Registered Nurse - Plastics & Breast Scrub Cluster

NBT; West of England; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Registered Nurse (Band 5) to join the Plastics & Breast Cluster in Theatres. The role is full-time (37.5 hours per week) on a permanent basis at Southmead, Bristol, with opportunities to work within a major trauma centre and innovative perioperative services.

We welcome applicants with current NMC registration and surgical ward experience. The post offers a competitive salary (£29,970–£36,483 per annum, pro rata) and flexible working discussions; closing

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with current NMC registration.
• Experience in surgical specialties.
• Teaching and assessing qualification or willingness to undertake after registration.

Responsibilities

• Participate in all aspects of clinical operating department work and provide high standards of patient care.
• Deputise for the Team Leader when required/experience allows.
• Assess, develop, implement and evaluate programmes of care within a multidisciplinary team.

Skills

Communication

Teamwork

Organisation

Problem solving

Education

NMC registered nurse

HCPC registration

Teaching qualification or willing

Job description

Registered Nurse - Plastics & Breast Scrub Cluster

Band 5

Main area Theatres - Scrub Grade Band 5 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 339-ASCR4946-MJA

Site Southmead Town Bristol Salary £29,970 - £36,483 per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 09/11/2026 23:59

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1 st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This creates an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust. Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job overview

So, you’re eager to learn more about Theatre Nursing opportunities at Southmead Hospital, Bristol NHS Foundation Trust.

• Our theatre department is the Major Trauma Centre for the South West Region and a specialist regional centre for a number of services.
• In our Plastics & Breast Cluster we undertake a range of surgery including : general plastic surgery, breast oncology surgery & reconstruction, limb reconstruction, skin cancer surgery & lesion clinics, hand surgery, head & neck surgery, and sarcomas.
• At Southmead Hospital, we are proud to offer all our Theatre Practitioners (Nurses and ODPs) the same job role and access to development opportunities.
• Our multidisciplinary team receive personalised support from the Perioperative Development Team, providing bespoke training programmes and development days for theatre staff.
• We are also innovating the traditional recovery approach, supporting patients during admission, pre-op and post operatively within our Medirooms. A new concept in healthcare, our Medirooms combine the traditional recovery, day-case, same-day and admission areas into a single patient room environment, specifically designed to enhance patient experience by improving the level of privacy and dignity that these areas were traditionally able to offer. Patients also benefit from continuity of care as they are admitted, recovered and discharged/transferred by the same Mediroom team

Main duties of the job

• To participate in all aspects of clinical operating department work, and provide a high standard of patient care and safety in accordance with the Bristol NHS Foundation Trust philosophy and objectives, policies and legal requirements.
• To deputise for the Team Leader when required/experience allows.
• Will be involved in the assessment, development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care and work within a flexible team structure involving a multidisciplinary team.

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a full overview of the Job Description and Person Specification, please refer to the PDF documents attached as an additional documents to this advert.

Care Management

• Demonstrate a sound understanding of scrub and circulating roles and the responsibilities in these roles.
• Be competent in all aspects of scrub / circulating technique and procedures.
• Participate in all safety procedures including safety briefings and WHIO Safer Surgery checklist, swab needle and instrument counts, management of clinical specimens etc.
• Work as a skilled member of the perioperative team, and be responsible for the assessment of care given to patients within the operating theatre and other areas where operative / invasive procedures are performed.
• Run theatre lists both efficiently and competently following policies and procedures.
• Take responsibility in ensuring the safe, effective and efficient management of allocated resources within scrub / circulating areas including assisting with the planning of daily allocation of team members.
• Be responsible for the care and maintenance of all instrumentation, equipment and
  consumable goods within your designated area. This responsibility will extend to all areas of the scrub / circulating service and to inform the appropriate person of any stock/equipment requirements.
• Take appropriate action in regards to faulty equipment as per Trust policy and participate in the ordering and training of new equipment
• Ensure that the department is at all times clean and organised with sufficient supplies and equipment which are correctly cleaned, in working order and correctly stored.
• Supervise the work of junior and unqualified colleagues in the assessment of patients and advise appropriately, providing specialist knowledge in assessing and interpreting acute and other patients conditions.
• Support Theatre Managers in developing and reviewing policies and standards for the safe use of equipment and substances hazardous to health in the department

Person specification

Education/Training/Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with current live NMC registration or Registered ODP
• Evidence of ongoing professional development
• Teaching and assessing qualification (998 or equivalent) or willing to undertake after 2 years post registration (secured a position on this type of course)

Work Experience

• Experience at Band 5 across a range of surgical specialties

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Effective communication skills, verbal & written, to include report writing and record keeping.
• Contribution to team development
• Sound knowledge of the guidelines set out in the NMC / HCPC code of professional conduct and current perioperative issues
• Excellent organisational skills, proven ability to problem solve and remain calm under pressure

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.

BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.

To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.

If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.

The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.

By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.

IMPORTANT:

Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number, if provided, on the application form.

Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification will be shortlisted for this job.

As a guide interviews should usually take place within 3 weeks of the closing date.

When providing employment reference details, please provide correct work-related email addresses so references can be sought promptly when we are looking to progress your application. Your referee must all be known to you in a line manager or professional lead capacity.

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.