Closing date: 16 July 2026

Job Summary
We are looking for a dynamic, highly motivated Recovery Practitioner (Nurse or Operating Department Practitioner) to join our Day Surgery Theatre Team. You must have sound clinical experience, excellent communication and negotiation skills and be able work flexibly and lead by example. You must be able to work in partnership with all members of the multi-disciplinary team and work closely with the theatre management team in order to provide safe quality care and an excellent patient and staff experience.

Main Duties of the Job
We work collaboratively with Eyes Theatres, across 2 theatre complexes and undertake a variety of elective day case procedures. Collectively we have 4 theatres and our surgical specialties include General Surgery, Head and Neck, Urology, Breast, Plastics, Hand Trauma and Eyes. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity for staff to work in other operating theatres across the Trust once competencies have been met for the post.

About Us
Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust is one of the largest employers in the area and we are on an exciting journey. All our divisions are committed to doing things better, with more efficiency as we update, modernise, and advance. We have also entered a Group Model with neighbouring Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and become University Hospitals of Northamptonshire.

Our Excellence Values

• Compassion
• Accountability
• Respect
• Integrity
• Courage

Job Responsibilities
Supporting Clinical Excellence

• Assisting and contributing in the management and organisation of the clinical area.
• Actively contribute to setting and maintaining high standards of quality nursing care.
• To work collaboratively and co-operatively with others to meet the needs of patients and their families.
• To maintain accountability for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating programmes of care.
• Consider new ways of working which enhance and improve patient care.
• To co-ordinate the patients discharge from Recovery in accordance with NGH discharge policy.
• To educate patients and their carers as required where a need has been identified.
• Complete patient documentation correctly.
• To maintain a safe ward environment.
• Responsible for safe supply, storage, administration, checking and disposal of medications including controlled drugs.
• Adopt an open learning culture from patient experience and action plan improvements as necessary.
• To undertake any expanded roles deemed necessary for the role following the Trust policy Expansion of Professional Practice for Registered Healthcare Professionals.
• Actively participate in the education, development and supervision of other staff members.
• Assess and support students and learners on placement within the clinical area.
• Promote and maintain effective communication, both written and verbal.
• To act as a role model for staff.
• Ensure patient confidentiality.
• To supervise junior staff in the delivery of care.
• To participate in the safe movement and handling of patients within the operating department, and between other departments within the Trust.
• Maintain patient privacy and dignity at all times.
• Provide support and reassurance to all patients undergoing regional or local anaesthesia.
• Safe and sensitive escorting of patients, relatives and carers.
• Help maintain high standards of cleanliness expected within a surgical environment.
• Participate in stock control/rotation and order. Restocking of theatres and other adjoining areas as required.
• Assist with the maintenance of equipment and report any faults to senior members of staff.
• Carry out errands when requested.

Communication

• Recognise and maintain confidentiality of information relating to patients/clients and their records.
• Maintain accurate documentation of any clinical notes or IT systems used in theatre.
• Ensure clarity in communicating with patients, relatives and carers as well as other team members. Answer questions within the sphere of ones own knowledge.
• Answer the telephone on a clear, friendly, helpful and professional manner. Take any messages accurately and refer to a registered nurse/midwife as necessary.
• Demonstrate a caring approach to patients/clients, their families and visitors and to have good verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
• To attend and participate in departmental meetings, helping to implement change as required.

Person Specification
Education, Training and Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Nurse or ODP
• Degree level education

Desirable

• Possesses a mentorship qualification
• Has undergone ILS training
• Evidence of continuing professional education

Knowledge and Experience
Essential

• Post registration experience
• Demonstrates a keen interest in surgery
• Computer literate
• Awareness of infection prevention
• Able to prioritise workload and work effectively in stressful situations
• Demonstrates an interest in Day Surgery

Desirable

• Previous experience of working in recovery
• Multi-professional working

Skills
Essential

• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Confident to work in a highly technological area
• Evidence of interpersonal skills displaying tact and sensitivity
• Can assess, plan and implement effective patient care
• Possesses sound clinical skills
• Can respond effectively in an emergency situation
• Can take their own initiative with learning needs

Key Competencies/Personal Qualities and Attributes
Essential

• Team player
• Flexible
• Motivated
• Reliable
• Can work using own initiative
• Good organisational skills
• Can lead by example

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 (Opens in a new tab).

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 (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration.