PACU Practitioner

NHS; Torquay; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in the UK seeks a PACU Practitioner to ensure high-quality patient care in the post-operative period. The role requires a Registered Nurse or Registered Operating Department Practitioner qualification. Responsibilities include managing patient recovery, coordinating transfers to the next care level, and ensuring safety standards. Opportunities for personal development through rotation in different departments are available. The annual salary ranges from £31,049 to £37,796.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse or Registered Operating Department Practitioner is required.
• Experience in PACU and theatre settings enhances candidacy.

Responsibilities

• Care for surgical patients in the immediate post-operative period.
• Manage multiple patients and their post-operative pain relief.
• Coordinate patient transfers to onward care.

Skills

Ability to assess, plan and evaluate patient care

Effective verbal and written communications skills

IT Skills

Multiskilling in anaesthetics, surgery and recovery

Education

Registered Nurse (NMC) / Registered Operating Department Practitioner (HCPC)

Post registration theatre/PACU experience and/or qualification

Job description

Go back Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

PACU Practitioner

The closing date is 28 December 2025

We are looking for Registered Practitioner caring for all patients in the immediate post operative period, including care of all age groups and across all surgical specialities.

The main role of the job is to care for surgical patients in the immediate post operative period and for up to twenty four hours after if they require extra support.

You will be responsible for the delivery of high-quality patient focused care in the immediate post-operative phase, care for High Dependency Patients, Paediatric patients and care of the elderly as needed. To provide and maintain a safe environment for all patients attending theatres and PACU.

In addition, co-ordinate and carry out post- operative care and working with all members of the multi-disciplinary team and support and develop staff & students in PACU acting as both a Mentor and Preceptor. Working with the wider hospital community to ensure patient pathways are safe and fit for purpose.

Our philosophy is ‘together we can make things better’, if this aligns with your ambition, passion and beliefs, we will welcome an application from you.

Main duties of the job

• As a Registered Practitioner you will be responsible for one to one patient care whilst their airway is compromised, moving to care of several patients managing their post operative pain, nausea and vomiting, psychological support of the patient and their relatives and ensuring standards of care and patient safety are maintained.
• You will also ensure the patient is transferred to onward care be this as a day case or an inpatient in a timely manner.
• We also have High Dependency patients through the unit and you will be expected to care for these patients when competent and able to do so.

About us

As a competency based department we endeavour to develop staff to be the best they can be whilst preserving standards and maintaining patient safety.

The department is supported by dynamic Practice Educator's as well as a senior management Team that believes in learning from excellence and open communication.

There will be opportunity for personal development and potential rotation through Theatre, ICU and Day Surgery.

Torbay Hospital is a DGH and covers many different surgical specialities and all patient age ranges.

Why work with us

Job responsibilities

Full Vacancy details can be found on the attached Job Description/Person Specification. Please refer to your suitability to the post in your supporting information from the role requirements or person specification.

#caretojoinus

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse (NMC) / Registered Operating Department Practitioner (HCPC)
• Post registration theatre/PACU experience and / or qualification

Knowledge

• Ability to assess, plan and evaluate patient care
• Effective verbal and written communications skills
• IT Skills
• Evidence of continuous education and professional development

Experience

• Organisational and leadership skills
• Research and development awareness
• Multiskilling - demonstrate competency in anaesthetics, surgery and recovery

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.

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust

£31,049 to £37,796 a year per annum pro rata