Job summary
Theatre Practitioner
Scrub nurses and Operating Department Practitioners
Band 5
Hours: 37.5 per week ,all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
Are you a dynamic theatre practitioner looking to join our forward-thinking and innovative team at Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Milton Keynes Theatre Department currently consists of 12 theatres, a newly established treatment room and 2 recovery areas over two sites within the hospital. We cover a range of specialities including trauma and orthopaedic, ENT, Ophthalmology Obstetrics and Emergency surgery.
The theatre service is expanding and soon will be adding a further two orthopaedic theatres to further improve our service in April 2026.
We are seeking a passionate Band 5 Theatre Practitioners to support our General Surgery and Gynaecology Scrub team and our Aneasthetic and Recovery team.
Milton Keynes University Hospital celebrated our 1000th robotic surgery in August 2025. This achievement highlights our commitment to innovation and quality, with robotic-assisted procedures now routinely performed across colorectal, urology, gynaecology, and general surgery specialties.
We are looking for a Registered Nurse or Operating Department Practitioner with current NMC/HCPC registration.
For any further information or an informal visit, please contact Alicia Tabada at alicia.tabada@mkuh.nhs.co.uk or call 01908 99556/ Audrey Hanopol at Audrey.hanopol@mkuh.nhs.uk or call 01908 99554
Main duties of the job
We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute
"- NHS Survey, 2024'' They feel confident in their team and supported to make suggestions to improve the work, 80.6% strongly agree.
Join #TeamSurgery at Milton Keynes University HospitalThe surgery division at MKUH, which covers specialties including theatres and the Intensive Care Unit, offers a variety of roles and opportunities, both clinical and non-clinical. The division are looking for passionate, enthusiastic and forward-thinking professionals to join the team.MKUH is one of the leading hospitals in Europe for implementing robotics to assist in surgery, becoming the first in the continent to use the CMR Versius robot for gynaecological surgery. Since its introduction in 2019, the theatres team have completed over 500 surgical cases, the first hospital in the UK to reach this milestone, achieving this in March 2023.As well as being an innovator in robotics, the Trust is proud to be part of the New Hospital Programme, with plans to expand and increase our surgical capacity to meet the health needs of our communities now and in the future.With a leading benefits package, and a growing hospital estate to meet one of the fastest growing populations in the country, it is a great time to join MKUH.Find out more about working in #TeamSurgery at MKUH from the people who work across the division in the video below.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mYel-Y9nrU
Interview date: 11.03.2026
About us
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards - and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.
Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -
For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical:
Assess, develop, implement and evaluate patient care when receiving the patient into the theatre environment, whilst supporting the patient through invasive procedures and during handover at the completion of the anaesthetic/surgical procedure.
Prepare, assemble and check theatre and anaesthetic equipment, planning and organising their own time. Ensuring the provision of equipment and stock for procedures planned. Assist senior staff in forward planning of theatre stock as directed Rotating stock as necessary and notify senior members of staff when applicable.
Quality:
Follow local and trust policies that impact on the role.
Occasionally being involved in hospital audits and clinical trials
Be responsible for maintaining a safe environment for our patients, staff & visitors.
Present a professional image of his/her self at all times
Education:
Mentoring & teaching of unqualified staff
Take own responsibility to attend mandatory training and participate in Trust Personal Development Review Program
Take responsibility for the teaching and repair and maintenance of specific pieces of equipment/medical devises.
Maintain stock levels of specialist items associated with lead areas of interest. Ensure that ongoing requirement for replacement of equipment is made known to theatre management
Managerial Responsibilities:
Act as a role model to other staff and demonstrate specialist knowledge
Supervision of HCA's, junior staff and less experienced staff with our clinical areas
Ensures the theatre department is maintained in good order and that the supplies and stock levels are at adequate levels
Liaise frequently with the sister or manager in charge of the department to ensure effective communication is maintained throughout our team
To have a good understanding of the the hospitals policies and procedures.
Confidentiality:
All employees of the trust are required to maintain confidentiality and abide by the terms of the Data Protection Act 1998.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Clinical:
Assess, develop, implement and evaluate patient care when receiving the patient into the theatre environment, whilst supporting the patient through invasive procedures and during handover at the completion of the anaesthetic/surgical procedure.
Prepare, assemble and check theatre and anaesthetic equipment, planning and organising their own time. Ensuring the provision of equipment and stock for procedures planned. Assist senior staff in forward planning of theatre stock as directed Rotating stock as necessary and notify senior members of staff when applicable.
Quality:
Follow local and trust policies that impact on the role.
Occasionally being involved in hospital audits and clinical trials
Be responsible for maintaining a safe environment for our patients, staff & visitors.
Present a professional image of his/her self at all times
Education:
Mentoring & teaching of unqualified staff
Take own responsibility to attend mandatory training and participate in Trust Personal Development Review Program
Take responsibility for the teaching and repair and maintenance of specific pieces of equipment/medical devises.
Maintain stock levels of specialist items associated with lead areas of interest. Ensure that ongoing requirement for replacement of equipment is made known to theatre management
Managerial Responsibilities:
Act as a role model to other staff and demonstrate specialist knowledge
Supervision of HCA's, junior staff and less experienced staff with our clinical areas
Ensures the theatre department is maintained in good order and that the supplies and stock levels are at adequate levels
Liaise frequently with the sister or manager in charge of the department to ensure effective communication is maintained throughout our team
To have a good understanding of the the hospitals policies and procedures.
Confidentiality:
All employees of the trust are required to maintain confidentiality and abide by the terms of the Data Protection Act 1998.
Please refer to the job description for further details.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- NVQ Level 3 Operating Department Practice OR Registered General Nurse OR accredited additional qualification in anaesthetic practice equivalent to AAGBI
Desirable
- DipHE Operating Department Practice
- Mentorship qualification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working within 2 out of 4 operative areas of anaesthetics, scrub, recovery and circulating
Skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate sensitive and complex information to people with widely varying levels of understanding
- Ability to assess patients and plan and organise their care
- Ability to manage own workload and support more junior staff
- Ability to maintain accurate records
Personal and people development
Essential
- Self motivated
- Acts as a role model
- Has a flexible attitude
- Encourages and develops juniors and trainees
Communication
Essential
- Excellent and accurate written and verbal communication skills
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- NVQ Level 3 Operating Department Practice OR Registered General Nurse OR accredited additional qualification in anaesthetic practice equivalent to AAGBI
Desirable
- DipHE Operating Department Practice
- Mentorship qualification
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working within 2 out of 4 operative areas of anaesthetics, scrub, recovery and circulating
Skills
Essential
- Ability to communicate sensitive and complex information to people with widely varying levels of understanding
- Ability to assess patients and plan and organise their care
- Ability to manage own workload and support more junior staff
- Ability to maintain accurate records
Personal and people development
Essential
- Self motivated
- Acts as a role model
- Has a flexible attitude
- Encourages and develops juniors and trainees
Communication
Essential
- Excellent and accurate written and verbal communication skills
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
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).
