Operating Department Practitioner - 37.5 hours (12m Mat Cover)

British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS); Twickenham; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading reproductive healthcare charity in Twickenham seeks an experienced Operating Department Practitioner for a 12-month fixed term contract. This role offers regular 8-hour shifts with no nights, blending a supportive environment with essential reproductive healthcare. Candidates should have relevant nursing qualifications, experience in theatre settings, and strong interpersonal skills. Join the team to provide crucial support to clients during their healthcare journey while maintaining high standards of care.

Benefits

34 days annual leave

Life assurance at 3 salary

Defined contribution pension scheme

Access to GP 24/7, year-round

Mental fitness app and counselling support

Qualifications

• Registered Adult Nurse Level 1 or Registered Operating Department Practitioner with anaesthetic experience.
• Evidence of ongoing professional development and willingness to take additional training.
• Experience in all areas of the operating department.

Responsibilities

• Prepare operating environment and anaesthetic equipment.
• Support and observe clients during the pre/post-operative period.
• Maintain anaesthetic stock levels and assist in anaesthetic preparation.
• Reassure and provide comfort to anxious clients.
• Complete necessary documentation accurately and timely.

Skills

Airway management

Communication skills

Teamwork

Anaesthetic experience

Education

Registered Adult Nurse Level 1

Registered Operating Department Practitioner

Anaesthetic course

Recovery course

Teaching and assessing course

Job description

Operating Department Practitioner - 37.5 hours (12m Mat Cover)

The closing date is 22 December 2025

*This role is on a 12 month FTC covering maternity leave.

Are you an experienced Operating Department Practitioner looking for a better work‑life balance?

Here at BPAS we can offer you just that! 8 hour shifts, no nights and routine procedures.

We are looking for an ODP or Adult Nurse Level 1 with theatre/anaesthetic experience to join the theatre team at our Richmond unit on a full time basis, working flexibly over Monday to Friday.

BPAS Richmond delivers a full range of reproductive healthcare services including surgical procedures under conscious sedation and general anaesthetic. A large & busy unit, it offers a friendly supportive team environment.

This is an opportunity to utilise your theatre/recovery skillset gained throughout your career in a different way, working for a charitable organisation that strives to deliver high standards of client care.

About You

You will be a Registered Adult Nurse Level 1 or Registered Operating Department Practitioner with experience of working within an operating department/theatre environment, who is passionate about supporting clients during a vulnerable time in their lives.

You’ll have knowledge of airway management and care of the unconscious client along with exceptional interpersonal and communication skills both written and verbal, with the ability to maintain accurate documentation. With a positive can‑do attitude, you will be a team player, with the ability to work on your own initiative when required.

Main duties of the job

• Check and prepare the operating department environment & anaesthetic equipment prior to use, between clients & at the end of the list.
• Undertake the care, support, & observations of the client during the pre / post‑operative period, reporting any abnormal recordings to the Anaesthetist.
• Maintain anaesthetic stock levels, including storing, replenishing & ordering of drugs, oxygen & equipment, & oversee & assist with the preparation of anaesthetics.
• Provide comfort, support & reassurance to clients at times of anxiety or distress, & to maintain and respect the privacy, dignity & confidentiality of clients at all times.
• Oversee, complete & sign off relevant documentation, ensuring it is accurate & fully completed in a timely manner, and ensure relevant sections of the surgery checklist is completed before and after procedures.

About the role

As an ODP, you will work within the operating department to provide planned care for clients undergoing anaesthetic and surgical procedures and will deliver specialist assistance to the anaesthetist. Working as a part of a multi‑disciplinary team you will also work across the full peri‑operative pathway including scrub and recovery.

About us

The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) is the UK's largest independent reproductive healthcare charity, providing evidence‑based, not‑for‑profit reproductive healthcare. We work mainly on behalf of the NHS, offering abortion care, contraception, and STI testing and treatment across the country.

When you join BPAS, you become part of a values‑driven organisation where compassion, professionalism, and choice guide everything we do. You will help remove barriers to safe reproductive care while supporting people to make informed choices about their health and futures.

Working with us - benefits include:

• 34 days annual leave (including bank holidays)
• Life assurance at 3 salary
• Defined contribution pension scheme
• Access to GP 24/7, 365 days a year
• MyMindPal mental fitness app and 24/7 counselling support
• Online discounts, discounted gym membership, and other lifestyle benefits
• Family‑friendly policies to support work‑life balance

Safeguarding, Equality & Diversity

BPAS is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone who uses our services, and all staff share this responsibility. Recruitment follows safer‑recruitment principles and includes appropriate pre‑employment checks.

We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We are proud to be an inclusive employer and will make reasonable adjustments to ensure a fair and accessible recruitment process for all candidates.

Job responsibilities

The full job description can be found on the right hand side in the supporting documents, which is available for you to download and review.

Further Information

*We may close this advert early if we receive a high number of suitable applications, although we aim to keep it open long enough to ensure a diverse and representative applicant pool.

*If you have any questions about the role or require adjustments to support your application, please get in touch, we are happy to help.

Salary: £38,705 to £46,232 per annum (salary is inclusive of Outer London Weighting) - depending on skills and experience.

Contract: 12 month fixed term covering maternity leave

Working Pattern: 37.5 hours per week - 5 x 7.5 hour shifts | To be worked flexibly over Monday to Friday. More to be discussed at the interview.

Apply now Interested in making a difference? Apply today to join our team.

Values & eligibility All applicants must be pro choice and support a woman's right to choose, in line with BPAS values and mission.

Application outcome If you do not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, unfortunately you have not been shortlisted on this occasion.

References & pre‑employment checks All offers of employment are conditional on satisfactory pre‑employment checks. Applicants must provide three years of employment references, including reasons for leaving and details of any gaps in employment.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Registered Adult Nurse Level 1 or Registered ODP
• Willingness to undertake local training to enable working within all areas of the operating department.
• Evidence of on‑going professional development
• Anaesthetic course
• Recovery course
• Teaching and assessing course (mentorship)

Experience

• At least 6 months experience of working within anaesthetics
• Willingness to work within all areas of the operating department (anaesthetics / theatre / recovery)
• Knowledge of NMC / HCPC codes and ability to work within these
• Knowledge of airway management and care of the unconscious client
• Experience of working in all areas of the operating department (anaesthetics / theatre / recovery)
• Experience of gynae / TOP surgery

General

• Do you support a woman's right to choose abortion?
• Are you the family or friend of a current BPAS employee? If yes, please state the name and the nature of the relationship.
• Please state your professional body and membership
• Please state your membership/registration number along with your renewal/expiry date
• This role is for 37.5 hours per week over Monday to Friday at our unit in Richmond, London (TW1 2AR). Can you commit to this?
• Are you aware this role is on a 12 month fixed term contract covering maternity leave?
• Would you like to add any additional information to support your application?

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.

British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS)

£38,705 to £46,232 a year- Depending on skills & experience