bodily fluids and chemicals. The role requires some computer screen work and may involve working under pressure in emergency situations.
Job Purpose:
- Ensure the delivery of high-quality patient care through the effective management of staff, resources, and theatre operations.
- Act as the patients advocate, prioritising their needs and well-being throughout the peri-operative journey.
- Facilitate effective communication with the multi-disciplinary team to coordinate patient care across the theatre pathway.
- Work closely with the Theatre Coordinator to ensure efficient theatre management.
- Accept responsibility for infection prevention and control practices within the team and the theatre environment.
- Deputise for the senior team leader when necessary, maintaining continuity of care and leadership.
- The role may require working across all Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust sites.
Key Duties:
Anaesthetics and Recovery Specific Duties
- Lead the anaesthetic and recovery teams to ensure safe, efficient, and compassionate care during anaesthesia induction, maintenance, and recovery.
- Ensure patient care, including airway management and recovery progress, is delivered safely and in line with best practice.
- Act as the main point of contact for anaesthetic-related queries and concerns, supporting anaesthetists and recovery practitioners to maintain high standards of patient care.
- Oversee the preparation, use, and maintenance of anaesthetic equipment and consumables to ensure safety and compliance.
- Manage post-operative complications, including airway management, pain control, and vital sign monitoring.
- Ensure the recovery area is prepared and fully equipped to handle emergency situations, including resuscitation and post-operative emergencies.
- Monitor and review recovery plans and discharge criteria, ensuring safe, effective patient handover to the ward teams post-recovery.
- Maintain accurate anaesthetic and recovery records in line with legal and Trust policies.
Management
- Support the senior team leader in managing staff within the team, ensuring high standards of performance and teamwork.
- Ensure that all safety measures are in place, reporting accidents, incidents, and near misses on Datix and to the theatre coordinator or senior team leader.
- Contribute to risk management by identifying and mitigating risks within the department.
- Participate in investigations when necessary.
- Manage and monitor the theatre budget to ensure resources are used efficiently.
- Stay informed on Trust policies and procedures, and participate in their development when necessary.
- Assist with staff attendance monitoring and day-to-day management of discipline within the team.
- Address performance issues with staff and take appropriate action to ensure standards are maintained.
- Assist in recruitment and selection processes.
- Conduct staff appraisals, identifying training needs to help develop staff and improve service delivery.
- Foster a supportive, team-focused culture that encourages learning, development, and a no-blame approach.
- Participate in the induction of new staff and ensure they receive appropriate training.
- Ensure equipment is used safely and is maintained to a high standard
Education and Training:
- Work closely with the recruitment and development team to support a regular programme of education and development for theatre staff, ensuring their skills and knowledge are continually updated.
- Act as a student assessor, supporting students throughout their clinical placements and evaluating their progress.
- Supervise, mentor, and support new staff, ensuring they are introduced to relevant clinical practices and procedures.
- Ensure the departments clinical staff are kept up-to-date with the latest practices, guidelines, and equipment.
- Contribute to the development of training programmes that address identified learning needs and align with best practice.
- Provide feedback from training courses to share emerging practices and knowledge with the team.
- Encourage a culture of continuous professional development by supporting staff participation in competency assessments and reflective practice.
Professional:
- Foster an environment that supports the ongoing training and professional development of all staff members, particularly in anaesthetics and recovery practices.
- Keep up to date with current clinical practices, Trust policies, and developments in equipment and technology.
- Always maintain a high standard of professionalism, serving as a role model to staff and ensuring adherence to best practice.
- Take responsibility for personal professional development and support team members in identifying and achieving their professional growth goals.
- Promote clear and effective communication within the multidisciplinary team, ensuring collaboration and patient care.
- Ensure compliance with infection prevention and control practices at all times and lead by example in maintaining hygiene standards.
General Duties:
- Participate in the on-call rota or out-of-hours duties as required for emergency surgery and respond effectively to critical incidents.
- Collaborate with other departments, including ward teams and clinical staff, to ensure effective communication and patient care transitions.
- Provide short-term cover for colleagues during periods of leave, ensuring continuity of care.
- Adhere to the Trusts IT policies regarding email and internet usage, maintaining confidentiality and data protection standards.
- Ensure all Trust standards are maintained, with active participation in audits and quality improvement initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient outcomes.
- Every employee has a duty to take care of their own health and safety and that of others and to cooperate with the Trust to ensure statutory and Trust regulations are complied with.
Vision and Values
As a representative of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, you are expected to uphold our core values:
- Being open and honest
- Ensuring people feel cared for
- Showing respect to everyone
These values guide daily conduct and ensure inclusive, compassionate service delivery, fostering a culture of transparency, empathy, and respect for all.
Job description
Job responsibilities
WORCESTERSHIRE ACUTE HOSPITALS NHS TRUST JOB DESCRIPTION
Post Title: Team Leader - RN / ODP Anaesthetics and Recovery Pay Band: Band 6 Hours: Full time Contract: Permanent Location / Department: Countywide Theatres Accountable to: Theatre Matron Reports to: Senior Team Leader Ref: 2025
Key Working Relationships:
- Internal: Patients, anaesthetists, surgical teams, theatre personnel
- External: Visitors to theatres, relatives, ward personnel, housekeeping, portering, and estates teams
- Liaises with: Anaesthetists, theatre practitioners, other theatre team leaders, recovery nurses
Risk Assessment:
This post involves manual handling activities and a risk of exposure to bodily fluids and chemicals. The role requires some computer screen work and may involve working under pressure in emergency situations.
Job Purpose:
- Ensure the delivery of high-quality patient care through the effective management of staff, resources, and theatre operations.
- Act as the patients advocate, prioritising their needs and well-being throughout the peri-operative journey.
- Facilitate effective communication with the multi-disciplinary team to coordinate patient care across the theatre pathway.
- Work closely with the Theatre Coordinator to ensure efficient theatre management.
- Accept responsibility for infection prevention and control practices within the team and the theatre environment.
- Deputise for the senior team leader when necessary, maintaining continuity of care and leadership.
- The role may require working across all Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust sites.
Key Duties:
Anaesthetics and Recovery Specific Duties
- Lead the anaesthetic and recovery teams to ensure safe, efficient, and compassionate care during anaesthesia induction, maintenance, and recovery.
- Ensure patient care, including airway management and recovery progress, is delivered safely and in line with best practice.
- Act as the main point of contact for anaesthetic-related queries and concerns, supporting anaesthetists and recovery practitioners to maintain high standards of patient care.
- Oversee the preparation, use, and maintenance of anaesthetic equipment and consumables to ensure safety and compliance.
- Manage post-operative complications, including airway management, pain control, and vital sign monitoring.
- Ensure the recovery area is prepared and fully equipped to handle emergency situations, including resuscitation and post-operative emergencies.
- Monitor and review recovery plans and discharge criteria, ensuring safe, effective patient handover to the ward teams post-recovery.
- Maintain accurate anaesthetic and recovery records in line with legal and Trust policies.
Management
- Support the senior team leader in managing staff within the team, ensuring high standards of performance and teamwork.
- Ensure that all safety measures are in place, reporting accidents, incidents, and near misses on Datix and to the theatre coordinator or senior team leader.
- Contribute to risk management by identifying and mitigating risks within the department.
- Participate in investigations when necessary.
- Manage and monitor the theatre budget to ensure resources are used efficiently.
- Stay informed on Trust policies and procedures, and participate in their development when necessary.
- Assist with staff attendance monitoring and day-to-day management of discipline within the team.
- Address performance issues with staff and take appropriate action to ensure standards are maintained.
- Assist in recruitment and selection processes.
- Conduct staff appraisals, identifying training needs to help develop staff and improve service delivery.
- Foster a supportive, team-focused culture that encourages learning, development, and a no-blame approach.
- Participate in the induction of new staff and ensure they receive appropriate training.
- Ensure equipment is used safely and is maintained to a high standard
Education and Training:
- Work closely with the recruitment and development team to support a regular programme of education and development for theatre staff, ensuring their skills and knowledge are continually updated.
- Act as a student assessor, supporting students throughout their clinical placements and evaluating their progress.
- Supervise, mentor, and support new staff, ensuring they are introduced to relevant clinical practices and procedures.
- Ensure the departments clinical staff are kept up-to-date with the latest practices, guidelines, and equipment.
- Contribute to the development of training programmes that address identified learning needs and align with best practice.
- Provide feedback from training courses to share emerging practices and knowledge with the team.
- Encourage a culture of continuous professional development by supporting staff participation in competency assessments and reflective practice.
Professional:
- Foster an environment that supports the ongoing training and professional development of all staff members, particularly in anaesthetics and recovery practices.
- Keep up to date with current clinical practices, Trust policies, and developments in equipment and technology.
- Always maintain a high standard of professionalism, serving as a role model to staff and ensuring adherence to best practice.
- Take responsibility for personal professional development and support team members in identifying and achieving their professional growth goals.
- Promote clear and effective communication within the multidisciplinary team, ensuring collaboration and patient care.
- Ensure compliance with infection prevention and control practices at all times and lead by example in maintaining hygiene standards.
General Duties:
- Participate in the on-call rota or out-of-hours duties as required for emergency surgery and respond effectively to critical incidents.
- Collaborate with other departments, including ward teams and clinical staff, to ensure effective communication and patient care transitions.
- Provide short-term cover for colleagues during periods of leave, ensuring continuity of care.
- Adhere to the Trusts IT policies regarding email and internet usage, maintaining confidentiality and data protection standards.
- Ensure all Trust standards are maintained, with active participation in audits and quality improvement initiatives to enhance service delivery and patient outcomes.
- Every employee has a duty to take care of their own health and safety and that of others and to cooperate with the Trust to ensure statutory and Trust regulations are complied with.
Vision and Values
As a representative of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, you are expected to uphold our core values:
- Being open and honest
- Ensuring people feel cared for
- Showing respect to everyone
These values guide daily conduct and ensure inclusive, compassionate service delivery, fostering a culture of transparency, empathy, and respect for all.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Current NMC or HCPC registration as RN or ODP
- Evidence of ongoing professional development
- Relevant post-registration qualification in anaesthetics and,or recovery.
Desirable
- Practice assessor or mentorship qualification
- Leadership or management qualification
- Teaching or education qualification
Skills / Knowledge
Essential
- Excellent communication and leadership skills
- Good knowledge of anaesthetic and recovery procedures, including emergency protocols
- Understanding of infection prevention and control, safeguarding, and health & safety
- Ability to prioritise and manage competing demands in a clinical setting
- Awareness of Trust policies, governance, and patient safety frameworks
- Demonstrates knowledge of equality, diversity, and inclusion
Desirable
- Understanding of theatre budgets or resource management
- Awareness of current national guidance and developments in perioperative care
Experience
Essential
- Significant post-registration experience in anaesthetics and/or recovery
- Experience supervising or mentoring students or junior staff
- Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team
Desirable
- Previous experience at Band 6 or equivalent level
- Experience of recruitment, performance management, or staff development
- Involvement in service improvement, audit, or quality initiatives
- Experience contributing to quality improvement initiatives within an anaesthetic or recovery setting."
Other Job requirements
Essential
- Willingness to work flexibly across Trust sites and participate in on-call rota
- Commitment to maintaining mandatory training and professional registration
- Able to undertake manual handling and work under pressure in emergency situations
Desirable
- Access to independent means of transport to meet the demands of a countywide role
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Current NMC or HCPC registration as RN or ODP
- Evidence of ongoing professional development
- Relevant post-registration qualification in anaesthetics and,or recovery.
Desirable
- Practice assessor or mentorship qualification
- Leadership or management qualification
- Teaching or education qualification
Skills / Knowledge
Essential
- Excellent communication and leadership skills
- Good knowledge of anaesthetic and recovery procedures, including emergency protocols
- Understanding of infection prevention and control, safeguarding, and health & safety
- Ability to prioritise and manage competing demands in a clinical setting
- Awareness of Trust policies, governance, and patient safety frameworks
- Demonstrates knowledge of equality, diversity, and inclusion
Desirable
- Understanding of theatre budgets or resource management
- Awareness of current national guidance and developments in perioperative care
Experience
Essential
- Significant post-registration experience in anaesthetics and/or recovery
- Experience supervising or mentoring students or junior staff
- Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team
Desirable
- Previous experience at Band 6 or equivalent level
- Experience of recruitment, performance management, or staff development
- Involvement in service improvement, audit, or quality initiatives
- Experience contributing to quality improvement initiatives within an anaesthetic or recovery setting."
Other Job requirements
Essential
- Willingness to work flexibly across Trust sites and participate in on-call rota
- Commitment to maintaining mandatory training and professional registration
- Able to undertake manual handling and work under pressure in emergency situations
Desirable
- Access to independent means of transport to meet the demands of a countywide role
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).
