Job summary
We're looking for dedicated ODP's, anaesthetic trained theatre nursing and scrub staff to join our friendly and compassionate General Theatres team covering a wide range of specialities including, UGI, Colorectal, Urology, ENT, Max Facs, Robotics, Gynae, Breast, T&O and obstetrics where you'll have the opportunity to make a real difference in delivering exceptional care to our patients throughout their surgical journey.

In this hands-on, vocational role, you'll work alongside skilled and supportive professionals, including anaesthetists, surgical consultants, resident doctors, nurses, and other theatre trained staff, all united by a common goal of ensuring patient safety and achieving high-quality outcomes.

With 17 theatres across the Trust, 10 of which sit on level 5 within our general theatres, you'll play an essential role in an environment where your expertise is valued, and your contributions directly impact the patient journey. In addition to the work we provide in theatres our anaesthetic trained staff also work across, Cath labs, Obstetrics, endoscopy, MRI, IR and CT as well as take part working on the emergency bleep and providing support alongside our Anaesthetists to areas of the hospital such as resus and wards for arrest calls as well as intra and inter hospital transfers.

Main duties of the job

• You will be responsible for the delivery of high-quality patient focused care; providing and maintain a safe environment for all patients attending theatres and perform comprehensive assessment of patient's intra operative care.
• Support anaesthetists and surgeons, ensuring all equipment is set up and ready for use
• Assist anaesthetist and surgeons in a wide range of surgical procedures, ensuring patient safety and comfort
• Responsible for planning the workload for a theatre list, considering the efficient and effective use of all available resources.
• Provide expert care during the whole perioperative phase, ensuring patients wellbeing has been considered at every step.
• Support patients and be the patient advocate during their peri-op pathway, offering emotional support to them and their families
• Work across the anaesthetic, surgery and/or recovery areas, you will also be responsible for responding to emergency treatment situations in areas such as ED/Resus, CT, MRI, Cath Labs and Obstetrics.
• Co-ordinating and carry out perioperative care with minimal supervision, acting as a role model and working with all members of the multi-disciplinary team.
• Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team in achieving a high standard of patient care and having a positive impact on patients' perioperative journey.
• Supervision of students of Nursing, Operating department practitioners, nurses on adaptation programme and post registration learners.

About us
Every member of the team is a highly skilled, competent practitioner who provides exemplary care to people as they emerge from anaesthesia, which can often be a very vulnerable time.

Where to find us?
Torbay Hospital provides acute care for the local community and has several communities' hospitals and is a hot spot for those who are considering living by the sea or within half an hour of Dartmoor National Park and an hour to Exmoor National Park. Meanwhile, Plymouth and Exeter are also both within a short drive to enjoy the culture, maritime history, and shopping experiences.

Why work with us?
You will work alongside the nursing team to ensure a first-class patient experience streamlining the patient journey to optimize efficiency and effectiveness, whilst developing a greater knowledge and understanding of our General Theatres teams. There are plenty of opportunities to learn new skills when joining our supportive, welcoming, and friendly team! Care to join us?

Details
Date posted: 02 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 388-8299926-PC&S

Job responsibilities
We are looking for candidates with a background in theatre and welcome applications for those who are also in addition to scrub trained, anaesthetically trained (either as ODP's or who have done the Anaesthetic bolt on course) and are registered with both NMC and/or HCPC, provided they possess the required experience and qualifications.

Ideally you'd possess

• Analytical skills to assess, plan and evaluate patient care
• Have strong teamwork skills and the ability to work under pressure.
• Be passionate about our patients care and providing high-quality clinical support.
• Display excellent communication skills and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

Our service operates 24/7. Below is an overview of some of our main shift patterns:

• Main Day Shift: 08:00 18:00
• Late Shift: 12:30 21:30
• Night Shift: 21:30 08:30

Full Vacancy details can be found on the attached Job Description/Person Specification.

Please refer to your suitability to the post in your supporting information from the role requirements or person specification.

Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential

• Registered Nurse (NMC) / Registered Operating Department Practitioner (HCPC)

Desirable

• Principles of anaesthesia Care +/- equivalent

Knowledge and experience
Essential

• Ability to assess, plan and evaluate patient care

Desirable

• Evidence of continuous education and professional development
• Mentorship qualification

Specific Skills
Essential

• Organisational and leadership skills
• Research and development awareness

Desirable

• Multiskilling - demonstrate competency in anaesthetics, surgery and recovery

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.

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

Employer details
Employer name: Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust
Address: General Theatres, Torbay Hospital, Lawes Bridge, Torquay, TQ2 7AA, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.torbayandsouthdevon.nhs.uk

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Senior ODP - Urology or Senior ODP - Anaesthetics, Matthew Full or Stewart Cook, matthewfull@nhs.net, 01803655924

The closing date is 13 November 2026.