Scrub Theatre Practitioner (Internal Only)

Royal Devon; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NHS Pension

Cycle to work

Nursery onsite

Staff discounts

Job summary

Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in Exeter is seeking a Scrub Theatre Practitioner to join the Nightingale Hospital Exeter’s orthopaedic hub. You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team delivering safe, patient‑centred care in a high-volume elective setting.

Ideally, you are an ODP or RN with scrub theatre experience, committed to professional development, research, and innovation, with opportunities to grow across subspecialities and support a nationally recognised

Qualifications

• Qualified Theatre Practitioner (ODPs or RNs with scrub theatre experience).
• Passionate about patient‑centred care and eager to develop across orthopaedic subspecialities.
• Committed to continuous improvement, innovation and staff development.

Responsibilities

• Join a supportive multidisciplinary team delivering safe, compassionate, high‑quality care.
• Develop across multiple orthopaedic subspecialities and contribute to continuous improvement.
• Engage in innovation, training and research initiatives.

Skills

Theatre Practitioner

ODP/RN scrub experience

Orthopaedics

Job description

Vacancies Scrub Theatre Practitioner (Internal Only)

Role Summary

We are seeking an enthusiastic Scrub Theatre Practitioner to join our nationally award‑winning South West Ambulatory Orthopaedic Centre (SWAOC) at Nightingale Hospital Exeter. This is a unique opportunity to work as a scrub practitioner in a modern surgical hub dedicated to short‑stay elective orthopaedic procedures.

SWAOC is a purely elective cold site providing High Volume, Low Complexity orthopaedic surgery, hosted by the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. As a key system asset, Nightingale provides additional capacity and supports the wider One Devon system.

SWAOC has been recognised nationally for its transformational pathways, now established as GIRFT exemplars, and is proud to be a GIRFT accredited Surgical Hub site. The Care Quality Commission recently praised Nightingale for “an inclusive and positive culture of continuous learning and improvement”, and this ethos underpins everything we do.

About the Role

More detail about the role

By joining us, you will be part of a supportive, multidisciplinary team committed to delivering safe, compassionate, and high‑quality care. You will also benefit from opportunities to engage in innovation, staff development, and research, ensuring you are at the forefront of modern healthcare delivery.

We are looking for a qualified Theatre Practitioner (ODPs or RNs with scrub theatre experience) who is passionate about patient‑centred care, eager to develop across multiple orthopaedic subspecialities, and committed to continuous improvement. In return, we offer professional development, access to training and innovation programmes, and the chance to contribute to a nationally recognised, award‑winning surgical hub that is transforming orthopaedic care across the South West.

We are located 5 mins from J29 of the M5 and on a bus route from Exeter. We currently have access to free local parking.

Working Pattern: 37.5 hours Currently Monday to Friday over 4 days . 07:30 - 17:30 (one at 17:00) . Our theatres currently cover weekdays but may extend into 7 days, subject to service expansion.

This is an internal vacancy for Royal Devon employees

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.

Preference will be given to staff with ‘Priority’ and 'At Risk' status including NHS At Risk staff throughout Devon.

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

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 andNorthern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.

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.

Our values are at the heart of everything we do.

Looking after you is important to us.

We strive to help our staff create a healthy work‑life balance through flexible working schemes and our family friendly policies.

If you are 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 will benefit from access to our own comprehensive occupational health services, including counselling, onsite wellbeing activities and groups.

We will work together to maintain a culture that develops and supports you and your team.

This might include funding for a care certificate, a degree or leadership qualifications. Or it might include days off to study, engage in CPD or rotational placements to help you hone your skills. Wherever you are heading in the NHS, we will help you get there.

Salary is not the only financial benefit

You will 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. You will also have access to other benefits including:

• 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

These are just a few of the benefits available – if the role is something you are interested in, we would love to hear from you.

Scrub Theatre Practitioner (Internal Only)

• Salary Band 5: £32,073 - £39,043 per annum per rata
• Frequency Annual
• Vacancy Reference 185-63303-14266
• Contract Type Permanent
• Closing Date 29 September, 2026
• Job Category Nursing
• Staff Group Nursing & Midwifery Registered