Band 6 Team Leader- Theatres Scrub

NHS; Luton; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Luton is seeking a Band 6 Team Leader for their theatres in Major and Interventional Vascular Surgery. The role involves leading a dynamic theatre team, ensuring patient care standards, and collaborating with various healthcare professionals. Ideal candidates should possess significant theatre experience and strong leadership skills, with a focus on patient advocacy and effective communication.

Qualifications

• Extensive recent experience in the Theatre environment, especially in major/interventional vascular surgery.
• Team leading experience in the theatre setting is essential.
• Recent experience scrubbing in a variety of surgical specialties.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Theatre team in Major/Interventional Vascular Surgery.
• Assist in ensuring high standards of patient care during perioperative procedures.
• Support in operational management of the service and theatre complex.

Skills

Strong patient advocacy

Excellent communication skills

Leadership capabilities

Organisational skills

Ability to work under pressure

Teaching and mentoring skills

Education

Registered Nurse/ODP with current NMC/HPC registration

Evidence of recent continuing professional development

MSPP (Mentoring and Assessing) course

Job description

Overview

Band 6 Team Leader - Theatres Scrub

Closing date: 13 October 2025

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Band 6 Team Leader within Major and Interventional Vascular Surgery. With this surgery moving from Bedford Hospital to the Luton & Dunstable Hospital site, an exciting opportunity has opened for Band 6 Team Leaders within this specialty. This is an opportunity to join during a period of expansion as we move into the new Acute Services Block with state of the art facilities, including 8 new theatres (two of which are hybrid for interventional work including major vascular).

We welcome applicants who are current Band 6 practitioners in vascular surgery or other specialties seeking to broaden their horizons. The post also welcomes experienced Band 5 Scrub practitioners who wish to climb the career ladder and expand their horizons. Applicants must have excellent written and spoken communication skills and thrive in a busy team environment. The department has a structured orientation programme and competencies to help settle you into the role and contribute to the theatres management team.

Main duties of the job

1. To lead the Theatre team in Major/Interventional Vascular Surgery.
2. To deputise and support the Senior Practitioner in Theatre in all aspects of continuing operational management of the service and the 24 hours management of the theatre complex.
3. To function as a highly skilled practitioner in Theatres, assisting the Surgeon preoperatively, intra-operatively and in the immediate post-operative period.
4. To lead in the provision of a safe environment and to ensure the highest standards of care is received by patients during the perioperative journey.
5. To act as a clinical and professional role model for all levels of staff and students working in the Department.
6. Work collaboratively with midwives, anaesthetists and other members of the MDT.
7. Act as a professional member of the operating theatres team in accordance with NMC/HPC Code of Conduct, ensuring high standards of patient care and accurate documentation.
8. Ensure operating theatre setup and assist in the organisation of the theatre; liaise with theatre team members to communicate changes quickly and accurately.
9. Work with other Trust departments and wards to facilitate maximum use of operating sessions and optimise patient flow between wards and theatre.
10. Assist in developing and maintaining patient care packages and review their effectiveness by audit.
11. Collaborate with the Theatre Services Operational Manager and Senior Practitioners to develop and implement clinical audit and programmes for staff.
12. Lead in facilitating the WHO Safer Surgery Checklist in Theatres, ensuring smooth operation and staff support in its use.
13. Take charge in the absence of the Senior Theatre Practitioner regarding staffing, equipment and resource issues.
14. Assist with staff deployment, considering skill mix to meet service needs.
15. Provide supervision, mentorship and support to learners and junior staff within the department.
16. Participate in duty rotas and maintain staffing levels across a 24 hour period.
17. Support on-call service coverage for sickness or other absence as required.
18. Maintain records of sickness and annual leave and implement Trust policies as appropriate.
19. Participate in interviewing and selection of staff for Band 5 and below.
20. Provide appraisals for Theatre staff within the remit of Trust policy and the Agenda for Change KSF framework.
21. Coordinate operational procedures within theatres as appropriate.
22. Monitor stock levels of pharmacy items and disposables and maintain agreed levels.
23. Ensure custody and registration of controlled drugs is in accordance with Trust policy, reporting discrepancies and initiating investigations as needed.
24. Assist the Theatre Services Operational Manager in department budgeting and use of stock to avoid waste.
25. Lead the department team with an appropriate management style to maintain morale and teamwork.
26. Help establish systems for monitoring quality standards, facilitating audits, risk assessment, and investigating complaints.
27. Participate in staff selection and interviewing for Band 5 and below; promote effective communication across the MDT.
28. Ensure compliance with Trust policies and procedures across the multidisciplinary team.
29. Contribute to the department learning environment through teaching and by example; mentor learners with monitoring and assessment, supporting annual appraisal processes.
30. Ensure accurate input of data into IT systems and participate in equipment servicing and safety, in conjunction with the Theatres Equipment Manager.
31. Contribute to equipment procurement programmes and ensure documentation for all mechanical and electrical equipment used within the department.
32. Attend and contribute to relevant meetings and working groups.
33. Be conversant with Fire and Health & Safety policies; report accidents and complaints per agreed policies and assist investigations as required.
34. Uphold the principles of the NMC/HPC Code of Professional Conduct & Ethics, CPD standards and maintaining registration.

This is an outline job description intended to provide an overview of responsibilities. The post-holder is expected to be flexible to respond to change and organisational needs and to contribute to Trust-wide corporate requirements in consultation with the post-holder.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse/ODP with current NMC/HPC registration.
• Evidence of recent continuing professional development (CPD).
• MSPP (Mentoring and Assessing) course or Practice Assessor/Supervisor updates.

Experience

• Extensive recent experience in the Theatre environment in an Obstetric setting.
• Some recent Band 5 scrub experience in other clinical specialties.

Skills

• High standards of clinical performance and the ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Strong patient advocacy, good management and leadership capabilities.
• Organisational skills and ability to manage change; IT skills; ability to work under pressure; time management.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; good written skills; ability to teach and mentor staff.

Personal characteristics

• Professional, friendly, and able to work independently and as part of a team; mature with a positive attitude.

RGN or ODP

• NMC or HCPC registration
• Recent CPD activity
• Understanding and knowledge of perioperative issues

Scrub experience and related skills

• Extensive experience in major/interventional vascular surgery
• Recent theatre experience (within last 12 months)
• Experience scrubbing in a variety of surgical specialties
• Team leading experience
• Ability to make decisions and solve problems
• Good communication and interpersonal skills

Teaching and Assessing qualifications

• MSPP course or equivalent (Practice Assessor/Supervisor training)
• Teaching and assessing experience

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires an enhanced DBS check.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust