Job summary
Surgical Day Case Theatres are offering an excellent opportunity for a Theatre Practitioner to gain a full time permanent post for a Senior Theatre Practitioner.

SDC Theatres are based in the Elective Hub at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton within the Kings Treatment Centre at the Royal Derby Hospital. It is a busy environment that means we need to work flexibly with the ward areas.

We are looking for an experienced, enthusiastic Theatre Practitioner who has the motivation to move the service forward, lead and manage all aspect of day surgery in this dynamic environment.

The applicant must have a track record and clinical knowledge in most specialities offered to day surgery patients; and have a willingness to learn and support others.

The successful applicant must show a high level of professionalism to help develop our wide-ranging Theatre service and an understanding of GIRFT and day surgery standards.

The successful candidate will be an integral part of the MDT and should be able to confidently assess, plan, implement and evaluate patient care, communicate effectively with other members of the MDT. The candidate must evidence their CPD and support junior staff to enhance to develop their knowledge and skills. You must show enthusiastic leadership skills, have the ability to act as a Line Manager and deputise for the Lead Practitioner as and when required. Be proactive to achieve agreed objectives and always demonstrate Trust behaviours.

Closing date: 20 July 2026
Interview date: 5 August 2026

Main duties of the job
Perform all the tasks of an ODP/anaesthetic nurse or scrub practitioner/ a combination of these roles.

The range and scope of specialities are: ENT, OMF, UGI, LGI, Breast surgery, Vascular, Plastics, Dermatology, and soon to be coming, Bariatric surgery. We also host and the Community Dental team who need our skills with a diverse group of patients, provide a cardioversion service, and support emergency teams in and out of hours

To co-ordinate, organise and take responsibility and accountability for the team within the SDCU. Actively lead theatre teams in leadership, management and clinical skill for patient safety. The successful candidates will also work, when necessary, within other specialities in surgical theatres, including emergencies.

Provide specialist clinical advice to support and facilitate high quality, individualised care to patients/ relatives, carers in collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team.

About us
As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together

Our fundamental Values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are becoming embedded in all aspects of how we work.

In return we will offer:

• Development opportunities, both professional and leadership development
• On-going support from recruitment to when you join our team and beyond.
• Staff benefits including employee assistance programme, discounted gym membership, onsite fitness classes, car schemes

Key Facts:

• We see on average 4810 OP appointments a day.
• We are the 4th busiest Trauma & Orthopaedic outpatients department in England - an average of 2077 per week.
• An average of 1115 patients are seen in A&Es across our network every day - 3rd largest in the country.
• Our hospitals admit an average of 195 emergency patients daily.
• Last year we undertook almost 33,700 planned surgical operations in our 57 operating theatres.
• We are one of only 7 Trusts nationally with more than 50 operating theatres.
• We carry out more than 140 elective procedures each working day.
• UHDB is a research active University Hospital with a large and varied portfolio of clinical trials and research opportunities for all staff.

Details
Date posted: 06 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 320-SURG-1415
Job locations: Royal Derby Hospital, Uttoxeter Road, Derby, DE22 3NE, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Undertake all duties of a theatre practitioner, deliver high quality care

Co-ordinate the clinical area

Lead the teams with compassion

Lead and line manage staff for off duty, leave, absence, appraisal, personal and professional development plans and quality to deliver safe care

Professional qualities and behaviours as expected by registration and UHDB Trust Values

Manage resources, both pay and no-pay as required by the department.

High level communication skills

Develop staff e.g. in link roles

Work in partnership with services both inside and outside the Trust.

Please see attached JD/PS for more details on this role

Please see attached Job description and Person Specification. To apply please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account.

UHDB is committed to fair and transparent recruitment. We welcome authentic applications that reflect your own skills, experience and motivations for the role. While we understand that candidates may use AI tools for grammar, formatting or accessibility purposes, applications that appear to be substantially AIgenerated may be subject to additional review. If this applies to your submission, we will let you know and may ask for clarification. Please ensure your application accurately represents your experience and is written in your own words.

Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click on the link to check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unable to provide sponsorship Skilled worker: Health and Care Visa \| NHS Employers

Person Specification
Knowledge, training and experience
Essential

• NMC or HCPC registration
• Teaching/assessment/mentorship qualification
• A developed necessary skills, including use of complex technical equipment

Desirable

• Has first level degree or working towards

Analytic and judgement skills
Essential

• Demonstrates problem solving skills
• Able to plan and organise own time and others
• Has good understanding of clinical governance

Desirable

• Demonstrates a calm manner in arising emergency situations
• Can interpret information from many different sources
• Demonstrates compassionate leadership skills in a rapidly changing environment

Communication and relationship skills
Essential

• Ability to establish and maintain positive relations within the team
• Demonstrates ability to work effectively with patients and the MDT
• Can deal with sensitive and complex information

Desirable

• Understands barriers to communication
• Able to persuade and negotiate
• Understands the importance of day surgery throughput, theatre staffing, utilisation and efficiency

Responsibilities for patient care
Essential

• Evidence of high-quality patient care and encouraging the team to have high standards across the specialities in day surgery
• Plans, implements and evaluates care

Desirable

• Able to be involved in developing new services when needed
• Recognises the importance of the MDT

Planning and organisational skills
Essential

• Plans and organises a number of complex tasks
• Can keep track to complete project, even if they take a long time
• Plans and organises the work of junior members of the team during clinical activity

Desirable

• Has experience with unpredictable workloads

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 (opens in a new window).