Operating Department Practitioner

NHS; Exeter; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Exeter is seeking an Operating Department Practitioner/Nurse to join a dynamic perioperative team. The ideal candidate will deliver high-quality care in a fast-paced environment, requiring HCPC or NMC registration with anaesthetic qualifications. This role offers ongoing training and professional development opportunities and demands strong clinical judgement and communication skills. The incumbent will play a key role in ensuring patient safety and work collaboratively with theatre colleagues. Shifts include various hours including nights and weekends.

Benefits

27 days paid annual leave (rising to 33 days)

NHS Pension scheme

Staff discounts on shopping and fitness

Qualifications

• Must be HCPC registered as an ODP or NMC registered with anaesthetic qualifications.
• Strong ability to stay calm under pressure is essential.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality perioperative care across anaesthetics and scrub.
• Support consultants to ensure safe surgical lists.
• Prepare and maintain clinical environments to the highest standards.

Skills

HCPC registration or NMC registration with anaesthetic qualifications

Strong clinical judgement

Excellent communication skills

Commitment to patient safety

Willingness to train

Job description

Operating Department Practitioner/Nurse (Anaesthetic)

The closing date is 16 February 2026

Our theatre team is expanding, and we are looking for dedicated Operating Department Practitioners to join our dynamic perioperative service within our Main theatre suite. This is an opportunity to bring your clinical expertise into a fast‑paced, supportive environment where patient care, teamwork, and professional growth truly matter.

What we’re looking for

• HCPC registered ODPs (or NMC registered nurses with anaesthetic qualifications)
• Strong clinical judgement and the ability to stay calm under pressure
• Excellent communication skills and a collaborative mindset
• Commitment to patient safety and evidence‑based practice
• Willingness to develop through ongoing training and CPD

Main duties of the job

For more detail about the main duties of this role, please see the job description section below. As a key member of the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, you will be joining an exceptional team working together to help our patients to stay healthy, when they need it most.

About us

Stretching across Northern, Eastern and Mid Devon, we have a workforce of over 15,000 staff, making us the largest employer in Devon. Our core services, which we provide to more than 615,000 people, cover more than 2,000 square miles across Devon, while some of our specialist services cover the whole of the peninsula, extending our reach as far as Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

We deliver a wide range of emergency, specialist and general medical services through North Devon District Hospital and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford).

Alongside our two acute hospitals, we provide integrated health and social care services across a variety of settings, including community inpatient hospitals, outpatient clinics, and within people’s own homes. We also offer primary care services, a range of specialist community services, and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC).

Our state‑of‑the‑art equipment, leading technologies and strong links to local universities put us at the forefront of research and innovations, enabling us to provide world‑class care to our local communities.

It’s never been a more exciting time to join the Royal Devon, as you’ll help to shape our services as we continue along our integration journey.

Job responsibilities

More detail about the role

Our Main theatre department covers a wide range of specialities: Colorectal, Upper GI, Urology, MaxFax & ENT, Plastic & Breast, Orthopaedic Trauma, 24‑hour general emergency cover, and we have recently opened a state‑of‑the‑art Hybrid Vascular suite. We also have two DaVinci robots that are shared between General surgery, Urology, ENT and Gynaecology.

We work closely with colleagues in our other theatre departments such as our Orthopaedic theatres (PEOC), Centre for Women’s Health (CWH) and our Community sites, so we do ask for flexibility when needing to support other areas.

We ask that our ODPs dual role is possible to deliver high‑quality care between anaesthetics and scrub, however extensive experience in one area would not be ruled out.

Shifts include weekends, nights and on‑calls including emergency general and maternity cover.

What you’ll be doing

• Delivering high‑quality perioperative care across anaesthetics and scrub
• Supporting consultants and theatre colleagues to ensure safe, efficient surgical lists
• Preparing and maintaining clinical environments to the highest standards
• Acting as a patient advocate throughout their surgical journey
• Contributing to service development and continuous improvement initiatives
• Teaching and supporting students and new starters

Training, Development, and Career Progression

We believe in investing in our team members. You will receive a comprehensive in‑house induction and participate in our Theatre Practitioner Band 5 Skills Development Programme. If you’re newly qualified, our preceptorship scheme will support you in your first year as a registered professional.

Our commitment to your growth doesn't stop there. Our Clinical Educators are embedded within the department, ready to provide guidance and encouragement whenever you need it. Additionally, our Royal Devon‑wide Buddy scheme offers further support to foster your success.

Whether you’re aiming to enhance your leadership skills or specialise in a specific area, we are dedicated to supporting your ongoing professional development through courses and mentoring.

If you’re passionate about delivering exceptional perioperative care and want to work in a team that champions growth, compassion, and clinical excellence, we’d love to hear from you.

Explore more about General Theatres – https://rdehospital.pagetiger.com/cnzwlje/1

Working Pattern

37.5 hours per week. 4 days per week. Early shift 8‑6, late shift 11‑21:00. Nights 21:00‑08:00. Plus on‑calls.

Interview Date

To be confirmed.

Contact

Lee Galvin – Clinical ODP Manager Anaesthetics – [e-mail] – 01392 402368

Caroline Thompson – Clinical Nurse Manager Emergency Surgery – [e-mail] – 01392 402409

Inclusion

As an inclusive employer, the Royal Devon values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusivity where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering a sense of belonging and actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We recognise the advantages of having a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Reserve right to close vacancy

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reserves the right to close vacancy when sufficient applications have been received.

The Trust

The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust was established in April 2022, bringing together the expertise of both the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

Working life balance

We strive to help our staff create a healthy work‑life balance through flexible working schemes and our family‑friendly policies. If you’re starting out in the NHS, you’ll start with 27 days paid annual leave (plus bank holidays), rising to 33 days plus bank holidays. You’ll benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

Financial benefits

Salary is not the only financial benefit. You’ll have access to an extensive range of staff discounts on shopping, fitness and leisure options and you can spread the cost of technology and home appliance purchases from major retailers.

Other benefits

• National discount services such as the Blue Light Card and Health Service Discounts.
• Salary sacrifice options including our OFSTED rated outstanding nursery onsite at Exeter.
• Car lease schemes.
• The NHS Pension scheme (one of the most generous and comprehensive in the UK).
• Cycle to work scheme.

Person Specification

See job description text above.

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.

Employer name

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust