Theatre Practitioner

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust; Bristol; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is seeking Experienced Band 5 Theatre Practitioners to join the Bristol Royal Hospital for Sick Children theatres. You will work within Childrens Theatres and Anaesthetics, delivering high standards of perioperative care in a busy environment.

The role is full-time (37.5 hours) including nights and weekends, with a commitment to patient safety and teamwork. Applications from experienced theatre nurses/ODPs are welcomed, with opportunities for development and flexible

Qualifications

• Perioperative experience within a theatre setting.
• Registration with the NMC or appropriate body; evidence of nursing/ODP qualification.
• Anaesthetic qualification or equivalent experience preferred for this role.

Responsibilities

• Take charge of the clinical needs of defined patients over a 24-hour period.
• Delegate tasks to team members ensuring safe patient care.
• Maintain accurate nursing documentation per trust standards.
• Demonstrate compliance with trust policies and promote safety.
• Promote a safe and clean environment to prevent infection.
• Identify and report incidents following UHBW policies and assist investigations.
• Collaborate with senior nurses to develop management skills.
• Continue personal and professional development through appraisal cycles.
• Mentor student nurses/ODPs and provide training support.
• Act as a preceptor to newly registered staff after one year.

Skills

Perioperative experience

Patient safety

Teamwork & communication

Education

Registered Nurse Level 8 or C or C+G 752 / NVQ level 3 Operating department practitioner / Dip HE in Operating Room Practice (A)

Training qualification or equivalent experience (A)

Anaesthetic Qualification (A)

Job description

Main area Anaesthetics and Scrub in Childrens Theatres Grade Band 5 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Inc nights, weekends and late shifts) Job ref 387-W&C6347-GE

Employer Bristol NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Coastguard Theatres Town Bristol Salary £32,073 - £39,043 per annum, pro rata for part time role Salary period Yearly Closing 23/11/2026 23:59

Theatre Practitioner

Band 5

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 will create 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. 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

Experienced Band 5 Theatre Practitioners, Childrens Theatres, Nurses and ODP'S

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated individuals with a flexible approach to be part of our Theatre Team within Bristol Royal Hospital for sick children.

We are a busy trauma centre hosting a wide range of servcies including; neurosurgery, cardiac/cath lab orthopaedics, trauma and spinal surgery.

We currently have vacancies for band 5 positions (permanent and secondment considered) in within Childrens Theatres and are looking for people to join our team within theatres for surgical specialities, Anaesthetics and practioners who are skilled both perioperative modalites.

Potential candidates will have theatre experience and will ideally hold an anaesthetics qualification.

Main duties of the job

• Take charge of the clinical needs of a group of defined patients on the ward / department prioritising workload according to changing clinical need over a 24 hour period.
• Delegate tasks and activities to a range of team members in relation to patient care for example when taking charge or as link nurse
• Ensure nursing documentation is maintained, accurate in line with trust standards.
• To demonstrate compliance with trust policies, procedures and standards. To work towards promoting this to others.
• Promote and maintain a safe environment for patients.
• Promote a clean environment and the prevention of hospital acquired infection.
• Identify record and report all incidents / complaints involving staff, patients and visitors in accordance with UHBW policies and assist in any investigations as required.
• Work with senior nurses to develop management skills.
• Maintain, update and develop personal and professional knowledge and skills by participating in the trust’s appraisal and review processes.
• Undertake training to extend current skills and to expand the scope of professional practice for the clinical care and patient care.
• Participate in staff education and development, including utilising appropriate learning opportunities and to act as a mentor and resource for student nurses/ODP’s, adaptation and unqualified members of the theatre team.
• Act as a preceptor to newly registered nurses/ODPs after one year, post registration.

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

As one of our dedicated general practitioners you will work up to 37.5 hours a week which includes nights and weekends lates and on calls.

We would expect the successful candidates to be a caring and compassionate individual, focused on providing outstanding quality patient care, demonstrating awareness of the Trust’s vision and objectives and support the Trust’s ambition to provide “exceptional healthcare, personally delivered”.

Person specification

Education and Qualification

• Registered Nurse Level 8 or C or C+G 752 / NVQ level 3 Operating department practitioner / Dip HE in Operating Room Practice (A)
• Training qualification or equivalent experience (A)
• Anaesthetic Qualification (A)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to solve problems and use initiative (A), (I)
• Ability to develop own clinical skills and a willingness to participate in continuing professional development (A), (I)
• Basic IT skills (e.g. Microsoft packages) (A), (I)
• Willingness to develop teaching skills (A), (I)
• Able to prioritise and meet deadlines (A), (I)
• Flexible working practices to support the service (A), (I)
• Resilient with an awareness that the role can be stressful and emotional at times.
• Ability to take the lead, initiate and ensure appropriate action in response to the deteriorating patient (

Experience

• Experience of caring for sick adults in a variety of setting – this could be as a student
• Motivated and Professional
• Experience of working in the perioperative environment
• Experience of taking charge of an individual theatre

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.