Theatre Practitioner - HCPC or NMC Registered

Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS hospital trust in Cambridge seeks a Theatre Practitioner, either a HCPC Registered ODP or NMC Registered Nurse, to join their dynamic perioperative team. You will provide essential care for patients during surgeries across multiple complex specialties. This role provides opportunities for professional development and working with cutting-edge surgical teams in a high-volume setting. Ideal candidates should possess active HCPC/NMC registration and demonstrate commitment to excellence in patient care.

Benefits

Development opportunities

On-site leisure facilities

Reduced cost bus travel

Subsidised parking

Qualifications

• HCPC registered Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) or NMC Registered Nurse (RN).
• Evidence of continued professional development.
• Evidence of completed formal Anaesthetic training.

Responsibilities

• Provide safe and effective care during the perioperative period.
• Supervise and train students and junior staff.
• Manage a defined clinical area as needed.

Skills

Good communication skills

Ability to prioritise workload

Capable of working as a team member

Willingness to develop perioperative practice

Highly motivated

Education

NMC or HCPC active registration

Relevant Teaching and assessing qualification

Evidence of continued professional development

Job description

Go back Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Theatre Practitioner - HCPC or NMC Registered

The closing date is 04 January 2026

Are you passionate about delivering exceptional care in a fast‑paced and innovative perioperative environment? Whether you’re an experienced HCPC registered Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) or NMC Registered Nurse (RN), do you have post‑qualification experience and on a preceptorship pathway? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our dynamic team at Cambridge University Hospitals.

CUH Theatres, covering both Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie Hospitals, is one of the largest and most advanced perioperative care services in the UK. Our team of over 600 staff support 39 state‑of‑the‑art theatres, including 22 in our Main Theatres alone, which are split across three specialist units. We deliver some of the most complex and life‑changing procedures available, including neurosurgery, major trauma, specialist paediatrics, complex cancer and obstetric surgeries. We are also the largest and only comprehensive adult solid organ transplant as well as multi‑visceral transplant centre in the UK, offering a unique opportunity to work alongside internationally recognised surgical teams at the hospital that pioneered transplant surgery.

In 2024/25, we performed over 39,000 surgeries and are on track to maintain this level of surgical activity this year, reflecting both the scale and impact of our service. Working in our theatres means being part of a team that delivers across multiple complex specialties, making a real difference to patients from across the region and beyond.

Main duties of the job

• To work as part of the multidisciplinary team, providing safe and effective care for patients during the perioperative period.
• To undertake the management of a defined clinical area in accordance with own competence and level of experience when required.
• To participate as an integral member of the theatre team.
• Participate in the supervision and training of students and junior staff.
• We are committed to developing our staff and offer outstanding educational opportunities, including the PGCert in core areas of perioperative care, as well as clear pathways for further academic and professional development up to Master’s level. Whether you’re looking to grow your expertise or build a long‑term career in perioperative care, CUH provides the platform and support to help you thrive.
• If you’re ready to be part of something extraordinary, apply today and take the next step in your career with Cambridge University Hospitals.

About us

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest teaching Trusts in the country. It comprises Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the Rosie Hospital. We provide accessible high‑quality healthcare for the local people of Cambridge and regional and national specialist services. It’s a great place to nurse, work and live.

You will work on a vibrant hospital campus with a friendly community feel; we have excellent facilities to practise your skills and abilities to support your career pathway and development. Our values of Together - Safe, Kind, Excellent support the delivery of outstanding care. We have a fully electronic patient record system that is improving health‑care quality; this is transforming services, improving patient safety and clinical outcomes.

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached Applicant Information Pack (combined Job Description and Person Specification) for key duties and responsibilities.

This vacancy is open to experienced HCPC‑registered Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) or NMC‑registered Nurses (RNs). Internationally trained nurses who have not yet passed the OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) are not eligible for this role. Applications from candidates who have not passed the OSCE will be automatically rejected, and we kindly ask such applicants not to submit an application.

Please note that interviews are not guaranteed.

This vacancy will close at midnight on 04th January 2026

Benefits to you

At Cambridge University Hospitals, we want to do all we can to support good working days. We offer development opportunities and a wide range of benefits, including on‑site leisure facilities, shopping concourse and day nurseries. Our good work programme currently includes providing reduced cost Stagecoach bus travel to and from Cambridge University Hospital site. Park and Ride bus journeys between Babraham Road and Trumpington sites are free, as is the route to and from Cambridge train station and our hospitals. We also subsidise the cost of parking on site for eligible staff.

On CUH campus, hot food is available 24/7 and at a reduced cost for colleagues. Recently we launched the first of our staff pod break spaces. Located in the Deakin Centre, we have a purpose‑created colleague‑only caf, with free tea and coffee, a break space and private outside area for colleagues to rest, refuel and recharge. Just one of the ways we are working hard to support good working days at CUH.

CUH is committed to assisting employees in achieving a good work‑life balance irrespective of role or personal circumstances. Flexible arrangements may include, but are not limited to, part‑time working, job‑share, term‑time working and flexible start and finish times.

Please note if you would like to discuss the required hours of this role further, you should approach the contact given. In some cases, alternative working hours will be considered.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces.

Qualifications

• RN / ODA / ODP
• Evidence of continued professional development
• NMC or HCPC active registration
• Evidence of completed formal Anaesthetic training
• Relevant Teaching and assessing qualification (or must be willing to work towards whilst in post)
• Evidence of accurate documentation and reporting

Experience

• Current clinical post NMC/HCPC qualification experience in Perioperative practice
• Relevant perioperative teaching and management experience required for senior Band 5 Practitioners
• Evidence of supervision / mentoring of learners and junior staff
• Experience of managing a clinical area

Knowledge

• NMC code of conduct guidelines
• HCPC code of conduct guidelines
• Awareness of WHO Surgical Safety checklist

Skills

• Good communication skills both written and verbal
• Capable of working as an integral member of a team
• Ability to prioritise workload
• Committed to staff support
• Highly motivated
• Willing to develop perioperative practice
• Flexible and adaptable to changing situations due to both workload and colleague need
• Willingness to accept alternative shift times
• Willingness to undertake additional roles
• Committed to the development of junior staff

Additional Requirements

• The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent.
• The following hazards are associated with this job role: 1) Manual handling 2) Exposure to skin irritants 3) Shift work or night shift

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.

Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust