Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Theatre Team Lead - Practice Development

The closing date is 29 September 2025

Job summary

We currently have an opportunity for a dynamic, flexible and self-motivated RN / RODP to join our theatre team at the Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in the position of Practice Development Team Lead for the theatre department.

This role is ideal for those who are ready for a challenge and enjoy working in a busy environment. The range of both elective and emergency surgery performed is both varied and demanding. Our surgeons are at the forefront of laparoscopic and robotic surgery and run international courses through our Minimal Access Therapies Training Unit (MATTU), which is recognised as a centre of excellence, created for the teaching of innovative laparoscopic surgical techniques

Main duties of the job

The post holder will be a team leader for practice development and will be responsible for providing clinical management, advice, support and teaching to all relevant personnel within the theatre environment.

To be a clinical specialist in the field of perioperative practice.

To lead practice development for pre-registration learners, post registration learners and health care support workers.

To lead, manage, encourage and direct theatre team members to promote evidence based clinical practice, ensuring the provision of a high quality and cost effective service to patients and service users.

About us

Royal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing program along with a commitment to developing and advancing your career. Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family will ensure you that you feel valued from your initial interview through your entire tenure.

We are clinically led and provide joined up care by bridging the gap between hospital and community services alongside regional specialist cancer care. Our main acute hospital site is in Guildford with community hospital sites at Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh. We provide adult community health services in homes across Guildford and Waverley.

We have received an overall Good rating from the CQC with Medical care (including older peoples care), End of Life Care and Maternity services being deemed Outstanding by the CQC.

Royal Surrey has a strong reputation and history to build on. We are proud of our achievements and we are investing in our colleagues through our commitment to supporting professional development as well as investing more than £45 million in our physical environment and new equipment in the next few years. There has never been a better time to join us.

Although it isn't the Trusts normal practice, adverts may close early, so you are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.

A video about the Royal Surrey - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HsiGn9joTQ

Details

Date posted

16 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£50,008 to £56,908 a year Per annum including High Cost Area Supplement

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

384-AR-EMF19166

Job locations

The Royal Surrey Hospital

Egerton Rd

Guildford

GU2 7XX


Job description

Job responsibilities

See full JD & Job spec attached

To lead the development of practice across Main Theatres and the Day Surgery Unit.

To support staff to maintain the highest standards of personal and professional conduct and performance, in line with their Professional Code and Trust policy.

To lead the practice development and clinical support of the theatre teams ensuring practice is evidence based and maintains high standards of clinical care within the Trust. The post holder will interpret policies in practice, tailoring this for specific groups; taking into account best practice and national guidelines.

To be a role model acting within their professional Code of Conduct at all times, with the aim to support the development of competence within the clinical environment and to deliver expert care to the perioperative patient.

To provide supervision, clinical support and specialist expertise in the clinical areas across a range of work procedures and practices; underpinned by theoretical knowledge and practical experience,

To ensure the provision of a positive educational environment for all members of the theatre team.

To work alongside perioperative practitioners, HCSWs and pre-registration learners who require support to achieve consistent standards of care, competency achievement and build confidence.

To plan, co-ordinate, maintain and facilitate education mapped to the Trust and national standards, including national health education projects and strategies.

To manage and support junior Practice Development staff.

To set and evaluate outcomes of activities, providing timely reports as requested.

You will be supporting learners in the field of perioperative nursing / operating department practice. This is a key role within the theatre department to lead practice development and to support the student nurses, trainee operating department practitioners, associate practitioners and mentors in addition to maintaining clinical input. The post holder will be a team leader for practice development and will be responsible for providing clinical management, advice, support and teaching to all relevant personnel within the theatre environment. They will have responsibility for managing, leading, encouraging and directing the theatre team members, to promote evidence based clinical practice, ensuring the provision of a high quality and cost effective service to patients and service users.

You will possess excellent organisational, communication, and leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop staff. If you are committed to developing and enhancing the quality of care provided in the operating theatre environment, this is the opportunity for you. Your proven leadership and organisational skills along with your ability to prioritise and remain calm under pressure in a busy team environment will ensure you are able to demonstrate your excellent communication skills and drive to succeed. The Trust is committed to providing staff with learning and development opportunities to support their career progression.

As a Registered Nurse/ODP, you should have theatre experience in a wide range of specialties; proven experience of leading a team and be prepared to support the department during the evenings and at weekends. There is also an On-Call commitment and Theatre co-ordinating duties with this post.

The multi-specialty unit has 13 main operating theatres and 2 day surgery theatres performing emergency and elective procedures. We are leaders in Major Laparoscopic Surgery & Robotic Surgery with the Minimal Access Therapy Training Unit an internationally recognised Centre of Excellence created for the teaching of innovative laparoscopic surgical techniques.

Specialties here include: Colorectal, Urology, Gynae Oncology, Hepatobiliary, and Upper GI, Breast Surgery, Ophthalmology, Obstetrics, Major Head and Neck and ENT, Trauma & Orthopaedics and CEPOD.

We are the Regional referral centre for Upper GI work, including emergency Oesophagogastric cases.

Day Surgery is a purpose built unit covering many specialties including ENT, Maxillo Facial, Orthopaedics, Gynaecology, Urology, Pain and dedicated Paediatric lists.

The successful candidate will be working closely with the Theatre Operations Manager, Consultant Surgeons, Anaesthetists, Practice Development Team, Speciality Managers and Admission Officers, as well as other Theatre Team Leads to ensure safe and effective patient care within the department.

Job description

Job responsibilities

See full JD & Job spec attached

To lead the development of practice across Main Theatres and the Day Surgery Unit.

To support staff to maintain the highest standards of personal and professional conduct and performance, in line with their Professional Code and Trust policy.

To lead the practice development and clinical support of the theatre teams ensuring practice is evidence based and maintains high standards of clinical care within the Trust. The post holder will interpret policies in practice, tailoring this for specific groups; taking into account best practice and national guidelines.

To be a role model acting within their professional Code of Conduct at all times, with the aim to support the development of competence within the clinical environment and to deliver expert care to the perioperative patient.

To provide supervision, clinical support and specialist expertise in the clinical areas across a range of work procedures and practices; underpinned by theoretical knowledge and practical experience,

To ensure the provision of a positive educational environment for all members of the theatre team.

To work alongside perioperative practitioners, HCSWs and pre-registration learners who require support to achieve consistent standards of care, competency achievement and build confidence.

To plan, co-ordinate, maintain and facilitate education mapped to the Trust and national standards, including national health education projects and strategies.

To manage and support junior Practice Development staff.

To set and evaluate outcomes of activities, providing timely reports as requested.

You will be supporting learners in the field of perioperative nursing / operating department practice. This is a key role within the theatre department to lead practice development and to support the student nurses, trainee operating department practitioners, associate practitioners and mentors in addition to maintaining clinical input. The post holder will be a team leader for practice development and will be responsible for providing clinical management, advice, support and teaching to all relevant personnel within the theatre environment. They will have responsibility for managing, leading, encouraging and directing the theatre team members, to promote evidence based clinical practice, ensuring the provision of a high quality and cost effective service to patients and service users.

You will possess excellent organisational, communication, and leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop staff. If you are committed to developing and enhancing the quality of care provided in the operating theatre environment, this is the opportunity for you. Your proven leadership and organisational skills along with your ability to prioritise and remain calm under pressure in a busy team environment will ensure you are able to demonstrate your excellent communication skills and drive to succeed. The Trust is committed to providing staff with learning and development opportunities to support their career progression.

As a Registered Nurse/ODP, you should have theatre experience in a wide range of specialties; proven experience of leading a team and be prepared to support the department during the evenings and at weekends. There is also an On-Call commitment and Theatre co-ordinating duties with this post.

The multi-specialty unit has 13 main operating theatres and 2 day surgery theatres performing emergency and elective procedures. We are leaders in Major Laparoscopic Surgery & Robotic Surgery with the Minimal Access Therapy Training Unit an internationally recognised Centre of Excellence created for the teaching of innovative laparoscopic surgical techniques.

Specialties here include: Colorectal, Urology, Gynae Oncology, Hepatobiliary, and Upper GI, Breast Surgery, Ophthalmology, Obstetrics, Major Head and Neck and ENT, Trauma & Orthopaedics and CEPOD.

We are the Regional referral centre for Upper GI work, including emergency Oesophagogastric cases.

Day Surgery is a purpose built unit covering many specialties including ENT, Maxillo Facial, Orthopaedics, Gynaecology, Urology, Pain and dedicated Paediatric lists.

The successful candidate will be working closely with the Theatre Operations Manager, Consultant Surgeons, Anaesthetists, Practice Development Team, Speciality Managers and Admission Officers, as well as other Theatre Team Leads to ensure safe and effective patient care within the department.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • RN/ODP
  • Mentorship/Practice Assessor qualification or equivalent
  • PG Cert in Education for Health Professionals or equivalent (or currently working towards)

Desirable

  • Educated to Degree Level
  • Management course

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Experience at a senior level within acute hospital setting
  • Can demonstrate up to date clinical credibility/competence
  • Evidence of research based practice
  • Evidence of extended skills in practice
  • Evidence in changing practice and project management
  • Evidence of commitment to CPD

Desirable

  • Clinical Audit
  • Working multi-cultural environments

Skills and Capabilities

Essential

  • Organised
  • Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal & communication skills
  • Ability to conduct own projects successfully and follow them through
  • Excellent report writing
  • IT literate, Word, Excel, Powerpoint
  • Excellent teaching / presentation skills
  • Excellent leadership
  • Numeracy
  • Excellent time management
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • RN/ODP
  • Mentorship/Practice Assessor qualification or equivalent
  • PG Cert in Education for Health Professionals or equivalent (or currently working towards)

Desirable

  • Educated to Degree Level
  • Management course

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

  • Experience at a senior level within acute hospital setting
  • Can demonstrate up to date clinical credibility/competence
  • Evidence of research based practice
  • Evidence of extended skills in practice
  • Evidence in changing practice and project management
  • Evidence of commitment to CPD

Desirable

  • Clinical Audit
  • Working multi-cultural environments

Skills and Capabilities

Essential

  • Organised
  • Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal & communication skills
  • Ability to conduct own projects successfully and follow them through
  • Excellent report writing
  • IT literate, Word, Excel, Powerpoint
  • Excellent teaching / presentation skills
  • Excellent leadership
  • Numeracy
  • Excellent time management

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

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Royal Surrey Hospital

Egerton Rd

Guildford

GU2 7XX


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Address

The Royal Surrey Hospital

Egerton Rd

Guildford

GU2 7XX


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Theatre Operations Manager

Doreen Contreras

doreengrace.contreras@nhs.net

01483571122

Details

Date posted

16 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£50,008 to £56,908 a year Per annum including High Cost Area Supplement

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

384-AR-EMF19166

Job locations

The Royal Surrey Hospital

Egerton Rd

Guildford

GU2 7XX


Supporting documents

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