Job overview

A Staff Nurse/ Operating Department Practitioner at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) plays a vital role in delivering safe, high-quality, patient-centred perioperative care to babies, children and young people undergoing surgical procedures and specialist interventions. Working within a world-renowned paediatric hospital, the role requires a high level of clinical competence, professionalism, adaptability and compassion, with a strong focus on patient safety and positive experiences for children and their families.

Working at GOSH offers opportunities to develop specialist knowledge within advanced paediatric anaesthesia and complex surgical care. Areas of professional interest and innovation may include paediatric airway management, advanced monitoring, simulation-based training, quality improvement, clinical research and the development of evidence-based practice. Through ongoing learning, reflective practice and engagement with new techniques and technologies, you will contribute to continuous service improvement and the delivery of excellent care. Ultimately, the role combines technical expertise, critical thinking and compassionate communication to help ensure the best possible outcomes for children and young people.

Main duties of the job

Key responsibilities include preparing, checking and maintaining anaesthetic equipment, airway devices, monitoring systems and essential clinical supplies; assisting anaesthetists during the induction, maintenance and emergence from anaesthesia; and monitoring patients’ wellbeing throughout the perioperative journey. You will support the safe administration of anaesthesia within your scope of practice, anticipate the needs of the anaesthetic team, maintain accurate documentation, adhere to infection prevention and control procedures, and respond promptly to changing clinical situations or emergencies. An equally important aspect of the role is providing reassurance and emotional support to children and their families, recognising the individual needs of each patient and helping to create a safe, calm and supportive environment.

Teamwork is central to the role, requiring close collaboration with anaesthetists, surgeons, theatre practitioners, recovery staff, nurses and other multidisciplinary professionals. Effective communication, mutual respect and a shared commitment to patient safety are essential, particularly when caring for children with complex medical conditions or undergoing highly specialised procedures. There is also an expectation to take responsibility for personal professional development, maintain clinical competencies, support students and colleagues where appropriate, and contribute to a positive learning culture.

Working for our organisation

We are committed to recruiting the best person for the job through a fair, open and consistent process that is free from bias and discrimination.

We are working towards becoming an anti-racist organisation. This means creating a workplace where every colleague feels seen, heard and valued, and where racism in any form has no place. Our anti-racism commitment is backed by action through our Anti-Racism Statement and action plan, developed in collaboration with our REACH staff network.

We actively challenge discrimination, dismantle barriers and embed equity across all aspects of our workforce, including recruitment, progression and development. All applicants will receive equal consideration regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, health condition or employment history.

We particularly welcome applications from ethnically diverse communities, people with disabilities or long-term health conditions, and LGBTQ+ community members. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, a member of the Business Disability Forum, and a Stonewall Diversity Champion.

Our staff networks, including REACH, PRIDE, ENABLED and Women’s Networks, are active and executive supported. These employee-led networks play a vital role in shaping an inclusive culture at GOSH and are open to all colleagues.

Together, we are building a culture where inclusion is not optional - it is essential.