Job summary
- Main area
- Theatres
- Grade
- Band 7
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Variable working pattern (week day and weekend on call))
- Job ref
- 359-7703563-T2
- Employer
- Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Maidstone Hospital
- Town
- Maidstone
- Salary
- £47,810 - £54,710 per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 12/02/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Lead Theatre Practitioner
Band 7
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has opened for a Lead Theatre Practitioner at Maidstone Hospital with experience and an interest in Ophthalmics.
Maidstone Hospital has eleven theatres; providing in-patient and day-case elective surgery for orthopaedics, gynaecology, urology and breast surgery. In addition to general surgery, ENT and ophthalmology.
We are seeking an experienced Lead Theatre Practitioner (RN or ODP) to be part of the Maidstone Theatre Department; providing proven evidence of experience in the listed specialities. Possessing an aptitude for adaptability; you will preferably have a proficient knowledge of anaesthetics and be responsible for managing the equipment, maintenance and training.
The successful candidate will be dynamic and motivated to drive theatre efficiency; working closely with surgical and anaesthetic doctors to deliver excellent patient care. You will demonstrate the ability to work unsupervised, perform well under pressure and be experienced in change management.
You should possess exemplary communication and organisational skills, be approachable and demonstrate leadership qualities that focus on staff well-being and a positive departmental culture.
Main duties of the job
- Ensure the provision of a high standard of care to all service users
- To participate in risk assessments, audits and investigation of incidents.
- To work within the framework of the NMC/HCPC Code of Professional Conduct at all times
- Possess an awareness of legislation and policies governing theatre practice
- To maintain a high level of competent practice within the Scope of Professional Practice
- In partnership with the Clinical Director, Directorate Matron and General Manager develop, implement and lead the framework for clinical governance and patient safety including monitoring of effectiveness
- Responsibility to ensure care is patient-focused and underpinned by evidence-based practice and continual knowledge and skills of staff
- Lead on Directorate Nursing/Practitioners initiatives
- To ensure the safeguarding agenda within the directorate is implemented with effective systems throughout the service including effective liaison with other agencies as required
- Support systems for measuring and improving the quality of the patient experience within the Directorate
- In collaboration with the Associate Director of Nursing, Clinical Director, Directorate Matron and General Manager, support the Directorate’s approach to improving compliance with AFPP Standards Units, NHSLA standards, CQC registration and other regulatory requirements
- Ensure that systems and processes are in place to maintain the health and safety of the patients, visitors and staff.
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 employer contribution of 23.7% and life assurance benefits
- Blue Light card eligibility
- And more, additional benefits can be found in the benefits documents below
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
We’ve provided all the details you need about this role in the job description and person specification. Please take a moment to review the criteria in the person specification and share specific examples in your application that demonstrate how you meet these requirements. Please also check your application for errors/omissions prior to submission.
Please note that appointment to this post will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Enhanced Level. (Enhanced level now includes regulated checks against vulnerable adults and children). If a role involves regulated activity and requires a DBS check with a barred list check, you cannot apply if you are on the barred list.
All successful applicants will be required to complete our corporate trust induction once a start date had been agreed.
Following your corporate induction you will be expected to attend the Trust’s 2-week Induction Programme for RNs, NAs, RMs, ODPs and Paramedics. The programme is full-time (please email [email protected]t if this is problematic) and will involve travel to both Trust sites. The programme includes supernumerary shifts in the clinical area, classroom-based sessions and e-learning.
Person specification
Experience/Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Post registration experience, including experience at band 6 Grade or equivalent
- Change Management
- Demonstrate evidence based practice
- Facilitation of learning environment/Anaesthetic course
- Risk Management
- Audit & research
- Clinical Governance
- Current NHS Issues
Desirable criteria
- Recruitment & selection under undertaking IPR
- Evidence of involvement in change resulting from research
- Budgetary Control
- Evidence of advanced practice in theatre practice
Skills
Essential criteria
- Effective communication skills Ability to effectively manage resources; people, finance and facilities to maintain and improve services
- Demonstrate analytical and problem solving skills
- Ability to organise people and staff to ensure the service within area of responsibility is delivered to required standards and targets
- Able to analyse future requirements and plan and implement a strategic course of action
- Ability to provide written material e.g. reports
- Able to motivate and gain commitment from others
Desirable criteria
- Clinical expertise and clinical teaching skills
- Organisational and administrative skills
- IT skills and ability to access and utilise web-based resources
- Demonstrate innovative, flexible approaches to problem solving
- Be open to new ideas
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- RN Part 1 or 2/RSCN part 8 or 15 C&G 752/ODP NVQ level 3 Diploma/Degree
- Relevant specialist Course (183/176/100)
- Or ODP Level III Diploma/Degree, evidence of CPD
- Preparation for mentors (998) or C&G Educated to degree level.
- Demonstrate experience in teaching in the clinical setting and/or University/College
Desirable criteria
- First assistance course
- Leadership Course
- Front line management course
- Working towards Masters
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Chiara De Vito
- Job title
- Theatre Co-ordinator
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01622 224364
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