Theatre Coordinator Anaesthetics - Recovery

NHS; Canterbury; On-site; GBP 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in Canterbury seeks a highly motivated Band 7 registered nurse/ODP. The candidate will provide clinical and professional leadership to the Theatres department, ensuring high standards of care while managing multidisciplinary teams. The role requires a Registered Nurse/ODP qualification and strong leadership skills. The Trust values staff development and offers flexible working arrangements. This is a permanent, full-time position with salary between £47,810 and £54,710 per annum.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse/ODP with strong clinical skills in theatres.
• Minimum 2 years of experience at Band 6.
• Ability to manage staff and coordinate theatre operations.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical leadership to the Theatres department.
• Ensure high standards of patient care and efficient theatre service utilization.
• Implement training and development for the team.

Skills

Clinical knowledge in theatres

Interpersonal skills

Organisational skills

Leadership and management

Education

Registered Nurse/ODP

ODP Diploma/1st Degree

Immediate Life Support

Management/Leadership Course

Job description

Job summary

We are looking for a dynamic, innovative and highly motivated registered nurse/ODP with excellent clinical knowledge in theatres and theatre recovery. The successful candidate must have strong interpersonal skills and be able to work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary team. Good organisational skills, flexibility and sound clinical skills in operating department procedures are essential. You will be required to demonstrate effective and resilient leadership and management skills.

This Band 7 role is vital to the continued development and support of staff in the operating department leading to an improved patient and staff experience. We encourage the development of our staff and support the further education of our team members in areas which benefit the service and our patients.

Main duties of the job

• To provide clinical and professional leadership to the Theatres department.
• The post holder will be responsible as a member of the team for the maintenance of a high standard of patient care, working with the team to ensure our theatre services are utilised efficiently and effectively.
• Assist in the implementation of training and development needs of the multi-disciplinary team.
• To lead and develop a measurable service in line with national measures and clinical outcome measures.
• To implement efficient strategies to ensure all resources are utilised effectively to achieve high standards of care.
• To ensure theatre utilisation and productivity meets targets by liaising with speciality teams to optimise theatre productivity and working with the site theatre management meeting weekly to ensure every list is utilised fully.
• To provide clinical leadership to theatre teams in balancing the challenges of providing safe services with excellent outcomes in a way that delivers efficiencies and meets the expectations of patients, the public and the trust.
• To hold professional accountability for patient safety and effective care with a particular focus on the strategic priorities of handover of care, preventable venous thromboembolic events, medication errors, catheter‑associated UTIs, falls with harm, pressure ulcers, sepsis and other near‑miss events.

About us

We are one of the largest hospital trusts in England, with five hospitals and community clinics serving a local population of around 800,000 people. Our vision is “great healthcare from great people.” Everything we do is guided by our values: “People feel cared for, safe, respected and confident that we are making a difference.” We have a new way of working at East Kent Hospitals, called “We care.” It’s about empowering frontline staff to lead improvements day‑to‑day. We are looking for compassionate people to be part of our improvement journey for the patients, families and carers we care for every day.

Please note that if you require a Certificate of Sponsorship to work in the UK you must declare this on your application form, even if you currently have a certificate of sponsorship or a work permit for another role and are already working in the country.

Details

Date posted: 19 December 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 7

Salary: £47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full‑time, Flexible working

Reference number: 344‑7222SAC

Job locations: Theatres, Kent & Canterbury Hospital, Ethelbert Road, Canterbury, Kent CT9 4FQ

Person Specification

Qualifications and training – Essential

• Registered Nurse/ODP
• ODP Diploma/1st Degree (or equivalent experience and willingness to work towards a degree)
• Immediate Life Support
• Paediatric Immediate Life Support
• Management/Leadership Course
• Mentor Qualification or ENB 998 or Practice Assessor/Practice Supervisor
• Practice Assessor/Practice Supervisor

Desirable

• Post Graduate Certificate or willingness to work towards
• Anaesthetic/airway management experience

Skills and Experience – Essential

• Minimum 2 years at Band 6
• Ability to coordinate main theatre complex
• Ability to manage a group of staff
• Advanced knowledge of own specialist field and working knowledge of at least one other specialist field
• Patient‑focused approach
• IT literate
• Theoretical knowledge and relevant practical experience

Desirable

• Sickness management
• Recruitment and retention

Governance – Essential

• Patient‑focused approach
• Knowledge of theatre‑based computer systems
• Working knowledge of COSHH health and safety
• NMC/HCPC Code of Conduct
• Good understanding of clinical governance
• Risk management
• Understanding of current issues in healthcare
• Audit participation

Desirable

• Advances in recovery care knowledge
• Dealing with conflict
• Mental Health First Aider

Personal Attributes – Essential

• Well‑developed verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to develop working relationships with others
• Time management and personal organisation skills
• Calm and focused under pressure
• Ability to work flexibly and collaboratively
• Good interpersonal skills – within the professional codes of conduct of that body

Desirable

• Mentor Qualification or ENB 998
• Completion of preceptorship

Other requirements – Essential

• To be aware of, uphold and adhere to the Trust's vision, mission and values
• Current understanding of key issues facing the NHS both locally and nationally
• Ability to work on own initiative using sound decision‑making and problem‑solving skills

Security and Legal

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require current skilled‑worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website.

Employer details

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

Theatres, Kent & Canterbury Hospital

Ethelbert Road

Canterbury, Kent

CT9 4FQ

Website: https://www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/