Clinical Operations Lead - Theatre

Fortius; Greater London; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Fortius Clinic seeks an experienced Clinical Operations Lead to coordinate our Operating Theatre services and support outstanding patient care. You will balance hands-on clinical practice with operational leadership, overseeing staff allocation, theatre flow and governance across the peri‑operative pathway.

You will maintain clinical credibility by remaining scrub‑capable, lead a theatre team, and drive service improvements while ensuring patient safety and a high‑quality patient experience

Qualifications

• Registered Practitioner with current NMC or HCPC registration is required.
• Five years' post‑registration operating theatre experience.
• Leadership and line management experience in a theatre/peri‑operative setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead day‑to‑day coordination of the Operating Theatre Department to ensure safe and efficient service delivery.
• Oversee workforce deployment, staff allocation and theatre flow.
• Remain clinically active, undertaking scrub and Surgical First Assistant duties when required.
• Provide line management and development for theatre professionals; drive performance and governance initiatives.

Education

Degree level education or equivalent relevant experience

Qualified Surgical First Assistant

Mentorship / Practice Assessor qualification

Job description

Are you an experienced Theatre Practitioner looking for the opportunity to combine clinical excellence with operational leadership? Fortius Clinic is seeking an exceptional Clinical Operations Lead to play a pivotal role in coordinating our Operating Theatre services and supporting the delivery of outstanding patient care.

Working closely with the Surgical Services Manager - Clinical Operations and fellow Clinical Operations Lead, you will provide day-to-day leadership across the theatre department, ensuring services are delivered safely, efficiently and effectively. This is a highly visible role that combines operational oversight with hands‑on clinical practice within a dynamic and fast‑paced surgical environment.

As a Clinical Operations Lead, you will coordinate theatre activity across the department, overseeing workforce deployment, staff allocation, theatre flow, list readiness and operational priorities. You will proactively identify and resolve issues affecting the delivery of surgical services, ensuring patient safety and an exceptional patient experience remain at the heart of everything we do.

Unlike purely operational positions, you will remain clinically active, undertaking scrub and Surgical First Assistant duties where required. This ensures you maintain clinical credibility, support your colleagues and remain connected to frontline patient care.

You will also provide leadership and line management for a team of theatre professionals, helping to develop talent, support wellbeing, manage performance and foster a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced theatre professional who enjoys balancing hands‑on clinical practice with operational leadership. The Clinical Operations Lead plays a critical role in ensuring the smooth, safe and effective delivery of surgical services while remaining visible and clinically active within the theatre environment.

Key Elements of the Role

Operational Leadership & Theatre Coordination

• Lead the day‑to‑day coordination of the Operating Theatre Department, ensuring surgical activity is delivered safely, efficiently and in line with service priorities.
• Maintain oversight of theatre utilisation, patient flow, list progression, staffing levels, equipment availability and operational readiness.
• Respond to changing service demands including late additions, cancellations, changes in case complexity and unexpected operational challenges.
• Work closely with surgeons, anaesthetists, theatre teams and operational departments to facilitate the smooth delivery of surgical lists.
• Make informed operational decisions that prioritise patient safety, clinical effectiveness and the efficient use of resources.

Workforce Leadership & Staff Management

• Coordinate daily staffing and resource allocation across the department.
• Provide direct line management for an allocated team of theatre professionals.
• Lead on performance management, attendance, wellbeing, development and workforce planning.
• Support succession planning, talent development and the creation of a high‑performing team culture.
• Ensure staff maintain professional registration, mandatory training and role‑specific competencies.

Patient Flow & Surgical Service Delivery

• Monitor and coordinate patient flow across the peri‑operative pathway.
• Ensure theatre lists are appropriately resourced and prepared, including equipment, implants, instrumentation and consumables.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to minimise delays, maximise theatre capacity and improve patient experience.
• Support effective management of additional, urgent or late‑booked activity while maintaining safe service delivery.

Clinical Leadership & Governance

• Maintain regular clinical practice through scrub and Surgical First Assistant responsibilities.
• Provide visible clinical leadership and support high standards of patient care and safety.
• Promote compliance with professional standards, NatSSIPs, LocSSIPs and organisational policies.
• Lead or support investigations into incidents, near misses and patient safety concerns.
• Contribute to quality improvement initiatives, audits, service reviews and governance activities.

Service Improvement & Specialist Portfolio Leadership

• Take responsibility for a designated specialist portfolio within Surgical Services.
• Drive improvements in operational performance, efficiency and patient outcomes.
• Support the introduction of new procedures, technologies, equipment and ways of working.
• Identify opportunities to enhance theatre utilisation, workforce effectiveness and service development.

Communication & Stakeholder Management

• Act as a key operational point of contact during the operating day.
• Build effective relationships with surgeons, anaesthetic teams, nursing colleagues and operational departments.
• Manage complex situations professionally and ensure timely escalation of risks and service issues.
• Support effective communication with patients and colleagues where operational challenges arise.

Business Continuity & Cross‑Cover

• Work collaboratively with the second Clinical Operations Lead to provide seamless operational leadership across the department.
• Flex between clinical and coordination responsibilities according to service need.
• Support continuity of service during periods of absence, increased activity or staffing pressures.
• Contribute to business continuity planning and resilience across Surgical Services.
• Maintain competence in clinical duties, including scrub and Surgical First Assistanc
• Act as a positive role model for professional behaviour, clinical excellence and patient‑centred care.
• Maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality and information governance requirements.
• Recognise and elevate concerns relating to patient safety, professional practice, staff wellbeing or service delivery.
• Participate in relevant governance, quality improvement, education and patient safety initiatives.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to the level and scope of the role that support the safe and effective delivery of Surgical Services.

Essential

Registered Practitioner with current NMC or HCPC registration.

Minimum of five years' post‑registration experience with significant operating theatre experience.

Educated to degree level or equivalent relevant experience.

Qualified Surgical First Assistant.

Mentorship / Practice Assessor qualification.

Demonstrable experience coordinating the day‑to‑day running of operating theatres or a comparable peri‑operative environment.

Proven experience of workforce planning, staff allocation and responding to changing staffing requirements.

Experience of line management, including appraisals, performance management, sickness absence and staff development.

Strong understanding of theatre workflow, patient flow, list management and wider peri‑operative requirements.

Ability to assess operational pressures and make timely decisions while balancing patient safety, service requirements and available resources.

Understanding of clinical governance, incident reporting, risk management and quality improvement.

Experience of supporting or contributing to incident investigations and implementing learning.

Excellent organisational, interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with clinical, non‑clinical, senior, consultant and multidisciplinary colleagues.

Demonstrable ability to work collaboratively across professional and organisational boundaries.

Ability and willingness to remain clinically active, including undertaking scrub duties.

Current ILS qualification.

Evidence of continuing professional development.

Demonstrable flexibility and ability to provide effective cross‑cover.

Desirable

Additional leadership or management qualification.

Experience of leading or supporting a specialist surgical portfolio.

Experience of service development or quality improvement projects.

Experience supporting the introduction of new equipment, procedures, technologies or ways of working.

Current ALS qualification.