Theatre Practitioner

Job Description:

Job Title: Theatre Practitioner (86337)

Trust: Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS FT

Location: Arrowe Park Hospital

Band: 5
Department: Peri Operative Medicine
Division: Surgery

Job Reference: J2734
Reporting To: Senior Theatre Practitioner / Theatre Specialty Lead

About the Role

We are seeking a motivated, enthusiastic, and patient-focused Theatre Practitioner (Band 5) to join our Peri Operative Medicine team within the Surgery Division. This post is ideal for a junior practitioner who is keen to develop their peri-operative skills while working as part of a dynamic, multidisciplinary theatre team in a supportive learning environment.

Key Responsibilities

As a Theatre Practitioner, you will participate under the supervision of senior and specialist practitioners in the planning, delivery, and evaluation of care for patients throughout the peri-operative journey. With appropriate support, you will be expected to take a lead role within theatre teams during specific operating lists, ensuring care is delivered safely, efficiently, and in accordance with best practice.

You will maintain accurate and timely documentation of theatre episodes in line with Trust and departmental policies, and actively promote the safety, wellbeing, and dignity of patients, staff, and visitors. A strong commitment to clinical governance, risk management, and infection prevention and control is essential, and you will be expected to participate in incident reporting, audits, and quality improvement initiatives.

The role requires strict adherence to Trust policies, health and safety regulations, and professional codes of conduct. You will be responsible for the safe and effective use of equipment and medical devices, ensuring you have completed the appropriate training and competencies prior to use. Attendance at mandatory training and maintenance of an up-to-date professional portfolio are essential requirements of the post.

Duties and Key Tasks

You will work as an active member of the theatre team, assisting surgeons and anaesthetists within the limits of your knowledge, skills, and competencies. The role involves undertaking scrub, anaesthetic, or recovery duties appropriate to your level of training and experience, requiring sustained concentration and attention to detail.

Key duties include assisting with patient positioning and transfers, ensuring patient safety and dignity at all times, preparing and checking equipment and instrumentation, and using personal protective equipment appropriately during frequent exposure to blood, body fluids, and chemicals. You will support infection control standards, contribute to maintaining a clean and safe environment, and work flexibly to meet service needs, including participation in the department rota and out-of-hours working.

Effective communication is a core requirement of the role. You will liaise closely with members of the multidisciplinary team and communicate sensitively with patients, relatives, and colleagues, including situations involving complex or sensitive information. You will also reflect on your practice, engage in clinical supervision, and take responsibility for identifying and addressing your own learning and development needs.

Enhanced Role and Development Opportunities

This post includes an enhanced practice element, with structured training to develop advanced assisting skills. Under supervision and in line with professional and Trust guidelines, you will work towards performing tasks associated with the role of a surgical or anaesthetic assistant. These may include assisting with patient positioning, skin preparation and draping, handling instruments, tissues, suction and irrigation, assisting with haemostasis, cutting sutures, operating endoscopic cameras, and applying dressings.

With appropriate training and competency assessment, the role may also include skills such as peripheral venous cannulation, bag and mask ventilation, assisting with arterial and central venous line insertion, and ureteral catheterisation. Progression of these skills will be supported through education, supervision, and ongoing competency assessment.

Person Specification

Applicants must be a Registered Nurse or Operating Department Practitioner, with a commitment to maintaining up-to-date skills and professional knowledge. You should demonstrate a strong awareness of health, safety, and security, excellent time management, self-motivation, and the ability to identify your own learning needs. A willingness to participate in teaching, support colleagues, and contribute to service development is essential.

Previous peri-operative experience and an interest in developing enhanced skills are desirable. You must demonstrate flexibility, professionalism, and a clear commitment to the Trust’s core values and behaviours.

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: In person