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Job summary

Main area
Theatres
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 5
Contract
14 months (Fixed Term/Secondment until 31st August 2027)
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
432-HR374-26
Employer
East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Ipswich Hospital
Town
Ipswich
Salary
£32,073 - £39,043 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
21/06/2026 23:59
Interview date
29/06/2026

Employer heading

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust logo

Theatre Practitioner - Ophthalmology

NHS AfC: Band 5

We are one of the largest NHS organisation in England. Our scale provides exciting opportunities for development, innovation, research, education and training.

Talk to us about our range of flexible working opportunities, apprenticeships and staff benefits

Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is at the heart of all we do; and it forms part of  ESNEFT’s core activities. The Trust operates and relies on everyone treating each other with dignity and respect, to receive equitable and fair treatment in the implementation of Policies, Procedures and in its Practices, to foster positive work relationships, and finally to act with integrity as a professional within ESNEFT as well as a representative of the NHS as a whole.  The EDI Agenda reflects the Trust values such as Optimistic, Appreciative and Kind. In line with the NHS Long Term Plan, People Plan, People Promise and a Model Employer intrinsic in the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Agenda, we consistently strive to improve, to take the learning into Action for a better ESNEFT.

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge then we are keen to hear from you.

 

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic Nurse to join our caring, supportive, and compassionate Ophthalmic Theatre team - ODCU.  This position is ideal for individuals who are passionate about their profession and committed to delivering high-quality patient focused care.

We are looking for practitioners of any experience with an interest in becoming part of a dedicated ophthalmic team, with a view to working flexibly across all aspects of the perioperative phase.

We are seeking dynamic, motivated and enthusiastic professionals. You will be given the opportunity and expected to learn, develop and practice several chosen roles to care for pre, peri and post-operative ophthalmic patients.

Previous applicants do not need to re-apply.

Main duties of the job

  • Ensure all patients receive the highest standard of care under pinned by with evidence-based practice.
  • Prepare the operating theatre for the operating session to include - the safety checking and preparation of instruments, mechanical and electrical equipment and environmental factors & perform circulating / scrubbed roles to the level of the grade in the appropriate speciality
  • To work within the multi-disciplinary team ensuring excellent professional relationship
  • Confirm the content and order of the operating list, in conjunction with the operating surgeon at the team briefing
  • Liaise with the wards to ensure patients are prepared for theatre in reasonable time

Working for our organisation

We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients’ own homes. 

We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff. 

We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options. 

Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services. 

Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.   

We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what’s widely regarded as the world’s best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients. 

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.   

Find out about living and working here - www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkPu7HphU8A 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description. 

Person specification

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience in an operating theatre environment
Desirable criteria
  • Experience in both anaesthetics and scrub role

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • RGN/Dip. HE, NVQ III in Operating Department Practice/C&G 752 or Dip. HE Operating Department Practice
  • BSc (Hons ) Operating Department Practice
  • Current registration of professional body

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Understands levels of responsibility/accountability
  • Evidence of Continued Professional Development
  • Good understanding of competency based learning
  • Able to produce evidence of clinical ability
  • Understands the importance of training and change in relation to patient care
Desirable criteria
  • Basic IT Skills

Employer certification / accreditation badges

No smoking policyMenopause Friendly EmployerPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.NHS Pastoral CareDisability confident committedStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Step into healthHappy to Talk Flexible Working

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
Debbie Mann
Job title
Lead Sister
Email address
[email protected]
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