Theatre Practitioner/Nurse/ODP in Ophthalmology

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust; Canterbury; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in the UK is seeking a Band 5 Theatre Practitioner/Nurse/ODP for the Ophthalmic Theatre Department. You will be responsible for ensuring high standards of patient care, maintain accurate records, and collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams. Candidates must be registered nurses or ODPs, with a commitment to personal and professional development. This position offers excellent opportunities for growth within a supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Demonstrate a patient-focused approach.
• Registered Nurse (NMC) or Registered ODP qualifications required.
• Willingness to complete a Preceptorship Programme if required.

Responsibilities

• Communicate effectively with patients and relatives.
• Maintain highest standards of care.
• Ensure accurate and legible patient records.

Skills

Patient-focused approach

Time management

Interpersonal skills

IT skills

Calm under pressure

Education

Registered Nurse (NMC) or Registered ODP

Mentor Qualification or ENB 998

Job description

Theatre Practitioner/Nurse/ODP in Ophthalmology

Go back East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 28 December 2025

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 5 Registered Theatre Practitioner/Nurse/ODP within the Ophthalmic Theatre Department at Kent and Canterbury Hospital.

We have 18 theatres covering specialities from Orthopaedics, Vascular, Urology, Robotic surgery, ENT, Max Fax, and Ophthalmology, EVT, Mechanical Thrombectomy.

You may be required to work between all of these theatres. firmly believe that developing our staff is key to success; we have a dynamic and progressive training and development ethos, providing excellent opportunities to enhance your knowledge and competencies, nurturing your personal and professional development by encouraging and supporting you to reach your full potential!

We are proud that our dedicated and passionate employees from across East Kent Hospitals are featured in the biggest NHS recruitment drive in its 70 year history!

Main duties of the job

Communicate effectively with patients and their relatives, ensuring accurate and seamless information is conveyed and documented

Ensure that all quality initiatives within the nursing environment are adhered to and that the highest standards of care are maintained at all times.

Assist in the development of clinical protocols ensuring that these are reviewed in accordance with the needs of the service in conjunction with the Ward/Unit manager

Ensure that accurate and legible patient records are kept in line with professional and legal requirements.

Promote and maintain effective working relationships and communications with consultants, medical staff, nurse colleagues and other multi-agency professionals

Act as the patients' advocate.

Liaise with all members of the multidisciplinary team

Participate in taking an active role in planning effective, timely, and safe discharges in Day Surgery Ward.

Be clinically competent in all areas of advanced practice relevant to the post.

Work to eliminate all avoidable infection by acting as a role model in infection prevention and control prevention to all staff, and patients' visitors.

Good knowledge of Recovery

Take direct responsibility for ensuring cleaning standards are maintained throughout the shift when in charge.

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're 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. Please note we are only able to sponsor candidates on a Skilled Worker Visa applying for roles Band 5 and above.

Job responsibilities

Please scroll down to access the full Job Description and Person Specification located in 'supporting documents'.

Qualifications and Training

• Demonstrate patient focused approach
• Registered Nurse (NMC) or Registered (ODP)
• Willingness to complete Preceptorship Programme if required (for newly qualified staff).
• Knowledge of recovery
• Evidence of facilitating learning in practice
• Evidence of on-going personal + professional development
• Mentor Qualification or ENB 998

Clinical Skills and Experience

• Basic IT skills
• Ability to develop working relationships with others
• Time management and personal organisation skills
• Calm under pressure
• Ability to work flexibly and collaboratively
• Good interpersonal skills
• The ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English
• Good Health and safety knowledge
• Intermediate Life Support

Governance

• Adheres to all Local and national policies & processes.
• Ability to identify, elevate and mitigate risk to your patients, visitors and colleagues.
• Ability to apply evidenced based research and data driven evidence into practice.
• Involvement in quality improvement projects.

Personal attributes

• Upholds the Trust Values & professional behaviours.
• Ability to apply evidenced based research and data driven evidence into practice.
• Involvement in quality improvement projects.

Other requirements

• Current understanding of key issues facing the NHS both locally and Nationally
• Drive for improvement to patient experience
• Aware of and adhere to the Trust's Vision & strategy.
• Ability to work on own initiative using sound decision-making and problem-solving skills

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.

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust