Job overview

The opportunity to join this dynamic team has arisen at Maidstone Hospital Theatres for enthusiastic Senior Practitioners. The successful candidates will be responsible for working across our Theatre Departments. Experience working as a Senior Theatre Practitioner is desirable. Experience in anaesthetics, recovery or scrub is also desirable. 

Possession of excellent communication skills and being able to adapt to any situation is essential. You must be prepared to teach others your invaluable skills and you will have the ability to work well within a multidisciplinary team whilst being a role model to others. Mentorship is desirable. Aiding the running of the theatres on a day to day basis, ensuring optimum utilisation within the theatre and ensuring a high standard of care is given is an essential part of the role. Deputising in the absence of Lead Practitioners will also be a part of the role. Area of responsibility will be allocated to successful candidate following interview. 

The post will also requires working late shifts (until 20:00) and weekday/weekend on calls from home.

Main duties of the job

We have four theatres in our Main Theatre department, two theatres in Short Stay, two Ophthalmology theatres, one Orthopaedic and one Oncology theatre. We also visit outside areas like Cardio Cath Lab, Pain Clinic and the CT scanner to assist our colleagues in other departments.

The role of Senior Theatre Practitioner (mainly Ophthalmic and Day case surgery) will involve:

1. Developing and changing operating practices in line with current protocols.

2. Responsibility for the maintenance of equipment and ordering of specialised stock within the budget

3. Liaising with the Lead Practitioner and the multi-disciplinary team members in monitoring and maintaining policies, and standards of care, completing risk assessments and staff development as part of the theatre team. 

4. Responsibility for the assessment of care needs. Develop, implement and evaluate change as necessary. 

5. In providing specialist care and/or support and deputise for the Lead Practitioner/ Clinical Coordinator in the management of the clinical area. This will involve dealing with complex situations and having to take appropriate action in emergency and unforeseen situations.

6. Knowledge and skills in Ophthalmic surgeries and day-case surgeries 

Working for our organisation

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust ranks among the top 10 NHS Trusts nationwide and was named the second-best Trust to work for in the South East in the 2023 and 2024 NHS Staff Survey.

We are a large acute hospital trust in south-east England, providing general hospital services and specialist care to around 600,000 residents in West Kent and East Sussex. With a dedicated and diverse team of over 8,000 staff we are proud to offer specialised cancer services to over two million people through the Kent Oncology Centre.

Fordcombe Hospital, near Tunbridge Wells, became part of the Trust in October 2024. Specialising in planned care, it offers two operating theatres, 28 inpatient and day-care beds, diagnostic services (X-ray, MRI, CT, and endoscopy), and consultation/treatment rooms.

Looking for flexible working?
We are a flexible working-friendly organisation. Whether it’s adjusting your hours or exploring other flexible arrangements, we want to work with you to find the best solution for you, our patients, and the Trust. Talk to us about how we can accommodate your working needs.

Click here to hear what our staff say.

Joining us includes a comprehensive benefits package:

• At least 27 days of annual leave plus public/bank holidays (pro-rata for part-time staff).
• Membership in the NHS Pension Scheme, with a 20.6% employer contribution and life assurance benefits
• Blue Light card eligibility
• And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below