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Job summary

Main area
Anaesthetics and scrub in Eyetheatres
Grade
Band 5
Contract
Permanent: Full time
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (on call and weekends. Antisocial pay for out of hours shifts and on call)
Job ref
387-S2942-GB
Employer
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Bristol Eye Hospital Theatres
Town
Bristol
Salary
£32,073 - £39,043 per annum, pro rata for part time roles.
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
18/11/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust logo

Theatre Practitioner - Bristol Eye Hospital

Band 5

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.

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Job overview

• Do you think you have what it takes to be a Band 5 Theatre Practitioner in the Eye Hospital?

• Would you like the opportunity to develop your career within Ophthalmic Theatres?

• Do you have the skills, enthusiasm and commitment to deliver outstanding perioperative care?

Can you be part of our dynamic and supportive team as we continue to develop and enhance our ophthalmic theatre services over the coming years?

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full-time Band 5 Theatre Practitioner to join our Eye Theatres team. This role offers the opportunity to work within a highly specialised environment, caring for patients undergoing a wide range of ophthalmic procedures.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated practitioner with an interest in perioperative care. Whether your background is in anaesthetics, scrub, or recovery, you will be supported to develop specialist skills within ophthalmic surgery and contribute to delivering safe, effective and patient-centred care.

The successful candidate will work closely with surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and allied health professionals as part of a multidisciplinary team committed to providing an excellent patient experience and achieving the highest standards of clinical care.

If you are looking for a new challenge and would like to develop your career within a specialist ophthalmic theatre environment, we would love to hear from you.

For further information or to arrange an informal visit, please contact:

Main duties of the job

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a full-time Band 5 Theatre Practitioner to join our Eye Theatres team. This role offers the opportunity to work within a highly specialised environment, caring for patients undergoing a wide range of ophthalmic procedures, including cataract surgery, glaucoma surgery, oculoplastics, vitreoretinal surgery, corneal procedures and emergency eye surgery.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated practitioner with an interest in perioperative care. Whether your background is in anaesthetics, scrub, or recovery, you will be supported to develop specialist skills within ophthalmic surgery and contribute to delivering safe, effective and patient-centred care.

The successful candidate will work closely with surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses and allied health professionals as part of a multidisciplinary team committed to providing an excellent patient experience and achieving the highest standards of clinical care.

If you are looking for a new challenge and would like to develop your career within a specialist ophthalmic theatre environment, we would love to hear from you.

For further information or to arrange an informal visit, please contact:

Ruth Hamblin, Theatre Matron -  Ruth.hamblin1@
NHS.net 

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.  

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.  

 Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge. 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is seeking enthusiastic, motivated individuals with a flexible approach to join our Eye Theatres team at the Bristol Eye Hospital.

We currently have vacancies for Band 5 Theatre Practitioners (permanent and secondment opportunities considered) and are looking for practitioners to join our specialist ophthalmic theatre team.

Ideally, candidates will have experience in either scrub, anaesthetics, or recovery, with previous experience working within a multidisciplinary theatre environment. However, we welcome applications from practitioners who are keen to develop within ophthalmology, supported by our dedicated Practice Education Team who will provide any necessary training and development.

Our Eye Theatres provide a comprehensive ophthalmic surgical service, undertaking a wide range of procedures including:

  • Cataract surgery
  • Vitreoretinal surgery
  • Glaucoma surgery
  • Corneal surgery
  • Oculoplastic procedures
  • Paediatric ophthalmic surgery
  • Emergency ophthalmic surgery

As part of our dedicated theatre team, you will work alongside surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, and allied health professionals to deliver safe, effective, and patient-centred care. This is an excellent opportunity to develop specialist skills within a highly regarded ophthalmic service and gain experience in a variety of advanced surgical techniques and technologies.

Ophthalmic surgery continues to evolve, and our team is committed to innovation, service improvement, and professional development. We offer a supportive learning environment with opportunities to develop specialist knowledge and expand your perioperative skills across scrub, anaesthetics, and recovery practice.

As one of our dedicated Theatre Practitioners, you will work up to 37.5 hours per week, including participation in weekends, on-call commitments, and extended service provision where applicable.

 

Person specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Registered Nurse Level 8 or C or C+G 752 / NVQ level 3 Operating department practitioner / Dip HE in Operating Room Practice (A)
  • Training qualification or equivalent experience (A)
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of working in the perioperative environment
  • Anaesthetic Qualification

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Essential criteria
  • Ability to develop own clinical skills and a willingness to participate in continuing professional development
  • Ability to take the lead, initiate and ensure appropriate action in response to the deteriorating patient
  • Willingness to develop teaching skills
  • Flexible working practices to support the service
  • Able to manage difficult situations
  • Experience of caring for sick adults in a variety of setting – this could be as a student
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of working in the perioperative environment
  • Experience of taking charge of an individual theatre

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Trust IDDisability Confident - two yearsVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveCare quality commission - GoodMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerNHS Pastoral CareStep into healthMenopause Workplace PledgeDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - GoldPride In Veterans

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Ruth Hamblin
Job title
Theatre Matron
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01173422235
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