Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Theatre Recovery Practitioner

The closing date is 16 November 2026

Job summary
Are you a passionate and dedicated ODP/Nurse? Are you committed to delivering the highest standards of Care and Safety? We are seeking an enthusiastic Band 5 Nurse/ODP to join our friendly Recovery Team at Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (KGH).

Every day is different and opportunistic. You will expect to become an efficient and effective Recovery Practitioner through the support of the team. This is a full time post however part time will be considered if candidates possess the right skills and knowledge .The post includes a varied shift pattern, on call rota, weekends and bank holidays. We are a family friendly department able to support flexible working opportunities.

We have a wide range of specialties including ENT, Maxillo Facial, Trauma & Orthopaedic, General Surgery, Urology Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Plastic Surgery and Breast Surgery.

Main duties of the job
The post holder is responsible for the assessment of patient care needs and development, implementation and evaluation of care, both for a specific group of patients as the named care provider and in supporting the care of all patients in the department. As a nurse/ODP in recovery, you will assist in the management and organisation of work as required; ensuring effective communication is maintained at all times and providing support for other staff within the area.

You will play a key role in the supervision and assessment of pre and post basic learners and unregistered staff, providing a teaching role and acting as a named supervisor.

The post holder will be expected to assess, plan, implement, evaluate and provide high quality nursing care in a busy environment.

About us
Please submit your application as soon as possible, as we reserve the right to close adverts once sufficient applications have been received.

We recognise that AI tools can support application writing; however, candidates are asked to keep their use to a minimum. Responses should reflect your own experience, skills and knowledge, as over-reliance on AI-generated content may result in generic answers that do not accurately represent your abilities.

University Hospitals of Northamptonshire (UHN) brings together Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust. As a group, we are committed to improving services for our communities through collaboration, modernising care delivery and striving for excellence. Working together enables us to share expertise, strengthen services and create greater opportunities, and there may be a requirement to work across sites depending on service needs.

Our Excellence Values are Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Integrity and Courage. UHN welcomes applications from all backgrounds and is committed to an inclusive working environment. We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and hold the Gold Award under the Employer Recognition Scheme. Candidates who identify as members of the Armed Forces community and meet the essential criteria will be guaranteed an interview.

Details
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year, per annum pro rata
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working
Reference number: 264-8351109-SUR

Job responsibilities

• Practitioner registered with the NMC or HCPC.
• Act as a resource for all staff disseminating clinical skills and knowledge.
• Ensure personal and professional development is progressed through appraisals and Performance Development Reviews
• Basic Resuscitation skills and the knowledge to initiate appropriate action in a clinical emergency.
• Basic airway management skills.
• Knowledge of safe checking-in procedure and informed consent.
• Safe administration of intravenous drugs and the preparation and programming of PCA and epidural
• The ability and knowledge of preparing and using relevant technical equipment e.g. invasive monitoring.
• Demonstrate ability to assess patient condition and implement appropriate care, within the multidisciplinary team.
• To communicate effectively, especially where patient ability to do so is compromised.
• Ability to disseminate contentious and delicate information appropriately.
• To deliver safe care within a challenging and changing clinical environment, using equipment and resources safely and as appropriate.
• To administer medication and treatment within Procedure for the Ordering, Prescribing and Administration of Medication Guidelines.
• To deliver and receive information which may cause emotional distress to all parties.
• Participate in mentorship and educational programmes for students and other members of the team.
• To adhere to all Trust policies and procedures and professional code of conduct.
• Regularly responsible for the supervision of unqualified staff and students.
• To input and retrieve patient and staff information from computer based systems.
• Maintain accurate and contemporaneous patient records.
• Will be required to work within recognised Manual Handling guidelines.
• Will be expected to frequently manoeuvre patients/objects over 15kg without appropriate aids for short periods of time.
• Will have frequent exposure to unpleasant working conditions and will be required to Policies and Procedures pertaining to bodily fluids
• Will be required to work in a confined space.
• Ability to work where the work pattern may be unpredictable.
• High levels of concentration required in this critical care environment.
• Will be required to work all shift patterns, including on calls.
• Ability to work under pressure and effective time management
• Dealing with difficult situations/people.
• Being able to react to sudden changes in patient condition and having the knowledge to deal effectively with the situation.

Person Specification
Education
Essential: Educated to degree level or equivalent level of education, training or experience. Current NMC/ HCPC registration essential. Evidence of professional expertise acquired through CPD. 1st Level Registered Nurse or NVQ level 3 Operating Department Qualification

Knowledge & Experience
Essential: Post registration experience in Theatres, critical care or surgical ward
Desirable: Evidence of involvement in teaching and mentoring learners. Evidence of ability to supervise members of the team

Skills
Essential: Able to deliver a high standard of Evidence based individual patient care. Ability to work under pressure and effective time management. Basic Resuscitation skills and the knowledge to initiate appropriate action in a clinical emergency. Basic airway management skills. Maintain accurate and contemporaneous patient records. Safe administration of intravenous drugs and the preparation and programming of PCA and epidural pumps.
Desirable: Recovery experience

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address: University Hospitals of Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire, Kettering, NN16 8UZ, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.kgh.nhs.uk/working-for-us

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Theatre recovery Lead, Primrose Ngwenya, p.ngwenya@nhs.net, 01536492305

Supporting documents
Privacy notice: Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice