Job summary
We are recruiting enthusiastic Band 5 Anaesthetic and Recovery Practitioners to join our theatres team at The Alexandra Hospital, Redditch. This role is part of our countywide theatres service. Essential Criteria Trained in both Anaesthetics and Recovery.

This post is suitable for both experienced practitioners and newly qualified staff who are looking to develop their skills within a supportive perioperative team. You will work across anaesthetics and recovery, delivering safe, effective and compassionate care to patients throughout the perioperative pathway.

The Alexandra Hospital provides a varied theatre environment with a range of surgical specialities, offering excellent opportunities to gain experience and develop clinical skills within a busy and supportive multidisciplinary team. Newly qualified practitioners will be supported through a structured preceptorship and development programme. Experienced practitioners will have opportunities to further develop their skills and contribute to maintaining high standards of patient care. We are looking for motivated and adaptable individuals who are committed to delivering safe, high-quality care and who share our Trust values of being open and honest, ensuring people feel cared for, and showing respect to everyone. You must be a Registered Nurse (Adult) or Operating Department Practitioner with current NMC or HCPC registration, or be due to qualify shortly. Flexible working options may be considered in line with service needs.

Main duties of the job
As a Band 5 Anaesthetic and Recovery Practitioner, you will provide safe, effective, and compassionate perioperative care to patients undergoing surgical procedures. You will assist in the preparation and delivery of anaesthesia, working under the supervision of senior practitioners and anaesthetists, ensuring equipment, medication, and the clinical environment are prepared and checked in line with Trust policies.

You will deliver high-quality post-anaesthetic care in the recovery area, monitoring patients physiological condition, recognising and responding to changes in their condition, and escalating concerns appropriately. You will support patients through recovery, providing reassurance and maintaining dignity and comfort at all times.

You will contribute to maintaining a safe theatre environment, adhering to infection prevention, health and safety, and safeguarding policies. Accurate documentation and effective communication with the multidisciplinary team will be essential to ensure continuity of care.

The post holder must demonstrate the ability to work flexibly across the countywide theatres service in accordance with service demands.

About us
Our purpose is simple Putting Patients First. We are looking for exceptional colleagues who can help us achieve this.

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.

The Trust operates hospital-based services from three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and Worcester.

Our workforce is over 7,000 strong, and our caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred care. You could be one of them.

We are committed to recruiting the best people to work with us to achieve our Vision working in partnership to provide the best healthcare for our communities, leading and supporting our teams to move forward. Our values, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do. These values are: being open and honest, ensuring people feel cared for, and showing respect to everyone.

Better never stops, and our Clinical Services Strategy provides a clear future vision for our Trust, our hospitals, our services and our role in the wider health and care system.

We are proud to have achieved Timewise accreditation this means we are committed to embedding flexible working within our organisation as a flex positive employer.

Job responsibilities
WORCESTERSHIRE ACUTE HOSPITALS NHS TRUST JOB DESCRIPTION
Post Title: Theatre Practitioner - RN / ODP
Pay Band: Band 5
Hours: Full/Part time
Contract: Permanent
Location / Department: Alexandra Hospital.
Accountable to: Theatre Matron
Reports to: Senior Team Leader
Ref: 2025

Key Working Relationships
Internal: Patients, anaesthetists, surgeons, theatre personnel
External: Visitors to theatres, relatives, ward personnel, housekeeping, portering, and estates teams
Liaises with: Multidisciplinary team (MDT)

Risk Assessment
This post involves manual handling activities and exposure to bodily fluids and chemicals. It includes responsibilities related to theatre equipment, instruments, and medication, as well as perioperative patient monitoring. The role requires some computer work and may involve working under pressure in emergency situations.

Job Purpose
Deliver safe, compassionate, and high-quality perioperative care to patients undergoing surgical procedures. Act as the patients advocate, prioritising their needs and well-being throughout the surgical journey. Facilitate effective communication within the multidisciplinary team to ensure seamless and patient-centred care across the theatre pathway. Accept responsibility for infection prevention and control practices within the team and theatre environment. Provide supervision and support to staff and students. The role may require working across all Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust sites.

Key Duties
Theatre Practice
Prepare the theatre environment, equipment, and instruments for surgical procedures, ensuring compliance with infection control and safety standards. Assist the surgical and anaesthetic teams during operations by performing scrub, circulating, or anaesthetic practitioner duties as required. Monitor patients condition throughout the perioperative period, responding promptly to any changes or concerns. Maintain accurate and detailed patient records and documentation in line with legal, professional, and Trust requirements. Ensure safe handling and management of surgical instruments, theatre equipment, and consumables. Participate in the safe management and administration of medicines and controlled drugs as per Trust policy.
Management
Support team leaders in managing staff performance and teamwork within the theatre team. Report incidents, accidents, and near misses promptly through the appropriate channels. Identify and mitigate risks within the theatre environment. Ensure efficient use of resources and participate in stock rotation. Foster a positive, supportive, and learning-focused team culture. Maintain safety standards for staff, patients, and visitors. Ensure equipment is maintained and used safely.
Education and Training
Engage in continuous professional development to maintain and enhance clinical skills. Act as a mentor and assessor for students and new staff, supporting their learning and integration into clinical practice. Participate in training sessions and share knowledge gained with colleagues. Promote a culture of reflective practice and competency development across the team.
Professional
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of clinical practices, Trust policies, and developments in technology and equipment. Demonstrate professionalism and act as a role model for others. Take responsibility for your own professional development and adhere to regulatory and Trust standards. Promote clear communication within the multidisciplinary team to ensure coordinated patient care. Comply with infection prevention and control protocols at all times.
General Duties
Participate in on-call rotas or out-of-hours duties as required. Collaborate effectively with other departments to ensure smooth patient care transitions. Adhere to Trust policies on data protection, confidentiality, and IT usage. Contribute to audits, quality improvement projects, and service development initiatives. Take personal responsibility for health and safety at work and comply with statutory and organisational requirements.

Vision and Values
As a representative of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, you are expected to uphold our core values:

• Being open and honest
• Ensuring people feel cared for
• Showing respect to everyone

These values guide your daily conduct and foster a culture of compassionate, inclusive care.

Person Specification
Experience
Essential

• Experience of working as part of a team.
• Experience working in the Theatre environment.
• Must be Anaesthetic and Recovery Trained

Desirable

• Experience of clinical supervision.
• Competent/ assist anaesthetist / recover wide range of elective and emergency patients.

Qualifications
Essential

• Registered Nurse Level 1 (currently registered with NMC or Registered ODP (currently registered with HCPC)
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Must be Anaesthetic and Recovery Trained

Desirable

• Assessor Qualification
• Relevant post-basic qualification

Other Job requirements
Essential

• Excellent attendance and time keeping.
• Willing to work across hospital sites within scope of practice as and when required.
• Able to work and cope with rotating shift patterns - early, late, night shifts over seven days of the week and on-call as necessary.
• To deputise for the team leader as necessary.

Skills / Knowledge
Essential

• Awareness of current peri-operative practice.
• Reporting incidents using datix or similar reporting system.
• Knowledge of anatomy/physiology knowledge relevant to role.
• Good verbal, literacy and communication skills.
• Computer literate (use of IT software packages e.g. Word, Email).
• Understanding of manual handling practices and policies.
• Awareness of Health and Safety.
• Clinical Governance

Desirable

• Budget management

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).

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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.