Recovery Practitioner

Bedfordshire Hospitals; Bedford, Luton; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Registered Nurse or ODP to join the Recovery Department on a full-time 37.5 hour contract. You will provide specialist postoperative care across elective, emergency, and maternity services within Bedford Hospital, contributing to safe, high-quality patient care.

Role includes mentorship, education, and working across theatres, maternity, and community services, with responsibilities spanning clinical duties, documentation, and adherence to

Qualifications

• RGN / ODP qualified with current NMC or HCPC registration.
• Perioperative Care of Patients or equivalent PACU course.
• PILS
• Student Assessor or SLIP equivalent

Responsibilities

• Act as a specialist recovery practitioner for postoperative care across services.
• Deliver safe, efficient, and timely care in line with local and national standards.
• Mentor and supervise nursing staff and contribute to education and training.
• Maintain accurate records and manage controlled drugs per policy.
• Work across Bedford Hospital and associated theatres, maternity, and community services.

Skills

NMC/HCPC registration

Postoperative care knowledge

Communication skills

Education

NMC/HCPC registration (RN/ODP)

Job description

Main area Recovery Grade NHS AfC: Band 5 Contract Permanent: Will include Evening and weekend working, No set days. Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (37.5 hours) Job ref 418-NUR5104-SSJ

Site Bedford Hospital Town Bedford Salary £32,073 - £39,043 pa Salary period Yearly Closing 12/10/2026 23:59

Job overview

To act as a specialist recovery practitioner, providing post‑operative support for patients across services including elective surgery, emergency care, and maternity.

The post holder is accountable for the provision, organisation, and delivery of patient care within their scope of responsibility and assessed competencies. They will contribute to the development and delivery of safe post‑operative care, working across Bedfordshire NHS Foundation Trust Theatres, Maternity, and community services, including the laser unit, OMF, MRI, and supporting acute pain management. The role also includes providing effective mentorship and supervision, and participating in the education and training of nursing staff. The post holder will ensure that safe, efficient, and timely individualised care is delivered in line with local and national standards.

Main duties of the job

Key Duties

Work as a skilled member of the recovery team, undertaking nursing duties within the recovery area and delivering the highest standard of patient care.

Develop and maintain the clinical skills and knowledge required to provide holistic, evidence‑based nursing care.

Participate in monitoring and maintaining standards in line with clinic policies and procedures, including the daily checking and secure management of controlled drugs.

Communicate effectively and responsibly with colleagues across the multidisciplinary team.

Maintain accurate, legible written and electronic records of care, ensuring patient safety, privacy, and dignity at all times

Skills & Experience

RGN / ODP‑qualified practitioner with current NMC or HCPC registration.

Strong understanding of the post‑operative needs of patients and service users.

Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work under pressure and adapt within a team environment.

Highly motivated, punctual, adaptable, and consistently maintains a professional image

Working for our organisation

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities.

Utilising the specialist peri‑operative care plan, the post holder will assess, plan, implement, and evaluate patient care within their scope of responsibility in the Recovery Department and across all peripheral service areas within Bedford Hospital.

Maintain safe and effective airway management for patients arriving in Recovery, working alongside pain‑management processes to ensure high‑quality post‑operative care.

Ensure clear, effective communication with all members of the multidisciplinary team, patients, and relatives. This includes giving and receiving complex or sensitive information, recognising individual needs, and addressing any barriers to understanding.

Competently undertake a wide range of clinical duties in line with professional training and departmental protocols, demonstrating proficiency across Recovery and other relevant areas within Bedford Hospital NHS Trust.

Contribute to the setting, monitoring, and evaluation of care standards in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team.

Work effectively as a team member, supporting colleagues to deliver safe and coordinated care.

Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date patient records in accordance with departmental policies, including care plans and systems such as OPERA, ensuring all documentation supports safe, high‑quality care.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse (NMC) or ODP
• Perioperative Care of Patients or Equivalent course for PACU
• PILS
• Student Assessor or SLIP equivalent

Experience

• Evidence of Continuous Professional Development
• Previous experience in Recovery/Critical Care/HDU setting

Knowledge

• Knowledge of professional codes of conduct and practice
• Knowledge of Patient safety
• Postoperative Care of Surgical Patients
• Knowledge of WHO checklist
• CPD (Perioperative Care of Patients)

Personal Skills

• Able to work under pressure
• Able to meet deadlines
• Able to adapt to changing needs of the service
• Open and Team Focused
• Reliable, Adaptable and Dependable
• Enthusiastic and self-aware
• Creative and Adaptable
• Warm and Reflective

Other

• Able to work various shift pattern and unsocial hours

It is an exciting time to join Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. Travel between hospital sites may be required. We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.