Theatre Practitioner

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

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Training and development

Career progression

Job summary

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust is hiring Band 5 Theatre Practitioners for the General Theatres at Bristol Royal Infirmary. Roles include anaesthetics and scrub within HPB/GI, robotics, and trauma, with development opportunities and a supportive PEF team.

Ideal candidates have perioperative experience, can work in a multidisciplinary team, and are ready for a 37.5-hour week including nights and weekends on a rotating basis.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse with NHS registration and operating department practice qualification.
• Experience in perioperative environment and multidisciplinary theatre teams.
• Ability to develop clinical skills and participate in CPD.

Responsibilities

• Take charge of the clinical needs of a group of defined patients on the ward/department over a 24-hour period.
• Delegate tasks to a range of team members in relation to patient care.
• Ensure nursing documentation is accurate and maintained to trust standards.
• Promote a safe environment for patients and maintain infection control.
• Participate in staff education and development, acting as a mentor.
• Undertake training to extend current skills and expand professional practice.
• Act as preceptor to newly registered nurses/ODPs after one year.

Skills

Problem solving

CPD

Teaching skills

IT skills

Flexibility

Leadership

Communication

Education

Nurse registration

Operating department practitioner

Dip HE ORP

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Main area Anaesthetics and scrub in main theatres Grade Band 5 Contract Permanent: Full time Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Inc nights, weekends and late shifts) Job ref 387-S0327-GB

Employer Bristol NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Heygroves Theatres Town Bristol Salary £32,073 - £39,043 per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 09/11/2026 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.

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

Exciting Band 5 Theatre Practitioner Vacancies:

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated individuals with a flexible approach to be part of our leadership Team in General Theatres, Bristol Royal Infirmary.

We currently have vacancies for band 5 positions (permanent and secondment considered) in our General Theatres and are looking for people to join our team within Hey groves for specialities such as HPB/GI, Robotics, Anaesthetics and Trauma.

Ideally these people would be experienced in both anaesthetics and scrub with knowledge of all specialities, also with some previous experience working in a multidisciplinary theatre team, but we do have an excellent PEF team who can support in any development/training that may be required.

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 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

Heygroves Theatres specialities are developing and expanding, and we have some exciting new development roles and opportunities this year and moving forward in robotics and roving anaesthetic practitioner.

We have a growing robotic theatre covering specialities such as thoracic, gynae, GI and ENT with a second robot due to be in place 2024 which will hopefully lead to development SCP roles within the department.

We are also looking at development roles in covering anaesthetics in emergency situations external to theatres such as difficult intubations, cardiac arrest etc. as will be a great opportunity to learn new skills and be part of an emergency team in BRI.

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

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".

Informal visits are welcome and if you have any other questions, please contact [e-mail]

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.

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.